Zandvlei Trust

ZIMP  - Reptiles

Read how you can help research about Chameleons.

Geckos

Marbled Leaftoed Gecko (Phyllodactylus porphyreus) They are nocturnal and feed on insects. They are generally about 8 - 9cm long.

Chameleons

Cape Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion nemorale) sloughing its outer skin.

Cape Dwarf Chameleon sunbathing in the autumn sun.

This Cape Dwarf Chamaleon is an unusual colour from its bright green.

Cape Dwarf Chameleon with a missing tail tip??

Lizards

photograph by Ann Koeslag

Knox's desert lizard (Meroles knoxii) January 2007.

This Knox's desert lizard was observed with a female and a juvenile along a pathway in the reserve on 07/01/2005.

Skinks

photograph by Bowen Boshier

Silvery Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Scelotes bidigittatus) The small hind limbs have 2 small toes. They eat small invertebrates.

photograph by Anita Flockhart

Cape Skink (Mabuya Capensis) also found in gardens. Domestic cats hunt and impact their numbers.

Cape Legless Skink (Acontias meleagris) found in sandy dry soils.

Snakes   updated 21/11/2010

photograph by Greg Morgan

Common Slug eater (Duberria lutrix) has found a snail and started to digest it.

photograph by Greg Morgan

Common Slug eater (Duberria lutrix) A gardeners ally. This is a non venomous snake, it does not have fangs, but very small backward facing serrations on the jaw.

photograph by Greg Morgan

Common Slug eater (Duberria lutrix) All gone!!

photograph by Greg Morgan

Common Slug eater (Duberria lutrix) "Tabakrolletjie" rolls up in a tight spiral when alarmed. A valuable garden ally to eat slugs and snails and other insects.

photograph by Ross Wilson

Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)  A large specimen between 1,5 - 1,8 metres long with beautiful markings.

Black Thread Snake (Leptotyphlops nigricans) They burrow underground and feed on ants and termites. The do not have teeth in the upper jaw. They give off pheromones that prevent soldier ants attacking them.

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) A large male (about 1,8 metres) specie with pale blue underside.

Olive House Snake (Lamprohis inornatus) similar to the Brown House Snake, and lives in moister areas.

Cape Cobra snake (Naja nivea),  A juvenile released on Park Island in September 2004.

photograph by Greg Morgan

Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) larger species, they help keep the mice and rat population under control.

photographs by Erika Foot

Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana) Elzette Krynauw (Nature Conservation student) readying it for release on Park Island in 2002.

Tortoise

Parrot beaked Tortoise (Homopus areolatus) This is a small   new 11/12/2010.
tortoise specie, not found in the open spaces.

Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) Two males chasing each other around in spring, trying to establish who owns "the right of way".

photographs Martin Reitz                                               photographs Martin Reitz

Angulate Tortoise side and top views

photograph Martin Reitz

Angulate Tortoise underside showing the              This Angulate Tortoise egg shell is round and is
beautiful patterns and colouring.                              thicker than a birds egg shell.