New Look Addo Elephant National Park Now About Much More Than Elephants
August 14th 2008. Fire in Addo Elephant Park.
First and only place in the world to see the 'Big 7', now including Right wales and Great White sharks.
Addo Elephant National Park is well-known for its spectacular elephant viewing opportunities but many people do not realize that the Park has recently become a lot more diverse.
The national park, situated near Port Elizabeth in South Africa, is in the process of dramatically shifting its borders to incorporate the unique biodiversity of the area.
Addo Elephant National Park is well-known for its spectacular elephant viewing opportunities but many people do not realize that the Park has recently become a lot more diverse.
The national park, situated near Port Elizabeth in South Africa, is in the process of dramatically shifting its borders to incorporate the unique biodiversity of the area.
Greater Addo
The process of creating a ‘greater’ Addo gained momentum in 2000 when proposals were made to incorporate a coastal and marine reserve and expand Addo to mega-park proportions. Additional land was bought – through land purchases funded by the government and donors such as the Global Environment Facility – and rehabilitated to allow for reintroduction of wildlife.
The expansion process has facilitated the inclusion of new ecosystems and of new biological processes and patterns to increase the biodiversity conservation status of the Park. The Park now covers over 164,000 hectares.
Lions, Spotted Hyenas & Oribi Reintroduced – Wild Dog Next
Some of the most recent wildlife introductions into the Park have been lions and spotted hyenas in 2003 and the endangered oribi antelope in 2006. Wild dog will be next on the list of introductions, once the Park’s northern area has been consolidated.
Addo’s Elephants
Proclaimed in 1931 to conserve the last survivors of formerly great elephant herds, the Park has ensured the conservation of the original elephants of the area and their descendants (over 450 today), as well as a host of other species. The elephant population in the park is one of the most well-researched herds in the world, with a database stretching back to 1976. Research on the Addo elephants has covered topics such as family groupings, association patterns, population genetics and impact on vegetation.
Detailed Elephant Research
The latest research on Addo’s pachyderms seeks to investigate the presence and levels of various hormones in elephant dung to create a more detailed picture of how the Addo elephant population functions.
The process of creating a ‘greater’ Addo gained momentum in 2000 when proposals were made to incorporate a coastal and marine reserve and expand Addo to mega-park proportions. Additional land was bought – through land purchases funded by the government and donors such as the Global Environment Facility – and rehabilitated to allow for reintroduction of wildlife.
The expansion process has facilitated the inclusion of new ecosystems and of new biological processes and patterns to increase the biodiversity conservation status of the Park. The Park now covers over 164,000 hectares.
Lions, Spotted Hyenas & Oribi Reintroduced – Wild Dog Next
Some of the most recent wildlife introductions into the Park have been lions and spotted hyenas in 2003 and the endangered oribi antelope in 2006. Wild dog will be next on the list of introductions, once the Park’s northern area has been consolidated.
Addo’s Elephants
Proclaimed in 1931 to conserve the last survivors of formerly great elephant herds, the Park has ensured the conservation of the original elephants of the area and their descendants (over 450 today), as well as a host of other species. The elephant population in the park is one of the most well-researched herds in the world, with a database stretching back to 1976. Research on the Addo elephants has covered topics such as family groupings, association patterns, population genetics and impact on vegetation.
Detailed Elephant Research
The latest research on Addo’s pachyderms seeks to investigate the presence and levels of various hormones in elephant dung to create a more detailed picture of how the Addo elephant population functions.
Collecting faecal samples from known individuals is one of the most powerful tools available in wildlife research because of its enormous utility and non-invasive nature. A faecal sample can provide information on the sex, DNA, reproductive status, stress levels, diet and general health condition of an individual. Some of the topics on which researchers focus are the onset of sexual maturity, occurrence of ovulation and pregnancy, foetal abortion, duration of post parturition/lactational anoestrus and the affect of dominance on reproductive cycles.
Questions such as whether dominance of an elephant cow affects her oestrus periods and the length of time between successive calves and whether rainfall patterns influence conception and birthing intervals will be asked.
