Differences in microhabitat use can lead to habitat segregation that reduces competition. We studied the natural history, activity, and microhabitat use of Turner's Thick-toed Gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri) and the Common Namib Day Gecko (Rhoptropus afer) in the Namib Desert. Both species were associated with the same rocky habitat but exhibited differences in activity (i.e., times of day when visible out of crevices) and microhabitat use (i.e., characteristics of rocks occupied). Two 48-hr surveys revealed peaks of activity starting at 2000 h for C. turneri and 1000 h for R. afer. To evaluate microhabitat use, we measured rock characteristics, quantifying rock dimensions and counting the number of small loose rocks. In addition, we counted and categorized crevices, and determined the temperature of some crevices over a 3-day period. Rock height was positively correlated to C. turneri presence, whereas rock width and length were positively associated with R. afer presence. Availability of loose rocks and medium-sized crevices were also strong predictors for R. afer occupancy. Crevices occupied by R. afer were warmer than those occupied by C. turneri. Stability in this desert lizard community is based on occupancy of different areas of the rocks (microhabitat variation) at different peak times (activity variation).

微生境使用的差异会导致生境隔离，从而减少竞争。我们研究了纳米布沙漠中特纳厚趾壁虎（Chondrodactylus turneri）和纳米布天壁虎（Rhoptropus afer）的自然历史，活动和微生境。两种物种都与相同的岩石生境相关联，但在活动性（即，从缝隙中可见时的一天中的时间）和微生境的使用（即，所占岩石的特征）上表现出差异。两次48小时的调查显示，活动度从C. turneri的2000 h和R. afer的1000 h开始达到峰值。。为了评估微生境的使用，我们测量了岩石的特征，量化了岩石的尺寸并计算了小块松散岩石的数量。此外，我们对缝隙进行了计数和分类，并确定了3天时间内某些缝隙的温度。岩石高度与C. turneri的存在呈正相关，而岩石的宽度和长度与R. afer的存在呈正相关。松散岩石和中型缝隙的可利用性也是R. afer占用的有力预测指标。占据裂缝由R. AFER均较占用回暖C. turneri。这个沙漠蜥蜴群落的稳定性基于在不同高峰时间（活动性变化）岩石的不同区域（微生境变化）的占有率。