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Science Snippet
Rediscovering South Africa’s Reptiles: Filling Knowledge Gaps to Enhance Conservation
By Erin Adams (Conservation planning and science unit – science officer, EWT) and Lizanne Roxburgh (Conservation planning and science unit –Â Senior Manager Science, EWT)
The urgent mission of Rediscovering South Africa’s Reptiles has yielded critical insights, with recent surveys upgrading conservation statuses for several endemic species. South Africa hosts 402 terrestrial reptile species – over half found nowhere else on Earth – yet 6.5% face extinction while 1.5% remain Data Deficient, leaving them unprotected.
Orange Sandveld Lizard (Nucras aurantiaca). © Chad Keates
Key Survey Findings
EWT scientists conducted targeted surveys in Limpopo and Western Cape, discovering:
- 163 new records for 40 Limpopo species
- 245 new records for 34 Western Cape species
- Status upgrades:
- Methuen’s Dwarf Gecko: Data Deficient → Endangered
- Orange Sandveld Lizard: Proposed Endangered classification
- Woodbush Legless Skink: Near Threatened → Vulnerable
Why This Matters
- Endemic species protection: 50% of SA’s reptiles exist nowhere else
- Policy impact: Data informs IUCN Red List assessments
- Conservation focus: Guides habitat protection priorities
“Without surveys like these, we’d lose species before even understanding their ecological roles,” notes EWT’s Lizanne Roxburgh.
How You Can Help
Citizen scientists contribute via:
- iNaturalist submissions
- Photographing reptiles responsibly
- Reporting sightings to conservation groups
These efforts build crucial data to protect South Africa’s extraordinary – yet often overlooked – reptilian biodiversity.
*Cowan, O. S., Conradie, W., Keates, C., Telford, N. S., Petford, M. A., Egan, V., & Tolley, K. A. (2025). Lost lizards: The importance of targeted surveys in filling knowledge gaps for reptile conservation in South Africa. Journal for Nature Conservation, 84, 126790.latest project brief.