Reptile Species With-in Uganda

Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is known for numerous mammals such as primates, amphibians, birds and tree species but for now, you will discover some of the interesting reptile species in the country and they include;

• Nile Crocodiles

As the largest reptile species, Nile crocodiles are one of the commonest wild species tourists lookout for during safaris in Uganda. For two to three hours’ boat ride along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls National Park, you will be able to spot these reptiles that mainly feed on mammals and fish species.

Nile crocodile

• Chameleons

The forests in Uganda offer shelter to some of the rarest and difficult to spot chameleon species and are popular for their ability to camouflage with their surroundings. One of the most-sought after chameleon species by tourists on Uganda safaris include the three-horned chameleons found within the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.

The giant chameleons with their heavyweight and dark green colour with yellow stripes and small horns feeding on insects and other smaller reptiles. The Graceful chameleons are green and yellow in colour with white stripes along their flanks while the flap-necked chameleons are around 15 centimetres long, bright green colour and grow to double in size, turning brown or tan under certain conditions and also inhabit the savannah and woodland areas.

• Snakes

Snake is the general term but Uganda is known for numerous poisonous and non-poisonous snake species much as are sometimes difficult to spot during safaris in Uganda. The notable snake species to encounter in Uganda include;

• Gabon vipers

Gabon vipers are so far the largest and heaviest vipers in Africa, measuring more than 2 meters long with black and brown skin pattern with golden spots in addition to being heavily built. Due to their skin colour, they can easily camouflage in the forests.

• The Rock Python

Rock pythons are the largest snake species in Uganda and the African continent and usually measure about 5 meters long and have gold on black mottled skin. They are generally non-poisonous but kill their prey through strangling by wrapping their bodies around the neck or stomach of the prey before eventually swallowing it completely.

Rock Python

After swallowing their prey, rock pythons won’t move from the same spot and go on a nap for at least two months. Their preys are normally small antelopes, large rodents and sometimes young children. The best destinations to spot the rock pythons are Lake Mburo National Park and Maramagambo Forest (especially within the Bat Cave) in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

• Boomslang

These tree-dwelling snake species are non-poisonous but very aggressive and toxic although there are no records of striking humans in Uganda.

• Black Mambas

Black Mambas are one of the poisonous snake species that move swiftly and stealthily than humans but normally attack when threatened or even attacked, and have unfortunately killed several people. Unlike their name, they are not black in colour but the interior of their mouths is black, hence the name Black Mamba. These snake species are common in Eastern Uganda.

• Green Mambas

Unlike their counterparts the black mambas, green mambas are not aggressive but also poisonous. These snakes normally stay in bushes, trees and shrubs although they are sometimes seen in roofs of people’s houses.

• Puff adders

Puff adders are one of the most popular snake species in Uganda much as they are rarely spotted by tourists. They mainly feed on rodents and usually inhabit the savannah Parks (Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley and Queen Elizabeth National Parks). These snakes only attack humans if they feel threatened.

Other snake species in Uganda include the egg-eating snakes, the green tree snakes and mole snakes among others.

• Monitor Lizards

When you encounter the Monitor lizards, you might mistake them for baby crocodiles but they are harmless reptiles of mainly two species-the savannah and water monitor lizards. The water monitor lizards are commonly spotted on the shores of Lake Mburo and the Kazinga Channel while their savannah counterparts are common in Murchison Falls National Park. Other reptiles in Uganda include the gecko, tortoises and terrapins among others.

Monitor Lizard

Therefore, reptiles are one of the commonest attractions you will encounter in Uganda on top of the water resources, Mammals, birds and Amphibian species.