Check list of amphibians and reptiles occurring in Cyprus
Felix Baier and David J. Sparrow B.Sc (Hons), PhD, APVS
Amphibians
Cyprus is home to three species of amphibians in three different families, listed here:
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Family: Bufonidae (True toads)
Bufo viridis LAURENTI, 1768 sensu lato (GreenToad)
(It is possible that the scientific name will be established as Bufo variabilis in the near future)
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Family: Hylidae (Tree frogs)
Hyla savignyi AUDOUIN, 1827 (Lemon-yellow Tree Frog, Savigny’s
Tree Frog)
(Some anecdotic information on these tree frogs may be found here)
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Family: Ranidae (True frogs)
Pelophylax cf. bedriagae CAMERANO, 1882 (Cyprus
Marsh Frog)
Very recent comprehensive testing has indicated that there are marked differences (biochemical and bioacoustic evidence) between marsh frogs from Cyprus (Pelophylax cf. bedriagae or Rana cf. bedriage) and the surrounding areas, implying its description as a new species endemic to Cyprus.
Snakes
Eight species of snake in three families occur on Cyprus. In addition there are three further species that have been sighted in the past, with some very recent records from the northern part of the island, but it is unclear if breeding populations of these species are present. All eleven species are listed below.
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Family: Typhlopidae (Blind snakes)
Typhlops vermicularis MERREM, 1820 (Worm Snake)
This adapted image is licensed under the
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Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Typhlops_vermicularis.jpg
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Family: Colubridae (Common snakes)
Dolichophis jugularis jugularis (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Large
Whip Snake)
Hemorrhois nummifer (REUSS, 1834) (Coin Snake)
Hierophis cypriensis (SCHÄTTI, 1985) (Cyprus
Whip Snake)
The Cyprus whip snake is the only endemic snake at the species level, It faces a very uncertain future. The plight of these snakes has been recognised and the EU has given a LIFE grant of € 1.2 million to the Department of the Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment towards the conservation, of amongst others, this species and the Cyprus grass snake...
Malpolon insignitus ssp. (GEOFFROY in SAVIGNY, 1827) (Eastern Montpellier
Snake)
This snake is venomous. It is rear fanged so, even in the case of a bite on a person, envenomation is unlikely to occur. The Montpellier snake is very shy and reclusive and is likely to flee if approached. However in the highly unlikely case of a bite from this snake, medical attention is recommended.
Natrix natrix cypriaca (Hecht,
1930) (Cyprus Grass
Snake)
The Cyprus grass snake, is an endemic subspecies.
The Cyprus grass snake was thought to be extinct by the early 1960s, but was rediscovered in 1992. Although populations then appeared to be sustainable, there has been a dramatic reduction in numbers in recent years (population size in 2008 measured at around 90 surviving individuals), with a threat of a permanent extinction this time round! The plight of these snakes has been recognised and the EU has given a LIFE grant of € 1.2 million to the Department of the Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment towards the conservation, of amongst others, this subspecies and the Cyprus whip snake,
Telescopus fallax cyprianus (FLEISCHMANN, 1831) (European
Cat Snake)
The European cat snake is an endemic subspecies.
This snake is mildly venomous. It is rear fanged so, even in the case of a bite on a person, envenomation is unlikely to occur.
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Family: Viperidae (Vipers)
Macrovipera lebetina lebetina (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Blunt-nosed
Viper)
The Blunt-nosed viper is an endemic subspecies.
It is highly venomous and, although the snake is not naturally aggressive towards humans, many bites are inflicted on people each year. The problem is that the snake is very well camouflaged in its natural habitat and is difficult to see, even to a trained eye. It is also an ambush predator and will not normally flee if approached. Most bites occur when the snake is accidentally touched, e.g. when gardening or trodden on. If bitten, medical attention should be obtained as soon as possible, although there is adequate time to get the victim to a hospital since the venom acts slowly. Fortunately, fatalities from Blunt-nosed viper bites are extremely rare.
Snakes whose occurrence requires further confirmation:
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Family: Colubridae (Common snakes)
Eirenis levantinus SCHMIDTLER, 1993 (Levantine Dwarf Snake)
Natrix tessellata (LAURENTI, 1768) (Dice Snake)
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Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Natrix_tessellata_Rheinland-Pfalz_02.jpg
Platyceps najadum (EICHWALD, 1831) (Dahl’s Whip Snake)
Lizards
Cyprus has eleven species of lizards in five families as follows::
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Family: Lacertidae (True lizards)
Acanthodactylus schreiberi schreiberi BOULENGER, 1878 (Spiny-footed
Lizard)
The Spiny-footed lizard is an endemic subspecies.
Ophisops elegans schlueteri BOETTGER, 1880 (Snake-eyed
Lizard)
The Snake-eyed lizard is an endemic subspecies.
Phoenicolacerta troodica (WERNER, 1936) (Troodos
Lizard)
The Troodos lizard is an endemic species.
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Family: Scincidae (Skinks)
Ablepharus budaki budaki GÖCMEN et.al, 1996 (Budak’s
Snake-eyed Skink)
Chalcides ocellatus ocellatus (FORSSKÅL, 1775) (Ocellated
Skink)
This adapted image is licensed under the
Creative Commons
Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chalcides_ocellatus-01_%28xndr%29.jpg
Eumeces schneiderii schneiderii (DAUDINpan>, 1802) (Spotted
Skink)
The Spotted skink is an endemic subspecies.
Trachylepis vittata (OLIVER, 1804) (Striped Skink)
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Family: Gekkonidae (Geckos)
Cyrtopodion kotschyi fitzingeri (STÉPANEK,
1937) (Kotschy’s
Gecko)
The Kotschy’s gecko is an endemic subspecies.
Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Turkish
Gecko)
This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hemidactylus_turcicus.jpg
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Family: Agamidae (Agamas)
Laudakia stellio cypriaca (Daan,
1967) (Starred
Agama)
The Starred agama is an endemic subspecies.
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Family: Chamaeleonidae (Chameleon)
Chamaeleo chamaeleon recticrista (BÖTTGER, 1880) (European Chameleon)
Turtles, terrapins and tortoises
Another order within the traditional class of Reptilia is the Testudines (turtles, terrapins and tortoises). Although there are tortoises on the island, these are not native and have been introduced through the pet trade. The most common tortoise found is Testudo graeca (the Spur-thighed or Greek Tortoise). Cyprus has one native fresh water terrapin and two marine turtles that visit the island for nesting. These are listed below:
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FamiFamily: Cheloniidae (Hard-shelled turtles)
Caretta caretta (LINNAEUS, 1758)(Loggerhead Turtle)
The Loggerhead turtle is recognised as an endangered species and active conservation programmes are in place on the beaches in both the northern and southern parts of the island.
This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Loggerhead_sea_turtle.jpg
Chelonia mydas (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Green Turtle)
The Green turtle is recognised as an endangered species and active conservation programmes are in place on the beaches in both the northern and southern parts of the island.
This image is licensed under the
Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Green_turtle_swimming_over_
coral_reefs_in_Kona.jpg
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Family: Geoemydidae (Asian river turtles)
Mauremys rivulata (VALENCIENNES, 1833) (Balkan Terrapin)
The Balkan terrapin is highly endangered and may be all but extinct on the southern part of the island, mainly as a result of specimens being removed from the wild and put into the pet trade.
This page and photographs (except where indicated otherwise) are copyright © Felix Baier & David Sparrow, 2011, All Rights Reserved.
