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I've always found identifying reptiles to be quite a challenge, mostly because I don't have any good field guides but also because I'm not always sure what features to look out for. I have been watching birds for some time but it seems that the same rules don't apply. Colour is hardly of use (ask the Chameleons ) and posture, habits, feeding pattern and vocalisation is as useless as a solar powered bicycle to a cave-living bat.

So would anyone have recommendations as to which field guide to get hold of that could teach me how to identify reptiles.

While we're at it, could anyone tell me how to seperate Lang's Crag Lizzard from Drakensberg Crag Lizzard?

Cheers,
D

According to my field guide (Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa by Bill Branch), the Lang's crag lizard is quite similar to the Drakensberg crag lizard, but breeding male lack the yellow flanks. Both species may also live together in the same crack.

Not much to work on in the field!!!

I must agree that reptile identification is challenging and also very frustrating at times. I normally try to get a decent video clip of a reptile in order to ID it at home.

I am just as useless with lizards..can anybody help out with this one? I took the photo in KTP

Thanks
Michele

The following are recommended reference books on southern African reptiles, suitable for general use, and currently available at most book shops:

Branch W.R. 1998. Field guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

Marais J. 2004. A complete guide to the snakes of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

Jacobsen N. 2005. Remarkable reptiles of South Africa. Briza, Pretoria.

Boycott R.C. and Pourquin O. 2000. The Southern African Tortoise Book: a guide to southern African tortoises, terrapins and turtles. Published by O. Bourquin, Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.

Tolley K. and Burger M. 2007. Chamaleons of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

Now if I had a few of those books I might be able to help....

There is a new book on the shelf:

A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa.
Graham Alexander and Johan Marais
Struik
2007
ISBN 978 1 77007 386 9

This is a must have! Easy layout, well illustrated. Pitty that it only has the English names of species.

Michele, i would say that this is a Karasburg Tree Skink - Trachylepis sparsa
Saw quite a number of them all over KTP in December.

Thanks Jakkelsbessie ....I guess I need to invest in a reptile book!

I'm clueless when it comes to reptiles. can anyone help to ID this one?

where was it seen? it could be a geco but i am more of a mammal and bird guy.

I'm think it's a female tree agama.
I saw lots of these guys at Satara, the males have bright blue heads - stunning!

This was seen at a resort just outside Kruger near Croc bridge on the crocodile river
Thanks for the help

I Agree with wild about cats. Acanthocercus atricollis
Blue-headed Tree Agama. As WACs noted the males have bright blue heads. This colouration is seasonal though and depending on the situation can be manipulated. A breeding male that wants to impress a female will have the bright colours, whereas the animal will have a more cryptic colour otherwise so it can blend in with the colour of the tree bark. They are insectivores, but I once observed one feeding on a wax-bill near Komatipoort.

Possibly something on the order of the agama?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karen_mcal ... 6/sizes/l/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can't see the rest of the body in your pic, but....

Daan

It is a Tree Agama

Great Photograph!