Golden-striped Salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica)
juvenile
juvenile, with my hand for scale!
upland forest stream Chioglossa habitat
Chioglossa habitat
all photos Fragas do Eume, Galicia
A speciality of north-western Spain and adjacent Portugal, this rare species is a miniature gem and unmistakable once seen.
I'm very grateful to the staff at Fragas do Eume for pointing me in the right direction to see these beautiful creatures. In the right habitat, they can be quite common. That said, they are very wary and extremely quick to disappear when uncovered, dividing into burrows in the forest soil.
I'm very grateful to the staff at Fragas do Eume for pointing me in the right direction to see these beautiful creatures. In the right habitat, they can be quite common. That said, they are very wary and extremely quick to disappear when uncovered, dividing into burrows in the forest soil.
Alpine Newt (Triturus alpinus)
Triturus habitat, Fuente De, Picos de Europa, Cantabria
Despite its name, the Alpine Newt is one of the most widely distributed newts in Europe, although in Spain it is strictly limited to the Cantabrian mountains and a presumably-introduced population in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Bizarrely, the species is absent from the Pyrenees.
The Alpine Newt is similar in size to the Common and Palmate Newts but has a distinctive colouration - dark above and uniformly bright orange underneath.
In the mountains, it favours clear pools above the treeline, like the one shown, where it breeds in spring.
The Alpine Newt is similar in size to the Common and Palmate Newts but has a distinctive colouration - dark above and uniformly bright orange underneath.
In the mountains, it favours clear pools above the treeline, like the one shown, where it breeds in spring.
Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus)
The Palmate Newt is one of three widespread Triturus in Western Europe. In Spain, it is restricted to the north.
Palmate Newts are very similar the Common Newt and can be difficult to differentiate when not in their breeding colouration. They are more delicately coloured and lack a deep hollow between the eye and nostril. Palmate Newts are generally smaller as well.
Like their cousins, Palmate Newts live a largely terrestrial life, only returning to water to breed in the spring. I uncovered this individual under a damp log in a forest during in August.
Palmate Newts are very similar the Common Newt and can be difficult to differentiate when not in their breeding colouration. They are more delicately coloured and lack a deep hollow between the eye and nostril. Palmate Newts are generally smaller as well.
Like their cousins, Palmate Newts live a largely terrestrial life, only returning to water to breed in the spring. I uncovered this individual under a damp log in a forest during in August.
Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Fragas do Eume, Galicia
A familiar creature to many, the Common Toad is Europe's most widely-distributed amphibian and can be found across Spain, including at high altitudes.
Its large size and oblique paratoid glands help identify from other species in the area.
Its large size and oblique paratoid glands help identify from other species in the area.
Rana temporaria (Common Frog)
The Common Frog is a common and widespread amphibian of northern and central Europe. In Spain it has a much more restricted range and can only be found in the far north. Here it can be common though, especially at higher altitudes in the mountains, where the cooler climate makes it feel more at home!
Iberian Frog (Rana iberica)
juvenile
juvenile
juvenile, Lago de_____________, Asturias
Fragas do Eume, Galicia
As its name suggests, this frog is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. It is most widespread in Galicia and adjacent Portugal, with two outying populations in the Cordillera Cantabrica.
The Iberian Frog is very similar to the Common Frog, especially in colouration. Morphological features are the best way to separate them, with the Iberian Frog having usually longer hind legs, more extensively-webbed feet and more widely-spaced dorsolateral folds.
I need to double-check these photos to see if I've identified them correctly!
The Iberian Frog is very similar to the Common Frog, especially in colouration. Morphological features are the best way to separate them, with the Iberian Frog having usually longer hind legs, more extensively-webbed feet and more widely-spaced dorsolateral folds.
I need to double-check these photos to see if I've identified them correctly!
Iberian Water Frog (Rana perezi)
As the common name alludes to, this bright green frog is strongly attached to water and rarely strays far from it. It has a bizarre front-heavy appearance with a robust head.
Rana perezi is found across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in southern France.
Rana perezi is found across the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in southern France.