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hyperolius.co.za

Celebrating the biodiversity of South Africa. Promoting conservation through education.
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Longhorn beetles are just the coolest! Here's a Pe

Longhorn beetles are just the coolest! Here's a Pea Longhorn Beetle, Ceroplesis aethiops, from Tygerberg Hill. Despite the colourful appearance of this beetle, it's totally harmless to humans.

#longhornbeetle #beetle #insect #insects #insectphotography #herping #capetown #wildlife #entomology #ceroplesis #ceroplesisaethiops #durbanville #southafrica

A juvenile Four Striped Field Mouse, Rhabdomys pum

A juvenile Four Striped Field Mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio. These small rodents are widespread throughout Southern Africa, and unlike their common name implies, they aren't actually true mice. Four Striped Field Mice are omnivores, surviving on a diet of plant matter and insects, and in turn, they're an important food source for a variety of reptiles, mammals, and birds.

#fieldmouse #mouse #fourstripedfieldmouse #rhabdomyspumilio #southafrica #herping #wildlifephotography #babymouse #photography #conservation #rodents

Mutant scorpions from outer space? Nope, just scor

Mutant scorpions from outer space? Nope, just scorpions under a UV light! Scorpions possess a layer in their exoskeleton called the hyaline layer, which glows in response to UV light, including blacklight and moonlight. This glow is so strong that even scorpion fossils retain it! Scientists aren't quite sure why scorpions glow, but there are a number of theories, including to recognise each other, confuse prey, detect light and shadow, or even protect them from the sun. Have you ever gone looking for scorpions at night with a UV light?

Uroplectes carinatus, Common Lesser Thick-Tailed Scorpions, from Paarlberg. Capable of a painful sting, but not medically significant.

#scorpions #glowingscorpions #uvlight #uvscorpions #uroplectes #carinatus #uroplectescarinatus #commonlesserthicktail #arachnid #arachnids #nature #strangecreatures #naturefacts #naturephotography #photography

Can you recognise this common, harmless snake? The

Can you recognise this common, harmless snake? The clue to this snake's identity lies in the white markings that run in a v-shape from the snout to temples in most individuals.

This nocturnal constrictor is a Brown House Snake, Boaedon capensis, and it can be found all over South Africa. Females can grow as long as 1.2m, and males are smaller, growing up to 76cm. This species completely lacks venom, and uses strong muscles to suffocate prey. An extremely beneficial snake to have around your home; Brown House Snakes help to keep rodent populations in check.

#snakes #snakesofinstagram #brownhousesnake #boaedoncapensis #nonvenomous #constrictor #housesnake #herpingcapetown #herping #herpingsouthafrica #nature #indigenoussnakes #snakesofsouthafrica #reptiles #capetown #southafrica #photography

It's again been a pretty long time since I posted

It's again been a pretty long time since I posted anything, and so I thought I'd jump back in with my very first time getting to meet and photograph this Cape Cobra. I'm not really sure what I expected the experience to be like, but I was definitely struck by how calm this animal was.

Naja nivea, the Cape Cobra, is one of the dangerously venomous snakes present in South Africa. It possesses a powerful neurotoxic venom that may also contain cardiotoxins, and bites from this species should be regarded as extremely severe. If you or someone else is bitten, the victim should be transported to hospital without delay.

Despite the potentially lethal bite of this snake, Cape Cobras, like all snakes, aren't interested in biting humans, and would much rather get away from us than bite, usually only resorting to biting if they are cornered and cannot flee. If you encounter a venomous snake, enjoy observing it from a safe distance, and call your local snake rescuer if the snake needs to be moved.

Cape Cobras inhabit a wide variety of habitats throughout most of South Africa, and come in an even wider range of colours.

