Category Archives: Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

Spain is home to a rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species, with over 70 species of reptiles and 30 species of amphibians recorded. Some of the most iconic reptiles found in Spain include the Iberian viper, the ocellated lizard, and the Hermann’s tortoise. Spain is also home to a number of endemic species, such as the Montseny brook newt and the Spanish painted frog. The country’s varied landscapes, which range from mountains and forests to wetlands and coastal areas, provide habitats for a wide range of reptile and amphibian species. However, many of these species are threatened due to habitat loss and climate change. Overall, Spain’s reptile and amphibian diversity is a reflection of the country’s rich natural heritage and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these species.

Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

Bedriaga’s skink

2 Comments
  • Spanish: Eslizón Ibérico
  • Scientific: Chalcides bedriagai
  • English: Bedriagas Skink
  • French: Scinque iberique
  • German: Iberische Walzenskink
  • Italian: Lo scinco di bedriaga
  • Portuguese: Cobra-de-pernas-pentadáctila

Description

Bedriaga’s skink, a small reptile with four visible limbs, although very short (almost atrophied) with 5 digits to each. To move quickly, it holds its limbs against its body and moves like a snake. It is covered with smooth, shiny scales of variable tones: from copper to greyish brown or olive green, dotted with small black spots with pale centres and faintly marked stripes. Adults can reach up to 14 cm (5½ inches) in total length.

chalcides bedriagai – eslizón Ibérico – bedriagas skink
chalcides bedriagai – eslizón Ibérico – bedriagas skink

Most active during the day and twilight. They hide under rocks, decaying wood in undergrowth and underground as they can excavate loose soil easily. They live in scrubland, woodland clearings and stony areas.

The Bedriaga’s skink feeds mainly on small invertebrates, isopods and arachnids.

The mating period occurs between the months of March and June. They are ovoviviparous (able to incubate the eggs inside the female). They only give birth once a year. About 78 days after fertilization, during July or August, the females have 1 – 6 live young.

  • Conservation Status: T Threatened
  • Distribution: An Endemic Species. Distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula, except the extreme north. Prefers a Mediterranean climate.

Similar species: Western Three-toed Skink (Chalcides striatus)

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Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

Mediterranean Pond Terrapin

4 Comments
  • Spanish: Galápago leproso
  • Scientific: Mauremys leprosa
  • English: Mediterranean Pond Terrapin
  • French: Émyde lépreuse
  • German: Spanische Wasserschildkröte
  • Italian: Tartaruga palustre iberica
  • Portuguese: Cágado-mediterrânico

Description

The shell of the Mediterranean pond terrapin is olive, brown or grey. The limbs are short and stout, with orange or yellow lines that fade in the older specimens. The carapace normally measures between 13 to 17cm (5 – 6¾ inches) but can occasionally reach 20 cm (8 inches) and is slightly convex in shape. The base of the shell is yellowish, with large blackish spots which fade with age.

It is relatively abundant in the rivers, reservoirs, ponds and all types of aquatic bodies in Spain with good vegetation and refuge on the banks. Sometimes they can be seen in dirty and contaminated water as is often the case when towns and villages in Spain have inadequate sewage treatment works.

They spend many hours sunbathing at the water’s edge or on semi-submerged logs and rocks, quickly diving and staying underwater for long periods at the slightest sign of danger.

The Mediterranean Pond Terrapin is a skilful hunter of fish, amphibians and their larvae, aquatic insects and also feed on carrion.

I have even observed them feeding on livestock excrement (goat and cow)

The breeding season begins in March continuing to July. Up to 22 eggs are laid days 15 to 68 days after copulation which are normally divided between 2 clutches with a 21 to 32 day interval. Hatching occurs after 56 to 82 days.

The name ‘leprosa‘, refers to the algae which grows on its shell which can cause a perforation and deformation of the plates and sometimes gives a malformed appearance. (If you have ever handled a Mediterranean Pond Terrapin then you have also probably noticed the awful stench coming from its shell!)

