By Sean Thomas, Cape Reptile Research and Conservation.
Cape Reptile Research and Conservation was employed to conduct a reptile survey at Maremani Nature Reserve, by Mr. Leif Skov of the Aage V. Jensen Foundation, the landowners and managers of Maremani Nature Reserve.
Maremani Nature Reserve is positioned in an important ecological area,and herpetologically-speaking, relatively ‘untapped’ and ‘unworked’. As most reptiles are non-migratory, the need for correct species lists and checklists are imperative. Now with DNA analysis, we can identify correct taxonomy, an area that has been in a poor state in the last few decades. Reptiles form an important part of our biodiversity in South Africa and Education remains the key for their conservation, as well as the prevention and management of snake envenomation.