Using newly developed technology, researchers can now analyze fresh dung samples in field, when previously samples could only be analyzed in laboratories overseas.
The dung analysis will also be extended to investigate similar issues in the park’s black rhino population. The collection of information from the dung of this often elusive animal will significantly aid monitoring of the health and reproductive status of what is a critically endangered species.
Prey Selection
Other research focuses on the effect of the newly-introduced mega-carnivores (lions and spotted hyena) on the prey base in the Park. By investigating the prey selection of lions and hyenas, researchers determine what impact these predators have on herbivores such as kudu, red hartebeest, ostrich, warthog and the largest herd of disease-free Cape buffalo in South Africa.
Buffalo Learning To Deal With Lions
When lions and hyena were first introduced in 2003, buffalo numbers declined somewhat. Buffalo herds did not respond in the classic way to a predation threat but turned and ran, exposing vulnerable calves. However, a few years down the line, buffalo have adapted to the predators and buffalo kills have proportionally declined.
The behaviour, social interactions and habitat use of both the lion and hyena population are also important aspects of the research.
Questions such as whether dominance of an elephant cow affects her oestrus periods and the length of time between successive calves and whether rainfall patterns influence conception and birthing intervals will be asked.
Using newly developed technology, researchers can now analyze fresh dung samples in field, when previously samples could only be analyzed in laboratories overseas.
The dung analysis will also be extended to investigate similar issues in the park’s black rhino population. The collection of information from the dung of this often elusive animal will significantly aid monitoring of the health and reproductive status of what is a critically endangered species.
Prey Selection
Other research focuses on the effect of the newly-introduced mega-carnivores (lions and spotted hyena) on the prey base in the Park. By investigating the prey selection of lions and hyenas, researchers determine what impact these predators have on herbivores such as kudu, red hartebeest, ostrich, warthog and the largest herd of disease-free Cape buffalo in South Africa.
Buffalo Learning To Deal With Lions
When lions and hyena were first introduced in 2003, buffalo numbers declined somewhat. Buffalo herds did not respond in the classic way to a predation threat but turned and ran, exposing vulnerable calves. However, a few years down the line, buffalo have adapted to the predators and buffalo kills have proportionally declined.
The behaviour, social interactions and habitat use of both the lion and hyena population are also important aspects of the research.
Floral Biodiversity of Addo
The Park conserves representative samples of five of South Africa’s biomes: forest, fynbos, nama karoo, grassland and subtropical thicket. A biome is a vegetation type that corresponds to a distinct climate with specific types of plants and animals that characterize it. This creates a Park rich in a diversity of landscapes – from the semi-arid Karoo in the northern areas of the Park to the lush indigenous coastal forest in the south.
Coastal Reserve Added in 2002 - The Alexandria Dunefield
The inclusion of a coastal reserve in 2002 has brought a whole new dimension to Addo Elephant National Park and links the terrestrial with marine conservation. The Alexandria Dunefield – at 15,800 hectares, the largest coastal dunefield in the Southern Hemisphere – now lies within the Park, stretching over more than 50 km of coastline.
The Park conserves representative samples of five of South Africa’s biomes: forest, fynbos, nama karoo, grassland and subtropical thicket. A biome is a vegetation type that corresponds to a distinct climate with specific types of plants and animals that characterize it. This creates a Park rich in a diversity of landscapes – from the semi-arid Karoo in the northern areas of the Park to the lush indigenous coastal forest in the south.
Coastal Reserve Added in 2002 - The Alexandria Dunefield
The inclusion of a coastal reserve in 2002 has brought a whole new dimension to Addo Elephant National Park and links the terrestrial with marine conservation. The Alexandria Dunefield – at 15,800 hectares, the largest coastal dunefield in the Southern Hemisphere – now lies within the Park, stretching over more than 50 km of coastline.
