Mediterranean Chameleon, Rota (JC)
It's been rightly observed that whereas birders look up, herpetologists look down which probably explains why I've seen so few reptiles and amphibians in Cadiz Province. Such ignorance may be understandable in a birdwatcher but it's still inexcusable and even more so in someone who, as an editor of the Crossbill nature guides, ought to know better. Hence when my friend Richard Hills, whose son Lawrie is an expert herpetologist, wanted to visit our house in Alcala de los Gazules with his son I jumped at the chance to learn more about the reptiles of the area. This proved a wise decision as Lawrie's feedback has given me a much better grasp of the topic – something that will prove useful as I edit the forthcoming new two volume Crossbill Guide to Andalucia. This note isn't meant to be an exhaustive review (and not all potential species are mentioned) but I hope it will give visitors a firmer idea of what it's possible to see in the area over a week or two.
It was no surprise nor a matter of envy that Lawrie found Common Toad (Bufo bufo) in the Molinos valley. However, I'm less sanguine about the fact that he also found the rather handsome Southern Marbled Newt (Triturus pygmaeus) in Alcala itself! (36.520532-5.652304). En route through Spain he also found the highly aquatic Iberian Sharp-ribbed Newt (Pleurodeles waltl) which is also found in the province. This declining species has a row of turbercles (see photo) along its flanks through which poisoned ribs can project as a defence against predators. Fortunately the poison is harmless to humans. Of the frog tribe I've seen what I took to be Iberian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes iberius) but Stripeless Tree Frog (Hyla meridonalis) eludes me although I've managed to hear them several times. A number of other amphibians occur but I've not recorded any of them.
Marbled (left) and Sharp-ribbed Newt (right) - (RH)
Juvenile Horse-shoe Whip Snake (RH) Lawrie's first discovery on his visit – a juvenile Horseshoe-whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) - was also the most embarrassing for me since he spotted it, a species I've not seen, basking on a stone wall only fifty yards from our house!
Rubbing salt into the wound he not only used an old hat of mine I'd left in the house to catch it but went on to discover three more at a regular haunt of mine, La Janda (36.248878-5.835323; 36.24897 -5.83526 and 36.24921 -5.83508).
Rubbing salt into the wound he not only used an old hat of mine I'd left in the house to catch it but went on to discover three more at a regular haunt of mine, La Janda (36.248878-5.835323; 36.24897 -5.83526 and 36.24921 -5.83508).
False Smooth Snake (RH) To be honest I'm not entirely sure I could identify a False Smooth Snake (Macroprotodon brevis) even if I was able to find one – an unlikely eventuality since despite living near the New Forest for the first two decades of my life I've only once seen its relative, the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) which has its in the UK stronghold there! Looking down as he evidently does, Lawrie managed to find three two at Bolonia and one at Barbate Dam ((36.101443, -5.791708;36.074246, -5.752185 and 36.368442, -5.741063).
Montpellier Snake (RH) One of Lawrie's most wanted targets was Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) which at least I'd already seen although given my rudimentary snake identification skills my record might well be doubtful! Lawrie not only managed to find one in Extremadura on his way south but also one from the same site as my claim, Algaida woods, with another at Barbate dam (plus a dead specimen on La Janda). Then again looking at his photos I suspect the snake I found and was told was this species was probably a large adult Ladder Snake
Juvenile Ladder Snake (RH) Having established that I know less than I should about snakes, at least I do know that Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris) gets its name from its markings.
Naturally Lawrie not only found them with ease at Embalse de Barbate, Barbate dam & La Janda (36.411624-5.740734 and36.41162, -5.74073) but also got a terrific photo of a juvenile showing the distinctive markings that give the species its name.
Lataste's Viper (JC) Such is the depth of my herpetological ignorance that I'm not sure I fully realised that Spanish Grass-snake (Natrix natrix astreptophora) was a different subspecies until I read Lawrie's notes. He found one at that unsuspected reptile hotspot of La Janda. It seems that here, Bolonia and Embalse de Barbate should be the focus in future for this herpetological novice. On previous visits I've seen Viperine Snake (Natrix maura) several times in the Alcornocales and Lawrie got a number of photos of the species. Like the Grass Snake it too is very aquatic in its habits.
Lawrie didn't manage to see all the snakes of the area although he did pretty well but I can't resist adding a photo of one missed - Lataste's Viper (Vipera latasti). I've seen a single young juvenile in the Molinos valley. It was a very small and somewhat sluggish which may be explained by the white spot on the head which seemed to be a wound or perhaps some sort of fungal growth.
Lawrie didn't manage to see all the snakes of the area although he did pretty well but I can't resist adding a photo of one missed - Lataste's Viper (Vipera latasti). I've seen a single young juvenile in the Molinos valley. It was a very small and somewhat sluggish which may be explained by the white spot on the head which seemed to be a wound or perhaps some sort of fungal growth.
Geckos are probably the easiest reptiles to see in Spain since they tend to find you rather than vice versa. Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauriticana) is the commonest and has the habit of waiting inside street lamps outside our house for the insects to come to them. In contrast I've never found Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) very easy to locate. Although not so widespread another reptile that is usually hard to miss in the right locations is Spanish Terrapin (Mauremys leprosa). Like Lawrie I've had them at the small pools at Algaida/Bonanza and Rota Botanical Garden, but also at various other sites although I can't be sure some weren't European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis). I'm also pretty sure I've seen the introduced Red-eared Terrapin (Trachemys scripta) somewhere but wherever it was I didn't make a note of it although the Spanish reptile & amphibian atlas shows that they're present in several areas in the province.
