Between 29th July and 14th August this year I spent one week in Croatia and next one in BiH. Firstly, 5 km toward Varaždin from border between Slovenia and Croatia I found some charming Bombina variegata variegata in road puddle.
Their habitat- about 280 m.a.s.l..
I was looking for Triturus dobrogicus near Varaždin but marshes were dry and I didn't manage to find any pond there- we had to go after one night spent there.
Just heared several escaping lizards or snakes. During stop in way to south I found adult Rana temporaria in leafy forest.
In Biograd na Moru, where I had accomodation for one week several nice arthropods were seen at night on the walls.
Scutigera coleoptrata
Euscorpius sp.
Mantis religiosa
In olive grove close to seashore during sunset You were been able to photograph a lot of Podarcis sicula campestris from relatively short distance due to fact that lizards were catching last rays of sun.
Males
Specimen with regenerating tail.
Subadult
Juvenile
When You were approaching really slowly, You could take photo like this one below.
Cicada and Dysgonia algira from same habitat.
Xylocopa sp. found nearby
Directly on the shore Podarcis sicula campestris were also present.
Sunbathing male:
Same lizard
Running female
Male during sunbath in front of his hide above sea.
Beneath this lizad crabs were living.
At night in Biograd na Moru Erinaceus roumanicus was observed.
One day I managed to flip two young Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis in really narrow zone of wild terrain between road and olive grove.
Habitat
Mantis religiosa found by the way there.
At proper habitat Lacerta trilineata major was found relatively quickly. It was terrain covered with Quercus coccifera or others dwarf oaks and stones. There instead of herps during garbage flipping only one scolopendra that ran away immediately was found.
Habitat
Warning about mines.
Another Lacerta trilineata major I observed near Krka National Park, on the stone by Krka river. It was juvenile specimen and ran into its hide quickly.
Habitat
Podarcis sicula campestris found nearby, probably female.
During a walk on suburbs of Biograd na Moru I heared noises from bush next to cemetery. It was male of Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis, I took him out to take photographs.
Coming back to hide
Next week I was accommodated in Neum. It is the only one city that lays in BiH and has access to sea. Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis is very common there. While one walk on suburbs I heared three turtles. Here is one of them- male.
Eating a fig
Afterwards I went into scrubs where Ameles sp. and unknown Apterygota were photographed.
Near lights of my hotel entrance Hemidactylus turcicus was hunting at night.
In Mostar Dalmatolacerta oxycephala was seen mainly on old walls and roofs.
Adult
Juvenile
Lizard without pattern
Habitat
In Hutovo Blato nature reserve I met adult T. h. hercegovinensis, Natrix natrix persa, Rana dalmatina, Pelophylax ridibundus, Eupholidoptera chabrieri and probably also Natrix natrix natrix.
Pelophylax ridibundus, adults
And juvenile one
The other stuff was observed on land in darkness- apart Hermann's tortoise which I found in the evening. Grass snakes were escaping at once, so I have no photographs of them.
Rana dalmatina
Eupholidoptera chabrieri
Next Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis I observed in a little bit curious habitat- it Was quite steep hillside close to sea.
Male and Adriatic Sea in the background.
Habitat
Fortunately I managed to photograph Lacerta viridis. Lizard was noted on the bank of river in Kravica Waterfalls (near Ljubuški; BiH). It was subadult male from seperate clade which seems to be distinct or closer to bilineata.
Another target- Mauremys rivulata- was realized too. Balkan Terapin was coexisting with Pelophylax ridibundus and introduced Trachemys scripta elegans in rather shallow pond within herpetological protected habitat not far from Dubrovnik. This reserve was created to protect Mauremys rivulata of course.
Juvenile Pelophylax ridibundus
Adult one
Mauremys rivulata, adults
American alien- Trachemys scripta elegans.
Habitat
And finally legendary Proteus anguinus. Intending to photograph olm I visited Vjetrenica that is unknown for tourists in comparsion with Postojna cave. Arrival was full of road serpentines but of course it was worth because I was able to admire olm among its habitat! You could get there only with other tourists and a guide. A lot of puddles where olms would be able to live were dried there- I think that due to higher temperature that is caused by tourism. There was not more than ten of us, but probably due to me asking about Proteus anguinus and flashlighting in potential olm's habitats without results, in the end of track guide took olm from a recess, she well knew where it was. Unfortunately photographs are really failed, because I didn't want to disturb him with light from torch and due to owning not enough time. I managed also to take a short movie that is poor too. In front of the cave there was a group of researchers preparing for expedition. I had a short conversation with one of them- Roman Ozimec- about new species of troglobites he co-discovered- inter alia pseudoscorpions in this cave if I remember rightly.
Its habitat
Unsuccessful movie
In way back, in the midst of croatian lowlands I found Lacerta viridis viridis that escaped immediately and tadpoles of Hyla arborea in untypical habitat- shallow, temporary puddle next to filling station and from the other site relatively close to typical habitat for european tree frog. In my opinion, there were too many specimens, so some of them had to leave and breed in other place. I know it is quite silly explanation, but do You have any other ideas? I'm sorry for tadpole beeing on my finger, but my aquarium for photos was already packed deeply inside trunk.
Habitat
And for the end a pinch of photographs from various cities.
Šibenik- St. James Cathedral
Dubrovnik
Mostar
List of observed, identified species:
Bombina variegata variegata
Hyla arborea arborea
Rana dalmatina
Rana temporaria temporaria
Pelophylax ridibundus
Proteus anguinus anguinus
Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis
Mauremys rivulata rivulata
Lacerta trilineata major
Lacerta viridis
Podarcis sicula campestris
Dalmatolacerta oxycephala
Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus
Natrix natrix natrix
Natrix natrix persa
Greetings
Michał Szkudlarek
