Bradypodion nemorale | SANBI Sensitive Species

Exploitation extent

Small or insignificant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, but utilisation is localised and/or affects only a small proportion of the wild population.

Justification and references

Wild caught individuals of this species have been exported under CITES Appendix II in limited numbers (<90), although there are no recorded exports in the last decade (UNEP-WCMC 2018)

Population vulnerability

Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km² OR species at risk of localised extinctions

Justification and references

The range size of this chameleon is approximately 39km2 (Tolley In press), suggesting the the population could be vulnerable to removals.

Targeted demographics

Mature (breeding) individuals are killed, significantly weakened or are permanently removed from the wild, OR immature individuals are targeted and this significantly impacts mature (breeding) individuals.

Justification and references

Permanent removal from the wild has occurred (UNEP-WCMC 2018), although it is not known if removals are of adults or juveniles.

Regeneration potential

This species has a fast population growth rate, and there is a good chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation.

Justification and references

This species is viviparous, and although clutch sizes are not known, other species in the genus may give birth to 10-15 offspring annually (Tolley & Burger 2007). Given their life history, it is likely that the species would recover from limited permanent removals, particularly because the species habitat is continuous which would allow for recolonsation.