Reptiles of
Western Cape [South Africa]

Related checklists:  South Africa

Bibliography of the reptiles of Western Cape Taxonomic history of the reptiles of Western Cape Introduced species
Home - Taxonomy - Geography - Biodiversity - Literature - Purchase RepFocus Recent updates
Citation: Midtgaard, Rune. RepFocus - A Survey of the Reptiles of the World. www.repfocus.dk (Compilation date: 14th April, 2023).

Checklist
General remarks: The list includes only formally described species. Newly discovered, but still unnamed species are excluded. However, unnamed species or species unassigned to species level are included, if they are the only representatives of their genus in the region. Species counts exclude extinct and introduced species. Doubtful records, typically older voucher specimens of uncertain origin, have been excluded if considered questionable, as are records based on sources considered unreliable or controversial.
Note: Your comments to the checklist (omissions, errors, etc.) are welcomed, preferably if they are provided with reliable references. If possible, please attach a pdf file of the relevant reference to an email addressed to:
Lizards (Sauria)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Agamidae (Agamas and Dragons)
Genus Agama (Typical Agamas)
 
Agama aculeata

Kalahari Spiny Agama

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989
 
Agama atra

Southern Rock Agama

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Agama hispida

Southern Spiny Agama

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Cornelius, Marais & Cunningham 2012
 
Agama knobeli

Namibian Black Agama

Branch 1998
 Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)
Genus Bradypodion (Southern African Dwarf Chameleons)
  *
Bradypodion atromontanum

Swartberg Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Glaw 2015 Tilbury 2010
 
Bradypodion damaranum

Knysna Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Glaw 2015 Klaver & Boehme 1997 Tilbury 2010
 
Bradypodion gutturale

Little Karroo Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Burger 1993 Glaw 2015 Klaver & Boehme 1997 Tilbury 2010
 
Bradypodion occidentale

Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Tilbury 2010 Visser 1979
  *
Bradypodion pumilum

Western Cape Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Glaw 2015 Klaver & Boehme 1997 Tilbury 2010
 
Bradypodion ventrale

Eastern Cape Dwarf Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 [as karrooicum] Branch 1981 Branch, Tolley & Tilbury 2006 Glaw 2015 Tilbury 2010
  *
Bradypodion venustum

Grootvadersbosch Dwarf Chameleon

Tolley, Tilbury & Burger 2022
Genus Chamaeleo (Typical Chameleons)
 
Chamaeleo namaquensis

Namaqua Chameleon

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Leuteritz 2005 Tilbury 2010
 Family Cordylidae (Girdled Lizards)
Genus Chamaesaura (African Grass Lizards)
 
Chamaesaura anguina

Southern Highland Grass Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Toit, Mouton & Flemming 2003
Genus Cordylus (Girdled Lizards)
  *
Cordylus aridus

Dwarf Karoo Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Mouton & Wyk 1994
 
Cordylus cordylus

Cape Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Diedericks & Daniels 2014 Heerden, Mouton & Wyk 1992 Phelps 2009 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Cordylus macropholis

Large-scaled Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 McLachlan 1979
 
Cordylus mclachlani

Ceres Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998
 
Cordylus minor

Dwarf Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
  *
Cordylus niger

Black Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Heerden, Mouton & Wyk 1992 Witberg 2012
  *
Cordylus oelofseni

Porterville Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Mouton & Wyk 1990 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Hemicordylus (Western Crag Lizards)
 
Hemicordylus capensis

Graceful Crag Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
  *
Hemicordylus nebulosus

Dwarf Crag Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Mouton & Wyk 1995
Genus Karusasaurus (Karoo Girdled Lizards)
 
Karusasaurus polyzonus

Southern Karoo Girdled Lizard

Bates 1991 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Namazonurus (Namaqua Girdled Lizards)
 
Namazonurus peersi

Garies Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014
Genus Ninurta (Blue-spotted Girdled Lizard)
 
Ninurta coeruleopunctatus

Blue-spotted Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998
Genus Ouroborus (Armadillo Girdled Lizard)
 
Ouroborus cataphractus

Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Burger 1993 Visagie, Mouton & Flemming 2002
Genus Pseudocordylus (Eastern Crag Lizards)
 
Pseudocordylus microlepidotus

Cape Crag Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
 Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos)
Genus Afroedura (Flat Geckos)
  *
Afroedura hawequensis

