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Reptiles include three species of snake, which are rarely encountered. Hermann’s tortoises were introduced to the island and can be found almost everywhere, while terrapins occupy certain pools. The Balearic lizard is native, but its strongholds are restricted to small islets dotted around Menorca. Other species of lizards are more widespread, and geckos may be spotted at night. Amphibians include the tree frog and green toad. The most notable insects are butterflies, but cicadas and grasshoppers chirp and whir noisily among the vegetation.

Protected Areas

Looking along a tidal river near the little coastal village of Es Grau (Walk 15)

The whole island of Menorca was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1993. There are over 600 such reserves across the world, including three in England, three in Scotland and one in Wales. They are protected, monitored and managed as demonstration areas for different ecosystems in order to encourage sustainable development.

The ‘core area’ of the reserve, the Parc Natural de s’Albufera des Grau, was designated in 1995, and this also encompasses the sea off the east coast. The Reserva Marina del Nord de Menorca was established to the north of the island in 1999. Almost half of the island, including most of the coastline, was granted special protection as a ‘buffer zone’. Even those parts of the island which aren’t specifically protected are still regarded as a ‘transition zone’ within the Biosphere Reserve.