Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
MHollanders
Posts: 583
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 2:32 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by MHollanders »

Hello,

This year’s spring I was working in Spain as a field technician catching lizards. During this time, I got to travel around the Iberian peninsula for four months from April through July which allowed me to see the majority of the herpetofauna, together with some great guys and gals that were not only good field companions but also became great friends. I must add that I never herped outside of the Netherlands in Europe, so nearly all the species seen were new. A remarkable experience.

Late March found me in Évora, Portugal for some preparatory paperwork. Portugal’s bureaucracy can be a pain in the ass, supposedly, though we experienced nothing of that which gave us some time to herp.

The first herps came in a city park.

Tarentola mauretanica (Moorish Wall Gecko), ubiquitous throughout southern Iberia

Image

Blanus mariae (Iberian Worm Lizard), my first experience with amphisbaenids. Does anyone know if the ones around Évora are actually B. mariae, the newly described species, instead of B. cinereus?

Image

Adult male Podarcis virescens, recently split from the P. hispanica complex

Image

The first full herping day was very fruitful. Under the first few rocks we found the first ladder snakes (Rhinechis scalaris), including the only juvenile I got to see in my time there. The ontogenetic change these snakes experience is remarkable, as you will see with adults in this post later.

Image

Natrix maura (Viperine Snake)

Image

Only two Portuguese fire salamanders (Salamandra s. gallaica) were seen, including this monstrous female flipped under a board far away from any visible water. This subspecies is characterized by the horseshoe markings and, more obviously, the red patches that can be few or very numerous.

Image

Riparian habitat in cork-oak dominated forests of Évora

Image

Two species were only observed once in the four months, namely the Iberian Midwife Toad (Alytes cisternasii) and False Smooth Snake (Macroprotodon cucullatus).

Image

Image

Bufo spinosus (Iberian Toad)

Image

Hemorrhois hippocrepis (Horseshoe Whip Snake)

Image

Off to our field station in the Sierra de Guadarrama, just north of Madrid.

Probably Spain’s most common lizard, already acquiring his breeding colors at the start of April.

Psammodromus algirus (Large Psammodromus)

Image

Adult male Malpolon monspessalanus (Montpellier Snakes)

Image

Image

Our first trip took us to Doñana National Park.

Image

Pelobates cultipres (Iberian Spadefoot Toad)

Image

I like to think that this snake wasn’t there when I walked by the spot. Viper Man Tim Leerschool spotted this phenomenal animal, the infrequently observed Lataste’s viper (Vipera latastei gaditana) from the southern coast.

Image

Image

Sierra de Grazalema

Image

Probably Podarcis liolepis (Catalonian Wall Lizard) from the edge of their range

Image

Coronella austriaca (Smooth Snake)

Image

Coronella girondica (Southern Smooth Snake)

Image

We struck gold one afternoon while looking for lizards around a castle. Five Lataste’s viper (Vipera l. latastei) were found, some clearly just out of hibernation.

One emerging, with another one not seen in the photograph right next to it basking with a single coil in the grass.

Image

Still dirty from the cemetery walls

Image

Adult male

Image

Adult female

Image

Timon lepidus (Ocellated Lizard), the largest lizard in Iberia

Image

The southern slopes of Moncayo

Image

Alytes obstetricans pertinax (Midwife Toad)

Image

Anguis fragilis (Slow Worm) probably reaches a distribution limit in the riparian valleys of these slopes.

Image

Adult ladder snake from near the field station

Image

Fat female Lataste’s viper

Image

Smooth snakes (adult female pictured) occur in isolated mountain populations in central Spain. They’re common in the Sierra de Gaudarrama.

Image

Salamandra salamandra “almanzoris” (Fire Salamander), probably not a valid subspecies.

Image

Bufo calamita (Natterjack)

Image

Salamandra salamandra, more than ready to leave the water but still with external gills

Image

Humid northern slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama

Image

Cuenca wine country

Image

Adult Chalcides striatus (Western Three-toed Skink), note the vestigial limbs

Image

Sierra de Cazorla

Image

These mountains are home to the endemic Algyroides marchi (Spanish Alygroides); pictured below is a two-tailed female.

