[6] The species is known as the sungazer because of its distinctive thermoregulatory behaviour of elevating the anterior parts of the body by extending its fore limbs, usually near the entrance of its burrow as if looking at the sun.

The most common local name is ouvolk, given by Afrikaans landowners who liken the thermoregulatory basking position of the species to retired farmworkers, who spend much of their days sitting in the sunlight.

[4] The decline in sungazer numbers is a result of habitat destruction, and illegal collecting for the pet and traditional medicine trades.

[4][8] Entire colonies can disappear when a patch of native grassland is converted to farmland or otherwise "developed".

[9] Wild-caught sungazers are then imported from South Africa to the US, Europe, and Japan, where they command high prices.