Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

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frankc
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Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

So I've had a few posts that were deleted in the crash and have had a few requests to re-post them, so I'm gonna do a big ole post with photos from numerous trips to southern Africa, including recent ones....some photos have been posted here, some have not. Hope you enjoy!
GECKOS, LIZARDS, AND FROGS

Chondrodactylus turneri
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Chondrodactylus angulifer angulifer
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Pachydactylus latirostris
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Pachydactylus monicae
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Pachydactylus kladaroderma
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Pachydactylus austeni
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Pachydactylus goodi
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Pachydactylus geitje
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Pachydactylus scherzi
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Pachydactylus rugosus
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Ptenopus garrulus garrulus
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Ptenopus garrulus maculatus
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Afroedura major
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Homopholis wahlbergi
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Chamaeleo dilepis
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Psuedocordylus melanotus melanotus
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Varanus albigularis
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Varanus niloticus
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Cordylus(Ouroborus) cataphractus
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Cordylus peersi
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Cordylus(Karusaurus) polyzonus
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frog sp??
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Breviceps macrops
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Breviceps adspersus
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Hyperlius sp
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Bufo sp
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TORTOISES

C. angulata
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P. o. verroxi
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More Tortoise pictures later....lets get to the snakes!
No caption needed
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Telescopus beetzi
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Telescopus semiannulatus (captive animal just for reference sake)
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Dasypeltis scabra
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Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus
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Naja nivea (DOR)
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Bitis caudalis
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Bitis aretans
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Pythonadipsas carinatus
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Lycophidion namibianum
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Leptotyphlops labials
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Lamprophis fuscus (Not 100% sure, but damn close, so correct me if I'm wrong)
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Lamprophis capensis
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Lamprophis aurora
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Lamprophis guttatus
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LAMPROPHIS FISKII.........just kidding! hahah

Habitat and some other animals

Hartmans Zebra, Namibia
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Cape Fold Mtns, South Africa
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Mountain grasslands, Swaziland
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Blesbok and Grevy's Zebra, Swaziland
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Malolotja, Swaziland
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Sibebe, Swaziland
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Angola/Namibia border
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Skeleton Coast, Namibia
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Python ancheitae habitat
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Kalahari, Bots
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Cederbergs, South Africa
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Southern Namibia
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Namib desert
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Central Namibia
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Kaokoland, Namibia
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Namibian shower
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Spitzkoppe, Namibia
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Hope you enjoyed, cause i definitely have!! All animals photographed in the wild unless noted
ADIOS!


ooooh yeah, almost forgot.......

Lamprophis fiskii
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Antonsrkn
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Antonsrkn »

Excellent post, I enjoyed every part of it but that Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus really caught my eye. Love seeing herps from that part of the world.

I am not familiar with the species, Lamprophis fiskii, but considering you saved it for last it must be noteworthy in some way, any additional info you would care to share about this species to enlighten me (and perhaps others).
mikemike
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by mikemike »

Awesome post! I love the second B. caudalis.
frankc
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

Thanks for your interest!
Besides a few species that are only known from type specimens, Lamprophis fiskii is one of, if not THE rarest snake in southern Africa. Up until recently it was known from only a handful of specimens found randomly throughout a seemingly massive range of diverse habitats. I've heard that a few animals were found this last year, but the damn things are still found waaay too far and few between.
They are a small, obviously beautiful, very gentle little constrictor. From what is known, they live in rodent burrows and possibly under boulders or in low lying rock crevices.
I was extremely stoked to find one, and consider myself very lucky to have been able to photograph it in nature.
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-EJ
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by -EJ »

I don't think there are any words that can do this post justice. VERY NICE... is the best I can do.

Question for you... couple actually... the photo of Chondrodactlyus turneri... that's not a Tarentola?

The tortoise... I'm guessing Psamobates.o... forget the rest very smooth shell... kind of abnormal for the animals of the area... no?

Finally... I'm also guessing you are in SA... if you are still located there would you be willing to send me your contact info? mine is [email protected] I have a strong intrest in tortoises with a focus on those of SA.
Mourits
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Mourits »

Wow!... :crazyeyes: :shock: :thumb:
frankc
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

That is Psammobates oculifer verroxi. Some of the subspecies have a smother shell than others. I have some other tortoise pics of G. pardalis and some Homopus that i can see if i can dig up.
I am from California actually, i just have a large interest in African reptiles so i go over there as much as i can to have a look at em. The gecko is a Chondrodactylus, as Tarentola dont start until waaay north of the equator.
Thanks for your comments
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Nir
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Nir »