Image

Exceptional European Coachwhip (Malpolon monspessalanus) found in the process of shedding

Image

Capra pyrenaica victoriae (Western Spanish Ibex) from the slopes of La Peña de Francia

Image

Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Mediterranean Chameleons) from the southern coast. These chameleons are examples of historical introductions (several thousands of years ago).

Sleeping adult male

Image

Agitated same adult male

Image

The Podarcis vaucheri (Andalusian Wall Lizards) from Sierra de Grazalema are much smaller and more vibrantly colored than their coastal conspecifics.

Image

Image

Highly desired subspecies of the fire salamander (Salamandra s. longirostris); we were happy with a juvenile.

Image

Exact same story with Pelodytes ibericus (Iberian Parsley Frog). Spain experienced a very dry year, explaining the lacking amphibian diversity in this post.

Image

Juvenile Horseshoe Whip Snake found in a completely paved city, away from any vegetation or natural habitat. When I saw it on the pavement it tried to escape back into its crack under a door. We saw this species on one or two more occasions within city walls.

Image

Carmona

Image

Mauremys leprosa (Spanish Terrapin)

Image

Podarcis guadarramae guadarramae (Guadarrama Wall Lizards), adult male and female

Image

We found some gravid fire salamanders around a high elevation Guadarrama stream on a warm, humid night. A few nights later the stream was filled with larvae, although unfortunately we didn’t see any larval deposition.

Image

Image

I thought this individual was very interesting, with the brown patches near the head and slight horseshoe shape markings; perhaps influence of ”gallaica.

Image

Image

Chalcides bedriagai (Bedriaga’s Skink)

Image

Mediterranean forest

Image

Birds are a herper’s friends, especially when they lead you to this.

Montpellier Coachwhip consuming a blackbird.

Image

Image

Size reference

Image

Cazorla, another very successful trip

Image

Algyroides marchi, adult male

Image

Silver ladder snake

Image

Golden ladder snake

Image

Natrix natrix astretophora (Spanish Grass Snake)

Image

My absolute favorite Iberian herps, the Betic midwife toads (Alytes dickhilleni)

Image

Image

Only juveniles of this subspecies found, as well (S. s. morenica)

Image

These mountains are loaded with ocellated lizards

Image

Gravid female Podarcis hispanica sensu stricto (Spanish Wall Lizard)

Image

Podarcis muralis (Common Wall Lizard), back in the Sierra de Guadarramma

Image

Chalcides bedriagai (Bedriaga’s Skink)

Image

View from La Peña de Francia

Image

This small mountain range is home to an isolated population of Ibex and the Critically Endangered Iberolacerta martinezricai (La Peña de Francia Rock Lizard). This genus is largely tied to high elevation mountains (in central Iberia, at least), and this species is no exception. It only occurs on La Peña de Francia and surrounding peaks, where it appears to be less abundant than other species of the genus. Considering this species is tied to a high elevation niche, it might be under threat of a changing climate, which could make its small distribution less suitable for the lizards.

Image

Image

Wouter B. called this Iberian spadefoot toad as he jumped into a hole in the ground. It had probably hurt its face trying to get out. The second of only two individuals of this species that I would observe.

Image

One of my favorite lizards from the peninsula are the fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus erythrurus). These lizards are tied to dry, hot, open habitats with sandy soils that they use for burrows. They become active later in the day (around 11:00), when most other lizards have already had their peak of activity, because most of their “basking” takes place underground in the burrows.

Dark adult male

Image

Adult female

Image

Juvenile, displaying characteristic red tail

Image

View from the mountains

Image

Post-partum Vipera latastei with Sierra de Gredos in the backgrounnd

Image

Triturus pygmaeus (Southern Marbled Newts), both in situ

Image

Image

Pretty picture

Image

Hyla molleri (Tree Frog)

Image

Bufo calamita (Natterjack)

Image

Grasslands of northern Extremadura

Image

Belén Plain, home to Otis tarda (Great Bustards). The left-most dot on the building is Athene noctua (Little Owl).

