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Habitat of S. salamandra.

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Salamanders live in wet habitats such as wet forest. They live close to small water bodies where their larvae develop. Salamanders spend most of the time hiding in fallen leaves or on mossy tree trunks, or other objects.
Personal photo, taken in North Croatia, March 2019

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V. ammodytes habitat.

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Vipera ammodytes lives in dry, rocky habitats with sparse vegetation.  The habitat of this Viper was on the edge of a human settlement (farm) and a rare forest nearby. It was found basking on a pile of stones which used to be a drywall between farmland,

Personal photo, taken in Dalmatia (Croatia) March 2019

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N. tessellata habitat.

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Natrix: Natrix tessellata lives close to ponds, lakes and streams where it mostly feeds on fish species.

Personal photo, taken in Dalmatia (Croatia) March 2019

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North parts of Europe are more affected by climate change (cold periods), meanig that they have a higher impact on the local fauna. Reduced living space, food shortages and reduced heat have led to a decrease in biodiversity with animals migrating to the south for better animal conditions. The three peninsulas have created a geographical bottleneck for animal species where they could find the best living conditions and increase biodiversity. The change in these warmer and colder periods has affected the greater biodiversiof Southern Europe.

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Croatia has 41 species of reptiles, and 20 species of amphibians. The  warmer mediterranean region has a higher diversity of reptile species, while the colder Continental-mountain region has higher diversity of amphibian species for the herpetofauna of Croatia.

Jelić, D., Kuljerić, M., Koren, T., Treer, D., Šalamon, D., Lončar, M., Podnar Lešić, M., Janev Hutinec, B., Bogdanović, T., Mekinić, S., Jelić, K., 2015. Crvena knjiga vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske. Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i prirode, Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - Hyla, Zagreb

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Proteus anguinus (Laurenti, 1768), or the "Olm"  is a endemic and aquatic species in the Dinaric mountains . It is the only exclusively cave dwelling vertebrate species.  The croatian term form the Olm is "Čovječja ribica" which translates to "human fish" for its pale color of skin. The skin color is one species adaptation for the environment in the underground habitat. Other adaptations include reduced eyes, keeping its larval characteristics such as gills. On the national level the Olm in categorized as endangered species (EN).
One of the main reasons for its conservation status is destroying of Karts habitats where the olm lives. Bad waste management, pesticides and other pollutants are reasons for pollution of waters and underground waters which have a negative effect on the olm habitat.

SOURCE:
Jelić, D., Kuljerić, M., Koren, T., Treer, D., Šalamon, D., Lončar, M., Podnar Lešić, M., Janev Hutinec, B., Bogdanović, T., Mekinić, S., Jelić, K., 2015. Crvena knjiga vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske. Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i prirode, Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - Hyla, Zagreb

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Unusual distribution of the Caspian whip snake

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Unusual distribution of the Caspian whip snake

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The Caspian whip snake (Dolichophis caspius (Gmelin, 1789) is a rare snake species in Croatia. It occurs only on a few, very separeted places in Croatia. In continental Croatia it only occurs on the east national border on the Danube river where a few populations live. In the neighbouring countries, Serbia and Hungary, this species is also present and more abundant also.

The  other populations in Croatia are in the Adriatic sea. The first is on Lastovo island (and some smaller islands nearby), while the other is on Olib Island. (see map for refernce, from top to bottom: Danube, Olib, Lastovo).

There are doubts that the Lastovo and Olib population are indigenous. These populations are related to the Montenegro population of the whip snake (South of Croatia), but scientists today belive that they were brouth (accidental) on these two islands.

SOURCE:
Jelić, D., Kuljerić, M., Koren, T., Treer, D., Šalamon, D., Lončar, M., Podnar Lešić, M., Janev Hutinec, B., Bogdanović, T., Mekinić, S., Jelić, K., 2015. Crvena knjiga vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske. Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i prirode, Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - Hyla, Zagre

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The snake eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (BIBRON & BORY ST-VINCENT, 1833) is a thermophilic species of lizards of the familiy Scindidae (Skinks), and the only skink species  in Croatia and in Europe! The are only found in two localities in Croatia, on Papuk mountain and near the city of Ilok (both in continental Croatia). The species is very selective about their  (micro) habitat so it is found on a very narrow area. Its habitat include dry/warm forest and stepp habitat. It is the smallest lizard species in Croatia, with a maximum lenght to 12 cm (with tail!) and very small legs. When in danger it puts its legs to its body and escapes like a Slowworm (Anguis fragilis) and hides in vegetation of litter. Its name comes from the medical (latin) term Ablepharia (the lack of eyelids) and the Hungarian botanist Pal Kitaibela.

Both populations are in decline in Croatia, and the species is endagered (EN) according to the IUCN criteria.

