Amphibians and reptiles in Spain

It's always a highlight on any trip to southern Europe to see lizards and other reptiles, and if you put in a little effort also after dark the results can sometimes be quite good. My last trip to Tarifa was very unproductive in this respect, the only reptiles encountered was a couple of Moorish Geckos by the hotel (and one third of a snake hanging out of the beak of Short-toed Snake Eagle..). On a previous trip to Extremadura in april 2015 I saw a lot more, in addition I was fortunate to run into a group of Belgian reptile- and amhibians-enthusiasts, and they found quite a few species around the rural guest house we were staying, at Las Canteras outside Trujillo. Since then, the excellent book "Field Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of Britain and Europe" (Speybroeck et al.) has been published, providing us with an up-to-date taxonomy and an exellent identification tool.

There are two species of Tree Frogs (Hyla) in Spain. This one is the Stripeless Tree frog (Hyla meridionalis). At Las Canteras they were easy to find, as a few were always present on the inside of the windows of the dining area....

Iberian Painted Frog (Discoglossus galganoi). A highly opportunistic species found in most types of small waterbodies.

This Iberian Water Frog (Pelophylax perezi) was in the long-abandoned pool at Las Canteras.

Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita). A very smart-looking toad, distributed as far north as Denmark and the Swedish west coast just south of the Norwegian border. Often found in dry sandy habitats.

Spiny Toad (Bufo spinosus). This species replaces the Common Toad in the southern half of France and the Iberian peninsula.

Western Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates cultripes). Only in the extreme southern France and the Iberian Peninsula. Spadefoot toads can be recognized by the precence of a metatarsal tubercle on the hind legs, used for burrowing. On the Western Spadefoot Toad the "spade" is blackish, a good fieldmark.

Southern Marbled Newt (Triturus pygmaeus). A few of these were living inside the foundations of the main building at Las Canteras, and came out after dark through some holes in the wall.

Bosca´s Newt (Lissotriton boscai). Only in Western Spain and Portugal.

Sharp-ribbed Newt (Pleurodeles waltl). In Europe only found on the Iberian Peninsula. The Belgians caught 24 of them in the long abandoned swimming pool at Las Canteras, in a passive trap set overnight!

The swimming pool at Las Canteras. Prime habitat for amphibians with at least 3 species encountered.

Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus). A common Lizard in Extremadura. On both sides of the western Mediterranean.

Western Psammodromus (Psammodromus occidentalis). Common on dry grounds at the Steppes of Serena, Extremadura. Only described as a separate species as late as 2012.

Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus). I saw two of these in Extremadura in 2015. Europe's largest lizard, up to 70 cm.

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis). Outside the conference centre at the EURING meeting in San Sebastian, N. Spain in September 2015.

This Moorish Gecko (Tarentola nauritanica) was probably chasing the same moths as I was, around som light in the parking area at Meson Sancho Hotel near Tarifa. There are two gecko species in Spain, the Moorish Gecko is easily identified by the large pointed tubercles all over the body. This species is often seen indoors as well as outdoors, even in finer hotels. 

There are two freshwater turtles in Spain, the Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) and European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis). I saw only the Spanish Terrapin in Extremadura, recognized by the pale lines (not spots) on the sides of the neck.

Viperine Snake (Natrix maura). Quite common in most of France and the Iberian Peninsula. The only live snake I saw in Extremadura.