Reptiles & Amphibians of Corfu

“Situated in the Ionian Sea, Corfu boasts one of the richest herpetofaunas of any Greek island. From damp northern olive groves and coastal lagoons to the limestone slopes of Mount Pantokrator, explore the island’s snakes, lizards, tortoises, and amphibians.”

“I have visited Corfu twelve times since 1999, and it is one of the main places where my passion for the natural world began.“

Situated in the northern Ionian Sea, just off the coast of mainland Greece and Albania, Corfu (Kerkyra) is renowned for its lush landscapes, Mediterranean climate, and rich natural history. Unlike many of the arid, wind-swept Aegean islands to the east, Corfu benefits from high annual rainfall nurtured by humid air currents off the Ionian Sea. This abundance of water, combined with varied terrain, creates a rich mosaic of micro-habitats that support one of the most diverse herpetofaunal assemblages of any island in the Mediterranean basin.

Spanning roughly 592 square kilometres, the island’s landscape drops from the dramatic limestone massif of Mount Pantokrator (906m) in the north, through gentle rolling hills clad in centuries-old olive groves, down to the coastal sand dunes and lagoons of the south. With over 30 recorded species of reptiles and amphibians, Corfu’s proximity to the Balkan mainland has created an incredible biodiversity hotspot—offering exceptional field viewing for iconic species ranging from the Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) and Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax) to the Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni).