Yip, it’s that time of year again – autumn. That means that the Sungazers have decided to do what many reptiles do (and some humans wish they could do) and that is to hibernate!

The green colours in the grasslands are slowly changing and although the landscapes differ, this biome offers a different type of beauty. In the pristine areas where Sungazers live, the grasslands very often display a red colour by the grass species very aptly called red grass (scientifically, this grass is known as a Themeda species). It won’t be long until winter sets in and the winds blow the grasses like waves over a lake. Frost very often occurs on the cold winter mornings, but the snow on the high-lying majestic Drakensberg can be seen in some parts of the Harrismith district where the majority of Sungazers are found. Sometimes the sandstone mountains can also become snow-capped.

Although Sungazers generally stay in their burrows for the majority of the winter period to avoid those cold conditions, it may however be a surprise to see a Sungazer’s head appear in the grasslands during this time – but obviously on a really warm winter’s day. This could be one of those ventures to check what the weather is like outside to determine whether spring has finally arrived or not. Once it is warmer, sungazing can once again occur and the insects would have returned to be consumed. Some winters can feel really long – especially when the urge for sungazing and to consume a delicious warm meal grows stronger with each cold day endured.

With it almost being winter now, it will still be a while before the starving Sungazers can satisfy their appetite, which will probably only be at the end of September, depending on the weather conditions.

Have a great autumn and winter and remember that it is much warmer inside a burrow than what it is like outside, so stay warm like the hibernating Sungazers!