Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Rob » Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:06 pm

Selected pics from a trip I did a couple years back.

Almost hit this guy crossing the road. Despite the lure of a possible R50 score we did our good deed and released him on the other side of the fence in the direction he was going.
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I don't really know lizards too well, this was found at Prince Albert
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Comfy
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Swartberg Mountains, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
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A couple roadkills
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Rob Deans

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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby armata » Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:21 pm

The Swartberg is covered in snow right now, but a great place.
Where did you find the DOR caudalis and Aspedilaps?
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Rob » Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:26 pm

Aspidelaps just outside of Beaufort West on the way to Aberdeen, and the caudalis was at Aberdeen.
Also saw caudalis at Prince Albert and Beaufort West.

Yeah Swartberg was the highlight for me, a stunning mountain pass to travel through. Would love to come with you up there someday Tony.
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Pythonodipsas » Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:28 pm

The black lizard looks like a male Trachylepis sulcata - Western Rock Skink. But let see what our resident entomologist says (and other experts).
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby armata » Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:42 pm

Oh, I was going to say crag lizard (Pseudocordylus for the lizard).
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Rob » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:18 pm

All I know is it was perhaps the fastest lizard I have ever chased down. This and a small Heliobolus which once kept 3 of us going for a good 15 minutes.
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby BushSnake » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:51 am

The Swartberg is absolutely amazing! Thanks for posting this.

I don't really know what lizzard that black one is, but one question should reveal the answer: how far from a rock crack was it found? Crag lizzards (Pseudocordylus) virtually NEVER wander off from their shelters, whereas skinks (Trachylepis) often wander into more open areas where you can "chase them down". A full body photo would also help. My first reaction was also a T.sulcata, but I didn't know the pitch black ones are found as far south as Prince Albert. I thought they were more central karoo (central Northern Cape). It just looks a bit too smooth for a Pseudocordylus (In my non-expert opinion of course).

I presume the girdle lizzard is a Cape girdle lizzard (Cordylus cordylus)?
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Rob » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:03 am

BS - It was in terrain more like you describe for Trachylepis
There was also an agama in the immediate vicinity.

Cordylus cordylus, I presumed so too. Lizards are not really an area of interest for me so I dont pay toooo much attention.
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby armata » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:23 am

It got up to 23deg yesterday and I observed some Nucras running about, also a baby harlequin under a rock, plus 2 parrot-beaked, 10 angulates, and 12 leopards.
Going for a tortoise walk in an hour or so, promised 24deg today!!

Mongoose has promised to visit me in a day or so, wants to do some photos, so watch this space.
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Re: Trip to Eastern and Western Cape

Postby Rob » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:40 am

armata wrote:Mongoose has promised to visit me in a day or so, wants to do some photos, so watch this space.


Just don't make him walk too far :)
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