Africa, a land renowned for its Big Five safaris and captivating wildlife, holds a hidden world of fascinating reptiles. While furry mammals often steal the spotlight, the continent's reptiles contribute significantly to the intricate tapestry of African ecosystems. From the fearsome Nile crocodile to the bizarre-looking Parson's chameleon, the reptiles of Africa are as diverse as the continent’s numerous habitats.
This article delves into the amazing reptiles found in Africa, showcasing their unique characteristics, habitats, and conservation status. Join us as we explore the diverse world of African reptiles, uncovering their hidden roles and remarkable adaptations.
A map showcasing the various biomes across Africa, each hosting a unique array of reptile species.
African Crocodiles
(You can find out more about African crocodiles here: African Crocodiles List.)
No list of African reptiles would be complete without the African Crocodiles.
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Dwarf Crocodile
Dwarf Crocodile. Photo by Thesupermat [CC BY-SA 3.0]
- Scientific Name: Osteolaemus tetraspis
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
- Where Found: West / West-central Africa
The dwarf crocodile is the world’s smallest crocodile species. It is found in tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa (that is, the region south of the Sahara Desert). It inhabits streams, pools and swamps in forested regions.
The dwarf crocodile is nocturnal. During the day it rests in a burrow or under tree roots.
Nile Crocodile
- Scientific Name: Crocodylus niloticus
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Where Found: Sub-Saharan Africa & Madagascar
This fearsome animal is the largest reptile found in Africa, and the world’s second-largest reptile (after the mighty saltwater crocodile). The species can reach lengths of over 6 m (20 ft.).
A full-grown Nile crocodile is capable of taking prey as large as a wildebeest or buffalo. It is also responsible for hundreds of human fatalities every year.
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The Nile crocodile is found in streams, lakes, swamps and rivers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
You can find out more about this species here: Nile Crocodile Facts
Slender-Snouted Crocodile
Slender-snouted crocodile. Photo by Thesupermat [CC BY-SA 3.0]
- Scientific Name: Mecistops cataphractus
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
- Where Found: Central & Western Africa
Little is known about the slender-snouted crocodile. As its name suggests, the species has a slender snout that resembles that of a gharial. This has led to its alternative name, the African gavial.
This medium-sized crocodile is a fish-eating specialist, although it will also take a variety of other prey animals, including reptiles, mammals and birds. Unlike other crocodiles, it has been known to climb into trees.
Read also: Amazing Facts About Africa
5 Fascinating Facts About Nile Crocodiles
African Lizards
Lizards are the most varied group of African reptiles - there is 6, 500 species in the world.
Giant Plated Lizard
Giant Plated Lizard. Photo by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE (Giant Plated Lizard (Gerrhosaurus validus)) [CC BY-SA 2.0]
- Scientific Name: Gerrhosaurus validus
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
- Where Found: Southern Africa
The giant plated lizard is a large lizard found in rocky, mainly dry regions of southern Africa. The species can grow up to 75 cm (30 in.) in length, and has a stout, flattened body.
The species is very shy. If threatened, it will run into a rocky crevice and inflate its body - this makes it hard for a potential predator to pull the lizard out.
Nile Monitor
Nile Monitor. Photo by Charlesjsharp [CC BY-SA 4.0]
- Scientific Name: Varanus niloticus
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
- Where Found: Throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa & in the Nile
The Nile monitor is the longest lizard found in Africa, and the second heaviest (after the rock monitor). It is the second largest reptile found in the Nile River (after the Nile crocodile). The species can reach lengths of around 220 cm (7 ft. 3 in.), and even larger specimens have been reported.
The Nile monitor is found alongside rivers, and has an aquatic lifestyle. It is an excellent swimmer, and is thought to be able to remain submerged for up to an hour.
The Nile monitor is a voracious predator. It will take a wide range of prey, and will also eat carrion. The species has even been seen working in teams, with one lizard distracting a Nile crocodile away from its nest, and another stealing the larger reptile’s eggs!
The Nile monitor is also an invasive species in other parts of the world, including Florida.
Black-Necked Agama
Black-Necked Agama. Photo by Sheila’s Africa [CC BY-SA 3.0]
- Scientific Name: Acanthocercus atricollis
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
- Where Found: East, Central and southern Africa
The black-necked agama is a member of Agamidae, a family of lizards found not just in Africa, but also in Asia, Australia and parts of Europe. The species is mainly found in eastern Africa. It grows to around 16.7 cm (6.57 in.).
The black-necked agama is also known as the southern tree agama. It is an ambush predator that only spends around 4% of its time actually moving. It preys mainly on insects.
During the breeding season, males have bright blue heads and yellow backs.
Male agama lizards fiercely protect their small area of land from other rivals, that often challenge him for his perfect territory - this he needs to attract the girls. When a male encounters a rival (another male), there is a lot of head-bobbing, and some might think they are dancing, but no. As the rival approaches, the other male starts bobbing (nodding, shaking up and down) his head quite fast. The rival notices and bobs back, like he is recognising and returning the greeting to the defender, but this defender will fight and show no mercy.