Hawequa Flat Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Jacobsen, Kuhn, Jackman & Bauer 2014
 
Afroedura karroica

Karoo Flat Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Jacobsen, Kuhn, Jackman & Bauer 2014
Genus Afrogecko (Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko)
 
Afrogecko porphyreus

Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Branch, Bauer & Good 1995 Heinicke, Daza, Greenbaum, Jackman & Bauer 2014 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Witberg 2012
Genus Chondrodactylus (Giant Ground Gecko and Thick-toed Geckos)
 
Chondrodactylus angulifer

Giant Ground Gecko

Branch & Braack 1989 Heinz, Brennan, Jackman & Bauer 2021 Visser 1981
 
Chondrodactylus bibronii

Tubercled Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer 1991 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Heinz, Brennan, Jackman & Bauer 2021 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Goggia (South African Dwarf Leaf-toed Geckos)
  *
Goggia braacki

Western Cape Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch 1998 Good, Bauer & Branch 1996 Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017
  *
Goggia essexi

Eastern Cape Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017
 
Goggia hewitti

Swartberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch, Bauer & Good 1995 Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017
 
Goggia hexapora

Cedarberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch 1998 Branch, Bauer & Good 1995 Good, Bauer & Branch 1996 Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
  *
Goggia incognita

Jacobsbaai Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017
 
Goggia lineata

Striped Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Branch, Bauer & Good 1995 Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017 Witberg 2012
 
Goggia matzikamaensis

Matzikama Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017
  *
Goggia microlepidota

Small-scaled Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Branch, Bauer & Good 1995 Heinicke, Turk & Bauer 2017 McLachlan 1979 Mouton & Wyk 1981 Visser 1979
Genus Pachydactylus (Typical Thick-toed Geckos)
 
Pachydactylus austeni

Port Nolloth Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998
 
Pachydactylus barnardi

Garies Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014
 
Pachydactylus capensis

Common Cape Thick-toed Gecko

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998
 
Pachydactylus formosus

Karoo Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer & Lamb 2002 Bauer & Lamb 2005 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Lamb & Bauer 2000 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Visser 1979
 
Pachydactylus geitje

Ocellated Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer & Lamb 2002 Bauer & Lamb 2005 Bauer 1991 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Pachydactylus kladaroderma

Thin-skinned Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer & Lamb 2002 Bauer & Lamb 2005 Branch & Braack 1989 [as namaquensis] Branch 1981 [as namaquensis] Branch 1989 [as namaquensis] Branch 1998 Branch, Bauer & Good 1996 Burger 1993 [as namaquensis]
 
Pachydactylus labialis

Western Cape Thick-toed Gecko

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Visser 1979
 
Pachydactylus latirostris

Broad-nosed Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Heinicke, Jackman & Branch 2011 Visser 1979
 
Pachydactylus maculatus

Spotted Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Visser 1979
 
Pachydactylus mariquensis

Marico Thick-toed Gecko

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Heinicke, Jackman & Branch 2011 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Mouton & Mostert 1984
 
Pachydactylus oculatus

Golden Spotted Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer & Lamb 2005 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Burger 1993
 
Pachydactylus purcelli

Karoo Spotted Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer 1991 Bauer, Lamb & Branch 2006 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Burger 1993 Nicolau & Lynch 2019
 
Pachydactylus weberi

Klipfontein Thick-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Lamb & Branch 2006
Genus Ptenopus (African Barking Geckos)
 
Ptenopus garrulus

Common Barking Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981
Genus Ramigekko (Swartberg Leaf-toed Gecko)
  *
Ramigekko swartbergensis

Swartberg Leaf-toed Gecko

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Good & Branch 1997 Branch 1998 Heinicke, Daza, Greenbaum, Jackman & Bauer 2014
 Family Gerrhosauridae (Plated Lizards)
Genus Cordylosaurus (Dwarf Plated Lizard)
 
Cordylosaurus subtessellatus

Dwarf Plated Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bates, Tolley, Edwards, Davids, Silva & Branch 2013 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
Genus Gerrhosaurus (Typical Plated Lizards)
 
Gerrhosaurus flavigularis

Yellow-throated Plated Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bates, Tolley, Edwards, Davids, Silva & Branch 2013 Branch 1998 Visser 1979
 
