Plants in the Succulent Karoo have adapted to gain energy and nutrients from very dry conditions. They manage to survive for long periods without rainfall. Animals in this biome has also adapted to gain as much as possible from their environment to enable survival. Insects are able to survive from the nectar produced by the flowers, and insectivores thrive in this biome. The mammals that occur in this biome are either herbivores or insectivores, and the only main predators are birds of prey.
Woody Species
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/9063617.png)
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Quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma)
Small tree that can grow up to 8m tall. It has a thick stem. The leaves are succulent and grow at the tip of the branches in a rosette. Leaves can vary in colour from blue-green to yellow-green. The tree used to be used for hunting arrows and the branches were used for building materials.
Small tree that can grow up to 8m tall. It has a thick stem. The leaves are succulent and grow at the tip of the branches in a rosette. Leaves can vary in colour from blue-green to yellow-green. The tree used to be used for hunting arrows and the branches were used for building materials.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/2751950.png)
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Halfmens (Pachypodium namaquanum)
This succulent grows has an upright fleshy stem and grows up to 5m high. Mostly unbranched, although sometimes small branches occur at the top of the plant. Leaves are clustered at the tip of the stem and are green-grey and velvet-like. The tips of the plants are always orientated to the north, so that the leaves get maximum sun exposure. Many myths are associated with this plant. It is said that these plants are half-human and half-plant, and at a distance it can be mistaken for a human.
This succulent grows has an upright fleshy stem and grows up to 5m high. Mostly unbranched, although sometimes small branches occur at the top of the plant. Leaves are clustered at the tip of the stem and are green-grey and velvet-like. The tips of the plants are always orientated to the north, so that the leaves get maximum sun exposure. Many myths are associated with this plant. It is said that these plants are half-human and half-plant, and at a distance it can be mistaken for a human.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/7488787.png)
_ Tortoise berry (Nylandtia spinosa)
It’s a multibranched woody shrub with the branches ending in thorns. It has small berries that are edible and are mostly eaten by tortoises as well as birds. The flowers are small and are mostly white, pink or purple. A tea can be brewed from the leaves and chewing the leaves can also help with sleeplessness. The roots can also be used in aiding with malaria symptoms.
It’s a multibranched woody shrub with the branches ending in thorns. It has small berries that are edible and are mostly eaten by tortoises as well as birds. The flowers are small and are mostly white, pink or purple. A tea can be brewed from the leaves and chewing the leaves can also help with sleeplessness. The roots can also be used in aiding with malaria symptoms.
Herbaceous Species
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Hardy ice plant (Delosperma herbeum)
Fleshy, succulent herb. It has cilyndrical leaves. It is drought resistant and can grow in full sunlight. Bright flowers are borne singly at the tips of short branches. The flowers can open and close and are open during the day, but is closed during the night or on overcast days.
Fleshy, succulent herb. It has cilyndrical leaves. It is drought resistant and can grow in full sunlight. Bright flowers are borne singly at the tips of short branches. The flowers can open and close and are open during the day, but is closed during the night or on overcast days.
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Namaqualand arctotis (Arctotis fastuosa)
This flowering plant is widely distributed from Namaqualand to Namibia. The size of the plant will depend on the amount of rainfall the area receives. The plant has long woolly leaves that are clustered in small clumps. Single flowers are borne on leafy stalks. The flower heads are normally a stricking orange, but can also be white. Dark blotches appear at the base of the petals. These flowers are pollinated by bees and wasps.
This flowering plant is widely distributed from Namaqualand to Namibia. The size of the plant will depend on the amount of rainfall the area receives. The plant has long woolly leaves that are clustered in small clumps. Single flowers are borne on leafy stalks. The flower heads are normally a stricking orange, but can also be white. Dark blotches appear at the base of the petals. These flowers are pollinated by bees and wasps.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/8340797.png)
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Buchu (Agathosma globrata)
This plant is characterized by small oil glands on the leaves and fruit which release a lemon scent. This plant can grow up to 1m high. It’s a single stemmed plant that appears bright when in bloom. Large amounts of purple, pink or white flowers are carried in clusters. Leaves are tiny and dark green. The flowers are pollinates by bees, wasps, flies and butterflies. It is often used as a garden plant and is grown commercially for its oil content.
