Amphibians and reptiles in and around the Nature Park
We are delighted that in and around Nature Park Nakskov Fjord there are large populations of amphibians and reptiles that are otherwise rare in many parts of the country.
The small bright green tree frog with suction cups on its feet is a success story. Thanks to the persistent efforts of biologist Kåre Fog of Storstrøm Amt, and benevolent farmers, we have managed to create the second largest population of tee frogs on West Lolland. Lolland Municipality is very focused on continuing this success.
The croaking of the treefrogs is famous because it can be heard from afar on warm spring evenings. There are many places one can hear the tree frogs. By the pond at Tårs and the ponds at Frederiksdal are particularly good spots. South of the fjord is particularly good as one can hear and see the tree frogs at Ridderstofte, Høkke Sø and Næsby Strand.
The small bright green tree frog with suction cups on its feet is a success story. Thanks to the persistent efforts of biologist Kåre Fog of Storstrøm Amt, and benevolent farmers, we have managed to create the second largest population of tee frogs on West Lolland. Lolland Municipality is very focused on continuing this success.
The croaking of the treefrogs is famous because it can be heard from afar on warm spring evenings. There are many places one can hear the tree frogs. By the pond at Tårs and the ponds at Frederiksdal are particularly good spots. South of the fjord is particularly good as one can hear and see the tree frogs at Ridderstofte, Høkke Sø and Næsby Strand.
The European green toad, also known as the ’flute toad’ as its croaking sounds like a low whistling warbling, loves warmth. Therefore it is most prolific in southeast Denmark, where we have the country's mildest climate. It can be found here and there and often near buildings. It likes to get into greenhouses and garages, so it is often here that they are noticed.
The skin pattern is attractive and most closely resembles a military uniform. The green toad is in decline because it does not tolerate its breeding ponds becoming overgrown. They prefer ponds with sloping sides, and without high vegetation. Enehøje and Slotø are two of the places where one can reasonably expect to find green toads. On Slotø, in summer, a myriad of small and large toads can often be found at the ruined Engelsborg.
The skin pattern is attractive and most closely resembles a military uniform. The green toad is in decline because it does not tolerate its breeding ponds becoming overgrown. They prefer ponds with sloping sides, and without high vegetation. Enehøje and Slotø are two of the places where one can reasonably expect to find green toads. On Slotø, in summer, a myriad of small and large toads can often be found at the ruined Engelsborg.
The natterjack toad is one of the very threatened amphibians as its preferred ponds are shallow hollows or puddles that dry out in late summer. There are not many of these left since such sites are often drained. One of the biggest problems that can arise for toads and frogs is that the populations become too distanced from each other. This means that the amphibians are unable to exchange genes with the nearest population. Inbreeding takes place, and eventually, extinction.
In Nakskov Fjord we are fortunate to have eastern Denmark's largest population of natterjack toads. They are found in almost all the ponds on Albuen, and an impressive loud, jarring, croaking on warm spring evenings, or sometimes even at midday can be heard.
In Nakskov Fjord we are fortunate to have eastern Denmark's largest population of natterjack toads. They are found in almost all the ponds on Albuen, and an impressive loud, jarring, croaking on warm spring evenings, or sometimes even at midday can be heard.
The edible or common European frog is found in almost all reasonably clean ponds and is often abundant in the village ponds. They croak especially in the evenings, but can also be heard during the day. The characteristic "croak" comes from a common European frog.
The agile frog, which is light brown, is not often seen. It lives a discreet life, but is still quite common. Pairing often takes place in March, but the frogs are rarely heard, as it takes place on the bottom of lakes with a low croaking. The agile frogs move around a lot, so one can meet them everywhere.
In Lolland, we have two species of brown frog, the other being the moor frog. They can vary greatly in colour and are hard to distinguish from each other.
In Lolland, we have two species of brown frog, the other being the moor frog. They can vary greatly in colour and are hard to distinguish from each other.
Moor frogs are found here and there in West Lolland, but they do poorly in the cultivated landscape, so are predominantly found in large marsh areas.
