Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female.

Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail.

Breeding takes place in spring after they wake from winter hibernation.

During development the eggs swell and after 8 weeks when ready to hatch they can be 8x15mm in size.

[3] They are found in the north-east of the Iberian peninsula, including southern France in parts of the Pyrenees.