By Benjamin Muraguri
East Africa’s tropical climate makes the region a worldly renowned haven for some of the greatest and most fascinating reptiles in the world. From turtles, snakes, chameleons to lizards, there so many reptile species in East Africa. This outline breaks some of East Africa’s most common reptile species.
Snakes are among the most common reptiles is East Africa
Snakes are East Africa’s most common and elusive reptile species. There are an estimated 130 snake species in East Africa alone. Below are East Africa’s most popular snake species.
- Black Mamba –Black Mamba isn’t just the most dangerous snake in East Africa, but the snake is also the most elusive snake species in the entire African continent. It is also among the most dreaded and aggressive snake species in the world. Contrary to its name, this snake isn’t entirely black. Instead, Black Mamba is brown/olive-skinned. Its mouth is black, and it opens it up once threatened. It can be easily found in East Africa’s scrub tree hollows, savannahs, and tree hollows. It kills its prey using its potent cardiotoxic venom.
- Puff Adder –The Puffer Adder is infamous for causing the most fatalities in East Africa, automatically making it the region’s most deadly snake. The snake has a maximum length of about a meter. It has beautiful color patterns, although patterns can vary based on its habitat. It is common throughout East Africa, apart from deserts and dense rain forests. Its potent venom coupled with large fangs makes it capable of killing almost any creature that crosses its path. This snake uses camouflage to protect itself from potential threats.
- Boomslang –This extraordinary snake inhabits trees across East Africa, earning it the name tree snake. The male is light green while the female is brown, although males have black highlights. The snake can grow to a maximum height of 1.5 meters. Nevertheless, the snake is attributed to a few human fatalities since it is extremely timid. The snake inhabits the region’s scrubs, lowlands, and arid savannas in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
- Cobra –East Africa boosts 4 cobra species, namely the red spitting cobra, black-necked cobra, forest cobra, and the Egyptian cobra. These species feed on rodents and other snake species. The cobra is known for spitting venom to its prey or towards any perceived threat. The cobra possesses powerful venom purposely to kill its prey and scare away threats. Cobras are common in Kenya and Tanzania’s rocky hills and savannahs.
The camouflaging chameleons
Chameleons are also popular reptiles throughout East Africa. Below are East Africa’s most common chameleon species.
- Dwarf chameleon –The newly discovered chameleon species inhabits Kenya’s Aberdare Ranges. Measuring 15 cm in length, this chameleon is smaller in size compared to other chameleon species in East Africa. The chameleon is restricted to areas where rainfall is plenty throughout the year. It is distinct from other chameleons courtesy of its viviparous nature-meaning this chameleon gives birth instead of laying eggs. When provoked, this chameleon inflates itself, changes color dramatically, and produces a hissing sound.
- Jackson’s chameleon –Also known as the three-horned chameleon, this chameleon is strictly native to East Africa. The chameleon is native to the region’s forests and woodlands. It is prevalent in northern Tanzania and south-central Kenya. Depending on the prevailing habitat, this chameleon can possess at least three brown horns. Nonetheless, the females don’t have horns but rather rostral horns. The medium-sized chameleon can grow to a length of 38 cm, while females can grow to an approximate length of 25 cm. This chameleon’s primary diet consists of small insects. It can also prey on isopods, centipedes, millipedes, lizards, and spiders.
- Side –striped chameleon –This chameleon is native to Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, and Ethiopia. In Kenya, this chameleon lives in the mountainous areas of Aberdare ranges and Mount Kenya. In Tanzania, it inhabits the might Kilimanjaro. In other East African nations, this chameleon is prevalent in forests and woodlands. It is strictly diurnal and prefers to shelter at night.
Diverse lizards can be seen all over East Africa
East Africa boasts a diversity of lizard species more than any other African region. In Kenya alone, the nation has over 90 documented lizard species. Below are common types of lizards that inhabit East Africa.
· Long-tailed skink-The long-tailed lizard is common in East Africa’s woodlands and other moist areas. The strictly diurnal lizard has a distinct tail that is thrice the size of its body. While females and males have similar physical traits, the males can be distinguished from their pre-anal pores. The lizard can reach a maximum length of 12 cm. Being strictly diurnal, the lizard is only visible during morning hours as it basks in the sun. The lizard is extremely fast and agile. Its diet consists of small insects. It also feeds on worms and maggots in the absence of insects. Unlike other lizard species, this lizard is quite fast and it can jump into the air when hunting on flying prey.
· Striped skink-The lizard species is common throughout East Africa, although it also inhabits other parts of Southern Africa. The bronze-colored lizard has distinct yellowish stripes on both sides of its spine. Both sexes can reach a maximum of 25 cm. Insects, flies, and worms make a significant part of this lizard’s budget.
· Agama –The small-sized lizard has a long tail that gives it a weird appearance. It is strictly insectivorous although, on rare occasions, it can feed on maggots. The lizards live in East Africa’s bushes, rocky hills, and forests. They are diurnal like most lizard species in East Africa. Unlike most reptiles, this lizard can withstand high temperatures, although it can seek shelter when subjected to extremely hot weather.
Crocodiles
Crocs are undoubtedly the largest reptile species in East Africa. The Nile crocodile is native to East Africa’s freshwaters, including rivers, lakes, and swampy regions. On average, this crocodile can grow up to 5.5 meters. However, some Nile crocodiles have reportedly grown to up to 9 meters in length. Described as apex predators, Nile crocodiles are ruthless hunters that can hunt on a wide variety of prey including mammals, fish, smaller crocs, and even humans!
Benjamin is a freelance article writer. His email is benjamuragz@gmail.com