Gerrhosaurus typicus

Namaqua Plated Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bates, Tolley, Edwards, Davids, Silva & Branch 2013 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Baard 1987 Cloete, Mohamed, Ponton, Tokota & Maritz 2019
Genus Tetradactylus (Plated Snake Lizards)
  *
Tetradactylus fitzsimonsi

Cape Plated Snake Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014
 
Tetradactylus seps

Short-legged Plated Snake Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998
 
Tetradactylus tetradactylus

Four-toed Plated Snake Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bates, Tolley, Edwards, Davids, Silva & Branch 2013 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
 Family Lacertidae (Typical Lizards)
Genus Australolacerta (Cape Rock Lizard)
  *
Australolacerta australis

Cape Rock Lizard

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Villiers, Baard & Branch 1983
Genus Meroles (Southwest African Desert Lizards)
 
Meroles ctenodactylus

Giant Desert Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981
 
Meroles knoxii

Round-snouted Desert Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Bauer 2004 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
 
Meroles suborbitalis

Spotted Desert Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989
Genus Nucras (Sandveld Lizards)
  *
Nucras aurantiaca

Golden Sandveld Lizard

Bauer, Childers, Broeckhoven & Mouton 2019
 
Nucras lalandii

Southeastern Sandveld Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998
 
Nucras livida

Karoo Sandveld Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley 1972 Conradie, Busschau & Jordaan 2020
 
Nucras tessellata

Western Sandveld Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley 1972 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Pedioplanis (African Sand Lizards)
 
Pedioplanis burchelli

Southern Sand Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
 
Pedioplanis laticeps

Cape Sand Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Kirchhof, Penner, Roedel & Muller 2017
 
Pedioplanis namaquensis

Namaqua Sand Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989
 
Pedioplanis pulchella

Venus Sand Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer 1991 [as lineoocellata] Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Tropidosaura (South African Mountain Lizards)
 
Tropidosaura gularis

Cape Mountain Lizard

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bischoff 1992 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1998
 
Tropidosaura montana

Common South African Mountain Lizard

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bischoff 1992 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1981 Branch 1998
 Family Scincidae (Skinks)
Genus Acontias (Greater Legless Skinks)
  *
Acontias grayi

Graafwater Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley & Greer 1969
 
Acontias lineatus

Striped Dwarf Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 [as "cf. lineatus"] Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley & Greer 1969
 
Acontias litoralis

Coastal Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley & Greer 1969
 
Acontias meleagris

Cape Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley & Greer 1969 Burger 1993 Girard 2002 Lamb, Biswas & Bauer 2010 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Witberg 2012
 
Acontias tristis

Northern Cape Striped Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014
Genus Scelotes (Dwarf Burrowing Skinks)
  *
Scelotes bipes

Silvery Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Heideman, Mulcahy, Sites, Hendricks & Daniels 2011
 
Scelotes caffer

Cape Three-toed Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993
  *
Scelotes gronovii

Cape One-toed Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Heideman, Mulcahy, Sites, Hendricks & Daniels 2011 Witberg 2012
  *
Scelotes kasneri

Cape Two-toed Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Heideman, Mulcahy, Sites, Hendricks & Daniels 2011
  *
Scelotes montispectus

Bloubergstrand Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer, Whiting & Sadlier 2003 Heideman, Mulcahy, Sites, Hendricks & Daniels 2011
 
Scelotes sexlineatus

Striped Dwarf Burrowing Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1981 Heideman, Mulcahy, Sites, Hendricks & Daniels 2011
Genus Trachylepis (African-American Grass and Forest Skinks)
 
Trachylepis capensis

Cape Skink

Bauer 1991 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Broadley 2000 Burger 1993 Phelps 2009 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Witberg 2012
 
Trachylepis homalocephala

Red-sided Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 2000 Portik, Bauer & Jackman 2010 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Trachylepis occidentalis

Western Three-striped Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Broadley 2000 Burger 1993
 
Trachylepis sulcata

Koppie Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bauer 1991 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Broadley 2000 Burger 1993 Portik, Bauer & Jackman 2010 Portik, Bauer & Jackman 2011
 
Trachylepis variegata

Western Variegated Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Bauer 1995 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Broadley 1975 Burger 1993 Portik, Bauer & Jackman 2010 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Visser 1981
Genus Typhlosaurus (Blind Legless Skinks)
  *
Typhlosaurus caecus