Image

Image

Salto del Gitano, Monfragüe National Park, perhaps the best place for raptors in the Iberian Peninsula

Image

Hundreds of Gyps fulvus (Griffon Vultures) breed on Salto del Gitano

Image

View on a different day

Image

The park is also home to several pairs of Aquila adalberti (Spanish Imperial Eagles), one of the most endangered raptors of Europe.

Image

On a bird note, a Sturnus unicolor (Spotless Starling) being proessed

Image

Chalcides striatus (Western Three-toed Skink)

Image

Iberolacerta cyreni (Cyren’s Rock Lizards) reach their activity peak later in the year due to their high elevation habitat.

Adult male

Image

Adult female, in situ

Image

Juvenile, displaying characteristic blue tail

Image

Particularly attractive Podarcis vaucheri

Image

Psammodromus hispanicus (Spanish Psammodromus), one of my favorite but also the most frustrating Iberian lizard to catch

Image

Sierra de Guadarrama

Image

Rana iberica (Iberian Frog), highly localized in this mountain range

Image

Brilliant Lacerta schreiberi (Iberian Emerald Lizard)

Image

Image

Aberrant tree frog from higher elevation

Image

Another trip down south warned us for chamaleons.

Image

Image

Image

Sierra de Cazorla, again

Image

Eresus species

Image

Adult male Podarcis hispanica sensu stricto

Image

Adult male Algyroides marchi

Image

Image

Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)

Image

The ladder snakes really remind me of American rat snakes. They climb trees (this particular one fled into the nearest pine upon release), are quick to defend themselves, are commonly flipped, and even their musk smells the same, to name just a few things.

Image

Mauremys leprosa

Image

Attractive adult male Podarcis virescens

Image

More Betic midwife toads! Again only two individuals found, as we missed their entire reproductive season (which might not even have happened in the time we visited).

Image

Image

I finally took the chance to photograph this attractive and ubiquitous Pelophylax perezi (Perez’s Green Frog).

Image

Psammodromus hispanicus

Image

Butterflies and chameleon crab spiders (species?)

Image

Image

Beautiful adult male Iberolacerta cyreni

Image

Our first trip to the Pyrenees was very successful, when we herped mostly in this valley.

Image

Here we found wonderful amphibian diversity.

Rana pyrenaica (Pyrenean Frogs)

Image

Image

Calotriton asper (Pyrenean Brook Newts), juvenile

Image

Adult

Image

Alytes obstetricans obstetricans (Common Midwife Toads)

Image

The above two were found near this stream.

Image

That night we were even more successful with lots of common toad, midwife toad, and palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) breeding activity.

Toad ball

Image

Note the larvae inside the eggs. Males carry several egg strings from the females around for several weeks before depositing the developed larvae in water.

Image

Female depositing an egg

Image

Bonus fire salamanders (S. s. fastuosa) of my favorite subspecies

Image

Image

Extra bonus grass snake (Natrix natrix astretophora)

Image

Papilio machaon (Old World Swallowtails)

Image

Vipera aspis (Asp Vipers)

Image

Image

Another highlight of this trip was three Hierophis viridiflavus (Western Whip Snakes) from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. That makes Zamenis the only Iberian snake we missed.

Image

Brilliant Natrix natrix astretophora from the high Sierra de Guadarrama

Image

Juvenile Lacerta schreiberi

Image

Adult female Vipera seoanei (Galician Viper) from Galicia

Image

Image

Unique are the stream-dwelling Chioglossa lusitanica (Gold-striped Salamanders) from the northwestern part of the peninsula. Unfortunately this was the only one I saw.

Image

The highest reaches of the Sierra de Guadarrama are quite alpine in nature but boast a surprising diversity of amphibians, including an alpine population of tree frogs. As a side note, midwife toads used to be one of the most abundant amphibians here, but were nearly wiped out by chytrid over a decade ago.

