Reptiles of Malta

[josefg]

This is a collection of pictures of the reptiles found in Malta. These pictures were collected from several web sites, and are copy-righted by the respective owners. I don't claim the ownership of any of these pics.

So let's start with the snakes:

Coluber algirus (Algerian Whip Snake)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469algerian1.jpg

Telescopus fallax (Cat Snake)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469cat1.jpg

Coluber viridiflavus (Western Whip Snake)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469westerwhip1.jpg

Elaphe situla (Leopard rat snake)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469leopard1.jpg

[josefg]

Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Mediterranean Chamaeleon)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469cham1.jpg

another pic
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469cham2.jpg

[josefg]

Tarentola mauritanica (Moorish Gecko)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469moorish1.jpg

Hemidactylus turcicus (Turkish Gecko)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469turkish1.jpg

[josefg]

Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated Skink)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469skink1.jpg

[josefg]

Malitensis Generalensis (Maltese Wall Lizard)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469lizard1.jpg

[ReneeB]

OMG ok so now I want some fo those Cat Snakes and Western Whip Snakes!!!!

Oh and those geckos are nice too :)

thx Josef!

[josefg]

Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469green1.jpg

Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Turtle)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469logger1.jpg

Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Turtle)
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/469leather1.jpg


Thanks for keeping up with me.

[Big Mike]

Very cool...thanks Josefg

I like the western whip snake.

[josefg]

The western whip is the most common snake on the Maltese Islands. In fact, most people think that it is the only snake found in here as the others are not so common.

My favourite snake is the Leopard Rat Snake. I wish I could get a 1.1 pair.

[Shane Tesser]

Nice Josef....thats for sharing with us....are you currently keeping any of the native snakes there...or are any of them protected?

[josefg]

I am sure that the chamaleon and the skink are protected. Am not sure about the others. I don't keep any native species (I still have to encounter a Leopard rat snake ;)) if you don't count the Turkish gecko roaming on the roof

[Christina]

Awesome Joseph! Definately would be worth a trip just to go pic hunting!!
OH yeah I saved my 50th post just for you! :)
Christina

[josefg]

LOL, thanks Christina for the honour. You'll always remember the Maltese reptiles now because of your 50th post ;)

[Zhakrin]

LOL,

I rarely get down to the states, so it seems I will wait for my next trip back to Malta to go snake collection (or pic hunting).

LOL consider herperculture is not very big there I am sure to get a few weird looks as I walk around with my snake stick.

I remember the geckos and wall lizards, they were everywhere in Qurendi and Zurrieq..(as a kid i hated the geckos but liked the lizards).

PS I forget but am I right that there are no posionious herps in Malta? Also any herps specifically found on Gozo or Cumino (sp?)

Thanks

[SilverTongue]

Truely awesome pics!

[josefg]

Hey Zhakrin you are right man. There are no venomous reptiles in Malta.

There are no specific reptiles that are found in any one of the islands of the Maltese Archipelago. i.e. all of them are found in each island. The only difference you find is on the lizard's coloration. The most common lizard, is found on Malta, Gozo and Comino and is green in colour (the one in the pic). On Filfa (an uninhabited small island that is located near Zurrieq), the lizard is black in color with black spots. Another color variant is found of the General's Rock, another uninhabited island near Gozo. This one is red in color.

All of these are just color variants, not another sub species. Also, I think that that lizard is endemic to the Maltese Islands. However I am not about 100% sure about that.

[wonder_chunky]

oh....my....god....chameleons!!!!
im moving to malta dude....make room for me!

[josefg]

I'll let you live on the roof Ryan, together with the Turskish gecko ;)

[Zhakrin]

LOL hey Josef you mean several dozen geckos, lizards and a few snakes.

Malta is a lively place.

[josefg]

Well I wish i had some wild snakes on my roof. I would just put up a tent and stay there. ;)

[derek]

very nice pics i love the loggerhead turtle

[fifo]

they are alright