Yellow Blind Legless Skink

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Bates, Heideman, Wilson, Hendricks, Don & Moses 1998 Branch 1981 Branch 1998 Broadley 1968 Visser 1979
 Family Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)
Genus Varanus (Monitor Lizards)
 
Varanus albigularis

White-throated Monitor

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1981 Branch 1989 Els 2005

Snakes (Serpentes)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Colubridae (Typical Snakes or Colubrids)
Genus Crotaphopeltis (Herald Snakes)
 
Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Common Herald Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993
Genus Dasypeltis (African Egg Eaters)
 
Dasypeltis scabra

Common African Egg Eater

Bates & Broadley 2018 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Witberg 2012
Genus Dispholidus (Boomslangs)
 
Dispholidus typus

Cape Boomslang

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley & Wallach 2002 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Visser 1979
Genus Philothamnus (African Green Snakes)
 
Philothamnus hoplogaster

Southeastern Green Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Broadley 1983 Jacobsen 2006
 
Philothamnus occidentalis

Western Natal Green Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Jesus, Nagy, Branch, Wink, Brehm & Harris 2009
Genus Telescopus (Afro-Asian Cat Snakes)
 
Telescopus beetzii

Namib Tiger Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Baard 1987 Visser 1981
 Family Elapidae [part 1: terrestrial species] (Cobras, Mambas, etc.)
Genus Aspidelaps (Shield-nosed Cobras)
 
Aspidelaps lubricus

African Coral Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Visser 1979 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014
Genus Hemachatus (Ring-necked Spitting Cobra)
 
Hemachatus haemachates

Ring-necked Spitting Cobra

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Smith 2011 Visser 1979
Genus Naja (Typical Cobras)
 
Naja nigricincta

Western Barred Spitting Cobra

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1968 Broadley 1983 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014 Wuster, Crookes, Ineich, Mane, Pook, Trape & Broadley 2007
 
Naja nivea

Yellow Cobra

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley & Wuster 2004 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Dobiey & Vogel 2007
 Family Elapidae [part 2: marine species] (Sea Snakes)
Genus Hydrophis (Typical Sea Snakes)
 
Hydrophis platurus

Yellow-bellied Sea Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983
 Family Lamprophiidae (House Snakes, etc.)
Genus Alopecion (Spotted House Snake)
 
Alopecion guttatum

Spotted House Snake

Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Visser 1979 Visser 1981
Genus Amplorhinus (Many-spotted Snake)
 
Amplorhinus multimaculatus

Many-spotted Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1989 Broadley 1983 Wallach, Williams & Boundy 2014
Genus Boaedon (Afro-Arabian House Snakes)
 
Boaedon capensis

Brown House Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 [as fuliginosus] Broadley 1983 [as fuliginosus] Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 [as fuliginosus] Visser 1979 [as fuliginosus]
Genus Dipsina (Dwarf Beaked Snake)
 
Dipsina multimaculata

Dwarf Beaked Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Broadley 1983 Baard 1987 Visser 1979
Genus Duberria (African Slug Eaters)
 
Duberria lutrix

Common Slug Eater

Branch & Braack 1989 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993
Genus Homoroselaps (African Harlequin Snakes)
 
Homoroselaps lacteus

Spotted Harlequin Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Dobiey & Vogel 2007
Genus Lamprophis (SubSaharan House Snakes)
 
Lamprophis aurora

Aurora House Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983
 
Lamprophis fiskii

Cape House Snake

Barts, Schneider, Boone, Marais, Branch & Haacke 2012 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Broadley 1983 Baard 1987 Marais 1981
 
Lamprophis fuscus

Yellow-bellied House Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Visser 1979
Genus Lycodonomorphus (Southern African Water Snakes)
 
Lycodonomorphus inornatus

Olive-brown House Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983
 
Lycodonomorphus rufulus

Common Brown Water Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983
Genus Lycophidion (African Wolf Snakes)
 
Lycophidion capense

Cape Wolf Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1989 Broadley 1983 Broadley 1996
Genus Prosymna (Shovel-snout Snakes)
 
Prosymna sundevallii

Southern African Shovel-snout

Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley & Blaylock 2013 Broadley 1980 Broadley 1983 Visser 1979 Visser 1981
Genus Psammophis (Old World Sand Snakes and Grass Snakes)
 
Psammophis crucifer

Cross-marked Grass Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1989 Broadley 1983 Broadley 2002 Burger 1993
  *
Psammophis leightoni

