The massive dune system of the southern and central Namib Desert supports a varied fauna. Even on the vegetationless dune crests and their slipfaces there lives a variety of endemic invertebrates, tenebrionid beetles in particular, as well as several highly specialized reptiles. Keywords: Activity rhythms, Detritus, Dune system, Endemic invertebrates, Endogenous enzymes, Faecal material, L. argentogrisea, Lepidochora, Metabolic vials, Osmolality of haemolymph, Oxygen consumption, Palmatogecko rangei lizard, Surface winds, Temperature, Tenebrionid beetles.