{"id":2103,"date":"2014-05-14T12:21:40","date_gmt":"2014-05-14T10:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.moroccoherps.com\/?page_id=2103"},"modified":"2020-01-19T15:08:45","modified_gmt":"2020-01-19T15:08:45","slug":"the-turtles-trip-herpetological-trip-to-north-morocco","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/the-turtles-trip-herpetological-trip-to-north-morocco\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThe turtles trip\u201d, herpetological trip to north Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Gabriel Mart\u00ednez del Marmol.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking for in his photos of Morocco, Gabri missed more photos of the northern areas, so he decided to visit Morocco between the days 16-20 april. At first some friends could maybe join Gabri, but finally he made a trip alone.<\/p>\n

We recommend you to listen “the song of the trip” whereas you are reading the trip report!!
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uWenZRZxNXE<\/a><\/p>\n

The day 16 he flew from Madrid to Tangier. It was late so he drove directly to the Riff mountains. In some w\u00e1ter points he began to flip stones and find the first species: Natrix maura<\/span>, Podarcis vaucheri<\/span>, Psammodromus algirus<\/span>, Timon tangitanus<\/span> and Pelophylax saharicus<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
The awesome landscape of the Riff mountains. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Habitat of many herp species in the Riff. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Natrix
Juvenile Natrix maura. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Timon
Timon tangitanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

When the sun dissapeared he could hear dozens of tree frogs calling (Hyla meridionalis<\/span>) and observed 4 individuals of the endangered European terrapin (Emys orbicularis<\/span>), a metamorfic north African fire salamander (Salamandra algira<\/span>), a painted frog (Discoglossus scovazzi<\/span>) and a worm lizard (Blanus tingitanus<\/span>).<\/p>\n

\n
\"Pelophylax
Pelophylax saharicus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Salamandra
Salamandra algira. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Blanus
Blanus tingitanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Emys
Subadult Emys orbicularis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Emys
Comparative adult and juvenile Emys orbicularis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Emys
Adult Emys orbicularis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Discoglossus
Discoglossus scovazzi. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

It was very late and he had to sleep in the car a few hours until the sun appear and he continued the trip through Targist. There he could observe a dark tree frog (Hyla meridionalis<\/span>) and some Wall lizards (Podarcis vaucheri<\/span>). He drove directly to the Saidia \u00e1rea.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Targuist
Targuist landscape. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Hyla
Dark Hyla meridionalis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Targuist
Lagoon close to Targuist area. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The roads of the Riff are not totally good, full of curves and usually traffic. So he arrived to Saidia late. In a trash place he could find some amphisbaenian (Trogonophis wiegmanni wiegmanni<\/span>), some turtles (Testudo graeca<\/span>) and some Chafarinas skinks (Chalcides parallelus<\/span>). Later he drove to Nador province, and he could find many Chalcides ocellatus<\/span>, some Saurodactylus mauritanicus<\/span> and 2 nice Montpellier snakes (Malpolon cf. monspessulanus<\/span>). When he was taking photos, he could see in a bush a big Chamaeleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon<\/span>) sleeping. Later he drove to sleep in a hotel near Oujda.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Trash place, habitat of Trogonophis, Chalcides, Testudo, Malpolon, Hemorrhois, etc\u2026 Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Trogonophis
Trogonophis wiegmanni wiegmanni. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Testudo
Testudo graeca. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Testudo
Testudo graeca in hand (after this photo, the animal was released in the EXACTLY place where it was found). Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides parallelus, juvenile. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides parallelus, adult. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Saurodactylus
Saurodactylus mauritanicus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chamaeleo
Chamaeleo chamaeleon. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides ocellatus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Malpolon
Juvenile Malpolon cf. monspessulanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Malpolon
Adult Malpolon cf. monspessulanus, detail. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Malpolon
Adult Malpolon cf. monspessulanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

In early morning he decided to make a short expedition to Beni Snassen mountains. In the road he found some Amietophrynus mauritanicus<\/span> and a striped Psammophis schokari<\/span> dead on road. In the highest parts of this mountain, he found a perfect place for amphibians (Salamandra algira spelaea<\/span>, Discoglossus pictus<\/span>) but he didn\u00b4t find adults or tadpoles, just a Psammodromus algirus<\/span> and Tarentola mauritanica<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Beni
In the Beni Snassen. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Beni
Rocky areas of Beni Snassen. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Beni
Water point in the highest areas of Beni Snassen. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Tarentola
Tarentola mauritanica. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Psammodromus
Psammodromus algirus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Soccer field\u2026 Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