SOURCE:
Szövényi, G., Jelić, D., 2011. Distribution and conservation status of snake eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii Bibron & Bory, 1833) in Croatia. North-Western Journal of Zoology 7, 20–25.

Kolarić, A., 2013. Morfološke značajke, spolni dimorfizam i reprodukcija ivanjskog rovaša (Ablepharus kitaibelii Bibron et Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) u Hrvatskoj (master thesis). Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Zagreb.

Jelić, D., Kuljerić, M., Koren, T., Treer, D., Šalamon, D., Lončar, M., Podnar Lešić, M., Janev Hutinec, B., Bogdanović, T., Mekinić, S., Jelić, K., 2015. Crvena knjiga vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske. Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i prirode, Hrvatsko herpetološko društvo - Hyla, Zagreb

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Pelobates fuscus inhabits different habitats close to water bodies, including forests and their edges, steppes and meadows, but it can also be found on sands or steppes. Habitats are situates close to the Sava, Drava, Mura and Danube rivers in Continental Croatia.

The Spadefoot toad diggs holes in the soft ground or it hides in holes made by other animals. During the day it hides and waits for better conditions, and then it comes out during the night, especially when it is wet. It digs with his hind legs (with metatarsal turbucles)  and once in ground moves the loosened soil with his forelegs to close the entrance.

Once attacked it secretes a devensice mucus which smells like garlic. Therefore it has got its local Croatian name Češnjača, which loosely translates to „Garlic frog.

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Podarcis melisellensis, (Dalmatian Wall Lizard) is a lizard species which inhabits the Dalmatian coast  and some islands. On the Island Brusnik (tal. Melisello) there lives a small population  of P. melisellensis melisellensis subpecies. The lizards of that population have black body coloraton, which is not so usual for P. melisellensis. Researches have explored the island many time, and think that the lizards adopted their coloration to the dark eruptive stones on the island, so they can hide in the environment better.

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Regardless of the position, all people should care for the conservation of reptiles (and all animals!) and the sustainability of the environment. Different roles in society (politician, scientist or civil society) should work together for the benefit of nature. Opinions from scientist should always be heard and put first if there are strong evidence for some problem. Politicians should plead for better regulation of conservation measures and laws and protection of flora and fauna, while civil society should educate themselves how to they can help to better the environment.

Thirty nine percent of reptiles in Malagasy are threatenedwith extinction, which is a really high part of their nature so actions should be taken immediately. Areas with a high number of threatened species should be considered to become a protected area (National Parks, Nature park…). Habitats for endangered species should be taken care of and also granted a conservation measure, so that these species can renew their number. If the species has a serious low number, ex-situ breeding should be considered.
Harvesting should be regulated so that critical part of the animal niches aren't disturbed. Wood and crops should be taken in a sustainable manner so that people have enough resources that to live, and the animals aren't harmed.
Illegal trade of animals should be more regulated. More frequent border controls should be applied, and the civil society should be educated about the damages these pet trades can cause to the environment.

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Local voluntary organizations are very important today because their contribution can significantly help the environment.

My idea for a local volunteer organization would aim for the protection and benefit of important local habitats for herpetofauna. People today want to protect the flora and fauna, but sometimes they don't view nature as a whole system. From primary producers to top predators, all species are important, and all species need their habitat. The organization would raise awareness about their local herpetofauna with emphasis on their habitat and what destroys them. People would learn all the factors which reduce their population and what the consequences are. Also, they would learn that they aren't evil creatures, but that they are useful for the environment, important parts of the ecosystem and useful bioindicators.

The second part of the organization (except the educational part) would be the research and fieldwork. Local habitats would be inspected and their health assessed with local ENGO-s and environmental organisations. Cleaning field trips would be arranged if the habitat has a lot of trash.

The frogs could be recorded in their breeding periods and protected in their migration, so they don't end up as road kills. Local herpetofauna hotspot and black spots could be recorded via citizen science apps on mobile phones. Sightings of invasive species and well as certain diseases would be record no informed. All this information could create a basis for e advanced scientific research and better quality management of the environment.

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In some parts of Croatia, the habitat is seriously fragmented while only a small percent of the original habitat is still there. They are covered in farmland which make them unsuted for wild animals. While these countrysides are diverse, fragmentation stops the animals from changing local habitats.

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Fragmented habitats in Continental Croatia

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The red eyed slider (Trachemys scripta) is more aggressive than local species. It chooses better habitats, basking spots and resources, thus making it a better competitor than the other turtle species. Significant drops in local fauna have been noted in places where the red eyes slider is found.

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A lot of contries (reports) show similar threats to herpetofauna. Habitat fragmentation, degaradation all influence other countries in some measure. One other similarity are the invasive species. Other countries also report the invasise Trachemys scripta, and lithobates catesbeianus, and the dangerous fungi

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Bad management and lack of awareness in the goverment seems to be a important factor for the improvment od herpetofaunas habitat.