Crete is the fifth largest Mediterranean island, and the largest in Greece. This island covers an area of 8,450 km2, and is renowned as a biodiversity hotspot, hosting several endemic species of plants, mammals, insects and even reptiles and amphibians, thanks to its prolonged isolation. Two endemic reptile species, one endemic amphibian, and a few endemic subspecies of both classes live on Crete. However, as is usual for an 'older' island, the total number of species is only 14, despite Crete's huge size.
Up until late February 2025, I had never visited Crete for naturalism-related reasons. I had gotten rather sick of Athens after this long, never-ending winter, so I decided to do some vacation in Crete, where I would visit the Natural History Museum of Crete and check on some specimens that were of interest. The forecast was also not looking too terrible, so why not try to find some herpetofauna while at it? I stayed at Herakleion, so seeing the endemic Cretan wall lizard (Podarcis cretensis) was not possible unless I traveled further west. My primary goal was getting a Cretan Hierophis, which differ a lot from mainland populations.
Unfortunately the weather turned out to be rainy, windy and rather cold during the first half of my stay, but gradually got better with temps up to 18C and occasional cloud cover later on. I managed to see half of the island's herpetofauna, with only a single snake, a young Hierophis which managed to escape. Reptiles were largely inactive, perhaps due to the early season. Even sightings of Lacerta were scarce and limited to juveniles. Looking back, I regret not trying to see the Cretan water frog (Pelophylax cretensis)...
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| Boarding at Piraeus |
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| Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) above its typical rocky habitat |
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| Giant orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum) in an olive grove |
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| House gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) on the left, Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) on the right |
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| Ocellated skinks (Chalcides ocellatus) were abundant in the olive groves |
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| Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) |
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| A huge Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) |
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| Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) |
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| In Almyros gorge, an abundance of livestock likely supports the local vulture population |
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| The xeric uplands are full of tree spurge (Euphorbia dendroides) |
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| Not a Cretan kri-kri, unfortunately |
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| Almyros gorge is covered by lots of large carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua) |
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| A not very reliable breeding spot of Green toad (Bufotes viridis) |
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| Typical Herakleion olive grove |
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| Ocellated skinks (Chalcides ocellatus) |
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| More olive groves |
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| View of Herakleion from one of the nearby hills |
Although this was not a herping trip, I was glad to scout the Herakleion area for potential revisits in the future. I also visited the villages of Knossos, Skalani, Arkalohori and Kastelli. Crete is a beautiful and diverse island with great, hospitable people! An organized herpetological trip there is now part of my plans. Special thanks to Petros Lymberakis for allowing me to see the NHMC collection.
Species seen
Balkan terrapin (Mauremys rivulata)
Balkan whip snake (Hierophis gemonensis)
Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)
House gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)
Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus)
Green toad (Bufotes viridis)
