Amhibians & Reptiles

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Bulgaria is inhabited by 20 species of amphibians and 35 species of reptiles and the biggest majority of them are represented by healthy populations, thus being among the richest European countries in terms of herpetology. Many of the species that occur here can be seen only in that part of the continent.

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List of the Bulgarian herpetofauna

Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)

Alpine Newt (Mesotriton alpestris)

Northern Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)

Danube Crested Newt (Triturus dobrogicus)

Southern Crested Newt (Triturus karelinii)

Balkan-Anatolian crested newt (Triturus ivanbureschi)

European Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina)

Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata)

Common Spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus)

Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates syriacus)

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

European Green Toad (Bufo viridis)

European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea)

Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)

Greek Stream Frog (Rana graeca)

Common Frog (Rana temporaria)

Edible Frog (Pelophylax kl. esculentus)

Pool Frog (Pelophylax lessonae)

Eurasian Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)

Balkan Pond Turtle (Mauremys rivulata)

European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)

Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)

Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)

Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Kotschy’s Gecko (Cyrtopodion kotschyi)

Turkish Gecko (Mediodactylus turcicus)

European Legless Lizard (Pseudopus apodus)

Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)

European Copper Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

Meadow Lizard (Darevskia praticola)

Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis)

Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata)

Erhard’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii)

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis tauricus)

Snake-eyed Lizard (Ophisops elegans)

Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

European Blind Snake (Typhlops vermicularis)

Javelin Sand Boa (Eryx jaculus)

Caspian Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius)

Dahl’s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum)

Red Whip Snake (Platyceps collaris)

European Ratsnake (Zamenis situla)

Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus)

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata)

Blotched Snake (Elaphe sauromates)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata)

Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)

European Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax)

Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes)

Common European Adder (Vipera berus)

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Which species could be seen in Eminska Mountain?

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Eminska Mountain is a significant biocorridor for the distribution of thermophilic reptilian and amphibian species including : Blotched Snake (Elaphe sauromates), European Ratsnake (Elaphe situla), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Spur-Thigh Tortoise (Testudo graeca), and European Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina).

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There are 4 reptiles of global significance, included in IUCN Red list: European Ratsnake (Zamenis situla), European Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), Spur-tailed tortoise (Testudo hermanni), and Spur-thigh tortoise (Testudo graeca). Populations of both tortoise species have diminished significantly during recent decades because of intensive collection for food. Nevertheless, their habitats remain intact, with excellent conditions for the restoration of both species. Due to the high diversity of reptile and amphibian species, the region of Eminska Mountain has been proposed as an “Important Herpetological Area.” .

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Near the Tortoise centre can be seen the following species:

Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

European Green Toad (Bufotes viridis group)

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea)

Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)

Eurasian Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)

Kotschy’s Gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi danilevskii)

European Copper Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)

Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis)

European Legless Lizard (Pseudopus apodus)

Meadow Lizard (Darevskia praticola pontica)

Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis/meridionalis)

Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis tauricus)

Caspian Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius)

Red Whip Snake (Platyceps collaris)

Blotched Snake (Elaphe sauromates)

Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus)

European Ratsnake (Zamenis situla)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata)

Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes montandoni)