Lake Vrana -the biggest lake of Croatia- and its surrounding areas were proclaimed a Nature Park in 1999. This unique habitat is of inestimable value and is characterized by a high biodiversity. In addition to 249 registered bird species, there are also numerous reptiles.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_4af05dcfffd94b6b98f675996788d130~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_4af05dcfffd94b6b98f675996788d130~mv2.jpg)
![Algyroides nigropunctatus - Blue-throated Keeled Lizard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_17c896591c6e4a778d7dd1df92671c8e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_17c896591c6e4a778d7dd1df92671c8e~mv2.jpg)
![Algyroides nigropunctatus - Blue-throated Keeled Lizard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_e6bf2c4de7464f83ac6695c4b1a314c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_e6bf2c4de7464f83ac6695c4b1a314c2~mv2.jpg)
The Blue-throated Keeled Lizard (Algyroides nigropunctatus) can be seen in rocky areas and stone walls.
![Natrix tessellata - Dice Snake](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_c3815e34e3da44e6af64f806aae7282a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_c3815e34e3da44e6af64f806aae7282a~mv2.jpg)
Exceptionally beautiful Dice Snake: Natrix tessellata var. flavescens. The Croatian name is "Ribarica", which means "fisherwoman". They can swim & dive very well and they prey mainly on fish.
![Melitaea didyma](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_b9fca7574132468a859595aea719292e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_b9fca7574132468a859595aea719292e~mv2.jpg)
I saw a couple of these handsome little creatures: Caterpillar of the Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma).
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_d479908c0f72469f85f06eda76855ac2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_d479908c0f72469f85f06eda76855ac2~mv2.jpg)
![Platyceps najadum - Dahl's Whip Snake](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_560ff0e074cf46ff8d41625b03782c11~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_560ff0e074cf46ff8d41625b03782c11~mv2.jpg)
Dahl's Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum) is one of the fastest snakes, I have ever seen. Luckily, I was able to get pictures of this amazing snake.
![Lacerta trilineata - Balkan Green Lizard](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_ce2d1bb735d64011995ec3621acfd1d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_ce2d1bb735d64011995ec3621acfd1d2~mv2.jpg)
With about 50 cm (19.7 in) the Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata) is by far the biggest lizard in Croatia. These "little dinosaurs" were a bit shyer than their smaller relatives.
![Telescopus fallax - European Cat Snake](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_63fafb49275f4692a460c39b20f7fe2f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_63fafb49275f4692a460c39b20f7fe2f~mv2.jpg)
![Telescopus fallax - European Cat Snake](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/35a196_0ed7ebdfe1364ef081cceb96da825747~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_654,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/35a196_0ed7ebdfe1364ef081cceb96da825747~mv2.jpg)
At the very last day, just after dusk, I found the highlight of this trip: An European Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax) climbing in a stone wall of an old ruin.
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