Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Nick Evans » Thu Oct 01, 2015 1:59 pm

Hi all

With some warm weather and decent rain, reptile and amphibian activity has picked up nicely. Here are some photos of what I've been finding in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mamba in the sky! Picture was taken after releasing this beautiful 2,2m Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) which was removed from an old shed.

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Another photo from a release. A much smaller mamba, of around 1,2m. Removed from an abandoned shed.

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Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica)

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Rhombic Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus)

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Olive Grass Snake (Psammophis mossambicus)

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Pretty Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboiea)

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Dull Herald Snake....

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Common Wolf Snake (Lycophidion capense)

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Green Water Snake (Philothamnus hoplogaster)

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Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis)

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Brown Water Snake (Lycodonomorphus rufulus). Found while frogging!

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Vine Snake (Thelotornis capensis)

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One of the most fascinating little lizards around, the Large-scaled Grass Lizard (Chamaesaura macrolepis)

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It's tiny little legs!

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Wahlberg's Snake-eyed Skink (Afroablepharis wahlbergii)

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Pondo Flat Gecko (Afrodeura pondolia)

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KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion melanocephalum)

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Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)

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I've been loving frogging season!

Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius marmoratus)

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Natal Tree Frog (Leptopelis natalensis)

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Pickersgill's Reed Frog (Hyperolius pickersgilli). Critically Endangered

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Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi) Endangered

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Kloof Frog egg-clumps

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Natal Leaf-folding Frog (Afrixalus spinifrons) Near-threatened

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Natal Cascade Frog (Hadromophryne natalensis)

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Plaintive Rain Frog (Breviceps verrucosus) What a cute little frog!

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Bronze Caco (Cacosternum nanum)

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Bushsqueaker (Arthroleptis wahlbergi)

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Clicking Stream Frog (Strongylopus grayii)

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Common Platanna (Xenopus laevis)

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Guttural Toad (Amietophrynus gutturalis)

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Call-outs have started getting busy now that its Spring!

2,7m Black Mamba removed from a rondavel in a township.

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Big Vine Snake, of around 1,2m, removed out of a friends garden. It made itself comfy on the mesh going over his veggie patch!

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Had an incredible day on the 24th of September. In the morning I was called to remove a nice big Mozambique Spitting Cobra, 1,5m long, and very healthy looking! Then I got another call for a big one, but by the time I got there, it had gone. The homeowner showed me where it was hiding, and we found another! Smaller specimen of around 1,2m, and a female. She obviously left pheromones behind, because in the next 2,5 hours I came back to catch two more males looking for her! The biggest was 1,7m! Biggest spitter I've seen.

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To follow what I do, you can like my page on Facebook, KZN Amphibian and Reptile Conservation:
https://www.facebook.com/KZNHerpConservation

Thanks for looking!
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Mitton » Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:33 pm

Very nice as always Nick. I quite like that dull Herald.
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Westley Price » Thu Oct 01, 2015 3:37 pm

Awesome find and great photography.

Great variety so far! I look forward to future updates.
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Mehelya » Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:32 pm

Lovely animals. That grass lizard is almost unreal. Do the legs actually serve any function? Those Mfezi are serious monsters... No steroids in the water down that side? :lol:
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Nick Evans » Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:52 pm

Thanks very much all :D Your comments and support are always appreciated!

Mitton, me too actually. It was one of the biggest Heralds I've ever seen, and I stupidly didn't take measurements! :smt021 It was a run-around day, and I released it straight after I got it

Mehelya, not sure about their legs. Maybe it somehow helps with balance or grip when drifting through long grass?? Yes they were pretty much all monsters! Usually when I get called for them they're less than 70cm. Not that day!
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Mathandanyoka » Thu Oct 01, 2015 5:42 pm

Awesome finds backed up equally awesome photos!
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby reptile » Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:42 pm

Ahh it's Nick again... Sit down or you will have a hart attack. ^_^ Superb photography and finds Nick!!!!! Amazing work you do... Lots of respect for people like you. Take my hat off Those frog photos are out of this world!!!!0_o
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Nick Evans » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:54 am

Thanks guys :D Glad you enjoyed the post :)
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Re: Spring finds, KZN. (Reptiles and Amphibians)

Postby Ruan Stander » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:29 pm

Awesome stuff mate, those big M'fezis are always awesome and you got some BIG ones ! What a day indeed and a good start to the season.
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