Biodiversity (1 - SRK Consulting

Very few trees occur on the study site, which provided habitat for arboreal (tree-living)
herpetofauna. As a result arboreal species like the Kalahari tree skink are excluded from
the species list.
The farm owner, Mr Deon Maasdorp, gave me a list of herpetofauna species he has
found on his farm. Some interesting observations he and his family have make in the
few years they have farmed on the study site, were that they have never seen a single
frog, but have observed rock monitors on the property.
Of the 56 reptile species, which are deduced to possibly occupy the study site (Table 1),
six were confirmed during the site visit (Table 2) and of the possible 11 amphibian
species which may occur on the study site (Table 1), none was confirmed during the site
visit (Table 2). The number of species would certainly have been higher if the survey
had been conducted during the summer months, especially after good rains. The three
Red Data reptiles which may occur on the study site are discussed below. No exotic
herpetofauna species are expected to occur on the study site.
The species assemblage is typical of what can be expected in a fairly natural
environment, with sufficient habitat to sustain populations. Most of the species of the
resident diversity (Table 1) are fairly common and widespread (viz. Karoo tent tortoise,
brown house snake, common egg eater, puff adder, horned adder, Cape cobra, Bibron’s
tubercled gecko, giant ground gecko, Anchieta’s agama and western rock skink).
The high species richness expected on the study site is due to the size of the study site,
the renowned endemic biodiversity of the Northern Cape and the presence of three of
the four habitat types. The excellent presence of rupiculous habitats have also enhanced
the species richness.
10.3. Red Data Listed Reptiles
The study site area falls outside the natural range of the speckled padloper, Namaqua
day Gecko, Lawrence’s girdled lizard, Armadillo girdled lizard, Lomi’s blind legless skink,
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