Cape Sand Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1977 Broadley 1983 Broadley 2002
 
Psammophis namibensis

Namib Sand Snake

Broadley 1977 Broadley 1983 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Psammophis notostictus

Karoo Sand Snake

Bates 1991 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1977 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Psammophylax (Skaapstekers)
 
Psammophylax rhombeatus

Spotted Skaapsteker

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Keates, Conradie, Greenbaum & Edwards 2019
Genus Pseudaspis (African Mole Snake)
 
Pseudaspis cana

African Mole Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983
 Family Leptotyphlopidae (Thread Snakes)
Genus Leptotyphlops (Typical Thread Snakes)
 
Leptotyphlops nigricans

South African Black Thread Snake

Adalsteinsson, Branch, Trape, Vitt & Hedges 2009 Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley & Broadley 1999 Broadley 1983
Genus Namibiana (Southwest African Thread Snakes)
 
Namibiana gracilior

Slender Thread Snake

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley & Broadley 1999 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999
 Family Typhlopidae (Typical Blind Snakes)
Genus Rhinotyphlops (African Beaked Blind Snakes)
 
Rhinotyphlops lalandei

Cape Blind Snake

Branch & Bauer 2004 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley & Wallach 2009 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993
 Family Viperidae (Vipers)
Genus Bitis (African Adders)
 
Bitis arietans

Common Puff Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Burger 1993 Phelps 2009 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 Witberg 2012
  *
Bitis armata

Southern Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Branch 1999 Dobiey & Vogel 2007
 
Bitis atropos

Cape Mountain Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Broadley 1983 Dobiey & Vogel 2007 McDiarmid, Campbell & Toure 1999 Visser 1979
 
Bitis caudalis

Horned Adder

Branch & Braack 1989 Broadley 1983 Dobiey & Vogel 2007 Phelps & Els 2006
 
Bitis cornuta

Many-horned Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Branch 1999 Broadley 1983 Visser 1979
 
Bitis rubida

South African Red Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1997 Branch 1998 Branch 1999 Broadley 1983 [as inornata] Dobiey & Vogel 2007
 
Bitis schneideri

Namaqua Dwarf Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014
Genus Causus (Night Adders)
 
Causus rhombeatus

Rhombic Night Adder

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Broadley 1983 Dobiey & Vogel 2007

Turtles (Testudines)
= endemicEX = extinct or assumed extinct

Species
References
 Family Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled Sea Turtles)
Genus Eretmochelys (Hawksbill Sea Turtle)
 
Eretmochelys imbricata

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Branch 1998
 Family Pelomedusidae (African Side-necked Turtles)
Genus Pelomedusa (African Helmeted Turtles)
 
Pelomedusa galeata

South African Helmeted Turtle

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 [as subrufa] Branch & Braack 1989 [as subrufa] Petzold, Vargas-Ramirez, Kehlmaier, Vamberger, Branch, Preez, Hofmeyr, Meyer, Schleicher, Siroky & Fritz 2014 Stuart & Meakin 1983 [as P. subrufa] Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006 [as subrufa]
 Family Testudinidae (Tortoises)
Genus Chersina (Angulate Tortoise)
 
Chersina angulata

Angulate Tortoise

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Burger 1993 Hofmeyr 2009 Phelps 2009 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
Genus Chersobius (Five-toed Dwarf Tortoises)
 
Chersobius boulengeri

Karroo Padloper

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998
 
Chersobius signatus

Speckled Padloper

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Boycott 1986 Branch 1998 Daniels, Hofmeyr, Henen & Baard 2010
Genus Homopus (Four-toed Dwarf Tortoises)
 
Homopus areolatus

Common Padloper

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Fritz & Havas 2006 Tolley, Whitaker & Turner 2006
 
Homopus femoralis

Greater Padloper

Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Fritz & Havas 2006
Genus Psammobates (South African Star Tortoises)
 
Psammobates geometricus

Geometric Tortoise

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch 1998 Baard 1992 Fritz & Havas 2006
 
Psammobates tentorius

African Tent Tortoise

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Branch 1998 Burger 1993 Fritz & Havas 2006
Genus Stigmochelys (Leopard Tortoise)
 
Stigmochelys pardalis

Leopard Tortoise

Bates, Branch, Bauer, Burger, Marais, Alexander & Villiers [eds.] 2014 Branch & Braack 1989 Burger 1993