Just like every spring (so far, at least), I spent the entire season monitoring herpetofauna in the Sporades through non-systematic, opportunistic surveys. The goal was simple: make new records, search new localities and just find as much herpetofauna as I could. My survey season started by visiting the island of Peristera, where I was able to find a juvenile Caspian whip snake, marking the second ever record of the species there. This was followed by a couple of outings on Alonissos, which produced more whip snakes and all lizard species found on the island. On April 1st, I decided to visit Skiathos for a 3-day monitoring trip. This was one of the more productive trips of the season, yielding several records of Platyceps, Malpolon, Pseudopus and marsh frogs.
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| Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius), Alonissos |
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| Kotschy's gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi), Alonissos |
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| The harbour of Steni Vala |
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| Juvenile Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius), Peristera |
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| Ophrys mammosa |
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| Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), Alonissos |
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| Green underside blue (Glaucopsyche alexis) |
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| Iconic spring sight |
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| SW Alonissos |
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| On the ferry to Skiathos |
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| First find on Skiathos - Dahl's whip snake (Platyceps najadum) |
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| Dahl's whip snake (Platyceps najadum), Skiathos |
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| View from Skiathos to Skopelos |
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| Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) |
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| Habitat on Skiathos |
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| European glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus), Skiathos |
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| European glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus), Skiathos |
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| Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) |
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| Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Skiathos |
During the second half of April, a single outing in search of leopard snakes was made on Alonissos, to now avail. This was quickly followed by a 2-day stay on Skopelos. This was more of a short vacation rather than hardcore herping. As always, a handful of Malpolon were seen in a variety of habitats - Skopelos has insane numbers of them! Other reptiles seen were Erhard's wall lizard, Balkan green lizard, Snake-eyed skink and House gecko. Very few herps were active, likely due to the hot and barren conditions, but a visit to this beautiful island was much needed anyway. Just before the end of April, I also headed to an island of the NMPANS area to check on a viper population.
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| Eastern montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus), Skopelos |
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| Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), Skopelos |
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| Skipper (Spialia orbifer) |
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| Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), NMPANS |
May was busy, so expeditions on Alonissos during the first half of the month were limited to a couple of outings that produced the species already mentioned above for the island, with the addition of Cat snake (Telescopus fallax) and Nose-horned viper (Vipera mmodytes), which were not photographed. During late May, however, my good friend Plato decided to join me for a week-long trip in the Sporades. Our original plan was to survey three islands - Alonissos, Skiathos, and the small islet of Grammeza. As we were unable to find a boat to take us to the latter, we were only able to visit the former two. We spent 3 days on Alonissos, finding all herpetofauna species of the island (incl. Zamenis situla - a long-awaited find and only the third record there!), except Testudo marginata. We also spent 3 days on Skiathos, finding 10 reptile (incl. Hierophis gemonensis and Testudo hermanni - two new records for the island!) and 2 amphibian species. Overall, it was a great week of insular herping, though again, conditions were extremely hot with temps often well over 30 degrees celsius. During that time, dear herper Peter Oefinger also visited Alonissos, who we were able to meet and go on a few outings together - his trip report is available on his website, Eurolizards.
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| Female Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), Alonissos |
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| Female Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), Alonissos |
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| Not-so-horned Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), Alonissos |
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| Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes), 80cm male, Alonissos |
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Carefully handled by an expert - for size reference! |
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Leopard snake (Zamenis situla) - poor lighting conditions, but a beautiful striped individual of a rare species for this island!
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| Leopard snake (Zamenis situla), Alonissos |
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| View from Chora, Alonissos, to Skopelos and satellite islets Agios Georgios and Mikro |
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| European cat snake (Telescopus fallax), Alonissos |
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European cat snake (Telescopus fallax), Alonissos
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| Common blue (Polyommatus icarus) |
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| Balkan whip snake (Hierophis gemonensis), Skiathos |
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| Habitat of Hierophis gemonensis |
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| Female Eastern montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus), Skiathos |
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| Female Eastern montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus), Skiathos |
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| Habitat near Mitikas peak |
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| Dahl's whip snake (Platyceps najadum), Skiathos |
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| More habitat... |
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| Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Skiathos |
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| Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Skiathos |
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| European tree-frog (Hyla arborea), Skiathos |
Species seen
Alonissos (+NMPANS islets):
Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius)
Cat snake (Telescopus fallax)
Leopard snake (Zamenis situla)
Nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes)
Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii)
Kotschy's gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi)
House gecko (Hemidatylus turcicus)
Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
Skopelos:
Eastern montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus)
Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii)
House gecko (Hemidatylus turcicus)
Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
Skiathos:
Eastern montpellier snake (Malpolon insignitus)
Dahl's whip snake (Platyceps najadum)
Balkan whip snake (Hierophis gemonensis)
Four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) DOR
Glass lizard (Pseudopus apodus)
Snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
House gecko (Hemidactylus turicus)
Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)
Herman's tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata)
Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)
European tree-frog (Hyla arborea)
