Amphibian and Reptiles from the Balearic Islands

The spur-thighed tortoise (or Greek tortoise) (Testudo graeca) is one of the 5 species of Mediterranean tortoise (genus Testudo and Agrionemys, family Testudinidae). The other four species are the Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Russian tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldii), Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni), and marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata). The spur-thighed tortoise is a very long lived animal, achieving a lifespan of up less ↑

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), also known as the red-eared terrapin, is a semiaquatic turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. It is a subspecies of the pond slider. It is the most popular pet turtle in the United States and is also popular as a pet in the rest of the world. It has, therefore, become the most commonly traded turtle in the world. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico,... less ↑

The yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) is a land and water turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. This subspecies of pond slider is native to the southeastern United States, specifically from Florida to southeastern Virginia, and is the most common turtle species in its range. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including slow-moving rivers, floodplain swamps, marshes, seasonal wetlands, and permanent ponds. Yellow-bellied sliders are popular as pets. less ↑

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle of the family Chelydridae. Its natural range extends from southeastern Canada, southwest to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, as far east as Nova Scotia and Florida. This species and the larger alligator snapping turtles are the only Macrochelys species in this family found in North America (though the common snapping turtle, as its name implies, is much more widespread). less ↑

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to 280 cm (110 in) have been discovered. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (298 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb). The skin range less ↑

The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle or Pacific green turtle, is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it is also found in the Indian Ocean. The common name comes from the usually green fat... less ↑

The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle or leathery turtle or simply the luth, is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth-heaviest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell, hence the name. Instead, its carapace is co less ↑

Tarentola mauritanica is a species of gecko (Gekkonidae) native to the western Mediterranean area of Northwestern Africa and Europe and widely introduced to America and Asia. It is commonly observed on walls in urban environments, mainly in warm coastal areas. However, it can be found further inland, especially in Spain. A robust species, up to 150 millimetres long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance. less ↑

The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) (not to be confused with the Asian species Hemidactylus frenatus known as common house gecko) is a small gecko common to the Mediterranean which has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the "Moon Lizard" because it emerges in the evening. A study in Portugal found H. turcicus to be totally nocturnal,... less ↑

The Moroccan rock lizard (Teira perspicillata) is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family. Its classification is uncertain and it has been placed in the genera Teira, Podarcis, Lacerta or Scelarcis. It is found in Algeria and Morocco and has been introduced to the island of Menorca in Spain. Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, sea coasts and urban areas. less ↑

The Majorcan midwife toad (Alytes muletensis) (also Mallorcan midwife toad or ferreret in Balearic Catalan and Spanish) is a frog in the family Alytidae (formerly Discoglossidae). It is endemic to the Balearic Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea. An example of Lazarus taxon, the species was first described from fossil remains in 1977, but living animals were discovered in 1979. less ↑

The Perez's frog, also known as Iberian waterfrog, Iberian green frog, or Coruna frog (Pelophylax perezi) is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is native to southern France, Portugal, Spain, and has been introduced to the Azores, Madeira, the Canary and Balearic Islands, and the United Kingdom (two sites); in the Iberian Peninsula it is widespread and common, as evidenced by its Spanish name rana común ("common frog"). less ↑

The Mediterranean tree frog or stripeless tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) is a species of frog found in Europe. It resembles the European tree frog (H. arborea), but is larger (some females are up to 65 millimetres (2.6 in) long), has longer hind legs, and the flank stripe only reaches to the front legs (often starting at the eyes, not at the nostrils). The croaking resembles that of H. arborea, but it is deeper and slower. less ↑