The herpetofauna of the Maltese Islands is not very rich, consisting only of ten terrestrial species. Of these only seven can definitely be said to form part of our natural fauna. These include the endemic Maltese Wall Lizard of which there are a number of subspecies endemic to the various islets. The rest, like the Chameleon and the Algerian Whip Snake, have been imported by man, the former directly and the latter indirectly by continual trade contact during the First World War. These two species have now become naturalized. The origin of the Cat Snake recorded from Maltais still obscure since its apparent localization in the NE part of Malta may be simple a feature of its shy nocturnal nature. To the list of Maltese herpetofauna may be added four species of marine turtles which have been reported from time to time around Maltese shores.
The population of each species has been markedly decreased due to a variable number of factors all centred on human influence.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
In the forefront of those factors which have been influential indecreasing
species population number is habitat destruction. Withan average population
density of one per 700 sq. meters it is expected that advances in society
are paralleled by destruction of natural habitat. The expanding building
programme together with road-laying has in Malta decreased significantly
the natural areas to small pockets. The few remaining natural areas are
all in dire peril. Wetlands have been developed to suit mans requirements
altering the natural ecology of the area. The gradual disappearance of
wetland habitat in the Maltese Islands has decreased the spawning grounds
of the only amphibian on the islands, the Painted Frog.
The decrease of spawning grounds for the frog is also a by-productof the continuous drive towards exploitation of fresh water. Rainfall run-off and fresh water streams are now being channelled through man-made waterways into reservoirs, again contributing towards a decrease in natural fresh water pools and ponds with a continuous or intermittent supply of water. Man-made reservoirs open to the environment may be considered as serving as an alternate site for spawning. However, it must be remembered that unless the topography or chemistry of this man-made pond is suited for the species, the animal wanders off in search of a more suitable habitat and perhaps perishes in an unnatural environment.The idea of breeding goldfish in these reservoirs is also a factor against these man-made ponds ever serving as alternate spawning grounds for the frog.
LOSSES DUE TO ROAD TRAFFIC
The building of houses is slowly followed by the laying down of roads and
footpaths. Frequent use of these roads and footpaths by humans is detrimental
to the reptile population of the area. Reptiles, particularly lizards,
require an optimum temperature for their biology. The frequent interruptions
while the lizards are sunning themselves would prevent the animals from
attaining this temperature and thus serve to make that habitat unsuitable.
Road traffic may also be a factor in directly decreasing the populations,
particularly of slow moving animals by their being rundown while crossing
roads.
MALTESE ECONOMY
Two items of importance in Maltese economy are tourism and agriculture.
Both have contributed towards decreasing the reptile population of the
Islands. The constant drive to promote tourism coupled with the easy accessibility
of sandy beaches by the development of roads has led to a crowding of beaches
in the summer months by tourists and inhabitants. These now oft frequented
beaches cannot conceivably serve as egg-laying sites for the Loggerhead
Turtle as they used to in the past. This coupled with the capture of this
animal for food and for its ornamental shell has helped decrease the Loggerhead
Turtle population in the Mediterranean.
The agriculture industry has also contributed towards decreasing the reptilian population, not so much because it contributes towards decreasing natural habita as through the use of pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals particularly the organochlorine and organophosphorus compunds may directly or unselectively through the food chain, harm all animal species living in the affected area. Unfortunately, precise quantitative data from field experiments on the effect of biocides is still lacking.
INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC ANIMAL SPECIES
Various reptilian and amphibian species have been introduced in the past,
however only those noted previously have become naturalized, fitting very
well in the ecological setup of the Maltese environment. At present the
species which are being introduced include land and freshwater tortoises
which exert very little effect on the native species. However, as noted
earlier, the introduction of goldfish in man-made or natural ponds constitutesa
serious threat to the frog population. Pets, particularly cats,also constitute
an added predator to those animals attempting to live in the altered and
unsuitable environment created by man.
CAPTURE AND TRADE
It has already been noted that the Loggerhead Turtle is exploited as an
item of food and for its shell which is used as an ornament.If this is
to be condemned, the capture of the Leatherback Turtleis to be deplored
even more. This animal is occasionally encountered by Maltese fishermen
who then try their best to prove their superiority over large animals by
capturing this turtle. They are often at a loss at what to do with the
remains. Their efforts reflect the suffering of frogs at the hand of children
who blow theanimals up to enormous sizes with football pumps.
The capture of individual animals for purposes of temporary observation or study does not effect a stable population, particularly if a school furthers conservational ends by doing so. However the capture of individual Chameleons whose population is far from stable constitutes a definite hazard to this species, particularly since captured specimens often end up dead after a few months. The same may be said of the uncontrolled capture of frogs and tadpoles by children and others, the animals often ending upbeing killed or starved to death.
An aspect of trade which in the past served as a detriment to the Ocellated Skink was the belief that the oil extract from this animal had medicinal properties. Children used to capture this reptile to sell it to pharmacists and doctors who prepared the required extract.
LOSSES DUE TO HUMAN PREJUDICE
Since earlier times reptiles and amphibians were commonly regarded as undesirable
animals and there is no lack of examples to show that these lower vertebrates
fall mass victims to human prejudice. Even today direct persecution at
the hands of man seems to be on every definite reason for the diminishing
numbers of all reptile species particularly the snakes. Throughout the
world snakes have long been associated with superstitions and folklore
and this is not lacking in Malta. The advent of St Paul in Malta in the
first century A.D. and his supposed miracle of remaining unharmed after
being bitten by a snake has led to a variety of folk beliefs. An unassociated
belief regarding snakes is that these animals may enter a baby's mouth
to get at the mother's milk. Though the latter belief is not prevalent,
it made the headlines in a local newspaper a few years ago. The two species
of gecko have suffered direct persecution particularly in the past since
they were at one time associated with leprosy and other skin disease.
Conservation of Maltese amphibian and reptilian species must start with education. The introduction of units on Maltese natural life into the civics and biology curricula of schools would do much to eliminate the mystery and ignorance regarding our few local species.
The amphibian and reptilian species have now been declared to be protected by the Environment Protection Act, 1991 (Act No. V of 1991) and the Reptiles (Protection) Regulation, 1992. This legal notice makes it an offence punishable by a fine, the capture, killing or trading of any member of the herpetofaunal species. These enactments will have an eventual desirable effect of limiting the threats afforded to the local herpetofauna.