Italian reptiles

[Paul Lambourne]

Bert Vandebosch wrote..

@ Paul and Bobby: Loved to read your reports and see your splendid pictures...

Be careful what you wish for bert

Here are some reptile pictures from the British/European/Swiss, Sicily trip..

Firstly the very robust Podarcis raffonei.. this tick really put me in a quandary, and has caused me a lot of post trip soul searching.. I think this is a great species to observe in the wild, and I am obviously extremely pleased to have this species on my tiny tick list, however I am concerned that this species limited habitat is so small and extremely fragile that any intrusion by herpers must be significantly damaging and unsustainable..more so than any habitat I have visited..

Some pics for Peter as gets so grumpy when he sees them

cool lizard, hot sand

Bobbys second love

a few snakes.. whipsnake, natrix and the damn illusive Italian aesculapian

Wary Ermys

The stunning Podarcis waglerianus

Lastly the very skittish chalcides taken on I phone

skink.jpg (16.57 KiB) Viewed 7944 times

Thanks for looking

Paul

[Daniel Kane]

Love that first Zamenis portrit, Paul. Nice one I was in Regent's Park in April but couldn't see any of the introduced longissimus. Maybe next time..

Looks like you all had a successful trip, hats off to you! Hopefully the island lizards will survive in the long-term. Do you know if there is any conservation work going on for them?

[Paul Lambourne]

Daniel,

I can pm you some site info re the Regents park population if you need it.

As for conservation work, I'm not sure what could be done except banning access to the islands. Being largely composed of volcanic ash, they are so fragile that herpers moving around must cause irreparable damage. I presume the vegetation is the result of wind blown seed and is sparse and shallow rooted..very easily disturbed.

The island we visited had a total surface area of under an acre.. ridiculously small.

Cheers

Paul

[Daniel Kane]

It does sound pretty precarious for the lizards. I wonder if there is a captive population anywhere, in case the worst should happen. IUCN estimates are <1000 individuals in a few isolated populations and, as you say, they have a ridiculously small range so any disturbance could have massive consequences.

Thanks for the offer of info; I had a look both in and outside of ZSL grounds, but the rain while I was there didn't help. It's fairly well publicised where the snakes are mainly found but it would be nice to go back for a 2nd attempt some time. I will pm you.

[Peter Oefinger]

Some pics for Peter as gets so grumpy when he sees them

Paul, you better have a look under your car before you start the engine next time...

[GertJan Verspui]

Perfect Paul, love the lizards, you deserve a yellow label for this and then have an other one, because the future photos will be even better, European kisses...

[Paul Lambourne]

Paul, you better have a look under your car before you start the engine next time.

Peter, In my line of work checking under cars is nothing new I dont know why your so bothered, they are only lizards..its not like they are cool like vipers or salamanders..

Gert Jan, Lipton yellow label.. the nectar of the gods!! I bath in the stuff..it keeps me young and uber sexy..

[Peter Oefinger]

In my line of work checking under cars is nothing new

Damn, I forgot...
But I cool pictures of raffonei and also the orange snouted natrix!

[Laura Bok]

Wow, those are some very beautiful animals and pictures of them! Congrats!
Cheers,
Laura

[GertJan Verspui]

Gert Jan, Lipton yellow label.. the nectar of the gods!! I bath in the stuff..it keeps me young and uber sexy.

And there is proof of that...