The Horned Adder (Bitis caudalis) was high on my wish-list on my recent trip to Namibia. Not an uncommon species but any means in fact locally they are abundant and can occur in rather high densities as I was to discover. These snakes can be found in the early morning basking amongst small shrubs and on […]
Following on the success of the Common Snakes of Durban post that was compiled here is a much broader spectrum to cover South Africa. This insert below will touch on these medically insignificant snakes, which include harmless (non-venomous) as well as the common mildly venomous snakes which the average South African may come across on a […]
Scelotes inornatus. Distribution: Endemic to South Africa and limited to the greater Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal, from the Durban beachfront (next to the old FitzSimons Snake Park) in the north to Scottburgh in the south, and as far inland as Woodlands/Montclair. The published localities (Broadley 1994) on the northern and southern banks of the Umgeni […]
On my previous trip to this area of the Western Cape in February was quite a different experience, in February the weather was hot, dry and relatively quiet on the reptile front with hours spent in the field offering very little rewards. This time around thankfully was a vastly different experience. Earlier in the year I […]
Cordylus macropholis – Large Scaled Girdled Lizard is an endemic terrestrial cordylid, preferring the succulent plant Euphorbia caput-medusae and related species as shelter (Mouton et al. 2000). It may also shelter beneath calcrete rocks and in stick-nests of Vlei Rats (Otomys species) (P. le F.N. Mouton pers. obs.) Occurring on the west coast of South Africa, in the Northern […]
The beginning of the year has come and gone and, to be honest, the first quarter is just about through too. I’ve added a few thousand kilometres to my car’s mileage, and a few new species to my Bradypodion list, which include: Bradypodion ngomeense Bradypodion occidentale. Everyone always has plans for Easter […]
The most difficult part of any journey is deciding on which route is the best/safest or most economical way to go. The route. It’s not the first time, the Wild Coast has attracted my attention over the last few years due to the unique landscapes from green rolling hills, steep cliff faces and virtually unspoilt […]
Avoiding the horrible, cliché “Spring has Sprung” post, the Vernal Equinox only takes place on the 22nd of September in the Southern Hemisphere, but this isn’t about that. The West Coast is AMAZING; the West Cost National Park is only just over an hour from the hustle of over-priced coffee and the plethora of bagel shops […]
Here’s the thing, it’s no secret brands are always looking out for “influencers” online who can get them a little extra reach and exposure by strategic product drops or having products to sample for a few weeks after which you return them. Which is great if that’s your idea of fun, but that’s not really […]
Some days you get Mondays, other Mondays it gets you.