Some finds from Ingwelala, Umbabat Nature Reserve

[rvanhuyssteen]

Last week I was invited to spend a few nights in Ingwelala in the Umbabat Nature Reserve.

The nature reserve is tucked in between Timbavati and Kruger park. The fences are down so it is part of a growing wilderness area in that region.

The veld is Mopane Woodland and in very nice condition. Walking around was done at my own risk and because there were lions in the area the entire time I was there I limited the times I could walk to the middle of the day and kept it close to the house I was in. Even with the odds against me in terms of actively going out and finding reptiles and amphibians I did see a lot.

Common Rough-scaled Lizard



Damon variegatus


Variable skink


Hadogenes


Parabathus transvaalicus


Painted Reed Frog


Leopard Tortoise


Eastern Striped Skink


Rainbow Skink


Foam Nest Frog


Rhombic Egg Eater (about 70cm)




Eastern Leopard Toad


Giant Plated Lizard (note the pink throat!)


Then finally the last reptile I found was a real treat. It was this Natal Rock Python. The snake was very docile and never hissed or struck out, it only defecated in defense, but even that was half-hearted. I only held it behind the head to control it. Putting it into the tree it was heading up when I found it and watching it continue on its hunt was a really good feeling. Such a beautiful animal.

The snake was about 1.5 metres long.







Thanks for looking.

[Blake]

Nice finds man. That natal African rock is a beauty.

[Scar69]

Good stuff there Bud,

That Afrock is a Beauty...

[Westley Price]

Great finds man.

I just love the Plated Lizard. I'm surprised that local guys don't keep them.

Well done on all the finds.

[rvanhuyssteen]

Those plated lizards are very nice. That and the python where definitely my highlights.

Just realised that I wrote eastern leopard toad instead of eastern olive toad (Amietophrynus garmani). A. garmani is the correct name for the toad.

[Bushviper]

That was a decent herping trip. Nice finds.