WhatSpeciesConnect with Nature
Crab Spider
Thomisus sp.
Beautiful white crab spider lying in waiting on an iris. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 weeks ago
Slender Mongoose
Galerella sanguinea
Slender body and distinguished by black-tipped tail. Looking for termites. They eat insects and other small invertebrates, reptiles, small rodents, amphibians, birds and also wild fruits. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 months ago
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus
One member of a pack of Wild dogs spotted at sunset. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 months ago
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
Equus zebra hartmannae
We literally spotted this Hartmann's Mountain Zebra on a mountain in the Moon Landscape in Namibia. it can be distinguished from the Plains Zebra by the lack of shadow stripes, and its legs being striped to the hoofs. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 months ago
Greater Kestrel
Falco rupicoloides
Beautiful Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides) spotted at Sossusvlei, Namibia. Hard to believe that a bird can survice here. It’s Afrikaans name is Grootrooivalk. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 months ago
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser mahali
Distinctive broad, white brow. Rather vocal, calling frequently. ...
WhatSpecies Team 3 months ago
Six-eyed Sand Spider
Sicarius hahni
Spotted this Six-eyed sand spider by chance. Almost perfectly camouflaged against the sandy backdrop. My first sighting of Sicarius hahni. ...
WhatSpecies Team 3 months ago
Common Opal
Chrysoritis thysbe
Opal butterfly with variegated hind wing. Spotted in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Karoo Girdled Lizard
Cordylus polyzonus
Karoo Girdled Lizard? Spotted in Algeria in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Marié commented:
Thanks to Tyrone Ping for the ID.
Swift Tern
Thalasseus bergii
Swift Tern with distinctive yellow bill and a black crown. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Black Girdled Lizard
Cordylus niger
Medium-sized black lizard, restricted to Table Mountain and an isolated population near Langebaan. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Silver-bottom Brown
Pseudonympha magus
Silver-bottom Brown with rather tattered wings. Pale silver-grey hind wings, with eyespot above brown band. Flies lazily, settling frequently on flowers or grass. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Dotted Border
Mylothris sp.
Beautiful butterfly with black spots on wing edges. Perhaps a Common Dotted Border (Mylothris agathina agathina). ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
African Harrier-Hawk
Polyboroides typus
Beautiful, stately visitor in our garden this morning. African Harrier-Hawk (Kaalwangvalk). Table Mountain as backdrop. It "hopped" from tree to tree, seemingly looking for prey by perching in the top of the canopy, looking down through the branches. Wonderful experience seeing ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Rietpypie
Tritoniopsis lata
Have found this beautiful flower close to Bergriviernek in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve ...
Observer 5 months ago
Zig-zag Emperor Moth
Imbrasia tyrrhea tyrrhea
Beautiful, large Emperor moth. Wingspan about 120mm. Large eyespots surrounded by two zig-zag bands. Pinkish hind wings. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Tree Velvet Spider
Gandanameno sp.
Beautiful little spider spotted on the bark of a blue gum tree. Dark carapace with white spots on abdomen. Unsure of exact species. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Common Lesser Thicktail scorpion
Uroplectes lineatus
Small scorpion, brownish, body length about 1.5 – 2 cm. Not sure about species. Left it where I found it. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 months ago
Marié commented:
Thanks to Paul Bester for the ID.
Trembling Heath
Erica vestita
Found this erica species in Marloth Nature Reserve near Swellendam ...
Observer 6 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Trembling Heath (Afrikaans: Trilheide)
Scientific name: Erica vestita
Notes: Erica vestita has tubular flowers, up tp 25mm, in shades of pink, red or white.
Strawberry Everlasting
Syncarpha eximia
Found this plant in the Langeberg mountains near Swellendam. ...
Observer 6 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Strawberry Everlasting
Scientific name: Syncarpha eximia
Notes: Found on south-facing sandstone slopes in the southern Cape
Lace Monitor
Varanus varius
Not as long and fat as they come sometimes, I assumed this individual to be a youngster (about a metre in length). Camouflaged itself rather well in the tree - I was interested in the bulge on the branch itself when ...
Observer 8 months ago
Mayfly
Ephemeroptera
Spotted this mayfly on the bark of a Canadian oak tree in my garden. I am not confident enough to identify this one beyond order level though - it had no particular distinguishing features in my opinion... About 2.5cm in size ...
Observer 8 months ago
Serrated Hinged Terrapin
Pelusios sinuatus
Wire-tailed Swallow Juvenile
Hirundo smithii
Would like to know the bird species we have observed next to the Olifants River in Kruger National Park ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Wire-tailed Swallow
Scientific name: Hirundo smithii
Notes: Perhaps juvenile Wire-tailed Swallow.
Beach Hopper
Talorchestia capensis
Tiny amphipod spotted on the beach. It got my attention hopping across the sand, looking rather clumsy. The video shows how it falls about in search of fresh seaweeds. ...
WhatSpecies Team 9 months ago
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Beautiful octopus hunting for crab in a tidal pool. Watch the short video to witness its cool disappearing act. ...
