Formalities

[Johnnysa]

Howzit all, from sunny South Africa.
I am a field herper from Durban on the east coast. Witch is fortunate because Kinixys are my passion. Here in KwaZulu Natal, we are very fortunate to find K.natalensis, K.spekii and K.zombensis.
I try to get out as often as possible and it is great to see these gems in their natural habitat.
Here are a few pics from a few years ago.
A handsome K.zombensis on a morning after some rain. Near mKuze.

A very young K.natalensis as it was found just under a rock on a wet, overcast morning. Near mKuze.


A young S.pardalis that was crossing a path in mKuze Game Reserve.


I really need to take a camera out more.
Anyway, thanks for a great forum.

Cheers,
Johnny.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome and please continue to post those amazing pictures, priceless!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome Johnny. Thank you for the amazing pics. More please.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I agree, great pix. You do need to bring your camera out more with you, it's really neat to see these torts, all torts in their native conditions.

 

[littleginsu]

OMG. How wonderful it must be to simply come upon such beautiful creatures!!

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome We so love seeing torts in their natural habitats. Please keep posting pics.

 

[wellington]

Calling @tortadise I think you will love these pics.

 

[Abdulla6169]

Welcome to TFO! Keep us posted

 

[annastortoise]

Hello, welcome!! You will love it here. Beautiful torts


I <3 Russians

 

[Shakudo]

Welcome

 

[pam]

Welcome Great pictures

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Welcome to the TFO from AZ . Great looking Picts !


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[tortadise]

Spectacular. Love the Kinixys. Welcome.

 

[tortadise]

A friend of mine goes over to east Africa yearly and does herping. He spectates that tje zombensis typically come out early and late and mostly after rains. I wanted to know more on natalensis. This is a highly desired species I wish to work with. My zombensis seems to be true of his observations. Do you ever see lobatse in this territory at all?

Howzit all, from sunny South Africa.
I am a field herper from Durban on the east coast. Witch is fortunate because Kinixys are my passion. Here in KwaZulu Natal, we are very fortunate to find K.natalensis, K.spekii and K.zombensis.
I try to get out as often as possible and it is great to see these gems in their natural habitat.
Here are a few pics from a few years ago.
A handsome K.zombensis on a morning after some rain. Near mKuze.
View attachment 91611
A very young K.natalensis as it was found just under a rock on a wet, overcast morning. Near mKuze.
View attachment 91614
View attachment 91612
A young S.pardalis that was crossing a path in mKuze Game Reserve.
View attachment 91615

I really need to take a camera out more.
Anyway, thanks for a great forum.

Cheers,
Johnny.

 

[Jabuticaba]

Welcome and thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures!


May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Johnnysa]

Thanks all.
Tortadise all the Kinixys are almost crepuscular, always active early morning & late afternoon. They are easy to find during rain & just after it, it's like a marching call to them. K.natalensis is quite a lot more rare than K.zombensis, but very similar, except for their habitat preferences. 'NHT' are found in rocky areas, associated with hills, mountain & ranges. 'BHT' are more of a coastal spp, preferring coastal alluvial. They seem to do very well in the monoculture forestry(pine & eucalyptus). 'SHT' only just enter KwaZulu Natal in the north eastern corner near the Lebombo range that divides KZN & Swaziland. I cannot comment any on their behavior or habitat as they have to date eluded me. All spp show a preference for well drained soil.
Unfortunately, here, like anywhere else tortoises are found, people pick them up & take them home. They are also poached in large numbers for both the pet & food trade.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum, Johnny!

 

[Reptilelove]

Welcome to the forum! Those pictures are great!!