Snakes and other Reptiles of Kruger, by Luke Kemp and Johan Marais

Snakes and other Reptiles of Kruger, by Luke Kemp and Johan Marais. Penguin Random House South Africa. Imprint: Struik Nature. Cape Town, South Africa 2024. ISBN 9781775848417 / ISBN 978-1-77-584841-7

Reptile-watching tips from the guide Snakes and other Reptiles of Kruger, by Luke Kemp and Johan Marais.

Johan Marais  

African reptiles are cryptic by nature, mainly because of the large variety of creatures that prey on them. They are hunted by mammals, birds, other reptiles and even some insects. As such, most reptiles are shy, staying close to cover or utilising camouflage to avoid detection. Nevertheless, knowing the following will increase your odds of spotting reptiles: Reptiles are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature varies according to the temperature of their surroundings. Most species bask in the morning sun and may be seen on rocks, roads or banks around water bodies. As the day heats up, reptiles move into the shade. During the heat of summer, many reptiles have only a small window of activity in the mornings and late afternoons when temperatures are tolerable. Many species are spotted crossing roads during the day. Be cautious of slow-moving species, such as the Flap-neck Chameleon and tortoises, as they are often accidentally killed by passing vehicles. Snake sightings are fleeting as these creatures move rapidly, quickly disappearing into roadside vegetation, rock crevices, or dead trees. Thunderstorms and rain often see a boost in reptile activity. The emergence of frogs and termite alates (flying ants) attracts reptiles, which feast on this abundant source of food. Other species, especially tortoises, drink water from puddles formed on the roads. Some species around camps and popular lookout points may have become somewhat habituated to humans and will allow a close approach, offering great photographic opportunities. Large trees usually have small colonies of the charismatic Southern Tree Agamas as well as the common Striped Skinks. Rock outcrops and lookout points are good areas to look for lizards. Snakes such as the Rufous-beaked Snake may be observed basking on termite mounds. A pair of close focus binoculars such as those used for birding allows one to see detail in lizards and snakes from a safe distance. The alarm calls of birds will often reveal the presence of a snake. Usually multiple species of birds, especially bulbuls, sunbirds, robins and white-eyes, will surround a snake, sound an alarm call and sometimes even mob the snake. Several reptiles are nocturnal, emerging as the sun sets. This includes most geckos and many snakes, and these can be found around camps and lodges with a powerful torch or on organised game drives. Lights on walls or around ablution blocks attract droves of insects, which in turn attract many gecko species. Some snakes, like Eastern Tiger Snakes, Brown House Snakes and Marbled Tree Snakes, will follow the geckos, often climbing face-brick walls and rafters to ambush their prey. As winters in the lowveld are not particularly cold, reptiles do not need to hibernate. However, during the dry winter season, many reptiles enter a state of inactivity (aestivate), spending their time concealed underground, in the hollows of trees and logs or under rocks and leaf litter, often emerging with the first spring rains. Tortoises, like Speke's Hinged Tortoise, are known to hide in burrows during the dry season, probably to avoid the blazing bush fires. Many terrapins will leave the drying pans and pools and either burrow into the mud or under leaf litter until the summer rains return. Note: This book excludes rarities and species with a restricted distribution, such as the fossorial FitzSimons Legless Skink, which is known from a handful of records, and the Blue-tailed Sandveld Lizard, found only in the extreme northeastern corner of the Park. [...]

This is an excerpt from Snakes and other Reptiles of Kruger, by Luke Kemp and Johan Marais.

Title: Snakes and other Reptiles of Kruger
Author: Luke Kemp; Johan Marais
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2024
ISBN 9781775848417 / ISBN 978-1-77-584841-7
Softcover, 13 x 17 cm, 176 pages, throughout colour photos