Slimy things

There are lots of reptiles in Kruger -- some of which I would rather not see (mostly snakes). But I was treated to a visit with my new favorite reptile a Chameleon!

Andrew stopped the vehicle, got out and presented this lovely creature to me. Note the strong black/gray striped initially on this Flap-necked Chameleon...

The stripes have faded... Andrew explained that it is more mood and emotion that makes them change color as opposed to trying to match their environment. The eye is so cool -- it can rotate all around that bump and actually have a 360 degree view.

It was cold on this morning -- Andrew did something he almost NEVER does -- he wore pants!

It's a big female -- which Andrew put on a tree branch before we left so it wasn't in the road. Most people drive faster (and less observantly than us).

This Marsh Terrapin is the only Turtle, Terrapin or Tortoise we saw. Sometimes called an "African Helmet Turtle" -- but it isn't a turtle...

Although colloquially we may refer to both Terrapins & true Turtles as Turtles (I blame pet stores), true Turtles are salt-water creatures.

Terrapins are the semi-aquatic, freshwater-living versions of turtles. They live in either fresh or slightly salty (brackish) water, and you will find them by waterholes, ponds or lakes. They tend to swim quite often, but also spend their time on land, basking in the sun and occasionally burrowing in the mud.

Tortoises are land dweller.

We only met one snake on the road -- a Western-Yellow-bellied Sand Snake. Although it's venom is mildly toxic, we did not get close enough to experience it. Whew!

A Rainbow Skink was hanging out on a rock as we watch Klipspringer bandy about. Andrew used his laser point to "play" with the Skink. It is off to the right in this photo.

At our second to last breakfast someone pointed out a Rock Monitor in a tree. Ironically there was a table of Americans near us who had a guide bale on them and their "new" guide want telling them it was a Nile Monitor -- it was not, that species doesn't make it that far south in Africa. Even I could tell that -- but Andrew held his tongue and we didn't discuss it until we were out of earshot. Moral of the story - be careful what guide you hire...

I will close this posting with the reptile we saw the most -- the Crocodile - they come is Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large & Andrew can call them all!

Here are some of the ones we visited with on the Ramble

This is a small one...

This is a HUGE one...

That's it for reptiles -- on to Mammals!