WILD 5200-7200

International Issues in Conservation

Amphibian means “double life”Juvenile stageAdult stage

Moist skin for gas exchangeOrder Anura (frogs & toads)

Mostly external reproductionSound reception: tympanumSound production: larynx

Types of calls include rain, advertisement, courtship, release, alarm

Order AnuraFamily Bufonidae

Bufo garmani

Interesting facts:Adults 10 cm longDark brown patches on backInner legs colored redEats insectsBreeds in pans

Order AnuraFamily Rhacophoridae

Chiromantis xerampelina

Interesting facts:Adults 5-9 cm longRough grey to tan w/ spotsAppears pale in sunlightForeleg fingers arranged in

opposite pairs for grippingNests in trees overhanging pans

Dry, horny skinModified scales & platesTurtles, tortoises, terrapins have shells

EctothermicConstant intake of foodDormant in cold weather

ReproductionInternal fertilizationEggs to live births

Order SquamataFamily Chamaeleonidae

Chamaeleo dilepsis

Interesting facts:Adults 20 cm longMost green, some brownWhen stressed, change

to very dark colorsEat insectsEyes move independently of

of one-another

Order SquamataFamily Gekkonidae

Ptenupus garrulus

Interesting facts:Adults 12 cm longMottled orange w/ dark spotsVocalizations sound like barksEat insectsTerrestrial, nocturnal

Order TestudinesFamily Testudinidae

Stigmochelys pardalis

Interesting facts:Largest terrestrial

tortoise in southern Africa

Eat grass, berries, fruitEat animal feces & chew

on bones for calciumLive 100+ yearsWeigh up to 40 lbs

Order SquamataFamily Varanidae

Varanus albigularis

Interesting facts:Rivers to rocky

terrain1-1.5m longEat puff adders,

reptiles, birds, eggs

Order SquamataFamily Varanidae

Varanus albigularis

Interesting facts:Rivers & streams1-1.5+ m longEat Crabs, snails,

fish, birds, eggs

Order SquamataFamily Pythonidae

Python natalensis

Interesting facts:African Rock Python2.5-5 m longConstrictorMainly eat mammalsHeat-receptor cells on upper

lip help sense prey

Order SquamataFamily Psammophiidae

Psammophis subtaeniatus

Interesting facts:Mildly Venomous1-1.4 m longBrown/tan stripes along

back, spotted headYellow stripe on bellyVery fast, terrestrial,

hides in bushes

You MUST know these animals for your SAFETY!!!

Order CrocodyliaFamily Crocodylidae

Crocodylus niloticus

Interesting facts:Adults 4-5 meters longLive 80+ years12 km/hr on land66 teethTemperature dependent

sex determinationEat frogs, turtles, fish,

and the occasional antelope

You MUST know these animals for your SAFETY!!!

HaemotoxicStops blood from coagulating

CytotoxicTissue destruction around bite w/ localized

bleedingNeurotoxic

Hampers nervous system, paralyzes muscles, breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting

Order SquamataFamily Elapidae

Dendroaspis polylepis

Interesting facts:NeurotoxicFixed-front fang2.5-3.5 m longGunmetal grey, coffin-

shaped head12 km/hrAggressive when

provoked: raise head and spread narrow hood

Order SquamataFamily Elapidae

Naja mossanbica

Interesting facts:Neurotoxic/CytotoxicFixed-front fang1-1.5 m longGrey-salmon pink in colorBlack horizontal band on

underside of neck/hoodWhen provoked, may spit

venom – can blind if in eyes

Spit up to 2-3 meters

Order SquamataFamily Colubridae

Dispholidus typus

Interesting facts:HaemotoxicBack-fangedArboreal1-2 m long Females brown,

males greenLarge eyesEats chameleons,

birds, eggs

Order SquamataFamily Viperidae

Bitis arietans

Interesting facts:CytotoxicHinged-front fang1 m longHighly camouflagedBrown body with horizontal

v-shaped brown stripesWhen provoked, puff up bodies

and make a hissing soundGood swimmers