WhatSpeciesConnect with Nature
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Halcyon albiventris
A small, beautiful Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) spotted in Nature’s Valley. I think it is a juvenile. The bird was very quiet, sitting on a fence, seemingly looking to catch an insect on the lawn. ...
WhatSpecies Team 5 days ago
Katoenbos
Gomphocarpus cancellatus
Found it along the lower contour path on Devil’s Peak ...
Observer 1 month ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Katoenbos
Scientific name: Gomphocarpus cancellatus
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax
Spotted it in Kruger National Park on a game drive ...
Observer 3 months ago
Blue Emperor
Anax imperator
Found it on the wall of a house in Table View, South Africa ...
Observer 3 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Blue Emperor
Scientific name: Anax imperator
Erica
Erica sp.
Found it next to the path of the Cape Hangklip Trail near Pringle Bay. ...
Observer 3 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Erica
Scientific name: Erica hirtiflora
Notes: Could be Erica hirtiflora which has needle-like leaves and hairy, mauve-pink flowers.
Grootrietpypie
Tritoniopsis lata lata
Found it next to the path of the Cape Hangklip Trail near Pringle Bay. ...
Observer 3 months ago
What Species is This?
This specimen still needs to be identified
Found it next to the path of the Cape Hangklip Trail near Pringle Bay. ...
Observer 3 months ago
Erica
Erica sp.
Found it next to the path of the Cape Hangklip Trail near Pringle Bay. ...
Observer 3 months ago
Rooipypie
Gladiolus priorii
Found it next to the path of the Cape Hangklip Trail near Pringle Bay. ...
Observer 3 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Rooipypie | Red Afrikaner
Scientific name: Gladiolus priorii
Cape Ground Squirrel
Xerus inauris
South African Ground Squirrel lives mainly in the arid regions. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Yellow Mongoose
Cynictis penicillata
Yellow mongooses has a yellowish fur and bushy tail. They live in colonies of 20-40 members. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Bonthoutkapper
Tricholaema leucomelas
Pied Barbet with black-and-white striped head. Black mantle and thick black eye stripe. Red patch on forehead. Yellow wing feather tips. Also yellow above eye. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Palm-tree Night-fighter
Zophopetes dysmephila
Beautiful little butterfly with white streak along length of vein on wing. Antennae is white only at the club. Fly at dusk or in dull, cloudy weather. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Brown Spot Temnora
Temnora plagiata plagiata
Large hawk moth with distinctive wing shape. Forewing upperside has a conspicuous strongly curved brown antemedian band, a discal spot and a dark brown ring with a pale centre. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Creeper Scorpion
Opisthacanthus capensis
Very docile scorpion minding its business in an outside basin. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Eight-spot Tussock Moth
Laelia octophora octophora
Medium-sized moth. Wings white with black crescent markings. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Longhorn Beetle
Erioderus pallens
Rather large insect, about 55 mm with exceptionally long antennae. Some kind of longhorn beetle. ...
WhatSpecies Team 4 months ago
Rain Spider Wasp
Tachypompilus (Afropompilus) ignitus
Spider-hunting wasp with large, black body, red antennae and red legs. Wings also red with dark tip and black base. Spotted it running across the lawn. ...
WhatSpecies Team 7 months ago
Botterblom
Gazania leiopoda
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Botterblom
Scientific name: Gazania leiopoda
Wit Katstert
Bulbinella caudafelis
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail. ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Wit Katstert
Scientific name: Bulbinella cauda-felis
Pienktrewwa
Satyrium erectum
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Bokbaaivygie
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Bokbaaivygie
Scientific name: Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
Gousblom
Arctotis sp.
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Renostergousblom (Afrikaans)
Scientific name: Arctotis acaulis
Rooisuring
Rumex cordatus
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Rooisuring
Scientific name: Rumex cordatus
Pelargonium
Pelargonium sp.
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Pelargonium (English), Malva (Afrikaans)
Scientific name: Pelargonium sp.
Notes: One of the Pelargonium species.
Kabong
Lapeirousia jacquinii
Found it in Rheboks valley on the Perdefontein Trail ...
Observer 8 months ago
Marié suggested a new ID:
Common name: Cabong (English) Kabong (Afrikaans) Paletblaar (Afrikaans) Painted Petals (English)
Scientific name: Lapeirousia jacquinii
Crab Spider
Thomisus sp.
Beautiful white crab spider lying in waiting on an iris. ...
WhatSpecies Team 9 months 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 10 months ago
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus
One member of a pack of Wild dogs spotted at sunset. ...
WhatSpecies Team 10 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 10 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 11 months ago
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser mahali
Distinctive broad, white brow. Rather vocal, calling frequently. ...
WhatSpecies Team 11 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 12 months ago
Common Opal
Chrysoritis thysbe
Opal butterfly with variegated hind wing. Spotted in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year ago
Karoo Girdled Lizard
Cordylus polyzonus
Karoo Girdled Lizard? Spotted in Algeria in the Cederberg Wilderness Area. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year 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 1 year ago
Black Girdled Lizard
Cordylus niger
Medium-sized black lizard, restricted to Table Mountain and an isolated population near Langebaan. ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year 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 1 year ago
Dotted Border
Mylothris sp.
Beautiful butterfly with black spots on wing edges. Perhaps a Common Dotted Border (Mylothris agathina agathina). ...
WhatSpecies Team 1 year 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 1 year ago
Rietpypie
Tritoniopsis lata
Have found this beautiful flower close to Bergriviernek in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve ...
Observer 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year ago
Knobbly Dogwhelk
Mancinella capensis
Greyish-brown shell with 3-4 spiral rows of paler tubercles. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years ago
Oblique Ark Shell
Barbatia obliquata
Shell has fine radiating ridges, partly covered with soft black fur. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years ago
Long-spined limpet
Scutellastra longicosta
Star-shaped shell with 11 long projecting ribs. White interior with black edge. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years ago
Venus Ear
Haliotis spadicea
Ear-shaped shell. Blotched, reddish-brown. Shiny mother-of-pearl interior with a red stain beneath spire. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
Southern Masked Weaver
Ploceus velatus
Southern Masked Weaver weaving its nest. Distinguished from similar species by its red eye. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years 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 2 years ago
African Wattled Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus
White forehead; yellow bill; long yellow wattles with red base. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years 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 2 years ago
Greater Striped Swallow
Cecropis cucullata
Greater Striped Swallow collecting mud after the rain. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years ago
White-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris talatala
White-bellied Sunbird (male) spotted high up in a tree. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
Star Stinkhorn
Aseroe rubra
Spotted in a forest section in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. ...
WhatSpecies Team 2 years ago
Wharanui
Peperomia urvilleana
Growing on Rocky ridge Puriri Ridge Track, Waitakere Ranges. ...
Explorer 2 years ago
Hedgehog Fungi
Hydnum crocidens var badius
Leaf litter next to path Sandy soil Karamatura Lopp Track, Waitakere Ranges ...
Explorer 2 years ago
Jelly Babies
Leotia lubrica
Puriri Ridge Track Waitakere Ranges, Leaf litter beneath Tanekaha. ...
Explorer 2 years 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 2 years ago
Black-crowned Night Heron