Southern rock agama chilling on a rock along a hiking trail. Baviaanskloopf, Eastern Cape, South Africa (2020). Called the ' dark agama' in French. Short, plump body, with a thin dorsal crest, a thin tail and a triangular head.During the breeding season, the heads of males become bright blue. Males take to sitting on top… Continue reading Southern rock agama (Agama atra)
Tag: reptiles
Manapany day gecko (Phelsuma inexpectata)
Reunion Island day gecko taking a sunbath on a common screwpine. Manapany-Les-Bains, Reunion Island (2025). Also called Reunion Island ornate day gecko. One of the smallest day geckos. Body dark green. Snout with a greenish or blueish spot. Three red stripes extend from the snout to the neck. On the side of the head, two… Continue reading Manapany day gecko (Phelsuma inexpectata)
Spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis lineoocellata ssp. pulchella)
Spotted sand lizard in situ. Bavianskloof, Eastern Cape (2020). Orange to grey lizard, with white-blue and dark bordered ocelli (eye-like markings) on flanks and numerous paler spots on the back, which may fuse into a dorsolateral lines.Sexes distinguished in adults by the presence of a hemi-penal bulge (a bulge on the base of the tail… Continue reading Spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis lineoocellata ssp. pulchella)
Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
Leopard turtoise sticking its head out of its shell to check for safety. The Walsingham Farm, Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2024). Also referred to as the mountain tortoise, or bergskilpad (in Afrikaans). Fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, with typical adults reaching 40 cm for 13 kg. Maximum adult size vary along their… Continue reading Leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
