Invertebrates & Reptiles
AFROTROPICAL Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forest (Rainforest)

The smaller and lesser known animals of the African rainforest... 

Kingdom Animalia

Class Crustacea

Potamonautes is the most common, widespread and speciose genus of freshwater crab in Africa, with over 60 species. They are sometimes seen in rainforest creeks.

Class Insecta

Order Neuroptera: Lacewings

?Lacewing.

'Reptiles'

Order Squamata: Lizards & Snakes

Family Chameleonidae

Even though most people associate chameleons only with Madagascar, but they can be quite common (and are speciose) in the African forest, even on the edge in agricultural land. However, they are hard for a visitor's eye to find, so you may have to ask a local or go with a guide to find them.

Trioceros bitaeniatus, 'Side-striped Chameleon'. Central & eastern Africa.

Trioceros johnstoni, 'Rwenzori/Johnston's Three-horned Chameleon'. Restricted distribution, endemic to the higher altitude forests of the Albertine Rift in Uganda, DRC, Burundi and Rwanda. 

Suborder Serpentes: Snakes

Family Viperidae

Found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, and absent from many islands.

Atheris nitschei, 'Great Lakes Bush Viper'. Large and long, up to 80 cm. Venomous, the bite causing haemorrhaging. Found in forests, forest edge, and wetlands at higher altitude around Albertine Rift region in eastern Africa.

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