Southern Portugal part IV (final part)

[Andreas Thorbeck]

The hilly landscape around Mertola simply invites you to go hiking...

Yes, I can and do bite! (Scolopendra cingulata)

Exploring another quiet river valley...

Another pair of Psammodromus

Actually we were searching for turtles when we found this little fellow under a stone. It`s an American Procambus clarkii, I guess.
This species is spreading all over Europe being a danger to the local species...

Procambarus clarkii (?)

And here they are: The first turtle pictures!

Mauremys leprosa

Basking...

And as usual, it was my wife who was able to catch the first Mauremys...
Later on we were able to catch some more of these shy animals - in different sizes!

Gotcha!

Unfortunately we couldn`t find any Emys orbicularis - The ratio between Mauremys and Emys in Southern Portugal is said to be 10:1 ...

Turtlespotting is tiring!

So this is the end of my little report - I hope I didn`t bore you too much...

[Jürgen Gebhart]

Very nice reoport!!
In this two short trips you made more flower and landscape pics as I made in 20 Fieldtrips before!
Maybe I have to change something!
Thank you very much for sharing!!!!

[Peter Oefinger]

Hi Andreas,
thanks for sharing. Your report reminds me of my trip to southern Portugal in 2008: In that area, there are six lizard species and two skinks but the only species to be seen everywhere is Psammodromus algirus - so herping can be frustrating sometimes ...but congratulations for the Chamaeleon!
Regards
Peter