Skip to content

SANParks.org Forums

View unanswered posts | View active topics






Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 2 of 9
 [ 125 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 9:41 am 
Offline
Junior Virtual Ranger
Junior Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:51 pm
Posts: 513
Location: Kleinmond, Western Cape
I know them as a "koringkriek" (Afrikaans) or a corn-crake.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:08 am 
Offline
Guru
Guru
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:18 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Twee Rivieren, KTP
Morning,

Stoffel is correct in saying the Afrikaans name is " Koringkriek'. The English name/s are Armoured ground cricket / corn crickets.

Belongs to the family: Bradyporidae.

The will rather walk than jump. Their numbers increase greatly during autumn, when the corn crickets then become cannibalistic and devour each other. Some species are, from time to time, regarded as agricultural pests.

There are 14 species.

_________________
Head: Field Guiding
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
jan.kriel@sanparks.org


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:31 am 
Offline
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:44 pm
Posts: 3148
Location: Cape Town-but dreaming of KTP
FAC Member (2011)
Thank you Jannie and Stoffel.
I thought it was a koringkriek ....my pet hate..but this one looked a bit different.
Not sure why they have to chose my feet to run across. :shock:
BabyNel came to the rescue :clap: and removed it before it got stood on in the dark.
This was the only one we saw the entire trip..thank goodness!!!

Image

_________________
26th Dec 2012 - TR
27-28 Dec - Nossob
29-30-31 Dec - Urikaruus
1-2 Jan - TR
3 Jan 2013 - home....bah !!!!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:53 pm 
Offline
Junior Virtual Ranger
Junior Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:51 pm
Posts: 513
Location: Kleinmond, Western Cape
Kgalagadi Guru wrote:
Their numbers increase greatly during autumn, when the corn crickets then become cannibalistic and devour each other.


During our visit to Kruger in May 2006, the tar roads (especially in the north) were "swarmed" with corn crickets - a grey-blue coloured specie. I tried my best to miss them on the road, but it was an almost hopeless case. This was the first time I became aware of their cannibalistic nature when I noticed that the live ones were attracted to the roads by the ones already driven over.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:32 pm 
Offline
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:44 pm
Posts: 3148
Location: Cape Town-but dreaming of KTP
FAC Member (2011)
I have no idea what this is..seen on the trunk of a tree at Houmoed.
Apologies..not a very good pic at all. :redface:

Image

_________________
26th Dec 2012 - TR
27-28 Dec - Nossob
29-30-31 Dec - Urikaruus
1-2 Jan - TR
3 Jan 2013 - home....bah !!!!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 8:52 pm 
Offline
Junior Virtual Ranger
Junior Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:46 pm
Posts: 134
Location: Calitzdorp, Little Karoo
Hi there
This looks like the cast of the Cisada. They live underground and when they reach "age" they climb up a tree. The skin then splits and the adult appears.
Your photo is of this left over skin

_________________
MY get up and go has just got up and gone
Be Positive and Keep Smiling
Terry


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:23 am 
Offline
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:44 pm
Posts: 3148
Location: Cape Town-but dreaming of KTP
FAC Member (2011)
That is so interesting....thank you Papa Smurf. :)

[ Post made via Mobile Device ] Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:49 pm 
Offline
Guru
Guru
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:18 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Twee Rivieren, KTP
@Caracal,

Papa Smurf is correct in saying that it is the 'skin' left behind.

Family: Cicadidae

Exotic species lay eggs in slits made in twigs, and the newly hatched nymphs dig into the ground using their very enlarged fore legs (Clearly seen on the picture). Here they feed on roots, and it takes many years (sometimes over a decade) before they emerge, climb up a tree, and mould into adults, leaving the dry nymphal skin attached to the tree bark.

About 140 species occur in the region. The only specie I have seen in KTP is Orange-wing, Platypleura haglundi

Sorry for the late reply, was just a bit hectic here tha last week or so.

_________________
Head: Field Guiding
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
jan.kriel@sanparks.org


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:30 am 
Offline
Guru
Guru
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:18 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Twee Rivieren, KTP
Any idea.........?

Image

Image

_________________
Head: Field Guiding
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
jan.kriel@sanparks.org


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:06 am 
Offline
Virtual Ranger
Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:34 pm
Posts: 1048
Location: Heart - Grootkolk, Soul - KTP, Body - far too far south most of the time!
Common Barking Gecko?

_________________
Kgalagadi Leopard Identification Guide
http://www.ast.uct.ac.za/~schurch/leopards/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:53 am 
Offline
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
User avatar
Award: Angel of the Year (2011)
Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:36 pm
Posts: 8399
Location: Lausanne (Switzerland)
a tiny cute Agama :clap:
Gecko don't have claws :hmz:

_________________
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;
what is essential is invisible to the eye. Le petit Prince


:yaya: my last TR here


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:24 am 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:31 pm
Posts: 7236
Location: Ballito, KZN North Coast, South Africa
FAC Member (2011)
Looking in my book I also would guess at Common Barking Gecko.
The breeding male has a yellow throat.

_________________
Where ever you go, go with all your Heart.

Kruger - Feb 6th - 22rd - 2013 &
May 24th - June 15th -2013.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:41 am 
Offline
Guru
Guru
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:18 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Twee Rivieren, KTP
@Wanderw and Elsa,

Well done

It is indeed a Common Barking Gecko (Ptenopus garrulus)

These are small, unusual burrowing geckos that lack scansors on the toes but have a fringe of scales to aid digging. They are the only local geckos with slightly movable upper eyelids.
Males call on summer nights at their burrow entrance, attrackting mates and proclaiming their territory.

Elsa,

Well done in spotting the yellow throat of the breeding male. :clap:

_________________
Head: Field Guiding
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
jan.kriel@sanparks.org


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:00 pm 
Offline
Guru
Guru
User avatar

Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:18 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Twee Rivieren, KTP
This was taken at Nossob Camp.

Image

Image

_________________
Head: Field Guiding
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
jan.kriel@sanparks.org


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: What is this.........?
Unread postPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:22 pm 
Offline
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
Distinguished Virtual Ranger
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:44 pm
Posts: 3148
Location: Cape Town-but dreaming of KTP
FAC Member (2011)
Breeding Male Chestnut Weaver ????
I have seen them in Namibia...a little out of it's area I should think.

_________________
26th Dec 2012 - TR
27-28 Dec - Nossob
29-30-31 Dec - Urikaruus
1-2 Jan - TR
3 Jan 2013 - home....bah !!!!


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 125 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 9  Next



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group

Webcams Highlights

Addo Nossob Orpen Satara
Addo Nossob Orpen Satara
Submitted by Barbara-Ann at 20:10:45 Submitted by nicholaslw58 at 21:03:03 Submitted by Foxy at 21:37:46 Submitted by Anonymous at 20:07:22