This plant is characterized by small oil glands on the leaves and fruit which release a lemon scent. This plant can grow up to 1m high. It’s a single stemmed plant that appears bright when in bloom. Large amounts of purple, pink or white flowers are carried in clusters. Leaves are tiny and dark green. The flowers are pollinates by bees, wasps, flies and butterflies. It is often used as a garden plant and is grown commercially for its oil content.
Invertebrates
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_ Tangled-veined flies (Nemestrinidae)
Many plants in the Succulent Karoo biome are dependent on these long-tongued flies for pollination. It’s a small family of flies that are basically distributed world-wide. The larvae of these flies are parasites on other insects and can thus be seen as important in the control of other insect populations. These flies are often brightly coloured.
Many plants in the Succulent Karoo biome are dependent on these long-tongued flies for pollination. It’s a small family of flies that are basically distributed world-wide. The larvae of these flies are parasites on other insects and can thus be seen as important in the control of other insect populations. These flies are often brightly coloured.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/7023904.png)
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Pollen wasps (Pseudomosaris)
These wasps are unique since they behave more like bees than their carnivorous relatives. Their larvae aren’t parasitic and they feed only on pollen. These wasps have alternating black and white stripes. They are known pollinators of various wild flower species.
These wasps are unique since they behave more like bees than their carnivorous relatives. Their larvae aren’t parasitic and they feed only on pollen. These wasps have alternating black and white stripes. They are known pollinators of various wild flower species.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/1630720.png)
_ Monkey beetle (Hopliini)
These beetles have claws that are unequally sized and movable. They feed on plant litter and plant roots in the soil. They are normally encountered in flowers, and are large and colourful, with a sheen and hair. This is a diverse group of beetles, and they are dispersed in most habitats in Southern Africa
These beetles have claws that are unequally sized and movable. They feed on plant litter and plant roots in the soil. They are normally encountered in flowers, and are large and colourful, with a sheen and hair. This is a diverse group of beetles, and they are dispersed in most habitats in Southern Africa
Amphibians and Reptiles
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Namaqualand speckled padloper (Homopus signatus
signatus)
This is the smallest tortoise in the world, with a total length of 11cm. It can be distinguished from its relatives by the speckles on its shell and also from the five toes on its front feet (other tortoises have only four). The shell is flattened and males have a noticeable concave underside. This species does not fare well in captivity and are thus threatened by the pet trade as well as traffic on roads and overgrazing. It is endemic to this biome.
This is the smallest tortoise in the world, with a total length of 11cm. It can be distinguished from its relatives by the speckles on its shell and also from the five toes on its front feet (other tortoises have only four). The shell is flattened and males have a noticeable concave underside. This species does not fare well in captivity and are thus threatened by the pet trade as well as traffic on roads and overgrazing. It is endemic to this biome.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/5736927.png)
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Desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops)
This fossorial species lives in sand dunes vegetated with low growing succulent shrubs. It is classified as Vulnerable according to the Red Data List. To prevent desiccation, the frog buries down into the sand during the hottest part of the day. It is capable of inflating its body to make itself seem larger in a threatening situation. It has a smooth cream to yellow-brown skin.
This fossorial species lives in sand dunes vegetated with low growing succulent shrubs. It is classified as Vulnerable according to the Red Data List. To prevent desiccation, the frog buries down into the sand during the hottest part of the day. It is capable of inflating its body to make itself seem larger in a threatening situation. It has a smooth cream to yellow-brown skin.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/8759256.png)
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Armadillo girdled lizard (Cordylus
cataphractus)
This lizard is heavily armoured. When threatened it curls itself up by biting its tail to protect the soft underbelly and to expose the spikes, mimicking the behaviour of an armadillo (hence the name). It is yellow to brown coloured. Its head is triangular. The tail can be shed, but it regenerates very slowly. This species are threatened by the illegal pet trade.
This lizard is heavily armoured. When threatened it curls itself up by biting its tail to protect the soft underbelly and to expose the spikes, mimicking the behaviour of an armadillo (hence the name). It is yellow to brown coloured. Its head is triangular. The tail can be shed, but it regenerates very slowly. This species are threatened by the illegal pet trade.
