Archaeology and herpetology: two species of terrapin at Butrint, Albania

We have been to the archaeological site of Butrint—a UNESCO World Heritage Centre at the southern tip of Albania—twice, in 2010 and 2017. Fascinating as this ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and then Venetian city is, there are other delights. The flooded basements of the ruined buildings that were abandoned in the late Middle Ages are home to two of the three species of terrapin in Europe, the European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis) and the Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata). Judging from the numbers of animals present they seem to be thriving. In 2010 most were in the water but in April 2017 when it was pleasantly sunny in the morning, virtually all were basking.

This is the video of the terrapins I made in 2017:

I have followed the nomenclature in the field guide* on the Balkan Terrapin (or turtle to those readers in North America) both in the common name, Balkan, and scientific name, Mauremys rivulata. Those familiar with the reptiles of Europe will realise that it was known more widely as a subspecies the Caspian Terrapin, Mauremys caspica rivulata but about twenty years ago that species was split. Indeed, the IUCN Red List still has its common name as Western Caspian Turtle.

*Speybroek J, Beukema W, Bok B, Van Der Voort J.2016. Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Britain and Europe. London: Bloomsbury.