Reptiles of Andalusia

Biodiversity hot spot in Europe: turtles, chameleons, worm lizards, geckos, lizards, skinks and snakes.

Reptiles of Andalusia: Iberian false smooth snake (Macroprotodon brevis).

Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis).

More than fifty species of reptiles are present in the Iberian Peninsula, the most biodiverse European country.

We can differentiate several main groups: the Quelonids with sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land turtles ; and the Squamata group with Chameleons,  worm lizards (amphisbaenians), geckos, lizards, skinks and snakes (vipers and others). This demonstrates the variety of Andalusian fauna and its attractiveness.

As for sea turtles, they are difficult to observe, the commonest being the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) but only isolated reproductive cases on the coast. Among freshwater turtles, highlight the scarce European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis) and the very abundant Moorish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa). Also included here is the Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) whose populations are very localized and often threatened.

Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleo) is a coastal species introduced in Andalusia several hundred years ago, rare and difficult to locate due to its elusive behavior and mimetic coloration.

Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica).

Andalusian wall lizard (Podarcis vaucheri).

The genus Psammodromus, characterized by fairing scales, included two easy-to-differentiate species until recently, each recently splitted and separated by distribution. In the Malaga-Cádiz region, two species are found: Algerian psammodromus (P. algirus), which is the commonest lizard, and western lizard (P. occidentalis), the latter related to P. hispanicus.

Two large lizards must be added: Sierra Nevada lizard (Timon nevadensis) roughly south east of the Guadalquivir and the more common ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus).

Skinks (Mediterranean species) remind slowworm (Northern species). They look like lizards which legs are so small that they are uselles for locomotion. Two species are present in Andalusia and can be distinguished by the number of fingers in each member.

Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) and viperine snake (Natrix maura) are the two commonest snake species in Andalusia. The other seven species are more discreet and scarce.

Reptiles are terrestrial vertebrates, generally most feared by humans. The reason is understandable since many species of snakes around the world are poisonous and deadly. Fortunately, no Andalusian reptile represents a significant danger, although it is necessary to be prudent if we cross path with a Lataste’s viper (Vipera latasti).

Reptiles of Andalusia: Iberian false smooth snake (Macroprotodon brevis).

In our region, vipers are rare, fearful, not very aggressive, small in size and do not even systematically inject poison into their bites, as they reserve it for their prey (rodents). In case of bite, a medical follow-up will be enough to treat the patient. It is essential not to panic to prevent the spread of poison in the body; possibly the snake was not even poisonous.

Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis).

All reptiles are covered with scales and have a variable body temperature, that forces them to adapt their behavior (hibernation, thermoregulation), and lay eggs in the terrestrial environment.

More than fifty species of reptiles are present in the Iberian Peninsula, the most biodiverse European country.

We can differentiate several main groups: the Quelonids with sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land turtles ; and the Squamata group with Chameleons,  worm lizards (amphisbaenians), geckos, lizards, skinks and snakes (vipers and others). This demonstrates the variety of Andalusian fauna and its attractiveness.

Mediterranean Pond Turtle (Mauremys leprosa).

As for sea turtles, they are difficult to observe, the commonest being the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) but only isolated reproductive cases on the coast. Among freshwater turtles, highlight the scarce European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis) and the very abundant Moorish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa). Also included here is the Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) whose populations are very localized and often threatened.

Mediterranean chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon).

Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleo) is a coastal species introduced in Andalusia several hundred years ago, rare and difficult to locate due to its elusive behavior and mimetic coloration.

Two cryptic and endemic worm lizards (genus Blanus) populate our territory. Those are really curious creatures that look like worms and live underground. It is necessary to lift many stones to get to observe some.

Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica).

It is possible to sight observe two species of geckos: the common salamanquesa gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), very abundant near the lampposts illuminated in summer, and the much scarcer Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus).

Andalusian wall lizard (Podarcis vaucheri).

Lizards are extremely diverse and include almost 30 species in the Iberian Peninsula. Theis taxonomy has evolved considerably in recent years and many new species have been described. As for Spain, we highlight the endemic and mountain range genus of Iberolacerta which is absent from Andalusia. Let’s mention a beautiful species easy to recognize, the spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus), present on the coast. The endangered Valverde’s lizard (Algyroides marchi) is the only species of the endemic genus, nearly restricted to Sierra de Cazorla and Segura. As for the old Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis hispanica) that occupied the entire peninsula, it has been splitted into several species: the taxon present in southern Spain is the Andalusian wall lizard Podarcis vaucheri.

Algerian sand racer (Psammodromus algirus).

The genus Psammodromus, characterized by fairing scales, included two easy-to-differentiate species until recently, each recently splitted and separated by distribution. In the Malaga-Cádiz region, two species are found: Algerian psammodromus (P. algirus), which is the commonest lizard, and western lizard (P. occidentalis), the latter related to P. hispanicus.

Two large lizards must be added: Sierra Nevada lizard (Timon nevadensis) roughly south east of the Guadalquivir and the more common ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus).

Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). Photo: Enrique Calzado.

Skinks (Mediterranean species) remind slowworm (Northern species). They look like lizards which legs are so small that they are uselles for locomotion. Two species are present in Andalusia and can be distinguished by the number of fingers in each member.

Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) and viperine snake (Natrix maura) are the two commonest snake species in Andalusia. The other seven species are more discreet and scarce.

Reptiles: List of species present in Andalusia

Notes

1: Reptiles checklist based on reference publication: Reptiles of Andalusia.

IUCN: Risk in the face of extinction, taking into account the Red Books of Andalusia (regional IUCN criteria), Spain (national IUCN criteria) and IUCN Red List (global analysis). LR: Lower Risk. NT: Near Threathened. VU: Vulnerable.