Reptile Awareness Day Shines Spotlight on Western Cape’s Scaled Biodiversity
This Reptile Awareness Day, we celebrate the remarkable diversity found at Lettas Kraal Private Nature Reserve in the Anysberg region. The Western Cape boasts 155 reptile species, with 22 found nowhere else on Earth. Situated in the transitional zone between mountain fynbos and Klein Karoo veld, Lettas Kraal’s 7,000 hectares provide critical habitat for 54 reptile species – 31 of which were recorded during a 2020 survey by EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme.
Notable Species at Lettas Kraal
The reserve protects both common and threatened reptiles including:
- Endangered Karoo Dwarf Tortoise (Chersobius boulengeri) – IUCN Red Listed
- Karoo Sand Snake (Psammophis notostictus)
- Western Sandveld Lizard (Nucras tessellata)
- Bibron’s Thick-Toed Gecko (Chondrodactylus bibronii)
- Karoo Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion gutturale)
Reptile Awareness Day Initiatives
Our educational event for Anysberg landowners and farmworkers covered:
Identification of local reptile families
- Venomous snake awareness and bite first aid
- Myth-busting about snake behaviour
- Dangerous arachnid recognition (spiders/scorpions)
- Hands-on encounters with common species
Why This Matters
As former EWT Field Officer Jean-Pierre Le Roux notes, Lettas Kraal’s size makes it invaluable for reptile conservation. The reserve:
- Protects vulnerable endemic species
- Provides corridors between habitats
- Offers research opportunities
- Educates local communities
This Reptile Awareness Day, we encourage everyone to appreciate these often-misunderstood creatures that play vital roles in our ecosystems.
Learn more:
Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve
EWT Drylands Programme