Faansie versus Harlequin

By |2020-05-16T15:19:51+02:00May 10th, 2018|Reptiles, snakes|

In this battle there was a clear winner. Spotted Harlequin Snakes, Homoroselaps lacteus, are mildly venomous, and though their venom does not pose any potentially fatal consequences, a bite may well provide you with some nice gory images. Hopefully some of the effects I documented here can contribute to our knowledge on this species. Perhaps not for sensitive viewers.

Herping lingo

By |2020-05-16T15:19:51+02:00February 23rd, 2018|Frogs, Reptiles|

Birding has its own, dedicated language. Twitching. Lifer. String. Dip. Tick. The same goes for herping - the study of frogs and reptiles. However, compared to the typical birder, herpers are a decidedly freakish bunch (and I say that as a herper myself). I called in the help of some of the country's top herpers to come up with this illustrated dictionary of herping lingo. I hope they didn't make this stuff up.

Ngoye Forest: saw the barbet, got the T-shirt

By |2020-05-16T15:20:01+02:00April 18th, 2016|Birds, kids, Places, Reptiles|

Welcome to Ngoye Forest! If you're a birder, you will end up here sooner or later, as this relict 3,900 hectare forest patch in the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal is the only place in southern Africa to see Green Barbet (aka Woodward's Barbet, if you're so inclined), among many other endemics. There is even now a tarred road right through the forest, so no excuses! I tried something a little different with the layout this time - hope it works!

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