For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

A visit to the zoo - Part 4

Next to the aquarium is the reptile park This crocodile was basking in the sun trying to warm himself. For more information on crocodiles click here.
We have two types of large monitor lizards here and they are called the Water and Rock Leguan respectively. They vary very little from each other besides their preference of habitat and can grow up to 2 metres (6 foot) in ength. They eat eggs, chicks and almost anything which comes in their path. They are preyed upon by our Martial Eagle.
A painted turtle.
A boomslang, Dispholidus typus is a large, venomous colubrid snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. Its name means "tree snake" in Afrikaans and Dutch.It's long and slender build makes it well adapted for an arboreal life stile where it spends most of it's time among the bushes and trees as the name so clearly indicates. A length of 1.5 metres is about the average for a male but 2 metres has been recorded. The female lays between 8 to 23 eggs and the young measure about 330 mm. Unlike with other snakes that mate on the ground the boomslang mates in trees. A different anti-venom is required than for other snake bites. The venom creates blood clotting in the patient and a blood transfusion might be needed. Symptoms can take up to 24-28 hours to develop but seeing that the boomslang is not a aggressive snake but rather flees when approached.
Arizona Mountain Kingsnake.
A beautiful Rock Python.
Prehensile-tailed skink. Large, about 2'6"
Carpet Pythons come from Australia and is one of the smaller python species.
Despite their name, Green iguanas can come in different colors. In southern countries of their range, such as Peru, green iguanas appear bluish in color with bold black markings. Iguanas have well developed dewlaps which helps regulate their body temperature. It is also used in courtships and displays.

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