REPTILES IN UGANDA

Reptiles in Uganda are a few most incredible creatures to catch a glimpse at while on African safari. Uganda is a home to countless reptile species a reason it is credited for its distinct biodiversity. Different reptiles in Uganda can be sighted in varied habitats but most commonly spotted in the water bodies, national parks and wildlife reserves. The following are some of the reptiles to see in Uganda;

The Nile crocodiles

The Nile crocodiles are a few most looked for reptile species in Uganda. They dwell in most water bodies in Uganda and depend mostly on fish and mammal species. In Uganda, they can easily be spotted while on a boat cruise and they are commonly sighted along the Victoria Nile at Murchison falls national park, Kazinga channel banks at Queen Elizabeth National Park and shores of Lake Mburo.

Monitor lizards

Lizards make up part of reptile species In Uganda and they exist in varied species including the savanna and aquatic monitor lizards. They can be sighted while on a game drive or launch cruise. The aquatic monitor lizards can be spotted while on a launch cruise along Kazinga channel and in Murchison Falls National Park. The monitor lizards are 2 meters long. The Nile lizards on the other hand are amazing reptile species to catch a glimpse in Uganda and these category can be spotted mostly around Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

Chameleons

There are many chameleons to spot out in Uganda. They include the three horned chameleons, flap necked chameleon-sighted mainly at savanna grassland and wooded areas. The graceful chameleon-these feature both the yellow and green color; white stripe. Giant chameleon is bulky and dark green in color with yellow stripes.

Snakes

Snakes a few reptile species in Uganda. They include the rock python a famous largest snake in Africa. It is 5 meters long and comes with gold on black mottled like skin. Rock pythons are not venomous but they do kill their prey by strangulation, wrapping their bodies around them then swallow it and later take a nap which takes about months. 

Rock pythons do feed on huge rodents, small antelopes and others. The bat cave-Maramagambo forest in Queen Elizabeth National Park is one significant area to spot out these remarkable reptile species. Puff adder-this is the most spotted especially in the savanna national parks of Uganda. They depend mainly on rodents and they do strike especially when they are threatened. Gabon viper-the largest African viper with about 2 meters long and features a heavy build, black and brown skin pattern with a bit of gold on it (spotted within Uganda’s rain-forests). Black mambas-these are the most poisonous snakes and they strike when they are attacked. They are mostly found around eastern Uganda. Others include the green mambas, boom slang, green tree snakes, mole snake, egg eating snakes and many more. Other reptiles to see in Uganda include house gecko, tortoise and terrapins.