Globally, there are over 12,000 different species of Reptiles. In South Africa, we have 402 terrestrial reptile species, and this number keeps growing, as new species are regularly being discovered.

Despite this, South African reptiles are under threat, with more than 6.5% believed to be at risk of extinction, and another 5.8% considered to be Near Threatened. A further 1.5% of species are Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, meaning that we know too little about them to be able to assess their risk of extinction.

More than half of the South African reptile species are found nowhere else in the world. It is, therefore, imperative that these species are well-protected. Given that not much is known about Data Deficient species, these are not awarded any formal protection. Thus gaining knowledge on these species is particularly important to be able to assign them to a Red List category and to protect them accordingly.

A recent publication, co-authored by EWT scientists*, has highlighted the importance of targeted reptile surveys.

The scientists conducted field surveys in Limpopo Province as well as the West Coast region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Sites in these provinces were selected as they were presumed to be home to two Data Deficient species, Methuen’s Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus methueni) and the Orange Sandveld Lizard (Nucras aurantiaca). One species is thought to be Extinct—Eastwood’s Longtailed Seps (Tetradactylus eastwoodae). During these surveys, valuable samples were collected for DNA barcoding.

As a result of the surveys, the scientists were able to add 163 new reptile occurrence records from 40 different species in Limpopo. While they were not successful in rediscovering the species that was presumed Extinct, they did manage to collect new occurrence records for two other species of conservation concern, providing valuable data to assist those performing Red List assessments. From the Western Cape surveys, the scientists were able to add 245 new reptile occurrence records from 34 different species. Within these, new records were obtained for three species of conservation concern, including those that were previously deemed Data Deficient.

The records obtained through these targeted surveys have allowed scientists to update the geographical range maps of the 40 species in Limpopo, as well as the 34 species in the Western Cape. As a result, the formerly Data Deficient Methuen’s Dwarf Gecko has now been listed as Endangered. The other Data Deficient species, the Orange Sandveld Lizard, has also been proposed to be classified as Endangered. Another species that has been found during these surveys, the Woodbush legless skink (Acontias rieppeli), has been uplisted from Near Threatened to Vulnerable.

This new information will lead to better conservation action for these rare and threatened species. This study has highlighted the importance of targeted surveys in filling knowledge gaps on Data Deficient species. The general public can also assist in filling these knowledge gaps through the use of citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist.

*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.