Chad Keates Archives
The planet currently plays host to approximately 4,145 snakes (As of August 2024), with new species being described all the time. South America, Africa and Asia have the most snake species with every other continent, except for Antarctica containing snakes. Snakes are incredibly versatile animals, and can be found in almost every biome, habitat and ecosystem on Earth. They are both predator and prey and are an integral component of most food… Read More
From the 25th to the 29th of August 2018, myself and Luke Kemp herped in Cape Town, and it’s surrounds. We went towards the end of winter because unlike most trips, we were after the endemic frogs that call the Cape their home, and they love the cold, wet weather that the winter months have to offer. We ventured far and wide, and our travels saw us herping Silvermine, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,… Read More
The painted reed frog is the most widespread species of reed frog in Southern Africa, with a distribution that stretches from mid Western Cape, along the coast, to the top of Mozambique. Painted reed frogs are generally quite small with a maximum body size of approximately 33mm. Although restricted to the reeds and similar vegetation, along the fringes of waterbodies, the species is widespread and can be found in grassland, savannah, forest… Read More
Southern Africa plays host to two species of monitor lizards, the Water/Nile Monitor and the Rock Monitor. These animals are often confused with crocodiles because of their large size, and similar ecology (Nile/Water Monitors live near water). Despite their apparent similarities, they could not be more different. Both monitor lizards fall into the family Varanidae which means they are closely related to the world-renowned Komodo Dragon. Firstly they are distantly related genetically… Read More
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