Thanks to @rootsandall_tours for giving me the opportunity to photograph such a stunning snake

#snakes #snakesofinstagram #naja #najanivea #cobra #capecobra #venomoussnakes #snakesofsouthafrica #herping #bruinkapel #geelslang #photography

It's been a while since I last posted, so here's a

It's been a while since I last posted, so here's a sleepy Painted Reed Frog from Rustenberg Wines in Stellenbosch. Painted Reed Frogs sleep during the day, and on spring and summer nights, they emerge to breed. Calling groups can consist of hundreds of individuals, and the call is a sharp whistle. While this species is well established in the greater Cape Town region, Painted Reed Frogs are actually not native to the area, having migrated down from warmer parts of South Africa, most likely in shipments of plants. In Cape Town, they're often confused for closely related Arum Lily Frogs, but they can be distinguished by their bright markings and lack of horizontal stripe on the flanks.

#paintedreedfrog #hyperoliusmarmoratus #frogs #frogsofinstagram #herpetology #herping #amphibians #biodiversity #southafrica

Anyone who knows me and my herping endeavours reas

Anyone who knows me and my herping endeavours reasonably well, will know that I've never been fortunate enough to find a baboon spider. Well, that all changed for me on Wednesday, when I flipped this gorgeous Harpacira atra (Common Black Baboon Spider) under a log while looking for snakes.

Baboon spiders fall into the family Theraphosidae, which is the same family that gets called tarantulas in America. Here in South Africa, we call these spiders Baboon Spiders, owing to their hairy appearance. Despite a somewhat formiddable appearance, this particular individual was very placid, allowing me to gently handle it without threatening to bite me.

In the second image of this series, you can see the silk lined burrow where the spider spends most of its time. Baboon Spiders are protected species in South Africa, and it is highly illegal to possess them - despite this, they are commonly poached for the black market pet trade.

#baboonspider #baboonspiders #tarantula #tarantulas #harpactira #harpactiraatra #commonblackbaboonspider #herping #spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #nature #naturephotography #herpingcapetown

Can you guess what this is? Swipe to see a larger

Can you guess what this is? Swipe to see a larger image (a bad cellphone photograph because I forgot to take one with my camera) of this organism in its habitat.

This unique, alien-looking thing is in fact one of South Africa's very own carnivorous plants, known as sundews, likely named for the magnificent way in which the fluid at the end of their sticky hairs catches the light. Sundews are unique compared to much of our indigenous flora, as they are carnivorous, using their sticky hairs to trap insects in a way similar to fly paper. Once trapped, insects are slowly digested by the plant in order to provide much-needed nutrients, which are often lacking in the soils in which these plants grow.

The species in this photograph is Drosera trinervia (thanks to @cape_carnivores for the ID), also known as the Small Sundew. It can be found in marshy, peaty soil in indigenous fynbos and renosterveld, often in huge numbers. It is one of the more common plants in the genus, but is always beautiful to see.

#drosera #droseratrinervia #carnivorousplant #southafrica #botany #stellenbosch #capetown #herping #nature #naturephotography #macrophotography

Happy World Snake Day! Snakes are a vital part o

Happy World Snake Day!

Snakes are a vital part of the world's ecosystems, helping to keep prey animal populations in check. Most snakes are harmless to humans, and all snakes would rather flee than bite us. If you encounter a snake, observe it from a safe distance, and unless you're absolutely positive on the ID of the species, never attempt to handle it.

The snake in this photo is an Olive Snake, Lycodonomorphus inornatus, from Tokai. These harmless, nocturnal constrictors prey on small rodents, lizards, and other snakes.

#worldsnakeday #olivesnake #olivehousesnake #olivenightsnake #snakes #snake #lycodonomophusinornatus #snakesofsouthafrica #herping #herpingsouthafrica #conservation #reptiles #capetown #herpingcapetown #nature #naturephotography

Cheer up Breviceps, it's Friday! The Cape, or Gia

Cheer up Breviceps, it's Friday!

The Cape, or Giant Rain Frog, Breviceps gibbosus, is found in the southwestern Cape, where it burrows into soft soil (swipe to the end to see a burrowed frog). During the winter and spring, males call with the rains from exposed locations on the surface as well as burrows, which has earned the genus their common name of Rain Frogs. Unlike many other frogs, Cape Rain Frogs are good parents, as one frog will stay with the eggs until metamorphosis has been completed.

