Category Archives: Wildlife

Borbo borbonica – Zeller’s Skipper – Borbo is a butterfly belonging to the Hesperiidae family. Males and females present little sexual dimorphism, with females being larger and their hyaline windows slightly larger. The length of the forewings is 14-15 mm.

Distribution of Borbo borbonica – Zeller’s Skipper – Borbo

It is an eminently tropical species or found in very warm, humid, or swampy areas where its food or nectar plants abound, such as Lythrum salicaria. It can be found along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, mainly in Syria, as far as Saudi Arabia, and in Africa, Mauritius, and the island of Réunion.

The northernmost populations are in Europe (in Spain.) Previously, three populations were known: one in the Ebro Delta (Tarragona), another in Vall de LLorá (Gerona), and the third in the Bay of Algeciras. (The Catalan populations seem to have disappeared, so the Campo de Gibraltar population would be the only one currently surviving in Europe.)

The best-known population, easy to observe and possibly one of the few where its reproduction has been confirmed, is that of the Amphibian Pond of Ornipark, in the Huerta Grande Visitors Center (Population discovered by the biologist and ornithologist David Barros Cardona) and studied by different specialists, where complete generations have been observed developing from May-June to September-October. See information about Huerta Grande here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/el-estrecho-the-strait-of-gibraltar/

The latest data also confirms its presence in La Janda, Puerto Real, and gardens of the University of Malaga, and it would not be strange if this species expands to more locations if habitat quality is sustained.

Food plants

Larvae

In Spain: Polypogon viridis and Sorghum halepense
In North Africa: Leersia oryzoides and Sorghum halepense.
In Mauritius, they feed on Panicum.
In South Africa, they have been detected in Ehrharta erecta, Oryza, Pennisetum, and Zea mays.

Adults

They have been seen feeding on Lantana camara but little is known about the food plants of adults

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Iberia Nature Forum

Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!

Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.

clive

I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!

Marine reptiles, Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

Marine turtles of the Iberian Peninsula

March 13, 2023 clive 1 Comment

Marine turtles are a group of large, air-breathing reptiles that spend most of their lives in the ocean. They belong to the family Cheloniidae and the genus Dermochelyidae, and there are seven species of these reptiles found in oceans all over the world, except for the polar regions.

These animals are easily recognizable due to their distinctive shells, which consist of a hard upper shell, known as the carapace, and a lower shell called the plastron.

Diving to find Marine turtles in Tenerife

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Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain, Wildlife

Berber Toad – Sclerophrys mauritanica – Sapo moruno

March 9, 2023 clive Leave a comment

The Berber Toad – Sclerophrys mauritanica – Sapo moruno is a medium-sized toad native to North Africa. An introduced population was also present in Spain close to Los Alcornocales Natural Park but numbers are unknown with some authorities declaring the species extinct in Spain. It is present in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, where it colonizes a multitude of habitats, although it is more abundant in areas of cork oak forests and mediterranean shrubland.

This species is known for its distinctive appearance, with smooth, warty skin and large, gold-colored eyes with vertical pupils. The Berber Toad is a nocturnal species that feeds primarily on insects and can be found in a variety of habitats, from semi-arid areas to urban environments. While it is currently listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN

Physical characteristics

The Berber Toad is a medium-sized toad with a smooth, warty skin that ranges in color from light gray or olive to reddish-brown or almost black. It has a broad head and large eyes with vertical pupils, and its pupils are yellow or gold. The toad has a rounded body and short, stocky legs with webbed toes. Adults can reach up to 11 cm in length.

Habitat and behavior

The Berber Toad is native to North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, where it can be found in a variety of habitats including semi-arid areas, Mediterranean scrubland, oak forests, and even urban areas. It is a nocturnal species that spends most of its time hiding in crevices, under rocks or logs, or in burrows. During the breeding season, which typically occurs in the spring or early summer, males will gather near water sources and call to attract females. The species is also known for its ability to secrete a toxic substance from its skin as a defense mechanism.

Diet

The Berber Toad is a carnivorous species that feeds primarily on insects such as crickets, beetles, and ants. It will also occasionally consume other small invertebrates such as spiders and snails.

Reproduction

Breeding typically occurs in the spring or early summer, with males gathering near water sources and emitting a distinctive trilling call to attract females. After mating, the female will lay strings of eggs in water or on damp surfaces, with each string containing up to several thousand eggs. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which will metamorphose into toadlets after several weeks.

Conservation status

The Berber Toad is listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction. However, habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as pollution and disease, may pose threats to local populations.

The Berber Toad – Sclerophrys mauritanica – Sapo moruno Status in Spain

An introduced population was also present in Spain close to Los Alcornocales Natural Park but numbers are unknown with some authorities declaring the species extinct in Spain.

Specimens have been introduced in the surroundings of Algeciras (Cadiz), where they have managed to reproduce (MATEO, 1997). They are considered to be of ancient introduction here, as there are specimens captured in the same region in 1911 deposited in the MNCN of Madrid (numbers 2,990, 3,001). There have been no described interactions with native amphibians, and the current status of this population is unknown, although it could be extinct as it has not been located recently (J.A. BARNESTEIN, pers. comm.).