Maltese Reptiles and Amphibians

The study of reptiles and amphibians is known as HERPETOLOGY, a word derived from the Greek "herpetos" meaning "to creep". Reptiles and amphibians are not numerous on the Maltese Islands numbering only ten terrestial species. Three of these are thought to have been introduced through human agency, and have now become naturalised. Five species of marine turtles may also be considered to form part of the Maltese herpetofauna, since these occasionally occur around Maltese shores.

Amphibians (class: AMPHIBIA) comprise three different groups or subclasses which are the URODELA (newts and salamanders), the ANURA (frogs and toads) and the APODA (blind burrowing legless amhibians found in the tropics). Because of the scarcity of freshwater, only one species of amphibian, the Painted Frog Discoglossus pictus, occurs in the Maltese Islands nowadays, though two species of toad have been recorded as fossils.

Reptiles (class REPTILIA) are also divided into several subclasses, of which only two are represented on the Maltese Islands. Maltese reptiles belong to the subclass ANAPSIDA (turtles and tortoises) and the subclass LEPIDOSAURA (lizards and snakes). Members of other reptilian subclasses have however been excavated as fossils from Maltese rocks.

Related topics
  • Bibliographic list to Maltese Herpetology
  • Maltese Fossil Herpetofauna
  • Threats to an Island's Herpetofauna
  • Reptiles (Protection) Regulations, 1992