Wow!! Best South Africa post ever! It's nice to see animals and habitats from less visited countries like Angola and Ethiopia (No Ethiopian Viper (Bitis parviocula)?? hehe

All the geckos are amazing but the highlights are definately the Angolan Python and Fisk's House Snake. That is one lucky find!!! There is said to be only a handful of known specimens. The aurora is awesome also, love this small species!! Oh and I had to put sunglasses for the A. lubricus
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Jeff Lemm
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Jeff Lemm »

killer post Frank! Great pics of some very cool stuff!
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Squam8
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Squam8 »

Great post, loved the scenery shots in addition to the amazing herp diversity! Can't wait to go to SA one day..
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Crazins
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Crazins »

SO AWESOME. This is an amazing post. So may things I've never seen before!

-Marisa
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dezertwerx
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by dezertwerx »

Great Post :thumb:
Rick Staub
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Rick Staub »

Great on the Ptenopus. Were they out or did you have to dig?

You did well on the snakes. Did you see most during the day or were you night driving? Also what time of year especially for the Namibian stuff?

Thanks. Great stuff.
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Chip Cochran
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Chip Cochran »

Awesome post. fiskii is amazing. That one got me jealous.
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Brian Willey
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Brian Willey »

This has got to be one of the best posts I have ever seen on here, such a unique array of herps not often posted on the forum!
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MHollanders
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by MHollanders »

Best post of 2011. I know it already.
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justinm
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by justinm »

Epic,

So many things to comment that I was just knocked out and had to catch my breath. Angolan python, wow! Bitis, lubricus, yeah this is pretty much epic.
jgjulander
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by jgjulander »

Amazing post! All the coolest species that Africa has to offer in one post. How long were you there?
Justin
frankc
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

Thanks for the love everyone!
This is a compilation of a handful of trips to southern Africa. The most recent being last week! hahah Usually i try to make it out there in October which is spring time, but i had school this year, so i had to go in Jan. It was a little rainy but it worked out well for most herps.
That top photo of the Aspedilaps was by far the most red coral cobra I have ever seen. It was a killer snake. That snake is actually on the cover of a recent SAURIA (german herp magazine)
Rick, as you know Ptenopus are no joke to catch. Had to do some digging for sure. Kochi and especially carpi which i didnt post photos of are often found on the surface, but good luck with the garrulus complex. The snakes were found about half road cruising and half wandering around like lion bait at night.....something i seriously dont recomend. There has been some very tense and scetchy moments out there!
Image
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DaneConley
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by DaneConley »

Hate to be eaten by a lion...they might break my camera!!!
Ecto Hunter
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Ecto Hunter »

simply stunning
Andrew Kathriner
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Andrew Kathriner »

Great post Frank, loads of rare African geckos! I'm sure Jon enjoyed these pics... or maybe he was there for some of them!
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Mike Pingleton
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Mike Pingleton »

damn! that was epic! Awesome stuff, and a nice finish with the clinic on Lamprophis. Woot!

-Mike
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pete
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by pete »

Wonderful post!! thanks for putting up :thumb:
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Marc Dubois
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Marc Dubois »

Great post and pics !!!

I really like the south african biodiversity.

I'm a fan of Bitis and is cool to see the color variation of caudalis.

Did you go on Kwazulu-Natal coastal forest to see some Bitis gabonica ?
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Hans Breuer (twoton)
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Hans Breuer (twoton) »

Wonderful!! Thanks for reposting!!
frankc
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

Thanks guys,

I did visit the KZN coastal forest this year in January, near Jozini and Ubombo, but unfortunately they have had record rains this year, and the grass was soo high that i having a hard time finding anything, and didnt see the Gabbys. I will return to the area maybe earlier in the year, and try my luck....i also want to head further north up to Kosi Bay!
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Marc Dubois
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by Marc Dubois »

frankc wrote: I did visit the KZN coastal forest this year in January, near Jozini and Ubombo, but unfortunately they have had record rains this year, and the grass was soo high that i having a hard time finding anything, and didnt see the Gabbys. I will return to the area maybe earlier in the year, and try my luck....i also want to head further north up to Kosi Bay!
Good luck with gabbys for next time... and if you find it, don't forget to post pics of this magnificient snake ;)
gabrielgartner
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by gabrielgartner »

Frank,

That trip looks epic and the pics are sick...did you ever contact my fried Re. Telescopus?

Peace,
Gabe
frankc
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Re: Southern Africa....Revisited, and new photos

Post by frankc »

Haven't contacted him. Does he have any left ya think? We gotta hook up this spring and do some herping man! Where ya living? email me. [email protected]
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