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 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.

Species lists

Tortoises

Leopard tortoise, Geochelone pardalis babcocki: Very large specimens of this species live in the Nyanga and Chipinge Downs. Juveniles are preyed on by ground hornbills and secretarybirds. Speke's hinge-back tortoise, Kinixys spekii: specialists of kopje areas and live amongst the boulders of granite outcrops.

Lizards and amphisbaenians Skinks

Arnold's skink, Proscelotes arnoldi – endemic

Geckos

Bernard's dwarf gecko, Lygodactylus bernardi (Fitzsimmons, 1958) – endemic to the Nyanga Mountains of Zimbabwe and Mozambique Cape dwarf gecko, Lygodactylus capensis (A. Smith, 1849)

Chameleons

Marshall's pygmy chameleon or Marshall's leaf chameleon, Rhampholeon marshalli – endemic

Amphisbaenians

Swynnerton's worm lizard, Chirindia swynnertoni – Mozambique plain and adjacent Zimbabwe Ferocious round-headed worm lizard, Zygaspis ferox – endemic to Chirinda Forest and vicinity Rhodesian spade-snouted worm lizard, Monopeltis rhodesiana – ranges to Malawi

Snakes

Frogs

Bibliography 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