Summer 2019 (January to May) Tortoises, Flat Lizards and One Lucky Pangolin

A rescued African Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temnickii) busy feeding on cocktail ants. Photo Melissa Petford.

It’s been a long period since our last blog post and we have been very active this summer. As usual, most of our time was spent at Medike Nature Reserve, but we have also visited other regions, most notably Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Makabeng Plateau, eastern Soutpansberg, Alldays Region and some new sites in the western Soutpansberg. Besides our fieldwork we also were involved in a pangolin rescue and maybe the most exciting development of all was Melissa finally submitting her PhD entitled Ecology and Conservation of Restricted Reptiles, which focused on the endemic and rupicolous reptile species of the Soutpansberg. Below we share some of our highlights and interesting observations.

Orange cliffs of Medike, the effect is created when the sun is low and lights up orange lichen growing on cliffs.

Testudines

Our year got off to an exciting start and the SCBC hosted two researchers, Melita Vamberger and Flora Ihlow, who were looking at Kinixys and Pelomedusa throughout the north eastern parts of the country. We assisted them in the Soutpansberg region and saw and learned a lot about Testudines: a very interesting and diverse group of reptile. This is the first time we have specifically gone into the field looking for tortoises and they are actually difficult animals to target, especially Kinixys which normally occur in low densities.

Juvenile Hinged Tortoise (Kinixys spp.) from the northern Slopes of the Soutpansberg.

Adult Kinixys from the top of the Soutpansberg.

Adult Kinixys spekki from the Limpopo Valley.

Juvenile Kinixys speki from the Sand River.

Hatchling Kinixys spekki from the Sand River.

Marsh Terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa) near the Limpopo River.

Helmeted Terrapin (Pelomedusa) from near Polokwane.

Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus), Soutpansberg.

Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) feeding on lion scat, Mapaungubwe National Park.

Kruger National Park and Mapangubwe National Park

Kruger National Park was one of our destinations during the summer and we were lucky to visit after some heavy summer rains. Pans had formed in many areas that are normally dry and we were lucky to see some of the exciting herpetofauna that Kruger National Park exhibits.  Besides the reptiles we also had some amazing bird and mammal sightings.  The most exciting being an unusual Nyala which had retained female colouration but grown horns. This is apparently caused by some kind of hormonal imbalance – a very unusual animal.

Aberrent Nyala Bull (Tragelaphus angasii), Punda Maria, Kruger National Park.

A difficult reptile to see due to it's retiring nature Rough-scaled Plated Lizard (Broadleysaurus major), Punda Maria, KNP.

Soutpansberg Purple-Glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas microphthalma nigra) the Soutpansberg's and only endemic snake. Punda Maria, KNP.

We also did a few trips to Mapangubwe National Park throughout this period and one weekend in particular was exceptional for birding, we recorded 167 species in a three days visit. Some highlights of the trip were seeing thousands of Muller’s Platanna (Xenopus muelleri) congregating at the edge of the Manoutswa pan, a Martial Eagle Eating a Rock Monitor, a new reptile for our list: Boulenger's Garter Snake (Elapsoidea boulengeri) and finally a rare bird, the Slaty Egret which we spotted in a small pan. Thanks to Richard Petifor for making it such a successful trip.

Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) consuming a Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis).

Thousands of juvenile Muller’s Platanna (Xenopus muelleri) gathering along edge of Manoutswa Pan,
Mapungubwe NP.

Slaty Egret (Egretta vinaceigula) at Mapungubwe National Park.

Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) basking at Mapungubwe National Park.

Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) preying on Southern Foam Nest Frog (Chiromantis xerampelina).

Platysaurus

Another mentionable highlight was an outing was to see the Platysaurus species of an area just south of Blouberg. We found three species living in very close proximity to one another, this is quite a special situation as there can’t be too many places in Southern Africa where one can see that many Platysaurus in easy walking distance.

Dwarf Flat Lizard (Platysaurus guttatus) this species is incredibly shy and difficult to approach. Blouberg Region.

Waterberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus minor), Blouberg Region.

Orange-throated Flat Lizard (Platysaurus monotropis), Blouberg Region.

 Other Platysaurus we have seen this season were Soutpansberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus relictus), Blouberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus parvus), Wilhelm's Flat Lizard (Platysaurus wilhelmi), Zimbabwe Flat Lizard (Platysaurus rhodesianus) and Sekhukhune Flat Lizard (Platysaurus orientalis).

Wilhelm's Flat Lizard (Platysaurus wilhelmi).

Blouberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus parvus), Blouberg Nature Reserve.

Soutpansberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus relictus), Soutpansberg.

Sekhukhune Flat Lizard (Platysaurus orientalis) Blyde River Canyon.

