
France is home to a diverse range of reptiles, including snakes and lizards.
Some of the most common snakes found in France are the adder, the grass snake, and the smooth snake. The adder is the only venomous snake in France.
The country is also home to several species of lizards, including the European green lizard and the sand lizard. Both of these species can be found in the wild throughout France.
These reptiles can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings.
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Lizards and Snakes
Lizards and snakes are an integral part of France's reptile population, with many species calling the country home. The European leaf-toed gecko, for example, is a common sight in Metropolitan France, and its scientific name is Euleptes europaea.
There are many species of lizards in Metropolitan France, including the Fitzinger's algyroides, which is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN. The slow worm, on the other hand, is also LC in France, but its cousin, the Italian slow worm, is listed as Data Deficient (DD) in the country.
Some species of lizards are more rare than others. The Aran rock lizard, for instance, is listed as Endangered (EN) in France. The Pyrenean rock lizard is also listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the country, while its range is more extensive worldwide.
Snakes, too, are an important part of France's reptile population. The smooth snake, for example, is LC in both France and worldwide. The Montpellier snake, on the other hand, is LC in France, but its status worldwide is unknown.
Here are some of the species of lizards and snakes found in Metropolitan France, grouped by their IUCN status in France:
It's worth noting that some species of snakes, like the viperine water snake, have a more extensive range worldwide than in France.
Turtles
Turtles are a fascinating group of reptiles, and France is home to a diverse range of species. There are approximately 77 species of turtles worldwide, with 1 species found in metropolitan France.
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Some of the most well-known turtle species in France include the Hermann's tortoise, the European pond turtle, and the red-eared slider. The Hermann's tortoise, for example, is listed as Vulnerable on the French Red List and has a stable population trend.
Here's a breakdown of some of the turtle species found in France:
The European pond turtle, on the other hand, is listed as Least Concern on the French Red List, but its population is declining. The red-eared slider, which is native to North America, is an introduced species in France and is listed as Not Applicable on the French Red List.
Turtles play an important role in France's ecosystem, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect these species. By learning more about the different turtle species found in France, we can better understand the importance of conservation and take steps to protect these amazing animals.
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Reptile Families
There are several reptile families found in France. The Emydidae family, which includes turtles, has 2 subspecies in the world and 2 subspecies in metropolitan France.
The Anguidae family, which includes slow-worms, has around 87 species worldwide, but only 2 species in metropolitan France. These species are the Orvet fragile (Anguis fragilis) and the Orvet de Vérone (Anguis veronensis).
Here is a list of the reptile families mentioned, along with the number of species they have in the world and in metropolitan France:
Cheloniidae - Carettinae
The Cheloniidae family is home to some incredible creatures, and within the Carettinae subfamily, we find three species that call France their home. The Tortue caouanne, also known as the Caretta caretta, is one of these species.
There are four species of Cheloniidae found worldwide, with three of them inhabiting France. The Tortue de Kemp, or Lepidochelys kempii, is another species that can be found in France.
One of the most interesting facts about the Carettinae subfamily is that the Tortue imbriquée, or Eretmochelys imbricata, is listed as Not Abundant in France, meaning it's not as common as the other two species.
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The Tortue caouanne and the Tortue de Kemp are both listed as Data Deficient in France, indicating that there's a lack of data on their populations.
Here's a quick rundown of the three species found in France:
The Cheloniidae family is home to a staggering 242 species worldwide, with France hosting a total of four species.
Emydidae - Deirochelyinae - Trachemyde a Tempes Rouges
The Trachémyde à tempes rouges, also known as the Trachemys scripta, is a species of turtle that's been introduced to France.
This turtle has a distinctive red-striped pattern on its head, which is how it got its name.
Gekkonidae (Hémidactyle Verruqueux)
The Gekkonidae family is quite fascinating, and I'm excited to share some interesting facts about it.
There are approximately 1510 species of Gekkonidae found around the world.
One species, the Hémidactyle verruqueux, is native to France, and it's actually the only species of Gekkonidae found in metropolitan France.
The Hémidactyle verruqueux, also known as the Hémidactyle verruqueux, has a stable population trend.
Here's a quick rundown of the Hémidactyle verruqueux's status:
Colubridae (Couleuvres)
Colubridae, commonly known as couleuvres, is a family of snakes found in France. They have large scales on the top of their head and large loreal scales.
The majority of Colubridae species are aglyphes, meaning they are non-venomous, or opisthoglyphes, and are generally diurnal. They also have round pupils.
In France, all Colubridae species are oviparous, except for Coronella austriaca, which is ovoviviparous.
Here's a list of some Colubridae species found in France, along with their conservation status and trend:
Conservation and Classification
Reptiles in France are classified into different categories based on their conservation status.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) categories used for the Red List of reptiles in France include CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD, NA, and NE.
Species that are critically endangered in France are categorized as CR.
EN stands for Endangered, indicating species that are threatened with extinction.
VU, or Vulnerable, species are at risk of becoming endangered.
NT, or Near Threatened, species are close to qualifying for or are likely to qualify for the threatened categories in the near future.
LC, or Least Concern, species have no current major threats to their survival.
DD, or Data Deficient, species have insufficient data to assess their conservation status.
NA, or Not Applicable, species are not evaluated due to recent introduction or occasional/marginal presence.
NE, or Not Evaluated, species are not assessed against the Red List criteria.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common lizard in France?
The most common lizard in France is the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis Muralis). Found in large numbers in French hamlets and villages, they display a wide range of colors due to genetic and sexual variations.
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