Core Interests
Our research focuses on the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of African snakes. We integrate field-based studies with museum studies and modern technology to build a comprehensive understanding of snake biology. Our core research themes include:
Snake Ecology & Natural History We investigate the fundamental ecological processes that shape snake communities, with particular emphasis on dietary ecology, movement patterns, and habitat use. Our work spans from detailed natural history studies of individual species to comparative analyses across snake clades.
Comparative & Evolutionary Ecology Through phylogenetic approaches and comparative studies, we explore how evolutionary history shapes ecological patterns in African snakes, including dietary specialisation, morphological adaptation, and biogeographic distributions.
Current Projects
Remote Detection of Reptiles
Developing novel camera trap technology for the detection of small ectothermic animals. This non-invasive method will reduce wildlife disturbance and the need for daily site visits to check traps. The setup will allow for long-term monitoring of reptile populations in challenging terrains supporting long-term trend analyses. Prototypes will be tested in various environments to assess their effectiveness and optimise design for different contexts. The project will also explore the integration of machine learning algorithms to automate species identification from camera trap images, enhancing data processing efficiency. Ultimately, this technology aims to improve conservation efforts by providing reliable data on reptile populations and their habitats.
Ecology of the Mole Snake (Pseudaspis cana) in Cape Town and on Robben Island
This project investigates the ecology of the mole snake (Pseudaspis cana) in the urban environment of Cape Town, South Africa including a remote population on Robben Island. It aims to understand how these snakes have adapted to urbanisation, their habitat preferences, and their distribution relative to human populations. Additionally, the study will answer classical questions linked to island biogeography and investigate the genetic diversity of the Robben Island population in relation to mainland populations. A key component of the research is to investigate the diet of mole snakes in these contrasting habitats and their interactions with seabird colonies on Robben Island.
Natural History and Evolution of African Snake Diets
Understanding the diets of African snakes is a long-standing focus of our lab. Our research spans multiple timescales, from examining single populations across seasons, such as Naja nivea, to investigating the evolution of dietary traits within Elapidae. We have compiled dietary data from field studies, community science platforms, published records, museum specimens, and faecal DNA analyses. By integrating these data with morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we address questions about dietary specialisation and generalism across snake lineages. Additionally, we explore how environmental factors, prey availability, and morphological adaptations influence dietary choices, activity patterns, and overall fitness.
To date, our work has focused on the following lineages: Dispholidus typus (boomslang), Naja nivea (Cape cobra), Dasypeltis scabra (egg-eater), Boaedon capensis (brown house snake), Aparallactus capensis (centipede-eater), Colubrinae, Atractaspididae, Psammophiidae, and Elapidae. Planned research will expand to include Duberia lutrix (slug eater) and Pseudaspis cana (mole snake).
Human-Snakebite Conflict in Southern Africa
We aim to understand the factors contributing to human-snakebite conflict in southern Africa, focusing on the ecological and social dynamics at play, focusing on ecological factors. This project is part of a larger motivation to understanding snake movement ecology and behaviour. Collaborating with local health authorities, snake removal experts, and conservation organisations, we aim to gather data on snake behaviour and snakebite incidence. Ultimately, this research will contribute to reducing snakebite incidents while fostering a better understanding of the ecological role of snakes in the region.
Ecology of the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) in the Kalahari
This project aims to investigate the ecology of the Cape cobra (Naja nivea) in the Kalahari Desert, focusing on its habitat use, movement patterns, and dietary preferences. By employing radio telemetry and field observations, the study seeks to understand how these snakes utilise the arid environment and the challenges they face. The research will also explore the impact of environmental variables on their behavior and survival strategies. Findings from this study will contribute to the broader knowledge of snake ecology and inform conservation strategies for Naja nivea and other reptile species in similar habitats.
Courses & Outreach
See studyafricanreptiles.org for more information on our courses and outreach activities.