Zimbabwe Flat Lizard (Platysaurus rhodesianus)

Surveys

During this period we undertook two notable surveys in new areas of the Soutpansberg. Our first survey was at the farms Leek and Surprise, located roughly south-east of Medike. We recorded 31 reptile species from the property, the most significant of these were five endemic Soutpansberg reptiles: Soutpansberg Worm Lizard (Chirindia langi occidentalis), Soutpansberg Flat Lizard (Platysaurus relictus), Soutpansberg Rock Lizard (Vhembelacerta rupicola), Cryptic Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus incognitus) and Soutpansberg Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus soutpansbergensis). The abundance of L. incognitus, L. soutpansbergenis, P. relictus and V. rupicola indicates that the property is an important location for the conservation of these species.

Spotted Sandveld Lizard (Nucras intertexta)

Soutpansberg Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus soutpansbergensis)

Flat Dragon Lizard (Smaug depressus), an iconic species of the Soutpansberg.

Soutpansberg Worm Lizard (Chirindia langi occidentalis), an important high altitude record.

Bibron's Blind Snake (Afrotyphlops bibronii) locally common invertebrate eater.

In addition to the endemics we also found a new locality of Spotted Rock Snake (Lamprophis guttatus) and a new species for our records: Broadley’s Flat Gecko (Afroedura broadleyi).

Spotted Rock Snake (Lamprophis guttatus), a difficult to see crack dweller.

Broadley's Flat Gecko (Afroedura broadleyi) the first specimen for our lists.

 Another notable survey was a visit to a reserve near Tshipise where we conducted a site visit to assess the practicalities for further surveys on the property. We recorded 15 species and our highlights include the most westerly Soutpansberg records for Stevenson’s Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus soutpansbergensis) and a good easterly record of Black Lined Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus intermedius), we don't have many localities in the region for this secretive species. We look forward to surveying the property again in the future.

Svenson's Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus stevensoni) hiding in plain site on a tree.

Black-lined Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus intermedius) a lizard not often encountered.

Eastern form of Pienaar's Flat Gecko (Afroedura pienaari)

Speckled Gecko (Pachydactylus punctatus).

This period also produced many general biodiversity highlights. The most interesting were seeing a live African Hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis) in the Soutpansberg for the first time. Saving an African Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) from people trying to smuggle it into illicit trade (animal was rehabiltated and is now part of a African Pangolin Working Group programme which will reintroduce Pangolins into Northern KZN where they have become expatriated). Witnissing a Rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) predating on a hatchling Hinged Tortoise (Kinixys spekii). Observing a large Whalberg’s Velvet Gecko (Homopholis wahlbergii) consuming a Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia). Capturing a White-backed Night Heron (Gorsachius leuconotus) on camera trap and finding a Slaty Egret (Egretta vinaceigula) at Mapangubwe. 

African Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) photo Melissa Petford.

White-backed Night Heron (Gorsachius leuconotus)

Whalberg's Velvet Gecko (Homopholis wahlbergii) and Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

Watched this Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis) digging out a Hinged Tortoise (Kinixys spekii).

Summer 2019 has been exceptional and we have seen so much, encountered so many species, met some amazing people and accomplished so much over the years. The coming summer will see us continuing our surveys by targeting gaps in our survey effort, tying up loose ends and continuing our collaborations we have built over the years. Watch this space for our final blog post at the end of the year.

African Hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis) photo Melissa Petford.

Soutpansberg Summer Surveys: February–April 2018

Eastern Vine Snake (Thelotornis capensis capensis), Mphaphuli, Soutpansberg.

Large Horned Adder (Bitis caudalis) from the Soutpansberg.

The SCBC has had a busy second half of summer. The majority of the season has been spent at high altitude at Lajuma Research Centre. Despite the high altitude site, reptile abundance and endemism at Lajuma is high.  Lajuma Research Centre is a great place to see some highly restricted endemic lizards. One of the most interesting endemics, the Soutpansberg Rock Lizard (Vhembelacerta rupicola) can easily be seen foraging along the cliff edges and between the bush clumps.

Soutpansberg Rock Lizard (Vhembelacerta rupicola) a highly restricted Soutpansberg endemic.

Nocturnal surveys proved quite unproductive at Lajuma so we did most of our night work collecting data at lower altitudes. As usual we saw a lot of snakes during  this summer and we were happy to catch up to a few species that we don't normally see close up. Specifically Northern Boomslang (Dispholidus typus viridis), Olive Whip Snake (Psammophis mossambicus) and Short-snouted Grass Snake (Psammophis brevirostris). These snakes normally rely on their speed and camouflage to escape detection.

Possible female Boomslang (Dispholidus typus viridis). Lajuma, Soutpansberg.

Male Boomslang (Dispholidus typus viridis). Lajuma, Soutpansberg.

Olive Whips Snake (Psammophis mossambicus), Waterpoort area, Soutpansberg.

Short-snouted Sand Snake (Psammophis brevirostrus). Entabeni, Soutpansberg.