Photo: Henrik Bringsøe
Photo: Henrik Bringsøe
The common spade-foot toad is very rare and only found in a few ponds on Lolland. Mating always takes place at the bottom of the ponds. Their call is very low and sounds most like someone clicking their tongue. When monitoring the stock, underwater microphones are often used, as otherwise it is not possible to hear them properly.
Photo: Barvid Jørgensen
Photo: Barvid Jørgensen
The common toad is not often seen as they live an anonymous existence. They are not found in so many ponds, as they are often the losers in the battle for space with other toads and frogs in the pond, or the tadpoles are eaten by crested newts.
However, their tadpoles, in contrast to those of most other amphibians, are toxic to fish, so survive better in large ponds where there are fish. The common toad is best distinguished from the other toad species because the skine generally is of solid colour. Males have no vocal sacs, so the sound of their calling cannot be heard over a long distance.
However, their tadpoles, in contrast to those of most other amphibians, are toxic to fish, so survive better in large ponds where there are fish. The common toad is best distinguished from the other toad species because the skine generally is of solid colour. Males have no vocal sacs, so the sound of their calling cannot be heard over a long distance.
The smooth newt is fairly common and found in most small ponds. These must have sunlit water areas, and keeping ducks or fish can be very harmful to the species, as indeed is the case with most amphibians. Too much fertiliser leaching into the water can also pose a big problem.
The smooth newt often overwinters in holes and between fallen leaves, and it is not uncommon to find adults in a pile of leaves or when the compost pile is emptied. The adult animals are only in the pond during mating and early summer. As early as July the first young newts begin to emerge on land. The length of the smooth newt is 6-10 cm, body and tail. The overlying colour is usually light brown.
The smooth newt often overwinters in holes and between fallen leaves, and it is not uncommon to find adults in a pile of leaves or when the compost pile is emptied. The adult animals are only in the pond during mating and early summer. As early as July the first young newts begin to emerge on land. The length of the smooth newt is 6-10 cm, body and tail. The overlying colour is usually light brown.
The crested newt is found in most areas of Denmark, but is not as common as small newt. We believe it can be found in 10-30 % of the water holes on West Lolland. Body and tail measures 10-16 cm, so it is somewhat larger than the smooth newt. The overlying colour is mostly dark brown/black.
The viviparous lizard can be found in many places in forests, meadows and bogs, but one needs to be observant to spot the well camouflaged animals. The viviparous lizard is most easily seen in the spring and in the morning when they sit on logs, rocks etc. to warm their bodies. The length is about 18 cm incl. tail. The somewhat larger sand lizard is, as far as is known, not found on West Lolland, but should any readers spot a sand lizard, the observation is of interest to us. Viviparus lizards, unlike sand lizards, give birth to live young viviparous lizards are abundant on Albuen.
Photo: Jesper Hjelme
Photo: Jesper Hjelme
Grass snakes can be found here and there. It requires a varied landscape to thrive and prefers living near marshes and ponds in forests with warm banks. In Nature Park Nakskov Fjord grass snakes are often spotted by the dike excavations.
Grass snakes can vary in appearance, but the Danish snake is predominantly black/dark grey with yellow neck spots. These snakes are declining in many places as the various landscapes disappear, and the amphibians that make up a large part of the diet of adult individuals, are also threatened. Grass snakes are protected in all life stages. Adders are not known with certainty as living in West Lolland.
Photo: Jesper Hjelme.
Grass snakes can vary in appearance, but the Danish snake is predominantly black/dark grey with yellow neck spots. These snakes are declining in many places as the various landscapes disappear, and the amphibians that make up a large part of the diet of adult individuals, are also threatened. Grass snakes are protected in all life stages. Adders are not known with certainty as living in West Lolland.
Photo: Jesper Hjelme.
The slowworm is mainly found in woodland, where they are quite common, although seldom seen. They can often be found in rotten stumps, boards or in leaf piles by woodland roads. From there, they can creep out on the sun-warmed roads and bask. The length of the slowworm is 25-40 cm. Despite the snakelike appearance they are completely harmless and feed mostly on snails and earthworms. Slowworms are protected, but can, to a limited extent, be collected for study and research.