Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

For your reports/images, made outside Europe and the "Mediterranean" countries. Not to be too narrow minded and limited to our European/Mediterranean herps.

Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Nick Evans » Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:04 pm

Hi guys,

It's been a hectic past few months for me workwise, but fortunately a lot of that work has been in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, the most diverse region of South Africa. So I have managed to see a few cool things in-between working!

I've also caught some beautiful snakes around the city of Durban, on call-outs. There's a lot of snakes moving amongst suburbia here. They're often killed, but thankfully, some people call for it to be removed.

Along with snakes, I've spent a bit of time frogging too. I have already done a post about my spring frogging finds [url](viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2586),[/url] but here's a few more recent photos.

So here are photos of some of the highlights, for me. I'll start with the snakes...


One morning, while helping researchers with terrapin and hippo surveys (yes, two completely different animals), we came across this big old Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca)! It was in the far north of the province, slowly crossing the road early in the morning. This is my favourite cobra species, and to me, they're definitely the most intelligent. They also have a nice temperament.

Image

Image

The day before that, we actually had some more excitement...
The four of us all really wanted to see this one thing on this trip: a large python. And again, on the road, we came across one!
A nice-sized Southern African, or Rock Python (Python natalensis), measuring at 3,77m. Not the biggest, but big enough. It was in the blue unfortunately...

Image

My friend who was doing hippo surveys almost stood on this little beaut...
Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica)

Image

A little further south...
At 6:30 one morning, while walking down to a pan to look for water birds, I heard some birds in the dense bush making alarm calls. I went to explore, and found this beautiful Black Mamba! It was a small one, around 1,3m in length, but it was just amazing to see one in it's natural environment! I am lucky enough to see plenty back in Durban, but they're always in or around someone's home.

Image

I spent quite a bit of time working with a field guide training academy (https://www.bhejanenaturetraining.com/), educating the students about my snakes and frogs. During my time there, I managed to stumble upon a few gems.

Vine Snake (Thelotornis capensis). Caught it on a gas cylinder behind a kitchen.

Image

And one of the highlight's of the summer for me, which I almost stood on- a File Snake! Gonionotophis capensis, a rarely seen species. An incredibly beautiful snake!

Image

Image

Common Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas polylepis)

Image

Whilst out frogging, near a game reserve (on holiday), I almost put my hand on this little Puff Adder (Bitis arietans), while climbing over a rock. Relieved I avoided that inconvenience.

Image

Back in Durban, in December, I removed a stunning Green Mamba from underneath a Jacuzzi! I don't get many of these at all, they're scarce and restricted to the coastline. Sadly, someone had tried to kill the poor girl, who was gravid at the time. We kept her till she laid her eggs, as she looked egg bound. But she popped out 6 healthy eggs. Unfortunately, she's not looking good. Weak, underweight, battered and bruised. She's at a high care facility now, really hoping she pulls through. But at least we have her eggs safe. As soon as they hatch, they'll be released in a patch of coastal forest near to where she was caught.

Image

Spotted Bush Snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus). By far the most common species in the Greater Durban Area.

Image

Chameleons...

Midland's Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates). Found about 15, mainly juveniles, in one bunch of shrubs, close together.

Image

Zululand/Qudeni Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion nemorale)
One tick off my bucket list! Unfortunately it was pouring with rain, the night myself and some friends found them, but we got a couple of pics, thankfully.

Image

Other lizards...

Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus)

Image

Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis)

Image

Giant Legless Skink (Acontias plumbeus)

Image


Testudines...

Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis). South Africa's largest tortoise species.

Image

Eastern Hinged-back Tortoise (Kinixys zombensis)

Image

Serrated Hinged-terrapins basking (Pelusios sinuatus)

Image

And now for the frogs...

Plain Stream Frog (Strongylopus wageri). One of the frog highlights this season, for me. It's a rarely seen species listed as Near Threatened.

Image

And another good one, especially for this province: Northern Pygmy Toad (Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti)

Image

Image

Yellow-striped Reed Frog (Hyperolius semidiscus)

Image

Southern Foam-nest Frog (Chiromantis xerampelina)

Image

Banded Rubber Frog (Phrynomantis bifasciatus)

Image

Bubbling Kassinas mating (Kassina senegalensis)

Image


Thank you for reading!

~Nick Evans
KZN Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KZNHerpConservation/?ref=bookmarks
Website: http://www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com
Nick Evans
 
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:55 pm
Hometown: Durban
country: Africa

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Tim Leerschool » Wed Jan 11, 2017 5:57 pm

The frogs that are shown from Africa constantly suprise me in colour, shape and overall apprearance. Would love to see some more?

Apart from that, very nice finds and pics.

THanks for sharing.
User avatar
Tim Leerschool
 
Posts: 93
Joined: Tue May 17, 2011 11:30 am
Location: Netherlands
Hometown: Limburg
country: Netherlands

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Bobby Bok » Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:46 pm

One day Nick, one day.... I am very keen on seeing this all in the wild myself and visit you in SA!
User avatar
Bobby Bok
 
Posts: 954
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:11 pm
Hometown: Heemskerk
country: Netherlands

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Matthieu Berroneau » Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:58 pm

Fantastic species, fantastic pictures ! :shock:
User avatar
Matthieu Berroneau
 
Posts: 164
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 10:48 am
Location: SW France
Hometown: Bordeaux
country: France

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Mario Schweiger » Thu Jan 12, 2017 10:20 am

great pictures, Nick.
And I see some "new" names, like Gonionotophis vs. Mehelya ;)
Mario (Admin)

Please visit also my personal Herp-site vipersgarden.at
User avatar
Mario Schweiger
Site Admin
 
Posts: 2230
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 7:57 pm
Location: Obertrum, Salzburg, Austria
Hometown: Obertrum
country: Austria

Re: Summer finds so far, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa!

Postby Nick Evans » Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:07 am

Thanks all for the comments :) :) :)
Nick Evans
 
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2015 12:55 pm
Hometown: Durban
country: Africa


Return to Herping in the rest of the world

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests