REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus
The geometric tortoise is endemic to the southwestern Cape’s renosterveld that falls within the fynbos biome. These sensitive animals have very specialised diets, and struggle to adapt to the changes in their environment. More of 90% of their habitat has been altered by agriculture and development. Frequent veld fires and alien vegetation also pose a threat. The first geometric tortoise nature reserve was proclaimed by Cape Nature in 1972. Since then four other formally protected areas was established, as well as conservation initiatives on private land. The geometric tortoise has a yellow head, neck and limbs, with shields on the upper part of the shell that is raised like tents. The yellow star pattern is on a black background. It is regarded as one of the world’s rarest tortoises.
Table Mountain ghost frog, Heleophryne rosei
The Table Mountain ghost frog is a moderate sized species of frog, endemic to the southern, eastern, and western slopes of Table Mountain. It inhabits mountain streams in forest and fynbos heathland within their distribution area of only 7-8 km2. Although they are relatively poor jumpers, this species is adapted to life in fast-flowing mountain streams. Their tadpoles possess sucker-like mouthparts, which they can use to climb up wet, vertical rock surfaces of swift-flowing streams at night. Adult Table Mountain ghost frogs are striking in colouration consisting of a pale green background with purple to reddish brown blotches. Breeding occurs in the spring and summer months during the period of low stream flow. Tadpoles develop slowly in the cold mountain water so perennial water flow is required to allow the larvae to develop. Numerous threats to this species include the spread of non-native vegetation, frequent fires, heavy ecotourism, and the construction of water storage reservoirs.
Micro frogs, Microbatrachella capensis
The micro frog is the most threatened frog species in lowland marshland habitats. This special species is the smallest frog in southern Africa and occur is endemic the fragmented lowland wetlands along the coast of the south-western part of the Western Cape. Less than 18 mm long, it is listed as critically endangered the extent and quality of its habitat has been lost to agricultural development and the urban spread. The bright brownish green frog has a yellow stripe down its spine is listed. The male’s underside is normally covered with a large vocal sac. The underside of the frog is smooth spotted with black and white or just a pale-colour without the spotted black and white decoration.
The geometric tortoise is endemic to the southwestern Cape’s renosterveld that falls within the fynbos biome. These sensitive animals have very specialised diets, and struggle to adapt to the changes in their environment. More of 90% of their habitat has been altered by agriculture and development. Frequent veld fires and alien vegetation also pose a threat. The first geometric tortoise nature reserve was proclaimed by Cape Nature in 1972. Since then four other formally protected areas was established, as well as conservation initiatives on private land. The geometric tortoise has a yellow head, neck and limbs, with shields on the upper part of the shell that is raised like tents. The yellow star pattern is on a black background. It is regarded as one of the world’s rarest tortoises.
Table Mountain ghost frog, Heleophryne rosei
The Table Mountain ghost frog is a moderate sized species of frog, endemic to the southern, eastern, and western slopes of Table Mountain. It inhabits mountain streams in forest and fynbos heathland within their distribution area of only 7-8 km2. Although they are relatively poor jumpers, this species is adapted to life in fast-flowing mountain streams. Their tadpoles possess sucker-like mouthparts, which they can use to climb up wet, vertical rock surfaces of swift-flowing streams at night. Adult Table Mountain ghost frogs are striking in colouration consisting of a pale green background with purple to reddish brown blotches. Breeding occurs in the spring and summer months during the period of low stream flow. Tadpoles develop slowly in the cold mountain water so perennial water flow is required to allow the larvae to develop. Numerous threats to this species include the spread of non-native vegetation, frequent fires, heavy ecotourism, and the construction of water storage reservoirs.
Micro frogs, Microbatrachella capensis
The micro frog is the most threatened frog species in lowland marshland habitats. This special species is the smallest frog in southern Africa and occur is endemic the fragmented lowland wetlands along the coast of the south-western part of the Western Cape. Less than 18 mm long, it is listed as critically endangered the extent and quality of its habitat has been lost to agricultural development and the urban spread. The bright brownish green frog has a yellow stripe down its spine is listed. The male’s underside is normally covered with a large vocal sac. The underside of the frog is smooth spotted with black and white or just a pale-colour without the spotted black and white decoration.