Thanks to @my.family.and.other.frogs for finding this one!

#caperainfrog #breviceps #brevicepsgibbosus #herping #herpingcapetown #herpingsouthafrica #frog #fatfrog #frogsofinstagram #stellenbosch #wildlife #herps #amphibians #conservationthrougheducation #rainfrog #southafrica #stellenbosch #capetown #photography #nature

A little Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia)

A little Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) that was brought to us in a packet as a so-called "spitting cobra". While the threat display of the Herald is dramatic, this nocturnal colubrid is a specialist toad predator and, while mildly venomous, is no threat to humans or pets. When threatened, this little snake flattens out its head and strikes a signature defensive pose. While their full common name is often the "Red Lipped Herald", not all individuals possess the red lips, and the species is best identified by the dark marks on the temples. Swipe to the end to see what the head of the Herald snake looks like when the snake is in a relaxed position.

#snakes #snake #heraldsnake #crotaphopeltishotamboeia #redlippedsnake #snakesofinstagram #snakesofsouthafrica #mildlyvenomous #herping #herpingsouthafrica #capetown #southafrica #wildlife #herpetofauna #reptiles #conservation #conservationthrougheducation

That face when you realise tomorrow is Monday 😰

That face when you realise tomorrow is Monday 😰

This magnificent lady is a Raucous Toad, Sclerophrys capensis, that @rootsandall_tours flipped in Jan Marais nature reserve in Stellenbosch. Raucous Toads are common toads in much of South Africa, and are aptly named, with a loud, squawking call that can be heard for much of the summer months.

#toad #toads #toadsofinstagram #frog #frogs #frogsofinstagram #matiescitizenscience #amphibiansurvey #herping #herpingsouthafrica #herpingcapetown #capetown #southafrica #sclerophryscapensis #sclerophrys #africa #nature #herpetology #herpetofauna

Adventures with @rootsandall_tours. After spending

Adventures with @rootsandall_tours. After spending the afternoon at a nature reserve in Stellenbosch, we headed back to my place and turned up around 11 Cape Dwarf Chameleons in the garden.

Cape Dwarf Chameleons are common in gardens and fynbos around Cape Town, though they are vulnerable to predation from introduced species (such as domestic cats) and habitat destruction. You can make your own garden more chameleon-friendly by avoiding the use of pesticides and creating quiet, sheltered areas with ample vegetation. Cape Dwarf Chameleons give birth to live young and adults often hang out in small family groups that tend to consist of a male and several females.

#capedwarfchameleon #capetown #capetownsouthafrica #herping #herpingcapetown #herpingsouthafrica #backyardherping #herpetofauna #chameleon #bradypodionpumilum #naturephotography #photography #conservation

The ever-present Clicking Stream Frog, Strongylopu

The ever-present Clicking Stream Frog, Strongylopus grayii. These variable little frogs are very active at the moment and can be found across a great variety of habitats. Their common name references the clicking sound of their call - have you heard them calling in your garden?

#clickingstreamfrog #herping #herpingsouthafrica #herpingcapetown #frogs #frog #amphibian #conservation #conservationeducation #nightherping #photography #wildlife #herpetofauna #strongylopus #strongylopusgrayii

Can you guess the snake? Swipe to the end for the

Can you guess the snake? Swipe to the end for the answer, and then scroll to read more.

Did you guess correctly that this snake is a juvenile mole snake? Mole snakes are incredibly common throughout South Africa, where they play an important role in controlling rodent populations. Despite their large size and grumpy faces, mole snakes lack venom, and use their powerful muscles to constrict prey. Adults slowly transition from the striking juvenile colouration into shades of brown, and, along the west coast, almost black. Mole snakes are non-aggressive and are wonderful snakes to have in gardens.