Image

Hyla molleri

Image

Amphibian ponds

Image

Lots of fire salamanders

Image

Bufo calamita (Natterjack Toadpoles)

Image

Bufo bufo (Common Toad) and B. calamita (Natterjack) sharing the same refuge

Image

Iberolacerta cyreni seem to be most common at the highest of the high elevations, particularly near the peak of the mountain range, Peñalara Peak (in the background of the next two pictures).

Image

Adult male

Image

Adult female

Image

Northern slopes of Moncayo, home to (one of?) the most southern beech forest(s) in Spain.

Image

Image

Smooth Snake

Image

Going the other way to Serra da Estrela in Portugal

Image

Silver Iberolacerta monticola (Iberian Rock Lizard)

Image

Image

Iberian frogs are a lot more common here, especially when the sun is shining.

Image

Surrounded by clouds

Image

Triturus marmoratus (Marbled Newt)

Image

Exceptional example of a different subspecies of Cyren’s rock lizard (I. c. castilliana) from Sierra de Gredos

Image

Some more adult male fringe-toed lizards

Image

Image

Adult male Podarcis bocagei (Bocage’s Wall Lizards)

Image

Image

The Iberian rock lizards look quite different in the lowlands of Galicia.

Image

In situ adult female Galician viper from the same spot and showing the same colors as the first.

Image

Image

Lacerta schreiberi

Image

Back to the Pyrenees.

Podarcis liolepis (Catalonian Wall Lizard)

Image

Mating Calotriton asper

Image

A few more Rana pyrenaica were also found

Image

Adult male Lacerta bilineata (Western Emerald Lizard)

Image

Eggs from the edge of their range in Moncayo

Image

The last day of work was a good one in the Pyrenees. Habitat for the next two species.

Image

Subadult female Vipera aspis

Image

The southern subspecies of the viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara louislantzi) isn’t so viviparous. This female was found with another near several clutches of eggs.

Image

S. s. fastuosa

Image

Image

Huge melanistic female Vipera seoanei (Baskian Viper) I flipped under a rock.

Image

Wouter got the next one.

Image

Tim got the next three.

Image

Image

Image

Parting view

Image

And to finish this long post, two photos from that last afternoon that both belong in my Top 5 of this whole experience.

Image

Image

Thanks for looking.

Matthijs Hollanders
User avatar
DracoRJC
Posts: 335
Joined: May 5th, 2011, 3:15 pm
Location: The beautiful Texas Hill Country

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by DracoRJC »

Awesome post man! Great photography as usual.
User avatar
The Real Snake Man
Posts: 405
Joined: June 12th, 2010, 4:08 pm
Location: Pasadena, CA or Mission, TX

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by The Real Snake Man »

There have been some excellent posts about Europe on this forum over the years, but none has ever made me feel so strongly that I must go and herp there as this one has. Beautiful habitat shots, incredible diversity, fantastic photography, and just an all-around classic post. Wow.

-Gene
User avatar
Brendan
Posts: 435
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:26 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by Brendan »

Gorgeous photos and awesome adders!! Kudos!
User avatar
krisbell
Posts: 220
Joined: September 12th, 2010, 2:20 pm
Location: Jersey, UK
Contact:

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by krisbell »

Epic post and wonderful photography - you really cleaned up, 5 LATASTES!!! Many thanks for sharing.
User avatar
Bostaff of Asclepius
Posts: 43
Joined: January 29th, 2013, 9:21 am
Location: Central Coast of California

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by Bostaff of Asclepius »

Beautiful photographs, just wonderful stuff! I absolutely love seeing European herps, they are quickly becoming the most interesting herps in the world for me.
sjohn
Posts: 19
Joined: December 10th, 2013, 7:36 am
Location: NC

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by sjohn »

Great post, wonderful photos. As someone who has Ladder Snakes it was nice seeing some in the wild.
NACairns
Posts: 372
Joined: December 30th, 2013, 7:27 am

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by NACairns »

