I will also show you the differences between dwarf geckos, and lizards.
Geckos, lizards, dragonflies, and beetles that you will see in here.
Spring season is on our doorstep, and nature is ever so slowly coming alive with her insects.
I will give you a brief detail of every mammal and insect in here.
Note: All insect information taken from Wikipedia.
The Cape dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus capensis; 'lygodactylus' = 'flexible fingers') is a species of dwarf gecko found in the woodlands and forests of central and southern Africa. It also occurs commonly in towns and cities and is sometimes kept as a pet.
If you look at the marbles, you can see how small the Cape Dwarf Gecko is. Adult size is less than 5cm.
And here below is a Cape Skink lizard.
T. capensis is still common in suburban gardens across South Africa and because of this, the Cape skink is probably the best known lizard in the country. Furthermore, in the presence of humans it gradually becomes domesticated and after some time it can become sufficiently trusting to eat out of one's hand.
In my insect posts there is always a space for dragonflies.
I think that this one is a female Orange-winged Dropwing.
Trithemis kirbyi, also known as the Kirby's dropwing, orange-winged dropwing, or scarlet rock glider is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Since 2003 this African tropical dragonfly has been colonizing Europe helped by a widespread increase in temperatures. It is now breeding successfully in Spain, Portugal and France.
They are only supposed to arrive in October, and we glad to see them again, but we are concerned about them being way too early in the season.
And finally, my wife saved this little beetle from a rainwater pool.
It is a White-spotted Fruit Chafer (Mausoleopsis amabillis).
Family: Scarabaeidae
Subfamily: Cetoniinae
Tribe: Cetoniini
Subtribe: Leucocelina
Genus: Mausoleopsis
Species: Mausoleopsis amabilis
So, this little beetle will carry on living a fruitful life.
The insect fauna of South Africa currently comprises some 50 000 described species, a figure that underrepresents the actual number present in the region, which is estimated as 250 000 species. Many groups have never been thoroughly studied, and the fact that a new insect order was discovered in the region as recently as 2002, gives some indication of just how poorly surveyed the insect fauna of South Africa is.
Source: Book: Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. ISBN: 978-1-77584-584-3.
A final word, if I may. Can you imagine living with 250 000 insects all around you? And we don't know the half of it, as the total tally might be 500 000 or even 1 000 000. I think it will take many lifetimes to discover all of the insects in the world. Maybe it will never be achieved.
Such is life.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
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