Some of the Desert creatures we were lucky enough to see on a tour of the dunes in Swakopmund Namibia.
The spoor of something interesting just bellow the surface.
The FitzSimons burrowing skink Typhlacontias brevipes was first reptiles we came across on our desert tour and probably one of the and hardest to find. We were lucky to catch this little endemic in the morning while still cool from the previous night.
The Web-footed or Palmatogecko P. rangei. It was fascinating to watch just how quickly they are able to dig their little burrow in the dunes.
Although not a reptile the Dancing white lady or Cartwheel spider is an iconic character on the dunes. In some places we were finding spider holes every 3m on the side of the dunes
Theses spiders can be quite defensive when provoked and one even attacked my camera lens.
The famous Namaqua chameleon Chamaeleo namaquensis was one of the animals I was most looking forward to see
We were surprised to see just how exposed these chameleons are, just sitting out in the open.
The 2nd Namaqa chameleon we encounted was a female that we almost walked right passed without seeing.
The only species of snake we saw was the Namib sand snake Psammophis leightoni namibensis. I had really hoped to see a side winder adder Bitis peringueyi but any new species of snake was welcome.
I only managed to get a quick shot of this guy before running off. I think this is the Common Namib day gecko Rhoptropus afer but i'm not certain
This Reticulated desert lizard Meroles reticulatus resting on a seal bone was actually found in Walvisbay.
It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait to return to this beautiful county again. Next time with any luck I will find my side winding adder!