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Species Cards

Psammobates tentorius trimeni

The Namaqualand tent tortoise is a vibrant and highly polymorphic seed disperser.

Namaqualand tent tortoise

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Psammobates tentorius tentorius

The Karoo tent tortoise is an important seed disperser for various plant species and endemic to South Africa. It is arguably one of the most taxonomically confusing and morphologically polymorphic species of Testudines.

Karoo tent tortoise

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Labeo umbratus

The Moggel is a freshwater fish endemic to Southern Africa. It is important for commercial and subsistence fisheries, angling, aquaculture, and physiological research.

Moggel

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Pomadasys commersonnii

The Spotted Grunter is a high-value species targeted by commercial fisheries. In South Africa, commercial fishing of this species is prohibited, with only recreational angling permitted.

Spotted Grunter

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Psammobates tentorius verroxii

The Bushmanland tent tortoise, an important seed disperser for various plant species and endemic to South Africa and Namibia, is arguably one of the most taxonomically confusing and morphologically polymorphic species of Testudines.

Bushmanland tent tortoise

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Sclerophrys pantherina

The Western Leopard Toad is a narrow endemic of the Western Cape, South Africa, with several populations already lost. The remaining few are critical to the species’ survival.

Western Leopard Toad

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Otomys auratus

The South East African Vlei Rat is a vital component of South African biodiversity, contributing to ecosystem health through seed dispersal, soil aeration, and serving as prey for predators.

South East African Vlei Rat

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Greyia sutherlandii

The bottlebrush, an endemic plant of montane regions, plays a key role in ecosystem services. Rich in flavonoids, it shows promising anti-tyrosinase activity with potential medicinal benefits for skin conditions.

Glossy Bottlebrush

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Polihierax semitorquatus

The pygmy falcon is important to South African biodiversity, helping control insect and small vertebrate populations in arid environments.

Pygmy falcon

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Polysteganus undulosus

Due to overexploitation, the Seventyfour seabream remains off-limits to both commercial and recreational fishing. It is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Seventyfour seabream

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Caroxylon aphyllum

Gannabos was used in the past by farmers to make lye and soap. It is heavily browsed by all types of wild and domestic animals, including ruminants and ostriches and is a valuable feed in times of scarcity.

Gannabos

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Argyrosomus inodorus

The silver kob is a marine fish endemic to Southern Africa and is heavily exploited in South African waters.

Silver kob

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