What an amazing post, the diversity of lizards is amazing what sort of project were you doing? Great herps and shots.
Thanks for sharing,
Nick
User avatar
PrimitiveTim
Posts: 154
Joined: September 8th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by PrimitiveTim »

This amazing! Thanks so much for posting!
User avatar
Roki
Posts: 199
Joined: January 23rd, 2012, 10:08 am
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by Roki »

Simply an amazing post. Great pictures, wonderful collection of species sightings, entertaining to follow your adventure through the countryside (landscape shots). Thanks for sharing.
Roki
User avatar
FloridaSerpent
Posts: 85
Joined: October 18th, 2014, 12:12 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by FloridaSerpent »

Really awesome herps in Iberian, especially the Anguis fragilis (Slow Worm), the European Coachwhip (Malpolon monspessalanus) and Vipera seoanei (Baskian Viper) although all of them are gorgeous.
User avatar
mfb
Posts: 275
Joined: June 11th, 2010, 6:06 am
Contact:

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by mfb »

Wonderful post!

Did you notice an unusual smell with the Pelobates?
User avatar
pete
Posts: 745
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:11 pm
Location: cape cod ma.

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by pete »

WOW :shock:
That was AMAZING!!!!!!!
dendrelaphis
Posts: 172
Joined: February 28th, 2014, 12:10 am

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by dendrelaphis »

Amazing pictures and observations, the M. monspessulanus eating a blackbird is awesome!
User avatar
The Real Snake Man
Posts: 405
Joined: June 12th, 2010, 4:08 pm
Location: Pasadena, CA or Mission, TX

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by The Real Snake Man »

Just out of curiosity, would you say that it's fairly easy to find reptile habitat in Europe? You show lots of expansive scenery and wilderness in this post, and yet my (obviously naive) perception of Europe has always been that it is mostly ruins and historic buildings and popular tourism cities and the like. Where in Europe is best for herping (I know that's a broad question)?

-Gene
User avatar
MHollanders
Posts: 583
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 2:32 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by MHollanders »

Thanks= everyone!
NACairns wrote:What an amazing post, the diversity of lizards is amazing what sort of project were you doing? Great herps and shots.
Thanks for sharing,
Nick
Physiological experiments like critical maximum/minimum, respirometry, etc, in order to determine potential environmental constraints/pitfalls related to climate change.
mfb wrote:Wonderful post!

Did you notice an unusual smell with the Pelobates?
No, although rubbing your eyes is not a good idea. In Dutch it is called Garlic Toad.
The Real Snake Man wrote:Just out of curiosity, would you say that it's fairly easy to find reptile habitat in Europe? You show lots of expansive scenery and wilderness in this post, and yet my (obviously naive) perception of Europe has always been that it is mostly ruins and historic buildings and popular tourism cities and the like. Where in Europe is best for herping (I know that's a broad question)?

-Gene
Yes, it's quite easy. These ruins and historic buildings are great for herping. The south is best for herping.
User avatar
Jeroen Speybroeck
Posts: 826
Joined: June 29th, 2011, 1:56 am
Location: Belgium
Contact:

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by Jeroen Speybroeck »

MHollanders wrote:
The Real Snake Man wrote:Where in Europe is best for herping (I know that's a broad question)?/quote]
The south is best for herping.
Also very generally speaking, I'll add that in terms of diversity and abundance Greece is somewhat better than Spain and Spain is better than Italy.
User avatar
walk-about
Posts: 567
Joined: June 14th, 2010, 12:04 pm
Location: 'God's Country' aka western KY
Contact:

Re: Spring 2014: Working the Iberian Peninsula

Post by walk-about »

Matthisjs - WoW! As always. Such splendid specimens and beautifully well framed captures. You always raise the bar with both macro & breath taking panoramic shots. That Portuguese Fire Salamander is really unique. The Iberian Spadefoot and Lataste's Viper I had never seen until this post. They are awesome. Perez's Green Frog another. All so well photographed...Thanks for this epic journey to the Iberian Peninsula.

Dave
Post Reply