North African fire salamander in the Rif Mountains

Shining light on
Morocco's wildlife

We can only protect what we understand. Fauna Morocco makes it accessible to all, one species at a time.

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A unique wildlife, quietly vanishing.

Sparking interest in this wildlife is the first step toward protecting it.

Our main project

The encyclopedia for Morocco's reptiles and amphibians

Morocco's 126 reptiles and amphibians, documented one by one. One page per species, with a single goal: to make information accessible and visual, and species easy to compare, thanks to our standardized photography.

98/126 species documented
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Reptiles & Amphibians of Morocco
126 species
Caudata Newts & Salamanders Caudata 2 species Sauria Lizards Sauria 80 species Serpentes Snakes Serpentes 26 species Anura Frogs & Toads Anura 12 species Coming Soon Testudines Turtles & Tortoises Testudines 3 species Coming Soon Amphisbaenia Worm Lizards Amphisbaenia 3 species Coming Soon
Lizards of Morocco
Reptiles & Amphibians of Morocco/Sauria
Varanidae Monitor Lizards Varanidae 1 species Chamaeleonidae Chameleons Chamaeleonidae 1 species Coming Soon Agamidae Agamas Agamidae 8 species Coming Soon Lacertidae Lacertids Lacertidae 26 species Coming Soon Gekkonidae Common Geckos Gekkonidae 7 species Coming Soon Scincidae Skinks Scincidae 19 species Coming Soon
Monitor Lizards of Morocco
Reptiles & Amphibians of Morocco/Sauria/Varanidae
Varanus griseus Desert Monitor Varanus griseus LC
Desert Monitor

Varanus griseus

Reptiles & Amphibians of Morocco / Sauria / Varanidae / Desert Monitor
Conservation status:Least Concern
Population trend:Decreasing

As the largest lizard in Morocco, the desert monitor is one of the most impressive reptiles in the country. As an apex predator, it plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Desert Monitor
With the support of our partners
Behind the project

From the field to the encyclopedia.

Behind every clean page: a species found in the field, often at night, then photographed in a white-background studio we carry into the desert. Here is the whole trail, in reverse.

Published species page for Naja haje on Fauna Morocco
01 The published page
North African cobra, Naja haje, standardized white-background studio shot
02 The standardized shot, on white.
Photographing a specimen in the field studio
03 The moment of the shot.
White-background studio set up beside the vehicle in the mountains
04 Our studio, set up in the wild.
Night search by headlamp
05 At night, by headlamp.
Searching for reptiles across the field
06 Where it all begins: the field.

Four friends,
one mission.

A Moroccan and Swiss team of four naturalists who document, study and showcase Morocco's wildlife.

More about us and the behind-the-scenes
RayaneRayaneFounder
ColinColinBiologist
ClémentClémentFieldwork & Outreach
HaytamHaytamZoologist & Designer
Ridges and valleys of southern Morocco at dusk

The final stretch

A few expeditions from the finish

98 of Morocco's 126 species are documented — the last 28 need a few more expeditions into the deep south.

Into the deep Sahara — Fauna Morocco expedition
Next expedition

Into the deep Sahara

Spring 2027

28 species still live in the far south, where we've never set foot. Help fund the 10-day trip.

Fund the next expedition

Open the encyclopedia

Rayane Colin Clément Haytam
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