Extinction.

South African snakes with venoms that are considered to be medically important.

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Extinction.

Postby Mamba no 5 » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:02 pm

We all know about snakes and other smaller reptiles becoming scarcer as habitat destruction continues. But has any South African species ever gone extinct? I Don't know about any cases. I Know plenty of "very rare" snakes, but is there a (once abundant) species that has died out entirely? Like the Genus Bitis Arientans Aquaticus - Deep water Puffadder. (That last bit is a joke)

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Re: Extinction.

Postby Westley Price » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:09 pm

Bit of a smart-ass answer, but it depends what time frame you are looking at.

I am 100% sure certain reptile species have gone extinct in the past few thousand years, but there are no modern reptile extinctions in South Africa.
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Re: Extinction.

Postby Mamba no 5 » Sat Oct 19, 2013 4:29 pm

Sorry that I did not clarify. I Am indeed referring to extinction caused by Humans. That's one good thing at least, that we haven't lost any species. I Suppose we might start losing some frogs soon.
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Re: Extinction.

Postby Bushviper » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:30 pm

In South Africa the Eastwood Seps is considered extinct. Its original habitat is today just pine plantations.
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Re: Extinction.

Postby Clive b » Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:52 pm

I'm sure the Albany adder will be on that list soon.
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Re: Extinction.

Postby it_bit_me » Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:50 pm

This isn't in SA but Bitis heraldica might be lost by now.
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Re: Extinction.

Postby nvlooi » Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:54 pm

Heraldica I doubt is extinct, Angola was for many years not accessible.

IMO

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Re: Extinction.

Postby dasie » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:22 pm

Of topic, but please correct me if I am wrong, heraldica is one of the bitis spp that have not yet been really studied in its natural habitat ? I have not seen or heard about a study done on them.
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