SNAKES
- Cape Cobra Naja nivea
- Puffadder Bitis arietans
- Albany Adder Bitis albanica
- Night Adder Causus rhombeatus
- *Berg Adder Bitis atropos
- *Horned Adder Bitis cornuta
- Boomslang Dispholidus typus
- Rinkhals Hemachatus hemachatus
- Herald/Red-lipped Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
- Olive House Snake Lamprophis inornatus
- Night Snake Lamprophis aurora
- Brown House Snake Lamprophis fuliginosus fuliginosus
- Speckled House Snake Boaedon guttatus
- Wolf Snake Lycophidion capense
- Spotted Harlequin Snake Homoroselaps lacteus
- Speckled Bush Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus*
- Green Water Snake Philothamnus hoplogaster
- Natal Green Watersnake Philothamnus natalensis occidentalis
- Shovel-nosed Snake Prosymna sundevalli
- Mole Snake Pseudapsis cana
- Slugeater Duberria lutrix lutrix
- Common Eggeater Dasypeltis scabra scabra
- Dappled Sandsnake Psammophis notosticus
- Crossmarked Sandsnake Psammophis crucifer
- *Black-bellied Watersnake Lycodonomorphus laevissimus
- *Common/Red-bellied Watersnake Lycodonomorphus
- rufulus
Marine Park Planned
Two island groups in Algoa Bay are also
Two island groups in Algoa Bay are also
proclaimed part of the Park to protect important marine bird breeding colonies. Bird Island is home to the world’s largest Cape gannet breeding colony – over 160 000 birds – as well as African penguins and rare roseate terns. St. Croix Island also plays host to a large African penguin breeding colony.
South African National Parks (SANParks) – who manage Addo and 21 other national parks across the country – hope to proclaim a 120 000-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Algoa Bay which incorporates the islands and the precious marine resources of the area. A public participation process will take place this year to ensure that interested and affected people’s needs are taken into account in the proclamation of the MPA. This will most probably lead to an MPA with ‘take’ and ‘no-take’ zones, which will allow resources such as fish and bait to be used in some areas but will afford total protection to other areas.
70,000 Hectares to be Added
With the aim of increasing the terrestrial component of Addo to about 236 000 hectares, there is still much work to be done. Newly acquired land needs to be consolidated and rehabilitated, then developed for eco-tourism purposes. Negotiations for land purchase can be slow as they are pursued on a willing-buyer-willing-seller basis. In some cases, land is incorporated on a contractual basis where private landowners operate an eco-tourism venture on the land while SANParks manages the conservation aspect.
Addo Elephant National Park continues to draw visitors with its promise of spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and its diversity of experiences on offer.
South African National Parks (SANParks) – who manage Addo and 21 other national parks across the country – hope to proclaim a 120 000-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Algoa Bay which incorporates the islands and the precious marine resources of the area. A public participation process will take place this year to ensure that interested and affected people’s needs are taken into account in the proclamation of the MPA. This will most probably lead to an MPA with ‘take’ and ‘no-take’ zones, which will allow resources such as fish and bait to be used in some areas but will afford total protection to other areas.
70,000 Hectares to be Added
With the aim of increasing the terrestrial component of Addo to about 236 000 hectares, there is still much work to be done. Newly acquired land needs to be consolidated and rehabilitated, then developed for eco-tourism purposes. Negotiations for land purchase can be slow as they are pursued on a willing-buyer-willing-seller basis. In some cases, land is incorporated on a contractual basis where private landowners operate an eco-tourism venture on the land while SANParks manages the conservation aspect.
Addo Elephant National Park continues to draw visitors with its promise of spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and its diversity of experiences on offer.
Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians & Cetacea of Addo
TORTOISES/TERRAPINS
- Angulate Tortoise Chersina angulata
- Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis
- Green Parrot-beaked Tortoise Homopus areolatus
- Marsh/Helmeted Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa
- Tented Tortoise Psammobates tentorius
Whales & dolphins
*Bryde’s whale Balaenoptera brydei V
*Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
*Southern right whale Eubalaena australis
*Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae NT
*Killer whale Orcinus orca
*Shortbeaked Common dolphin Delphinus delphis
*Risso’s dolphin Grampus griseus
*Humpback dolphin Sousa plumbea V
*Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus V
MAMMALS
INSECTIVORA
NB * Indicates animals not found in the main game viewing section of the Park.
