We recently went on holiday to a wonderful place next to the Kruger National Park. We got to see all of the big 5 (with lots more) and had to chase away the zebra that interupted our breakfast every morning. No electricity and just the feel of nature. It was amazing as always.
We had not gone to go herping, but it seemed that the herps came to us! It was herping the easy way - sitting on a chair, with a cool drink in hand. I did go out once to try and herp, but found far less than what came to visit us.
First up is one that needs to be explained.
We were warned that a "black mamba" had been seen nearby the place we were staying at so, having two kids, mine and hubby's eyes were wide open (and our nerves at the ready). Hubby had driven the 5 and 1/2 hour plus drive by himself (I sleep when he drives) and he was tired so he went to take a nap. I lazed out on the stoop and looked up to see a scaly tail. My first thought was snake (Possible snouted (egyption) cobra banded phase was the thought, but I felt like I was somehow off). My second thought was - Kids inside as in NOW! My third thought...where's my hook stick? I wake poor hubby up to find out. I was a mother first to get my kids away, A herper second...and a considerate wife to poor hubby last...
Here is the tail:
And this is what it turned out to be...
A rock monitor (Varanus albigularis). It stayed in the roof for our whole stay and was an interesting addition to our mornings.
The next herp to see was plated lizards (Cordylosaurus subtessellatus). There were 4 running around in the sun by the look out point we went to everyday, but I only got a shot of one The look out point over looks the Kruger National Park's river. It is amazing to see the animals coming down for a drink and at any given time of the day you can find almost anything there.
Driving along the border fence to the kruger my son shouted he had seen something. We looked past the fence and could see nothing. He calmly told us to open our eyes...he is 6. This is what he saw:
A beautiful Tree Agama (Under correction but I think the latin is: Acanthocercus atricollis)
Then there was the usual and classic you always find on the river banks:
Snakes are more my thing so when I shout "SLANG!" (Snake) then hubby usually does not argue and slams on breaks. On this call he said no...can't be... It turned out to be a DOR and we still arguing what it is. Want to wager a guess (hint: In the cobra family)?
Like I said...when I shout "SLANG!"...but sometimes the excitment gets me and I tend to forget my camera's limitations...
This was a snouted (egyption) cobra (Naja annulifera). Hubby and I agree on what it was. Sorry about the pic though.
Sometimes the best herping is not to herp at all. Just enjoy nature at it's best.