Birds
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_ Black harrier (Circus maurus)
This is a medium-sized harrier. Adults are distinguished by their black feathers and black and white striped tail, as well as their white flight feathers. They have bright yellow legs. They occur either singly or in pairs and can inhabit various habitats. It is threatened mainly by habitat loss. It feeds mostly on mammals and smaller birds, but it has been seen to feed on reptiles, amphibians, insects and carrion.
This is a medium-sized harrier. Adults are distinguished by their black feathers and black and white striped tail, as well as their white flight feathers. They have bright yellow legs. They occur either singly or in pairs and can inhabit various habitats. It is threatened mainly by habitat loss. It feeds mostly on mammals and smaller birds, but it has been seen to feed on reptiles, amphibians, insects and carrion.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/6162662.png)
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Barlow’s Lark (Calendulauda barlowi)
This bird is one of South Africa’s least known lark species. It has a brown body and head with a white throat, black bill and black legs. It builds its nest on the ground, mostly beneath shrubs. It feeds on flying insects which it catches by the wing. It has also been seen eating seeds.
This bird is one of South Africa’s least known lark species. It has a brown body and head with a white throat, black bill and black legs. It builds its nest on the ground, mostly beneath shrubs. It feeds on flying insects which it catches by the wing. It has also been seen eating seeds.
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_ Dusky sunbird (Nectarinia fusca)
The breeding males have a white underbelly with a darker chest that sometimes has a coppery appearance. Females are a dull brown colour. They live in pairs near riverine growth. These birds are near endemic and have a wide distribution range. It mainly feeds on nectar and is thus considered an important pollinator, especially of several aloe species.
The breeding males have a white underbelly with a darker chest that sometimes has a coppery appearance. Females are a dull brown colour. They live in pairs near riverine growth. These birds are near endemic and have a wide distribution range. It mainly feeds on nectar and is thus considered an important pollinator, especially of several aloe species.
Mammals
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Riverine rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis)
As with all rabbits, the riverine rabbit can be distinguished from hares by its single-coloured tail (hares have a black line on their tail). It also has a white ring around each eye. The ears appear almost hare-like. It has pale coloured fur, slightly lighter on the underside and chin. It is distinguished by a characteristic black line running from the mouth corners to under the eyes. It has a broad club-like hind foot. It feeds mainly at night. It is extremely endangered due to habitat loss and capture, since they are slow-moving rabbits.
As with all rabbits, the riverine rabbit can be distinguished from hares by its single-coloured tail (hares have a black line on their tail). It also has a white ring around each eye. The ears appear almost hare-like. It has pale coloured fur, slightly lighter on the underside and chin. It is distinguished by a characteristic black line running from the mouth corners to under the eyes. It has a broad club-like hind foot. It feeds mainly at night. It is extremely endangered due to habitat loss and capture, since they are slow-moving rabbits.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/2377039.png)
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De Winton’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris
wintoni)
It is a small mole endemic to South Africa. There is very little known about this mammal. It is restricted to sandy areas. As with all golden moles, they are adapted to a burrowing lifestyle. They have been classified as critically endangered and they are threatened by habitat loss. Their fur is tawny-yellow coloured and can have a golden sheen to it.
It is a small mole endemic to South Africa. There is very little known about this mammal. It is restricted to sandy areas. As with all golden moles, they are adapted to a burrowing lifestyle. They have been classified as critically endangered and they are threatened by habitat loss. Their fur is tawny-yellow coloured and can have a golden sheen to it.
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/0/8/12088117/5458336.png)
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Namaqua dune mole rat (Bathyergus janetta)
These animals are fairly small; males can grow up to 25cm. They can be either dull grey or silvery grey. They have a broad dark band from their neck to their rump, and they are marked with white patches. There are bristles at the feet to assist with moving loose soil. It feeds on daisies and wild flowers, as well as underground storage organs.
These animals are fairly small; males can grow up to 25cm. They can be either dull grey or silvery grey. They have a broad dark band from their neck to their rump, and they are marked with white patches. There are bristles at the feet to assist with moving loose soil. It feeds on daisies and wild flowers, as well as underground storage organs.