*Lesser Dwarf Shrew Suncus varilla
Reddish-grey Musk Shrew Crocidura cyanea
Least Dwarf Shrew Suncus infinitissimus
Forest Shrew Mysorex varius
Greater Musk Shrew Crocidura flavescens
*Sclater’s Golden Mole Chlorotalpa scalteri
*Hottentot Golden Mole Amblysomus hottentotus
Southern African Hedgehog Atelerix frontalis NT
*Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum
Egyptian Fruit Bat Rousettus aegypticus
*Geoffrey’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus clivosus NT
Cape Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus capensis NT
*Swinny’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus swinnyi E
*Temminck's Hairy Bat Myotis tricolor NT
Cape Serotine Bat Neoromicia capensis
Egyptian Slit-faced Bat Nycteris thebaica
*Yellow House Bat Scotophilus dinganii
*Schreiber’s Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus schreibersi NT
*Mauritian Tomb Bat Taphozous mauritianus
*Angola Free-tailed Bat Mops condylura
*Wahlberg’s Epaulated Bat Epomophorus wahlbergi
*Banana Bat Neoromicia nanus
*Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca
*Lesser Woolly Bat Kerivoula lanosa
CARNIVORA
Aardwolf Proteles cristata Rare
Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta NT
Bateared Fox Otocyon megalotis
Cape Fox Vulpes chama
Blackbacked Jackal Canis mesomelas
Striped Polecat Ictonyx striatus
Striped Weasel Poecilogale albinucha
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis NT
*Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Small-spotted Genet Genetta genetta
*Large-spotted Genet Genetta tigrina
Small Grey Mongoose Galerella pulverulenta
*Large Grey Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon
Water Mongoose Atilax paludinosus
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
Suricate/Meerkat Suricata suricatta
African Wildcat Felis sylvestris
Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes
Caracal/Rooikat Caracal caracal
Lion Panthera leo V
Leopard Panthera pardus
*Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus
*Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonia E
TUBULIDENTATA
Antbear/Aardvark Orycteropus afer
HYRACOIDEA
Rock Hyrax/Dassie Procavia capensis
*Tree Dassie Dendrohyrax arboreus arboreus V
LAGOMORPHA
Cape Hare Lepus capensis
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
*Smith’s Red Rock Rabbit Pronolagus rupestris
RODENTIA
Common Mole Rat Cryptomys hottentotus
*Cape Mole Rat Georychus capensis
Porcupine Hystrix africae-australis
Springhare Pedetes capensis
Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus
*Spectacled Dormouse Graphiurus ocularis
*Grey Climbing Mouse Dendromus melanotis
Pouched Mouse Saccostomus campestris
House Mouse Mus musculus I
*Namaqua Rock Mouse Aethomys namaquensis
Multimammate Mouse Mastomys natalensis
Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides
*Brant’s Climbing Mouse Dendromus mesomelas
Woodland Mouse Grammomys dolichurus
House Rat Rattus rattus I
Striped Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
Vlei Rat Otomys irroratus
Karoo Bushrat Otomys unisulcatus
Shorttailed Gerbil Desmodillus auricularis
Hairy-footed Gerbil Gerbillurus paeba
Saunders’ Vlei Rat Otomys saundersiae
Greater Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus
PRIMATA
Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythus
*Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
ARTIODACTYLA
Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus koiropotamus
Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
*Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
*Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola V
Cape Grysbok Raphicerus melanotis
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
*Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus
*Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis
*Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula
*Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus
*Gemsbok Oryx gazella
Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Eland Taurotragus oryx
Buffalo Syncerus caffer
PERISSODACTYLA
Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis bicornis CE
Burchell’s/Plains Zebra Equus burchelli
*Cape Mountain Zebra Equus zebra zebra V
PROBOSCOIDEA
Elephant Loxodonta africana
INSECTIVORA
NB * Indicates animals not found in the main game viewing section of the Park.
