Rationale
Has a small range (extent of occurrence = 2,137 km2), but its habitat is relatively intact with no major threats or habitat loss. It is therefore considered Least Concern.
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Has a small range (extent of occurrence = 2,137 km2), but its habitat is relatively intact with no major threats or habitat loss. It is therefore considered Least Concern.
Found in the Northern Cape, South Africa, where it occurs along the Orange River, into the Richtersveld National Park, and in Augrabies National Park (Šmíd et al. 2018). It is not known if the populations at these localities are disjunct or if the species may be more widespread between these localities. Recorded in Namibia at one locality (Haib Mine), in the adjacent Karasburg district (Bauer et al. 2006).
Slight
The species occurs in relatively high abundance at known localities (Bates et al. 2014), and the habitat where it occurs is intact. The species is therefore inferred to be stable. Although known localities are seemingly isolated, this may be an artifact of sampling, so the species cannot be considered fragmented at present.
Collection for pet trade appears to be minimal due to the inaccessibility of the habitat, a low demand, and an existing supply of captive-bred individuals (A.M. Bauer pers. obs.). The single known Namibian locality is in a proposed copper mining area, but this has yet to be developed. If developed as planned, mining could pose a threat to the westernmost subpopulation of the species.
This species is kept and bred in captivity on a small scale in Europe and North America. It is not currently widely sold or traded and the limited demand may currently be met by captive bred animals (A.M. Bauer pers. obs.).
The range coincides with some protected areas. A better survey of the distribution would help to clarify whether there are multiple subpopulations, or if the range is continuous.