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Anthropogenic land-use change especially urbanisation, generally affects biodiversity negatively. However, some species can persist in urban areas. The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) and the Mozambique Spitting Cobra (Naja mossambica) are two snake species capable of living in urban landscapes. However, this likely leads to increased human-snake conflict. We are investigating aspects of the ecology, behaviour and gene flow patterns of black mambas and spitting cobras in the city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Since 2016 we have been retrieving, examining and recording both species presence within the city. Geographical location, body length and sex of each snake caught are recorded and tail tips obtained for genetic analyses, before their release. To date tail tips have been collected from 130 Black Mamba and over 70 Mozambique Spitting Cobras from different locations throughout the city (these figures could be different on presenting day as collecting is ongoing). Only three individual Black Mambas have been recaptured. Most times both snake species are found in urban areas close to remnant natural forest. Different types of telemetry technology are being examined to track the movements of individual snakes. This will be a major technological challenge due to the urban setting and the amount of private property, tags must have a long data emitting range and be able to store data so the examination of potential technology is ongoing. Experiences and attitudes of people from all sectors of Durban towards these snakes are been assessed and education awareness conducted to determine if human-snake conflict can be further mitigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continued anthropogenic land-use change, especially urbanisation, has extensively impacted natural environments. Urbanisation has caused major alterations to ecosystems, generally resulting in decreased biodiversity. However, some species thrive in urban environments by making use of available opportunities and resources. The Southern Tree Agama, Acanthocercus atricollis (Squamata: Agamidae), has reportedly had increased numbers in urban areas, specifically in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Therefore, we investigated aspects of their ecology (habitat use, microhabitat preferences, population size) and behaviour to determine what factors influence their persistence within urban environments. Our study was conducted at two sites in Pietermaritzburg; an urban area (Azalea Gardens Retirement Village) and a periurban semi-green area (Maritzburg Golf Course). Agamas were marked with beads to identify individuals. Basking and shading patterns changed with season and time of day. We found that an increase in food availability, decreased predators and competition, and sufficient basking opportunities, promoted their population increase in the urban area, and that the tree agama is a typical urban exploiter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's freshwater systems are under increasing anthropogenic pressures due to a growing population, land-use change and climate change. It is important to understand how organisms reliant on wetland systems are coping with pressures to assess their ability to persist. There is a paucity of general knowledge of terrapin ecology in South Africa, despite their importance in freshwater ecosystems. Measures of movements, regularity, and activity regimes can provide valuable insights into an animal's behaviour, and what is required to ensure populations remain stable. Consequently, we investigated aspects of terrapin (Pelomedusa galeata and Pelusios sinuatus) ecology, using several different techniques. Ten individuals of each species had UHF tags attached to monitor movements and activity patterns at two different field sites in KwaZulu-Natal Province. This showed trends in individual behaviour/movement in relation to environmental variables, especially drought conditions. As well as the two telemetry sites, other sites throughout the province specimens from both species were permanently marked on their marginal scutes using a standardised numbering system, for the event of recapture. All specimens had bio-morphometric data collected to evaluate general condition, and a tissue sample was collected for genetic analysis. A total of 98 serrated hinged terrapins (not including dead specimens, which brought the total to 115) were captured and analysed. The total for marsh terrapin was 55 (not including dead specimens, which brought the total to 82). The capturing methods varied, and their success also varied at different sites. We present our findings on both species' ecology from areas of KZN. Our findings can aide in the conservation, and understanding of both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]