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Like a miniature dragon, with its prominent and prehistoric looking scales, this unique lizard is only found in a small region of South Africa.

The Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ and threatened by habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and the muthi trade. They are habitat specialists with populations that are restricted to the Highveld grasslands of South Africa. Their habitat is also popular for farming, mines and power plants.

Within the last 40 years, around 1/3 of the Sungazer population has become extinct, indicating the need for urgent conservation intervention. However, conservation planning and implementation can only be effective with detailed knowledge of the species.

Filename
Sungazer, South Africa 20220215124126 © Shannon Wild Portrait
Copyright
© Shannon Wild
Image Size
2875x1917 / 15.8MB
Contained in galleries
AFRICAN ARCHIVE, WILDLIFE ARCHIVE, REPTILES
Like a miniature dragon, with its prominent and prehistoric looking scales, this unique lizard is only found in a small region of South Africa.<br /> <br /> The Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ and threatened by habitat destruction, illegal poaching, and the muthi trade. They are habitat specialists with populations that are restricted to the Highveld grasslands of South Africa. Their habitat is also popular for farming, mines and power plants.<br /> <br /> Within the last 40 years, around 1/3 of the Sungazer population has become extinct, indicating the need for urgent conservation intervention. However, conservation planning and implementation can only be effective with detailed knowledge of the species.