Bites: when Bits meet Scales
- pauljacquin7
- Jun 14
- 4 min read
When I wrote Bits & Atoms a few weeks ago, the idea of this blog was slithering clear (Bits and Bites). I just needed the right moment to strike. The reason: the arrival of Kerstin and Francois as Conservation Manager on the farm.
When Kerstin and Francois moved to Chamaites early April, they did not only bring their Gen Z. perspective and the experience of working in a nature reserve in Northern Namibia. They injected something wilder: their passion for Reptiles. Francois is a reputed herpetologist who wrote a book, “My First Book of Namibian Snakes” and set up a network of snake catchers around Namibia (a la “Snake City” without the drama and the tattoos). Kerstin has a special fondness for geckos, whilst still being wonderfully comfortable catching snakes in her flip flop!
We will unpack what they already found on the property, but they opened a new world to me (and yes, I am not super fond of snakes…). Most people look at Nature looking for larger mammals and totems (THIS IS HUGE). But the world of reptiles? It is just as rich and fascinating, not too far from the world of birds. It counts c. 12’000 recognized species incl. 4‘200 snakes and 7’000 lizards. Birds have roughly the same count. They could also be seen as a subgroup, being the natural evolution of reptiles (scientifically “avian reptiles”).
So let’s bite into what makes this world of reptiles a very important role for biodiversity:
🌱 1. Trophic Balance: Controlling Populations
Reptiles are double agents in the food web: predators and prey.
As predators, snakes eat rodents, lizards eat insects, and crocodiles eat fish or even large mammals—controlling populations that might otherwise explode and destabilize ecosystems
As prey, reptiles are food for birds, mammals, and even other reptiles (think cobras), supporting the diets of countless species
Without them, ecosystems can spiral, damaging vegetation and spreading disease (e.g., unchecked rodent populations). Certain countries in Africa now think about introducing Puff Adders to ‘guard’ crops. Snake security is a sSs-ing (thing).
🐢 2. Seed Dispersal and Soil Health
Some reptiles eat fruits so their droppings spread seeds. They also:
dig and help aerate soil
mix nutrients, and
create microhabitats for other organisms like insects and fungi
🐍 3. Bioindicators of Environmental Health
Reptiles are incredibly sensitive to pollution, habitat loss, and climate change, making them excellent indicators of ecosystem health.
A sudden decline in reptile populations may signal bigger environmental problems
Because they rely heavily on temperature for body regulation, they are also early indicators of climate instability
🌍 4. Genetic and Evolutionary Diversity
Reptiles are an ancient and diverse group, with adaptations going back hundreds of millions of years:
Their unique traits—like venom (in snakes), temperature-dependent sex determination (in turtles), and limb loss (in some lizards)—represent incredible evolutionary experiments
They offer crucial insights for science, from drug development (snake venom studies) to understanding vertebrate evolution
So far, Löwen River Rewilding has logged 63 species of reptiles among which:
#8 of skinks
#11 of lizards (incl. the Attenboroughs Flat Lizard)
#16 geckos, and even
#4 tortoises
That’s not just impressive, it is a testament to how well reptiles thrive in our harsh Nama Karoo biome, where temperatures can fluctuate 30 deg. C daily.
What’s also fascinating is how convergent evolution has played out: a relative recently pointed out that Puff Adders reminded her of Rattle snakes in the Americas (thanks, Val). Both are “vipers” (adders) despite the break-up of the American continent (from Pangea) dating back over 200 million years
🧪 What’s Next? Research, of course.
And yet, we do not know much about the different species and their habitats. That’s why Kerstin and Francois have time carved out for their own field research. Best is their own terms:
Quartz Gecko Population (@contact_kerstin@lowenriver.org)
We aim to carry out a groundbreaking conservation research project focused on the elusive Quartz Gecko (Pachydactylus latirostris) in the arid landscapes of Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Using innovative, non-invasive Visible Alpha Tags, we will conduct the first detailed population study of this resilient desert species.
Through mark-recapture techniques, we aim to estimate population sizes, monitor trends over time, and understand habitat preferences—essential data for long-term conservation planning.
if you want to read more and support Kerstin's project:
Horned Adder Spatial Ecology (@contact_francois@lowenriver.org)
We are launching an exciting study to uncover the hidden lives of the Horned Adder (Bitis caudalis), a cryptic and ecologically vital desert snake. By equipping at least 10 individuals with miniature tracking devices and monitoring their behavior through CCTV, we aim to gain insights into their movement patterns, habitat use, and daily behaviors—data that is essential for informed conservation of both the species and its fragile desert ecosystem.
if you are interested in Francois' research:
More to come from the world of scales and sunbathers. Until then, keep your eyes on the ground and your heart open to the small, cold-blooded wonders around you.
Avoid walking around in the bush with open shoes!
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