VU

Cacosternum capense

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Cape caco (Cacosternum capense) is threatened primarily by ongoing habitat degradation across the Western Cape lowlands, where seasonal wetlands and vleis used for breeding are being drained, ploughed under, or converted for agricultural and urban expansion. Alien invasive plants, particularly wattle and pine species, further degrade its breeding pans by altering hydrology and shading out the shallow, temporary water bodies this species depends on. Because the species has a naturally fragmented and restricted distribution, even localized wetland loss can disproportionately affect regional populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits seasonal wetlands, vleis, and temporary rain-filled pans within lowland fynbos and renosterveld habitats of the Western Cape, South Africa, breeding in shallow standing water that forms after seasonal rains.

Other threatened species in PYXICEPHALIDAE

EN

Nothophryne baylissi

Declining
VU

Arthroleptella atermina

Unknown
EN

Arthroleptella landdrosia

Unknown
EN

Inago Mongrel Frog

Nothophryne inagoensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Cacosternum capense classified as Vulnerable?
Cacosternum capense is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Cape caco (Cacosternum capense) is threatened primarily by ongoing habitat degradation across the Western Cape lowlands, where seasonal wetlands and vleis used for breeding are being drained, ploughed under, or converted for agricultural and urban expansion. Alien invasive plants, particularly wattle and pine species, further degrade its breeding pans by altering hydrology and shading out the shallow, temporary water bodies this species depends on. Because the species has a naturally fragmented and restricted distribution, even localized wetland loss can disproportionately affect regional populations.
Where does Cacosternum capense live?
Cacosternum capense occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Cacosternum capense?
The main threats to Cacosternum capense are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.