Live displays
The live displays were established to showcase unusual animals, known only by name to many people, and rarely seen. These animals also serve as living examples for lessons provided by the Education Department for school groups, helping to stimulate a keener interest.
Vertebrate live displays
Herpetology Hall
The National Museum vertebrate live displays, which are some of the most popular exhibits in the Museum, include the following:
Snakes
The 4 m long African Rock Python (Python natalensis), donated by Free State Nature Conservation authorities a number of years ago as a confiscated specimen of just over 1 m long, continues to thrive. As this individual had apparently been in captivity for most of its life, it was decided not to release it back into the wild, but rather to make use of its educational value as a live display, which is very popular.
The other occupant of this display is a large American Yellow Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta).
Sungazers
(Ouvolk, Giant Girdled Lizard) (Cordylus giganteus)
Because Sungazers occur mainly in the Free State, have a restricted distribution, and are under increasing threat in their dwindling grassland habitat, they deserve special mention. Four Sungazers (Cordylus giganteus) were donated to the Museum by the Free State Nature Conservation authorities for live display and educational purposes. Sungazers are a CITES II listed species in the South African Red Data Book - Reptiles and Amphibians (1988) and are listed as “Vulnerable”. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) database currently lists the National Environmental Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) status for Sungazers as “Endangered”.
Sungazers are endemic to South Africa (i.e. found nowhere else) and occur predominantly in the Free State, with smaller populations in south-west Mpumalanga and north-western KwaZulu-Natal. This is the largest of the Cordylus lizards and can grow to a total length of 376 mm.
The Sungazer derives its name from its habit of anterior body-up posturing. When raised up on its forelimbs, it gives the impression that it is gazing at the sun and can spend long periods of time in this position. The Afrikaans name "Ouvolk" means "old person", and most probably originates from this lizard's habit of spending considerable time inactive outside its burrow, either thermoregulating by body-up posturing, or waiting for passing prey. Immobility of the animals on display for extended periods of time fascinates visitors, who think that the Sungazers are casts or mounted specimens, and not alive.
Sungazers inhabit loamy grassland, living in colonies of varying sizes. They excavate their own burrows, which are often winding, and may be up to 4 m long. The orientation of most burrow openings varies from east to north-west. One to two young are usually born every second year and they are coloured much brighter than the adults, with bright yellow and orange markings. Agriculture, industrial and housing developments, the pet trade, and indigenous medicine trade, are all threats to the survival of this species.
An environmentally aware company such as Eskom can be commended for its efforts to protect and save this species. The development of the Majuba Power Station, Mpumalanga, in 1983, threatened the survival of a large number of Sungazer colonies. Eskom set aside considerable land for use as a Sungazer reserve, and with the help of provincial nature conservation authorities and the contractors, over 1 500 Sungazers were removed from the power station site and successfully relocated to the new reserve.
Common Platannas
(Clawed Frog) (Xenopus laevis)
These unusual amphibians spend their entire lives in water, although they may move overland for brief periods in search of an alternative habitat. The way in which Platannas stuff food into their mouths with their front limbs is fascinating for visitors. Common Platannas, originally from Africa, have now established themselves in many parts of the world.
Yellow-bellied Terrapin
(Pelusios c. castenoides) (freshwater)
There is presently one Yellow-bellied Terrapin on display and it has been a popular exhibit for many, many years. The extended periods of time this Terrapin spends resting on the bottom of its tank often has visitors worried.
Cichlid fish
A large tank contains various cichlid fish, mainly colourful Malawian species, which brighten up this corner of the Herpetology Hall. Fish may appear out of place in this Hall, but were included here to provide a valuable resource for the Education Department to illustrate their lessons to school groups.
Invertebrate live displays
Invertebrate Hall
Australian Redclaw Crayfish
(Cherax quadricarinatus)
The freshwater Australian Redclaw Crayfish tank is a very popular exhibit containing a number of crayfish in a rocky habitat. Their bright blue bodies and red claws make them ideal for live exhibition purposes.
African Freshwater Crabs
(Potamonautes warreni)
The African Freshwater Crab display is relatively new. Although referred to as an aquatic species, the African Freshwater Crab is amphibious and can spend considerable time on land, breathing air. These crabs have well developed lungs but retain gills. Freshwater crabs are seen as environmental indicators, reflecting the quality of their habitat, and are useful in biomonitoring.
Cockroaches
There are two live cockroach displays, one containing Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), the other Common House Cockroach (Blattella germanica). Unlike other insects, the Hissing Cockroach female (up to 7 cm long) does not lay eggs but retains the developing embryos inside her body, giving birth to live young. Despite the human loathing of cockroaches, the public are fascinated by these displays.
Bee Hive
A functional African Bee (Apis mellifera) hive has been established in the Museum behind glass, where the daily activities of bees can be observed at close range. This display holds visitors spellbound for ages while they try to locate the Queen bee.
Contact details
For any queries or information regarding the Live and Herpetology displays please contact Rod Douglas rod [dot] douglas [at] nasmus [dot] co [dot] za