Parson’s Chameleon
Parson’s Chameleon. Photo by Steve Wilson - over 4 million views Thanks !! from Chester, UK (Parson’s Chameleon) [CC BY 2.0]
- Scientific Name: Calumma parsonii
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
- Where Found: Madagascar
Parson’s chameleon is the largest chameleon in the world by weight. It grows to around the size of a domestic cat. (The Malagasy Giant Chameleon is the world’s longest chameleon.)
Parson’s chameleon is only found on the island country of Madagascar. It lives in forests on the east of the island. The species occurs in a variety of colors, including dull green and bright blue. Like many chameleons, it is also able to change its color.
The male Parson’s chameleon has bony ridges running from above its eyes to its nose, where they form warty horns.
Parson’s chameleons eat insects and other small animals, which they catch with their extra-long, sticky tongues. (A chameleon’s tongue can be twice the length of its body.)
Chameleons: Masters of Disguise
Chameleons are reptiles that are part of the iguana suborder. These colorful lizards are known as one of the few animals that can change skin color. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), there are 171 species of chameleons.
The smallest chameleon has a special distinction. It is also one of the smallest vertebrates ever discovered.
Unlike other animals, chameleons continue to grow throughout their lives. Changing skin color is an important part of communication among chameleons. The brighter the color, the more dominant the male is, and the more attractive he is to females. A submissive male is usually brown or gray.
A new study has found that chameleons can rapidly change color by adjusting special cells, called iridophore cells, in each layer. The chameleons can change the structural arrangement of the upper cell layer by relaxing or exciting the skin, which leads to a change in color, researchers found.
Chameleons live in Madagascar, Africa, Spain, Portugal and Asia in rain forests, savannas, semi-deserts and steppes, according to the San Diego Zoo. They typically stay in trees or bushes, though some species do live on the ground. For example, the horned leaf chameleon lives in dead leaves on forest floors according to the National Wildlife Federation.
Most chameleons have a prehensile tail that they use to wrap around tree branches. Besides changing skin color, chameleons have another feature that no other animals have. Their eyes can move independently of each other, enabling them to look in two different directions at once.
Chameleons are loners. In fact, most of the time females don’t want males to even come near them. During the rare moments when the female is willing to be touched, the male will approach for mating.
Chameleons eat insects and birds. To catch their prey, they creep along very slowly. Once the prey is in reach, their suction cup tongue shoots out and sticks to the insect. Their tongues can be as twice as long as their bodies when stretched out to catch prey, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
Water is very important to chameleon growth and health.
Chameleons are different from many African reptiles because some of the species, like the Jackson’s chameleon, have live births. These species can give birth to eight to 30 young at one time after a gestation of four to six months. While the young are born live instead of in an egg, they started as an egg. Other chameleon species lay eggs that have an incubation period of four to 24 months, depending on species, according to the San Diego Zoo.
The size of the chameleon predicts how many eggs she will lay. No matter what species, chameleons become mature at 1 to 2 years of age. The exception is the Madagascan chameleon. It has been labeled as the vertebrate with the world’s shortest life span, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
A chameleon’s eyes are so interesting because they can move independently of one another. Like it can have one eye on a fly, but the other eye is moving around to look out for enemies, like birds and snakes, sometimes, but rarely monkeys, but their greatest enemy is mankind.
Many of them are stolen from the wild for the pet trade, man starting unnatural forest fires or/and using pesticides that poison and kill many, and the chameleon is not poisonous and does not attack mankind.
Chameleon’s eyes look unusual. Their shape is unique among animals, with no upper or lower eyelid. Instead, they have one big eyelid per eye that’s shaped like a cone.
While concrete data on wild lizards and verifiable reports concerning captive specimens are rare, it’s clear that the larger species of chameleon live longer than most of the smaller species do. Parson’s (Calumma parsonii), veiled (Chameleo calyptratus) and Oustalet’s (Furcifer oustaleti) chameleons are all large species, known to survive for five to eight years in the wild. In captivity, most have similar or longer lifespans; veiled chameleons are known to live for at least 10 years, and some experts suspect that Parson’s chameleons can reach two decades.
Other Notable Lizards
- Geckos: Geckos are clever little things, and many have figured out that the lights humans use in their homes, attracts many insects.
- Skinks: Skinks are probably the biggest family of lizards. Around the world, there is about 1, 400 of them. They are beautiful lizards - there scales fit so neatly into one another - they shine and move fluidly. In Africa, we are familiar with a certain type - commonly called ‘legless lizards’. Some of them do have legs, but ridiculously small they can no longer be used for what they should be doing. Skinks are not poisonous.
5 Fascinating Facts About Nile Crocodiles
African Snakes
African Rock Python
- Scientific Name: Python sebae
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
- Where Found: Sub-Saharan Africa
The African rock python is the largest snake found in Africa. Large specimens can grow up to 3.53 m (11 ft. 7 in) in length, and the largest are thought to be over 6 m (19 ft. 8 in).
The African rock python is non-venomous. It subdues its prey via constriction. The species is able to take animals as large as antelopes - and it has been known to prey on juvenile Nile crocodiles!
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