Map depicting SCBC data collection points. As you can see we have a lot of work to still do.

Research has been very productive and we are close to 8000 reptile records from the region since November 2016 and our species list is sitting at 112 reptiles for the mountain. It is going to take some time to tidy, analyse and present data, but we have already managed to produce an abundance list based on all observational records and here are the top five snakes you are likely to encounter in the region (if you cover as much ground, visit as many locations and search in similar pattern to us).

Common Egg Eater (Dasypeltis scabra). This is the snake with highest recording rate (close to 100 records).

Puff Adder (Bitis arietans). Second most commonly seen snake (70 records).

When active searching on foot Black-headed Centipede Eater (Aparallactus capensis) is the most common snake we encounter about 60 records.

Bibron's Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis bibronii). It is unusual not to see one of these while surveying at night at low altitude we have 50 records of this species.

Brown House Snake (Boaedon capensis) is number 5 for our surveys, with 45 records.

Despite the common reptiles we also saw a lot of other interesting reptiles during the season. One of the best things about the late summer season is the amount of baby reptiles one sees. We saw a lot of hatchlings this season, below are some of the little animals we photographed.

Southern Brown Egg-eaters (Dasypeltis inornata) hatching.

Six Southern Brown Egg-eaters ready for release.

Hatchling Brown Water Snakes (Lycodonomorphus rufulus) with eggs.

Freshly hatched Rhombic Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus).

Hatchling Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia).

Baby Southern African Rock Python (Python natalenis).

Juvenile Bushveld Lizard (Heliolobus lugubris). These are abundant in hot dry areas.

Juvenile Flap-necked Chameleon (Chameleo dilepis). These seem to make most people very happy..

The SCBC also did a few intensive site visits this summer; where we spent a few days in an area and built up species lists. The most productive site visits this half of the season have been Goro Game Reserve in December, where we located Bradfield’s Gecko, Entabeni where we recorded Rhombic Night Adder and a new locality for Southern Brown Egg Eaters and Bergtop Game Reserve where we found an extraordinary gecko: the Kalahari Ground Gecko, Pachydactylus (Colopus) whalbergii a first for the Soutpansberg. That’s three new species!

Kalahari Ground Gecko (Pachydactylus whalbergii). Soutpansberg, Limpopo.

Even though amphibians are not our target animals, we do record and photograph them when we find them. All the frogs illustrated here have one thing in common: they prefer walking/running to hopping around.

 

Banded Rubber Frog (Phrynomantis bifasciatus). SOutpansberg, Limpopo.

An unusually coloured Bubbling Cassina (Kassina senigalensis). Lajuma, Soutpansberg.

The Soutpansberg's only endemic amphibian, Northern Forest Rain Frog (Breviceps sylvestris taeniatus). Entabeni.

In addition to these finds, we are developing our study on Muller’s Velvet Geckos (Homopholis mulleri): we have added six new specimens of this species to our distribution records (thanks to Ruan Stander for four of those!). Looking forward to developing this project in the coming few months. Watch this space!

Female Muller's Velvet Gecko (Homopholis mulleri). Note swollen calcium glands, indicating readiness to produce eggs.

Other highlights for the season include finding three new scorpions in the Soutpansberg for our lists bringing the total species of scorpions located by the SCBC in the Soutpansberg to 24. Parabuthus granulatus is a well know species in Southern Africa as it has the most medically significant venom of all Southern African scorpions. We have located the species numerous times in the Northern Cape and along the Limpopo River, but this season was the first time we located them in the Soutpansberg, and this second half of summer we found them in two more localities. Parabuthus kuanyamarum and Afroisometrus minshullae are two rare scorpions which we thought we would never locate. This season we were lucky enough to find both.

Parabuthus kuanyamarum, Soutpansberg, Limpopo.

Afroisometrus minshullae is one of the rarest scorpions in Southern Africa with only a handful of records from northern Slopes of Soutpansberg into southern Zimbabwe. This tiny scorpion is a species we never expected to see.

Afroisometrus minshullae, near Tshipise, Soutpansberg Region, Limpopo.

February we were joined by herpetologist Eric Jolin from Canada. Eric has spent the past four years working on Massasauga Rattlesnakes for Wildlife Preservation Canada throughout Ontorio. Eric helped us get our Leopard Tortoise Project off the ground, which he piloted. We are hoping this will turn into a popular long term monitoring project. Thanks for all your help and hard work in the field Eric, you gave us a very productive and enjoyable month.

Eric with an unnamed juvenile Leopard Tortoise (and a load of porcupine quills). Tortoise was marked and released for further studies on recruitment and habitat selection.

Looking forward to seeing what this winter will bring. While never very busy, we usually find and see some very unusual things during the winter season in the Soutpansberg. We are always looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to join us on our sampling as well as researchers looking to do internships with us. Please contact the SCBC for more details.

Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation: Reptile Research South Africa.