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List of reptiles and amphibians of the Eastern Highlands

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The range of Rhampholeon marshalli approximates the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and Mozambique

The reptiles and amphibians of the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe and Mozambique mark a biodiversity hotspot for herpetofauna. Diverse reptile and amphibian communities include endemic species.

Geography and climate

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The Eastern Highlands extend 300 kilometres (190 mi) along Zimbabwe's eastern border with Mozambique. There are two broadly defined high-altitude ecological habitats in the Eastern Zimbabwe montane forest-grassland mosaic; a wet lowland forest ecology predominates the eastern side of the mountain ranges, while a more arid ecology dominates the western side. The Highlands have a more equable climate than Zimbabwe's central plateau, with higher rainfall, low cloud and heavy mists and dew as moisture moves inland from the Indian Ocean. Many streams and rivers originate in these mountains, which form the watershed between the Zambezi and Save river systems.[1]

Species lists

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Native amphibians
Hyperolius acuticeps at Seldomseen, Vumba

Tortoises

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Lizards and amphisbaenians

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Skinks

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Geckos

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Chameleons

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Amphisbaenians

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Snakes

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Frogs

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Bibliography

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  • Branch, B. (2003). Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Struik.
  • Lambiris, Angelo J. L. (1989). "The Frogs of Zimbabwe". Natural Science Museum of Turin Monographs.

References

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  1. ^ Encyclopedia Zimbabwe (2nd ed.). Worcester: Arlington Business Corporation. 1989. ISBN 0-9514505-0-6.
  2. ^ a b c Branch, Bill (1998). Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa (3 ed.). Cape Town: Struik. pp. 122–125. ISBN 9781868720408.