#molesnake #pseudaspiscana #snakesofinstagram @snakesofsa #herping #herpingsouthafrica #biodiversity #snake #herpingcapetown #juvenilemolesnake #photography #naturephotography #conservation #conservationeducation #constrictor #capetown #southafrica

A Cape Burrower, Opistophthalmus capensis, from Ja

A Cape Burrower, Opistophthalmus capensis, from Jan Marais Nature Reserve. These scorpions construct elaborate burrows in suitable habitats, and can often be found under rocks and logs. Cape Burrowers are able to produce a hissing sound when threatened, and while the sting would cause pain, it is not considered of medical importance.

#scorpion #scorpions #herping #herpingstellenbosch #herpingcapetown #macrophotography #naturephotography #nature #arthropod #arachnid #strangecreatures #biodiversity

A female Cape Dwarf Chameleon from Jan Marais Natu

A female Cape Dwarf Chameleon from Jan Marais Nature Reserve. These much-loved enigmas of Cape gardens are under threat from habitat destruction and introduced predators (such as domestic cats), as well as pesticide use.

#chameleon #capedwarfchameleon #bradypodionpumilum #herping #reptiles #reptile #conservation #herpingcapetown #herpingstellenbosch #nature #naturephotography #macrophotography #wildlife #strangecreatures #biodiversity

Not a snake, but a lizard! Meet the Cape Legless S

Not a snake, but a lizard! Meet the Cape Legless Skink, Acontias meleagris. These legless skinks spend the majority of their lives underground, feeding on earthworms and other small invertebrates - as a result, they're seldom encountered by your average person. However, should you go out looking for them in their correct habitats, the determined herper should find them with relative ease and abundance. Since these are lizards and not snakes, they have no venom and are harmless, though they will not hesitate to bite in order to defend themselves. Bites are mild and do not typically break skin, as Cape Legless Skinks lack significant teeth. They can be most easily distinguished from snakes due to their small, blinking eyes (snakes do not have eyelids and cannot blink, where this is not so for lizards), and blunt tails.

#acontias #acontiasmeleagris #leglesslizard #capeleglessskink #herping #macrophotography #wildlife #herpetofauna #herpingcapetown #herpingstellenbosch #skink #nature #reptiles #reptile #strangecreatures #photography

A gravid (pregnant) rainspider (Palystes. sp) from

A gravid (pregnant) rainspider (Palystes. sp) from Jan Marias nature reserve in Stellenbosch. Rainspiders, also known as Huntsmen, are common spiders around houses and gardens, where they help to keep insect populations in check. Despite their fearsome appearance to some of us, rainspiders are harmless to humans and pets, and their presence in and around our homes should be celebrated.

#spidersofinstagram #spider #rainspider #huntsmanspider #sparassidae #palystes #macro #macrophotography #nature #strangecreatures #herping #southafrica #capetown #stellenbosch

Did you know that the 20th of March is World Frog

Did you know that the 20th of March is World Frog Day? Frogs are my personal favourites, and are excellent indicators of a healthy ecosystem, as they're highly sensitive to pollutants. In South Africa alone, we have over 120 species of frogs and toads, all of which are beneficial to have around. Frogs, much like spiders, are great at controlling pest insect populations, and their presence in and around human habitations should be encouraged and celebrated. If you'd like to make your own garden more frog-friendly, you can do the following:

🐸 Don't use pesticides or chemicals - these have widespread and catastrophic effects on the ecosystem, frogs included
🐸 Create a safe source of water such as a pond or water feature
🐸 Add areas of dense, preferably indigenous vegetation to give frogs places to hide
🐸 Set up some suitable hiding places for frogs and toads, such as empty flowerpots, tree stumps, and rocks
🐸 Do NOT collect frogs and toads from other areas and bring them home to your own garden, as you can risk spreading diseases between frog populations

The frog featured in this post is a Painted Reed Frog, Hyperolius marmoratus verrucosus

#worldfrogday #amphibians #frogs #frog #conservation #savefrogs #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #keyserscameraequipment #hyperolius #hyperoliusmarmoratus #reedfrog #paintedreedfrog #macro #macrophotography #capetown #southafrica #education #canonphotography #frogsandtoads #ecosystem #herping

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