Europe's frogs and snakes in danger

One fifth of Europe's reptiles and nearly a quarter of its amphibians are in danger because of the threat humans pose to their natural habitat, according to a study carried out for the European Commission.

The tortoise family, vipers, wall lizards such as the Tenerife speckled lizard, and pond turtles are among those threatened, said the report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

"Natural habitats across Europe are being squeezed by growing human populations, agricultural intensification, urban sprawl and pollution – that is not good news for either amphibians or reptiles," said Dr Helen Temple, co-author of the Red List.

It highlighted Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans and the Mediterranean islands as some of the most important reptile habits.

"Southern Europe is particularly rich in amphibians, but climate change and other threats are placing its freshwater habitats under severe stress," Temple said.

About 42 percent of reptiles and 59 percent of amphibians are in decline, compared to 27 percent of mammals, the report found.

The frog family, midwife toads and fire-bellied toads are among those threatened, as are all three families of newts and salamanders.

Shrinking habitats was the biggest threat to amphibians, affecting 17 of the 76 species, followed by pollution and invasive foreign species, such as predatory fish and fungal diseases.

- Reuters