*Lesser Dwarf Shrew Suncus varilla
Reddish-grey Musk Shrew Crocidura cyanea
Least Dwarf Shrew Suncus infinitissimus
Forest Shrew Mysorex varius
Greater Musk Shrew Crocidura flavescens
*Sclater’s Golden Mole Chlorotalpa scalteri
*Hottentot Golden Mole Amblysomus hottentotus
Southern African Hedgehog Atelerix frontalis NT
*Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum
Egyptian Fruit Bat Rousettus aegypticus
*Geoffrey’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus clivosus NT
Cape Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus capensis NT
*Swinny’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus swinnyi E
*Temminck's Hairy Bat Myotis tricolor NT
Cape Serotine Bat Neoromicia capensis
Egyptian Slit-faced Bat Nycteris thebaica
*Yellow House Bat Scotophilus dinganii
*Schreiber’s Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus schreibersi NT
*Mauritian Tomb Bat Taphozous mauritianus
*Angola Free-tailed Bat Mops condylura
*Wahlberg’s Epaulated Bat Epomophorus wahlbergi
*Banana Bat Neoromicia nanus
*Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca
*Lesser Woolly Bat Kerivoula lanosa
CARNIVORA
Aardwolf Proteles cristata Rare
Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta NT
Bateared Fox Otocyon megalotis
Cape Fox Vulpes chama
Blackbacked Jackal Canis mesomelas
Striped Polecat Ictonyx striatus
Striped Weasel Poecilogale albinucha
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis NT
*Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Small-spotted Genet Genetta genetta
*Large-spotted Genet Genetta tigrina
Small Grey Mongoose Galerella pulverulenta
*Large Grey Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon
Water Mongoose Atilax paludinosus
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
Suricate/Meerkat Suricata suricatta
African Wildcat Felis sylvestris
Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes
Caracal/Rooikat Caracal caracal
Lion Panthera leo V
Leopard Panthera pardus
*Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus
*Southern Elephant Seal Mirounga leonia E
TUBULIDENTATA
Antbear/Aardvark Orycteropus afer
HYRACOIDEA
Rock Hyrax/Dassie Procavia capensis
*Tree Dassie Dendrohyrax arboreus arboreus V
LAGOMORPHA
Cape Hare Lepus capensis
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
*Smith’s Red Rock Rabbit Pronolagus rupestris
RODENTIA
Common Mole Rat Cryptomys hottentotus
*Cape Mole Rat Georychus capensis
Porcupine Hystrix africae-australis
Springhare Pedetes capensis
Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus
*Spectacled Dormouse Graphiurus ocularis
*Grey Climbing Mouse Dendromus melanotis
Pouched Mouse Saccostomus campestris
House Mouse Mus musculus I
*Namaqua Rock Mouse Aethomys namaquensis
Multimammate Mouse Mastomys natalensis
Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides
*Brant’s Climbing Mouse Dendromus mesomelas
Woodland Mouse Grammomys dolichurus
House Rat Rattus rattus I
Striped Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
Vlei Rat Otomys irroratus
Karoo Bushrat Otomys unisulcatus
Shorttailed Gerbil Desmodillus auricularis
Hairy-footed Gerbil Gerbillurus paeba
Saunders’ Vlei Rat Otomys saundersiae
Greater Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus
PRIMATA
Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythus
*Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
ARTIODACTYLA
Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus koiropotamus
Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
*Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
*Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola V
Cape Grysbok Raphicerus melanotis
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
*Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus
*Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis
*Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula
*Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus
*Gemsbok Oryx gazella
Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Eland Taurotragus oryx
Buffalo Syncerus caffer
PERISSODACTYLA
Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis bicornis CE
Burchell’s/Plains Zebra Equus burchelli
*Cape Mountain Zebra Equus zebra zebra V
PROBOSCOIDEA
Elephant Loxodonta africana
TORTOISES/TERRAPINS