Conservation Status: not listed

Distribution: Spain, Portugal, southern France, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Similar species: European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis)

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Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

European Pond Terrapin

7 Comments
  • Spanish: Galápago europeo
  • Scientific: Emys orbicularis
  • English: European Pond Terrapin
  • French: Cistude d’Europe,
  • German: Europäische Sumpfschildkröte
  • Italian: Testuggine palustre
  • Portuguese: Cágado-de-carapaça-estriada

Description

The shell of the European pond terrapin has a black coloured background with yellow radial lines or spots in each plate. This basic scheme is variable, with specimens that have a lighter background and dark radial markings. The plastron (underside of the shell) also varies in colour, which can be completely dark or have large yellowish spots. The skin colour is black, dotted with various yellow markings. The head is large, and the tail long, especially in the males. The shell is wider in the rear section, and can measure around 20cm (8 inches), although more frequently between 12-15cm (5-6inches).

Spanish: Galápago europeo Scientific: Emys orbicularis English: European Pond Terrapin
Spanish: Galápago europeo Scientific: Emys orbicularis English: European Pond Terrapin

They live in water courses which have a slow current with lots of submerged and floating vegetation. They are active from early morning and control their temperature by sunbathing on semi-submerged rocks and logs etc. If disturbed they dive rapidly, going to the bottom and hiding in the mud until the danger has passed.
This species is an opportunist, taking advantage of many food sources such as aquatic insects, larvae, amphibians, fish and carrion.

The breeding season begins in March continuing to July. Up to 16 eggs are laid days 20 to 71 days after copulation which are normally divided between 2 clutches with a 15 to 28 day interval. Hatching occurs after 55 to 78 days.

Far less frequent than Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) The threats to this species are habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, the capture of specimens for the pet market and the introduction of exotic species and especially the contamination of waterways.

  • Conservation Status: NT. Near Threatened
  • Distribution: Europe, western Asia and Mediterranean Africa.
  • Similar species: Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) of much lighter colour, a generally grey/brown shell and stripes on the necks of young and subadults.
Spanish: Galápago europeo Scientific: Emys orbicularis English: European Pond Terrapin
Spanish: Galápago europeo Scientific: Emys orbicularis English: European Pond Terrapin – NOTE THE EYE! 🙂

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Reptiles and Amphibians of Spain

The Moorish gecko

4 Comments
  • Spanish name: Salamanquesa Común
  • Scientific name: Tarentola mauritanica
  • English: Moorish Gecko
  • French: Tarente de Maurétanie
  • German: Mauergecko
  • Italian: Geco comune
  • Portuguese: Osga-moura
  • Similar species: Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Description

The moorish gecko is a small reptile that can reach 16 cm (6¼ inches) in length – including the tail. Its body is robust and flattened with a broad, large head that is almost triangular in shape. The eyes are large with vertical pupils. The colour ranges from grey/brown, brown or light brown including black in the early morning hours. These light and dark patterns are an aid in camouflage. It has a scaled back with prominent tubercles. Its spiny tail is banded in different shades.

Very often seen without a tail (after been attacked by a bird, domestic cat or predated on by a bigger lizard or snake.) The tail can regenerate and the new one is much smoother.

The feet have 5 digits, 2 with well developed claws (third and fourth digits). The toes are equipped with adhesive pads that allow them to adhere to vertical surfaces (including glass).

Moorish geckos emit croaking sounds of varying types for communication between individuals, to mark their territory etc.

A common species found in rocks and stones, as well as manmade structures in the countryside, towns and cities (making use of the artificial lights that attracts their prey). They are most active during the early hours of the night and spends the rest of the time hidden, although you can see them basking in the morning sun.

They hunt at night and are mainly insectivorous; sawflies, wasps, bees, moths, grasshoppers and spiders.

Sexual maturity starts at around 3 years and the breeding season begins in March and lasts until July, consisting of 1 or 2 small eggs placed in crevices such as the bark of trees, gaps in walls or under stones. Incubation lasts 55 to 98 days. Females lay two or three egg clutches per year.

Life span has been recorded at 15 years in captivity but one would assume less than this in their native habitat due to predators, illness, food supply etc

Baby Moorish gecko in Spain
Baby Moorish geckos are tiny. Note the striped tail which helps to identify them

IUCN Conservation Status: LC Least Concern

Distribution: Mediterranean area (introduced elsewhere)

Similar species: Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

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The top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies in Spain. Small family companies living and working in Spain. Local guides are the best!

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