After some photos he drove to Nador province again. In a cultivated \u00e1reas, he could observe in a few space two skink species together: Chalcides ocellatus<\/span> and Chalcides mauritanicus<\/span>. Also some Eumeces algeriensis<\/span> and 2 big Montpellier snakes (Malpolon cf. monspessulanus<\/span>).<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Mixed habitat with agriculture fields and loose soil hills, habitat of Eumeces algeriensis, Chalcides ocellatus, Chalcides mauritanicus, Saurodactylus mauritanicus, Malpolon cf. monspessulanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides mauritanicus, adult detail. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides mauritanicus, adult. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Eumeces
Eumeces algeriensis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides mauritanicus, juvenile (reddish tail!). Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Malpolon
Malpolon cf. monspessulanus in habitat. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Malpolon
Malpolon cf. monspessulanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Oued Moulouya, mediterranean landscape. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
A 4th individual of Malpolon cf. monspessulanus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Later he drove to Guercif area. During the afternoon he could observe some Bufotes boulengeri<\/span>, some Agama impalearis<\/span>, some Chalcides ocellatus<\/span> and at night he found a nice Eryx jaculus<\/span>. Although he had seen 2 specimens in Israel, it was happy to find this species in Morocco. From Guercif he drove to Taza for sleeping.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Oued Moulouya, arid landscape. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Testudo
Testudo graeca, black head close-up. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Bufotes
Bufotes boulengeri. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Arid
Arid area around Guercif, habitat of Agama impalearis, Chalcides ocellatus and Eryx jaculus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Agama
Agama impalearis species complex. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides ocellatus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Eryx
Eryx jaculus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Eryx
Eryx jaculus, detail. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Eryx
Eryx jaculus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Next day, he drove to Fes \u00e1rea. The first priority of the trip was the legendary Chalcides ebneri<\/span>, but between Fes and Karia Ba Mohammed he just found a Mauremys leprosa<\/span> in a side of a road, far of any w\u00e1ter point. Nothing under stones so he decided to drive to the Riff again.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Landscape around Jebel Zalagh. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Mauremys
Mauremys leprosa. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

After 8 hours driving through bad roads in the Riff he visited a good place for mediterranean herps. He found some Podarcis vaucheri<\/span>, Psammodromus algirus<\/span>, Acanthodactylus erythrurus<\/span>, Tarentola mauritanica<\/span>, 2 Macroprotodon brevis<\/span> and a nice Chalcides colosii<\/span>. After some photos he drove to a hotel for sleeping. During these 8 hours driving, it\u00b4s interesting to write about Ketama. In this place, some guys (4 cars that day) tried to make Gabri stop. They run fast and stop the car in front of the tourist people to sell them drugs. Victor Gabari gave an advice to Gabri before the trip, so Gabri didn\u00b4t stop and avoid these people. Dangerous drivers in a roads full of curves. Bad moments in a country usually full of friendly people.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Road between Karia Ba Mohammed and Ketama. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Road
Another road between Karia Ba Mohammed and Ketama. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Ketama\"
Ketama landscape. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Podarcis
Podarcis vaucheri, male with typical breeding colours. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Macroprotodon
Macroprotodon brevis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Acanthodactylus
Acanthodactylus erythrurus. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides colosii, detail. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Chalcides
Chalcides colosii. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Macroprotodon
Detail of a second individual of Macroprotodon brevis. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Last day he decided to drive to Kenitra. In a lagoon close to the beach he could find a glass lizard (Hyalosaurus koelikeri<\/span>) and a Moroccan worm lizard (Trogonophis. w. elegans<\/span>). Later he drove quickly to the airport, and return to Madrid.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Testudo graeca between Riff and Kenitra. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Peninsula Tangitana habitat. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Typical Morocco transport. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"
Lagoon between Kenitra and Rabat. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Hyalosaurus
Hyalosaurus koellikeri. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"Trogonophis
Trogonophis wiegmanni elegans. Photo: \u00a9 Gabri Mtnez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

4 days, 7 new species for Gabri. A very interesting trip. He missed Chalcides ebneri<\/span>, Natrix natrix<\/span>, Chalcides minutus<\/span>, Chalcides pseudostriatus<\/span> and Bufo bufo<\/span>, so probably he will return to Morocco soon\u2026<\/p>\n

Acknowledgements<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special thanks to Serge Bogaerts and David Donaire for his help before the trip, and for Cornelius de Haan for his comments about the Malpolon<\/span> specimens.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Por Gabriel Mart\u00ednez del Marmol. Looking for in his photos of Morocco, Gabri missed more photos of the northern areas, so he decided to visit Morocco between the days 16-20 april. At first some friends could maybe join Gabri, but finally he made a trip alone. We recommend you to listen “the song of the … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “\u201cThe turtles trip\u201d, herpetological trip to north Morocco”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2103","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2103"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3228,"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2103\/revisions\/3228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.moroccoherps.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}