Regional Reptiles 

Reptiles are a defining element of Mediterranean biodiversity, and Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur is one of the richest regions in France for this group. The combination of warm coastal zones, dry limestone landscapes, extensive scrub, river systems and alpine valleys supports an exceptional diversity of species.

In total, 41 reptile species are documented in the region, ranging from familiar lizards and snakes to highly localised mountain specialists and occasional marine visitors. Many are secretive, seasonal or strongly habitat-specific, meaning that even common species can remain unseen without careful observation.

For visitors, reptiles offer some of the most rewarding wildlife encounters in PACA — often unexpected, often fleeting and always closely tied to landscape character.

Why Reptiles Matter in PACA

Reptiles are well adapted to the region’s climate extremes and play an important ecological role as:

  • Predators of insects, rodents and other small vertebrates
  • Prey for birds of prey and mammals
  • Indicators of habitat quality, connectivity and thermal balance

Because reptiles depend heavily on temperature, shelter and undisturbed ground, they are particularly sensitive to land-use change, fire regimes and human disturbance.

Species by Habitat

The following overview groups reptiles by their typical environments. Many species occur across several habitat types and absence of sightings does not indicate absence of populations.

Mediterranean Scrub, Garrigue & Open Woodland

Sun-exposed landscapes with stone cover, shrubs and open woodland support the greatest diversity of reptiles in the region.

These environments provide:

  • Basking sites
  • Refuge from predators
  • Rich prey availability

They are particularly sensitive to disturbance during spring and early summer when reptiles are breeding or moulting.

Key species:

  • Hermann’s Tortoise  – Var only
  • Ocellated Lizard
  • Western Green Lizard
  • Edwards’ Psammodromus

Rocky Slopes, Cliffs & Karst Landscapes

Limestone escarpments, scree slopes and dry stone structures offer essential shelter and thermal stability.

Rock systems function as:

  • Overwintering refuges
  • Breeding areas
  • Movement corridors

Artificial structures often play an important substitute role where natural rock is limited.

Key species:

  • Viviparous Lizard
  • Asp Viper
  • Orsini’s Viper
  • Adder (historically once present, now considered regionally extinct) *

Wetlands, Rivers & Riparian Zones

Although reptiles are less water-dependent than amphibians, several species rely on wetlands and slow-moving water bodies for feeding, thermoregulation and reproduction.

Healthy, undisturbed banks and aquatic vegetation are critical to their survival.

Key species:

  • European Pond Turtle
  • Grass Snake
  • Viperine Snake

Forests, Hedgerows & Mosaic Landscapes

Mixed landscapes combining woodland, agriculture and traditional land use support reptiles that depend on cover, structural diversity and seasonal movement routes.

These environments are particularly vulnerable to fragmentation and road mortality.

Key species:

  • Aesculapian Snake
  • Smooth Snake
  • Common Slow Worm
  • Italian Slow Worm

Alpine & Subalpine Zones

Higher elevations support fewer reptile species, but those present are often highly specialised and regionally important.

Short activity seasons and climatic sensitivity make these populations especially vulnerable to environmental change.

Key species:

  • Viviparous Lizard
  • Asp Viper

Marine Reptiles

Reptiles in PACA can also be dicovered offshore, as marine turtles are occasional visitors to our coastal waters.

The Loggerhead Turtle is the most frequently recorded marine reptile along the Mediterranean coast. Sightings are irregular and usually offshore.

For a broader and properly contextualised overview of marine reptiles and pelagic species, visitors are encouraged to explore the Pelagos Sanctuary pages and associated coastal content, including offshore waters and areas such as the Calanques.

Introduced & Invasive Reptile Species

While Provence–Alpes–Côte d’Azur supports a rich native reptile fauna, not all reptiles encountered in the region belong here.

A small but growing number of non-native reptiles have been recorded in the wild as a result of intentional release or escape from captivity. These introductions are almost always human-caused and can have serious, long-term ecological consequences.

Why This Matters
Introduced reptiles may:

  • Compete with native species for food and shelter
  • Prey on vulnerable amphibians, reptiles and birds
  • Introduce parasites or diseases
  • Disrupt fragile, slow-recovering ecosystems

Once established, non-native species are extremely difficult — and often impossible — to remove.

Releasing captive animals into the wild — even with good intentions — is never harmless. Animals released “to give them a chance” often:

  • Die quickly from exposure or starvation
  • Survive and damage native wildlife populations
  • Create long-term conservation problems for protected areas

In France, the release of non-native species is illegal and can carry significant penalties

Occasional reports exist of:

  • Exotic turtles released into ponds and rivers
  • Non-native lizards near urban areas
  • Isolated snake records linked to captivity

These species are not part of PACA’s natural biodiversity and should not be encouraged, handled or relocated.

  • Do not intervene or attempt to capture the animal
  • Report observations to local conservation bodies or citizen science platforms

Responsible reporting helps authorities monitor and manage emerging risks.

The biodiversity of PACA exists today because it has remained largely intact and connected. Protecting it depends not only on conservation organisations, but also on informed visitors, residents and wildlife enthusiasts.

Sometimes, the most responsible action is simply not to act at all.

Conservation Context

Several reptile species in PACA are protected, declining or highly localised. Key pressures include habitat loss, road mortality, disturbance, fire regime changes and climate stress.

Reptiles often persist outside protected areas, making landscape connectivity and responsible behaviour essential to their survival.

Conservation depends as much on informed visitors and residents as it does on formal protection.

Reptiles in the Wider Landscape

Reptiles are part of everyday landscapes — stone walls, field margins, riverbanks, scrub and woodland edges. Their presence often reflects long-term ecological continuity rather than wilderness alone.

Learning to recognise where reptiles live, when they are active and how easily they are disturbed helps reveal a quieter but essential layer of PACA’s biodiversity.