Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Agamas, geckos, lizards, monitors and skinks indigenous to South Africa.

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Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Postby JamesC » Wed May 08, 2013 8:45 pm

Hello All,

I'm curious about varying reports of S.giganteus and their actual experienced temperatures. I'm aware of Fraser's datalogging mentions and see a paucity of reported data in journals. In literature when looking into various confirmed localities throughout the range it's clear we could see a wide range of Min/Max reports.

If we look at Phuthaditjhaba (near GGNP?) we see below 30 as mean maximum in summer (Monthly Averages):

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Phuth ... te/ZA.aspx

Looking at Amersfoort it's quite a bit lower:

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/v2/we ... h%20Africa

Consulting Fraser's Wild Populations graph we see mid 30s:

http://www.smauggiganteus.com/?page_id=11 and in particular http://www.smauggiganteus.com/wp-conten ... titled.png

Branch, Zimmerman, et al are difficult to consolidate and thus I'm curious if there are in fact high MAX localities to rely on in the mid 30s?

Thank you,

James
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Re: Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Postby Bushviper » Thu May 09, 2013 10:01 am

I dont know those areas well but I am sure some locals could help. It does seem rather cold to me because I have driven near there in summer and it is boiling hot.
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Re: Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Postby JamesC » Thu May 09, 2013 10:10 pm

Thank you BV!

We and I'd very much appreciate hearing of local experience around high average temperatures during summer. I believe there is consensus on average lows but reported highs seem to have a range of +-7C which could make quite a difference!

I'm constantly amazed at the holes in our understanding of such a totem species.

James
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Re: Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Postby JamesC » Fri May 10, 2013 8:44 pm

Would anyone happen to have this issue they'd be willing to sell or perhaps convey the gist of the five pages in question; 72 - 77. I can not find it as available.

The Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa Volume 40, Issue 1, 1992

Looks to have some really interesting detail on what successful relocation looks like!
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Re: Sungazer S.giganteus in situ temperature discrepancies?

Postby it_bit_me » Fri May 10, 2013 9:18 pm

I have an few Cordylus papers to forward.
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