WhatSpecies Team 9 months ago
Knobbly Dogwhelk
Mancinella capensis
Greyish-brown shell with 3-4 spiral rows of paler tubercles. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Oblique Ark Shell
Barbatia obliquata
Shell has fine radiating ridges, partly covered with soft black fur. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Long-spined limpet
Scutellastra longicosta
Star-shaped shell with 11 long projecting ribs. White interior with black edge. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Venus Ear
Haliotis spadicea
Ear-shaped shell. Blotched, reddish-brown. Shiny mother-of-pearl interior with a red stain beneath spire. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Furry-ridged triton
Cabestana africana
Short, squat, barrel-shaped whelk with six strong grooved ridges. Corrugated outer lip. Feeds on red bait. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Knysna Turaco
Tauraco corythaix
This Knysna Turaco (loerie) was very curious and not shy to show itself. It always is a thrill to see them. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 months ago
Southern Masked Weaver
Ploceus velatus
Southern Masked Weaver weaving its nest. Distinguished from similar species by its red eye. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
Verreauxs’ Eagle
Aquila verreauxii
Juvenile Verreaux’s Eagle spotted at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, where the adult breeding pair has been resident for over 30 years. Image not the best quality as the juvenile was perched way up on the highest cliffs next to ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
African Wattled Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus
White forehead; yellow bill; long yellow wattles with red base. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
Cape Skink
Trachylepis capensis
Beautiful Cape Skink quenched her thirst at our bird bath. I often see it moving through our garden. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
Greater Striped Swallow
Cecropis cucullata
Greater Striped Swallow collecting mud after the rain. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
White-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris talatala
White-bellied Sunbird (male) spotted high up in a tree. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
Lynx Spider
OXYOPIDAE
Lynx spider guarding its egg sac. Note that the leaf is not attached to the twig by its stem, but is kept in position by a delicate web. Not sure about genus or species. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 months ago
Western Stripe bellied sand snake
Psammophis subtaeniatus
This little one was rescued out of a vehicle that came from the north. Was quite a mission as it didn't show itself until we were about to give up. ...
Observer 12 months ago
Rooiopslag
Hermannia depressa
Small plant growing flat on the ground. The elliptic to oval leaves are carried on short stalks. Drooping flowers are orange-yellow turning pinkish with age. Common in grassland, particularly in trampled areas. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Fluted Bird’s Nest Fungus
Cyathus striatus
Excited to spot a bird's nest fungus! Found it on a branch lying on the ground underneath some trees. The fruit body is vase-shaped, tapering downwards toward the base. The inner surface is grooved, while the outer surface is greyish and shaggy. The ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Star Stinkhorn
Aseroe rubra
Spotted in a forest section in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Wharanui
Peperomia urvilleana
Growing on Rocky ridge Puriri Ridge Track, Waitakere Ranges. ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Hedgehog Fungi
Hydnum crocidens var badius
Leaf litter next to path Sandy soil Karamatura Lopp Track, Waitakere Ranges ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Jelly Babies
Leotia lubrica
Puriri Ridge Track Waitakere Ranges, Leaf litter beneath Tanekaha. ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Brown Snake Eagle
Circaetus cinereus
Dark brown plumage. Large, yellow eyes. Distinctive round head. Distinguished from other dark brown eagles by creamy white, featherless legs. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Woolly-necked Stork
Ciconia episcopus
The combination of glossy black body with white woolly neck is distinctive of the woolly-necked stork. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Burchell’s Coucal
Centropus burchellii
Glossy black crown and face. Back rich rufous. Underparts buffy white. Black bill; Red eyes. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Trumpeter Hornbill
Bycanistes bucinator
Black head, back, throat and upper breast. White lower-breast and belly. Redish pink skin around eye. Very loud call that sounds like a crying baby. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Distinctive head shape. Dark brown with heavy crest and black bill. Brown eyes; Legs and feet black. Found singly or in pairs. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Striped Kingfisher
Halcyon chelicuti
Juvenile Striped Kingfisher. Buffy breast, flanks and belly. Upper mandible dark; Lower mandible red. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
African Stone Chat
Saxicola torquatus
Black head, black feathers variably tipped rufous-brown. White patches on sides of neck. Chestnut brown breast shading to white. Black bill. Dark eyes. Legs and feet black. 5 subspecies in southern Africa. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Lilac-breasted Roller
Coracias caudatus
Lilac throat and breast. Blue belly. Long, straight, outer tail streamers. Turquoise crown. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
White-backed Vulture
Gyps africanus
Regarded as vulnerable due to decrease in numbers. Blackish or dark grey face. Eyes dark. Neck dark grey and sparsely covered with whitish down. Off-white rump and lower back only visible in flight or when wings are spread. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Gurney’s Sugarbird
Promerops gurneyi
Distinctive russet breast and crown, long tail and yellow undertail coverts. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Sentinel Rock Thrush
Monticola explorator
Breeds in high altitude habitats. Head, neck to back is bright blue-grey. Upper tail and rump is bright rufous-orange. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Pied Starling
Lamprotornis bicolor
White eyes, blackish brown plumage, white lower belly and under tail. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Medium-wing Kite Spider
Gasteracantha versicolor
Hard, shell-like abdomen decorated with broad, dark red bands. Abdominal spikes protect the kite spider from falling prey to birds. Orb web between trees. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Whisk fern
Psilotum nudum
Between river stones used outside Light Industrial building. Not planted but hardly natural setting ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Pagoda Fungus
Podoserpula pusio
Growing amongst Cantharellus wellingtonensis on fallen log. riverside native bush ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Earth Star
Geastrum sp.
Under pine needles in great numbers. Suburban bush reserve, mostly native understorey, partial native canopy. ...
Explorer 1 year ago
Liverwort
Riccardia filicina
On rock trackside on Ahuahu Track near Piha, Waitakere Ranges, West Auckland. Endemic species in New Zealand. Quite coastal path near wet slip/stream. ...
Explorer 1 year ago
False Parasol
Chlorophyllum molybdites
Large mushroom with greenish-blue underside. Poisonous. ...
Adventurer 1 year ago
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis
Black and white plumage. Male with double breast band. (Female has single breast band). ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Grey-headed Gull
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Gull with grey hood and thin black line around the hood. Bright red bill, legs and feet. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove
Turtur chalcospilos
Karoo Girdled Lizard