EN

Chlamydephorus purcelli

Unknown

Overview

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

Chlamydephorus purcelli faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing across its limited range in the Karoo region of South Africa. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its specialized habitat, while the species' fossorial lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance and compaction. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the sandy soils essential for its burrowing behavior.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits sandy soils in the semi-arid Karoo scrublands of South Africa, where it constructs extensive burrow systems in areas with sparse vegetation cover. It shows a strong preference for well-drained sandy substrates that allow for efficient tunneling and foraging activities.

Other threatened species in CHLAMYDEPHORIDAE

VU

Chlamydephorus dimidius

Unknown
VU

Chlamydephorus burnupi

Unknown

Threatened in South Africa

VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Black-Spotted Blue

Orachrysops mijburghi

Unknown
Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

Morus capensis

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Chlamydephorus purcelli classified as Endangered?
Chlamydephorus purcelli is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Chlamydephorus purcelli faces severe threats from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing across its limited range in the Karoo region of South Africa. Mining activities and infrastructure development further fragment its specialized habitat, while the species' fossorial lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to soil disturbance and compaction. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the sandy soils essential for its burrowing behavior.
Where does Chlamydephorus purcelli live?
Chlamydephorus purcelli occurs in South Africa. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Chlamydephorus purcelli?
The main threats to Chlamydephorus purcelli 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.

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