Angulate Tortoise Chersina angulata
Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis
Green Parrot-beaked Tortoise Homopus areolatus
Marsh/Helmeted Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa
Tented Tortoise Psammobates tentorius
LIZARDS/GECKOES/SKINKS
Rock Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus niloticus niloticus
Water Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus exanthematicus albigularis
Tasman's Girdled Lizard Cordylus tasmani
Cape Girdled Lizard Cordylus cordylus
Southern Rock Agama Agama atra
Burrowing Skink Scelotes anguina
Golden Legless Skink Acontias meleagris orientalis
Tasman's Burrowing Skink Acontias percivali tasmani
Slendertailed Legless Skink Acontias gracilicauda gracilicauda
Smith's Striped Skink Mabuya homalocephala smithii
Cape Skink Mabuya capensis
Common Skink Mabuya variegta
Striped Skink Mabuya striata
Cape Grass Lizard Chamaesaura anguina
Marico Gecko Pachydactylus mariquensis mariquensis
Spotted Gecko Pachydactylus maculatus maculates
Essex's Leaf-toed Gecko Goggia essexi
*Peringuey's Gecko Phyllodactylus peringueyi
Puffadder Gecko Phyllodactylus maculates
Common Cape Gecko Phyllodactylus capensis
Smith's Dwarf Chameleon Microsaura taenibroncha
Gray's Dwarf ChameleonMicrosaura ventralis
Dwarf Chameleon Bradypodion ventralis
AMPHIBIANS
Common Platanna Xenopus laevis
*Karoo Toad Bufo gariepensis
Raucous Toad Bufo rangeri
Leopard/Giant Toad Bufo pardalis
African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus
Common River Frog Rana angolensis
Cape/Giant Riverfrog Rana fuscigula
*Striped Rana Rana fasciata
*Clicking Stream Frog Rana grayi
Bubbling Kassina/Running Frog Kassina senegalensis
*Southern/Rattling Kassina Kassina wealii
Common Caco/Dainty Frog Cacosternum boettgeri
Coastal/Bronze Caco Cacosternum nanum nanum
Striped Pyxie Tomopterna delalandii
Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis
Painted Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus
*Yellow-striped Reed Frog Hyperolius semidiscus
*Armoured Reed Frog Hyperolius viridiflavus
Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps adspersus pentheri
Angulate Tortoise Chersina angulata
Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis
Green Parrot-beaked Tortoise Homopus areolatus
Marsh/Helmeted Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa
Tented Tortoise Psammobates tentorius
LIZARDS/GECKOES/SKINKS
Rock Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus niloticus niloticus
Water Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus exanthematicus albigularis
Tasman's Girdled Lizard Cordylus tasmani
Cape Girdled Lizard Cordylus cordylus
Southern Rock Agama Agama atra
Burrowing Skink Scelotes anguina
Golden Legless Skink Acontias meleagris orientalis
Tasman's Burrowing Skink Acontias percivali tasmani
Slendertailed Legless Skink Acontias gracilicauda gracilicauda
Smith's Striped Skink Mabuya homalocephala smithii
Cape Skink Mabuya capensis
Common Skink Mabuya variegta
Striped Skink Mabuya striata
Cape Grass Lizard Chamaesaura anguina
Marico Gecko Pachydactylus mariquensis mariquensis
Spotted Gecko Pachydactylus maculatus maculates
Essex's Leaf-toed Gecko Goggia essexi
*Peringuey's Gecko Phyllodactylus peringueyi
Puffadder Gecko Phyllodactylus maculates
Common Cape Gecko Phyllodactylus capensis
Smith's Dwarf Chameleon Microsaura taenibroncha
Gray's Dwarf ChameleonMicrosaura ventralis
Dwarf Chameleon Bradypodion ventralis
AMPHIBIANS
Common Platanna Xenopus laevis
*Karoo Toad Bufo gariepensis
Raucous Toad Bufo rangeri
Leopard/Giant Toad Bufo pardalis
African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus
Common River Frog Rana angolensis
Cape/Giant Riverfrog Rana fuscigula
*Striped Rana Rana fasciata
*Clicking Stream Frog Rana grayi
Bubbling Kassina/Running Frog Kassina senegalensis
*Southern/Rattling Kassina Kassina wealii
Common Caco/Dainty Frog Cacosternum boettgeri
Coastal/Bronze Caco Cacosternum nanum nanum
Striped Pyxie Tomopterna delalandii
Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis
Painted Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus
*Yellow-striped Reed Frog Hyperolius semidiscus
*Armoured Reed Frog Hyperolius viridiflavus
Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps adspersus pentheri