Jardin Botanico Celestino Mutis in Rota is, of course, the site in the area for Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) where the chief gardener, Andrea, has probably helped hundreds of visitors to see 'her' Chameleons. Unfortunately, I'm told she has or is about to retire - she will be greatly missed by visiting naturalists. Let's hope that her replacement also values these curious animals; I suspect they'll have little option as Andrea will make sure they will!
They're also found in the pines that cloak the dunes at Rota and at Algaida, Barbate and elsewhere but are never easy to find. One tip, I'm told, is to view from a low level so that you see the silhouette rather than be confused by their cryptic camouflage.
They're also found in the pines that cloak the dunes at Rota and at Algaida, Barbate and elsewhere but are never easy to find. One tip, I'm told, is to view from a low level so that you see the silhouette rather than be confused by their cryptic camouflage.
Occelated Lizard (RH) Of the lizards the one you're most likely to see even if you're not really looking is Occelated Lizard (Timon lepidus) as they're bright green very large and not infrequently scuttle across the road on hot sunny days. I've seen them in many areas in the province although they seem to have a liking for unimproved a and often fairly rugged areas. Lawrie had them at two sites where I've found them relatively common - two at Bolonia and three at Barbate dam. However, unlike Lawrie, I've never managed to get a decent shot of one. They're usually a much brighter green than the individual shown here whose dullness is probably because it is about to shed its skin.
Wall Lizard (RH) As Lawrie confirmed, Spiny-footed Lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) has a particular liking for light sandy soils and, like him, I've always found them particularly common in the Algaida area although I've seen them at a number of coastal sites. I find them strikingly handsome little beasts and not too difficult to photograph.
Iberian Wall Lizard (Podarcis hispanica) is another frequently seen reptile although Lawrie's visit made me appreciate just how much they prefer rocky areas and walls and just how common they are in the area. Unlike him I've never managed to get a decent photo!
Large Psammodromus (RH) Psammodromus lizards are one of relatively few animals where the common and scientific names are the same. The name comes from Greek άμμο δρομέας meaning 'sand racer' which is also their alternative (and more pronounceable name). As suggested by the name they prefer sandy soils and run like the clappers which is why I've never got a decent photo of any of them. I suppose too that the plural should be Psammodromi! Lawrie found Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) to be common in the Molinos valley and Algaida woods which is somewhat embarrassing as I don't think I've identified more than a couple of them even though the valley is on my doorstep. I've also seen a few Spanish Psammodromus (Psammodromus hispanicus) in the province (which Lawrie found en route through Spain). Like birds, lizard taxonomy is in a state of flux and the Spanish Psammodromus has recently (2012) been split into three – two subspecies and a new full species. As a result the animals in Cadiz are now recognised by some as the Western Psammodromus (Psammodromus occidentalis).
Three-toed Skink (RH) Skinks are extraordinary reptiles stranded, in form at least, somewhere between lizards and snakes. Slow Worms (Anguis fragilis), which in Iberia are restricted to the north, are famously limbless lizards and skinks are lizards that haven't quite progressed so far. They still have limbs but they're pretty useless, feeble appendages. Bedriaga's Skink (Chalcides bedriagai) is an Iberian endemic and I've seen a single freshly dead example in the Alcornocales along the sendero Valdeiniferno - (found by Dirk Hilbers). Lawrie found the more widespread Western Three-toed Skink (Chalcides striatus) at Bolonia.
Iberian Worm Lizard (RH) I've left the greatest embarrassment to last. Even more curious than the skinks is the extraordinary limbless and sightless Iberian Worm Lizard (Blanus cinereus). As its name implies this peculiar lizard bears a remarkable resemblance to a large over sized worm. I'd been told that this subterranean species was extremely difficult to find. So it was with great astonishment that I learnt that Lawrie had not only found six of them but also that four of them had been found around Alcala de los Gazules and the other two at Bonanza pools and Barbate (36.350219 -5.750026)
The definitive field guide .....? Out July 2016 My rather lacklustre attempts to see and identify reptiles and amphibians in the area haven't been helped by the absence of a decent field guide to the group. At home I use a copy of “Reptiles and Amphibians in Colour” by Hans Hvass but, being over forty years old and with rather limited illustrations, it's far from ideal. In a burst of enthusiasm in 2009 I got a copy of a new photoguide to the group “New Holland Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe" by Axel Kwet. It's a handy little book but I'm no fan of photoguides and coverage isn't comprehensive. I've been meaning to get the obvious choice, “Collins Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe” (Arnold & Ovenden) for decades but as the list price has always been a bit steep (currently £29.95) I'd always hoped to get one second-hand. However, not having been comprehensively revised for well over a decade it's now dated and its taxonomy very much out of date. Fortunately, the cavalry is on its way in the form of a new Bloomsbury (Helm) book a “Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Britain and Europe” by Jeroen Speybroeck et al and illustrated by Ilian Velikov which should be published in July (c£20). It promises an up-to-date taxonomy, including all the recent splits and discoveries, and appears to be beautifully illustrated. Hopefully, this book will help me to hone my identification skills. One other resource needs to be mentioned – the online version of Atlas y Libro Rojo de Anfibios y Reptiles de Espaňa - is a wonderful resource – see http://www.magrama.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/temas/inventarios-nacionales/inventario-especies-terrestres/inventario-nacional-de-biodiversidad/ieet_anfib_reptl_LR_indice.aspx
Many thanks once again to Lawrie Hills both for those of his photos that adorn this blog post and his expert input in improving my understanding of the local herpeto-fauna of Cadiz province. Thanks too to Lawrie's parents Richard & Cathy Hills for giving our little house in Alcala the good airing it so needed!
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