Microclimate and activity of the lizard Angolosaurus skoogi on a dune slipface

Abstract

The lizard Angolosaurus skoogi inhabits the surface and subsurface environments of sand dunes of the northern Namib Desert. We have related posture, locomotion, and other aspects of surface activity to the microclimate prevailing above and below the surface. Globe temperature was the best microclimatic correlate of surface activity. From our analysis, we concluded that surface thermoregulatory behaviour of A. skoogi is facultative, and aimed at maintaining a body temperature compatible with foraging and other obligatory surface activities.