MARQUES ET AL.; AMPHIBIANS AND TERRESTRIAL REPTILES OF ANGOLA 
51 
Figure 31. A dried eareass of Varanus albigularis 
angolensis used for food, in Lauea, Malanje Provinee (Photo 
by Luis da Costa). 
such as Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards 
{Varanus), and marine turtles, were sold in 
Luanda markets and on along roads. These ani¬ 
mals were sold for varying purposes and in dif¬ 
ferent conditions. Monitor lizards are sold in 
the form of handbags, skins, and whole fresh 
animals for human consumption (Fig. 31); Nile 
crocodiles are traded as skins, skulls, or hand¬ 
bags; and marine turtle shells are sold in Luan¬ 
da markets for diverse decorative purposes. 
Besides the species listed by Bersacola et al. 
(2014), other reptiles are traded in Angola for 
human consumption. Pythons (genus Python) 
are eaten in most areas of the eountry (Fig, 32) 
and considered a desired meat for traditional 
cuisine, ineluding as part of Angola’s most 
famous traditional meal “Moamba” (Fig. 33). It 
is also eommon to find living African mud 
turtles {Pelusios and Pelomedusa) and hinged 
tortoises (Kinixys) sold by locals along the road 
or in city markets for human consumption (Fig. 
34, 35). This practice is of special concern as 
turtle populations in Angola already suffer 
from the destruction of habitat. Similarly, croc¬ 
odiles are also hunted for meat though the 
impact on populations remains unknown (Fig. 
36). 
Marine turtles are targeted for human 
consumption with their meat being sold in mar¬ 
kets and the eggs harvested by fishermen and 
coastal communities living near the nesting 
places (Weir et al. 2007). However, this prob¬ 
lem is currently being addressed by local asso¬ 
ciations, universities, and the government 
through the project “Kitanbanga,” led by Prof 
Miguel Morals from the Universidade Agostin- 
ho Neto. National authorities have recently 
released new legislation against the illegal eap- 
ture of wildlife in the country, and an effort is 
being made to apply the new rules and prevent 
the depletion of the country’s natural resources. 
However, as noted by Bersacola et al. (2014), 
the growth of the local population together with the recent arrival of thousands of immigrants who 
consume bushmeat, will probably make the situation worst. While bushmeat preferenees in Ango¬ 
la are chiefly limited to large animals as the above mentioned, the country has witnessed an influx 
of overseas immigrants who may put additional pressure on traditionally neglected and feared 
reptiles, such as elapids and puff-adders. 
Figure 32. A specimen of Python natalensis being sold on 
tbe side of tbe road near Bruco, Mo^amedes-Lubango road, 
Namibe Province in November 2013 (Pboto by Luis Ceria- 
co). 
