Horseshoe Whip Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) Culebra herradura

Horseshoe whip snake - Coluber hippocrepis – Culebra de Herradura

Non-Venomous The Horse-shoe whip snake can reach a length of 180cm although they are often less. They are fairly slender, shy and fast moving. Although mostly diurnal they can also be seen out on warm evenings (crepiscular). The body pattern is brighter and more obvious on juveniles with the main colour varying between yellow, off … Read more

Andalusian Funnel-Web Spider – Macrothele calpeiana – La araña negra de los alcornocales

Andalusian funnel web spider (Macrothele calpeiana)

In Andalucia there is a fairly large, black burrowing spider belonging to the venomous funnel-web tarantula family. Its scientific name is Macrothele calpeiana and it belongs to the Macrothelidae family, and most species occur in Asia, from India to Japan, and Java, with four found in Africa, and two in Europe There is one species … Read more

Argiope spider species in Spain

There are three Argiope spiders in Spain. The above image is of the lobed argiope and you can clearly see the much smaller male above and to the left of her.

There are three Argiope spider species in Spain. The above image is of the lobed argiope and you can clearly see the much smaller male above and to the left of her. The Wasp Spider Scientific: Argiope bruennichi English: Wasp Spider Spanish: Araña tigre French: Argiope frelon German: Wespenspinne Italian: Ragno vespa Portuguese: Aranha-vespa Distribution: … Read more

Western Iberian Painted Frog – Discoglossus galganoi – Sapillo pintojo ibérico

A medium sized toad, the Iberian Painted Frog - Discoglossus galganoi - Sapillo pintojo ibérico looks very similar to a frog

Description A medium sized frog, the western Iberian Painted Frog – Discoglossus galganoi – Sapillo pintojo ibérico is usually 45 to 60 mm (1¾ to 2½ inches). The head is flattened and wide at the rear with a pointed snout. The skin smooth or with small warts and the coloration is very variable, ranging from … Read more