Namaqualand snakes

[michael]

These are a few pics of some of the snakes I was lucky enough to find/keep while I was working in Namaqualand. I hope you enjoy

Black color phase Mole Snake Pseudaspis cana found between Stienkopf and Port Nolloth


Namaqua Dwarf Adders Bitis Schneideri collected for research purposes




Prosymna frontalis - Southwestern Shovel-snout


Large gravid female Puff Adder- Bitis Arietans[/i]


A couple of pics of my pride and joy, Black Spitting Cobra - Naja nigricollis woodi







Beetze's Tiger Snake - Telescopus beetzi


Many Horned Adder- Female Bitis Cornuta


Desert Mountain Adder - Male - Bitis xeropaga







And finally a Cape Coral Snake Aspedilaps lubricus





I have a couple of pics of the lizards and gekkos we found in the area which i will post a bit later

[Fooble]

Very nice.

Namaqua Dwarf Adders Bitis Schneideri collected for research purposes

In terms of?

Eagerly waiting your geckos pictures.

[michael]

Hi Fooble

I helped a Prof. from the Arizona State University collect these and some cornuta as well. I believe he was doing work on ambient temperatures and its influence on reptile activity as well as some other research. Obviously any collection was done with all necessary permits issued by Northern Cape Nature Conservation. I will post the other pics of the lizards and gekkos soon.

[D@RRYL]

man that was awesome! every local snake i love and more. realy great stuff.

[nvlooi]

Just love Namaqualand!

Stunning A. lubricus specimen and what an odd coloured puff adder.

Hurry up with those other pics man...

Henco

[Westley Price]

Great collection of pictures!

Seems all Northern Cape herpers lovethe "bare foot method," myself included, haha.

That looks like quite a big A. lubricus. What length was it?

Keep the pictures coming!

[Eyelash]

Man oooo man...Great finds bud...I love the woodi !!!

[michael]

Hi Westley

The lubricus in the pic if i recall correctly wasnt that big just over 50cm. We did get quite a few giants though. The biggest was a female of 87cm and there were quite a few 70cm + specimens. Yes N.Cape herpers do love the bare foot method - too busy herping to remember little things like shoes!lol

nvlooi that was the standard puffie color up there. They were also very easy to find if you looked arround the Whistling Rat colonies!

Eyelash thanks i love the woodi's best to!

[mgiddings]

Incredible! B.schneideri is a species that certainly intrests me. I can not wait for your gecko and lizard photos.

[Wolf777]

Awesome finds, love the A. lubricus and the dwarf bitis, now hurry up with those other pics lol!!!

[michael]

Ok i managed to get some more pics loaded. Hope you enjoy

Agama atra Southern Rock Agama



Pachydactylus mariquensis Marico Gekko



Typhlosaurus caecus Cuvier's Blind Legless Skink



Homopus signatus Southern Speckled Padloper







Gerrhosaurus typicus Dwarf Plated Lizard- mating



Cordylus polyzonus Karoo Girdled lizard



I think this one was looking for insects amongst the Dassie droppings



Bradypodion sp. Dwarf Chameleon





Trachylepis sulcata - Western Rock Skink



Perfect cornuta cage setup!



Finally if you are struggling to breed your cornuta, bring out the romantic in your male, all ladies love flowers !

[Westley Price]

Another series of great pictures.

I have a few comments though:
The skink you identified as T. ceacus is actually Microacontias litoralis.
The scientific name of the Dwarf Plated Lizard is Cordylosaurus subtesellata. Awesome "action" picture!
The Bradipodion is B. occidentale

I'm not too clued up on tortoises, but looks like you have pictures of both subspecies there, H. s. signatus and H. s. cafer.

Makes me miss home *SIGH*

[michael]

Thanks for the comments Westley.

Springbok was home to me to for a year. And what an awesome year that was! This area has such special herptofauna i just hope that it will be looked after for the next generations to enjoy as well.

[nvlooi]

Makes me miss home *SIGH*

Must be sad to see that dry world without you in a pic...

Cordylosaurus subtesellata.

C. subtessellatus

Amazing seeing those C. subtessellatus mating, I've only once manage to capture one.
What time of year was it when you found them mating.

Appreciate the pics.

Thanks
Henco

[michael]

Hi Henco

They were doing the deed early in September i dont recall the eact date. The pic was taken at the Nanaqualand National Park.