The European Green Toad (scient. Pseudepidalea viridis or Bufo shaartusiensis or Bufo sitibundus or Bufo viridis or Rana picta) is a widespread species of European toad, which is also found in Crete. The difference between toads and frogs is that toads have dry, warty skin, while frogs have smooth, wet skin.
On the hill of the Episcopacy (seat of Diocese) of Lambi, Sivritos and Sfakia, in early 1990s, started operating the monastery of Saints Raphael. The main temple is dedicated to the martyrs Saint Raphael, Nikolaos and Irini. The monastery also hosts the chapels of Saint Irinaeus, Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Hermit and Archangel Michael.
West of Mochlos and east of Malavra springs, you’ll see the plaster mines of the area. The site is called Altsi from the Turkish word alçı, which means gypsum, plaster. This region hosts two small beaches, totally unknown to everybody, as it is not accessed due to the mines. Access to the beaches of Altsi is possible via the road leading to the mills that grind the stones (the paved road signed as a dead end before Mochlos).
Prina Village is located 24 km SE of Agios Nikolaos and 14 km N of Ierapetra. The hills of Prina are covered by a very important pine forest, which sadly has been burnt several times recently.
The Cave Fovolies is located north of Atherinolakos at position Fovolies. It is located next a a Minoan settlement. It is a small cave and easily accessible.
Το σαμιαμίδι (επιστ. Hemidactylus turcicus) ή μολυντήρι είναι ένα από τα πιο κοινά ερπετά της Κρήτης, το οποίο συγγενεύει με την ταρέντολα. Μάλιστα, πολλοί τα συγχέουν αυτά τα δύο είδη, καθώς έχουν παρόμοια χαρακτηριστικά.
Between Platani and the airport of Sitia there are huge uninhabited lands with low vegetation and wild sharp rocks, where even no roads exist. This area, called Melissokipi (aka Bee gardens), is crossed by several deep streams flowing into the sea (in winter). One of them, Vathys Potamos (i.e. Deep River) a small sandy beach is formed which unfortunately is strongly affected by the frequent winds.
Η μονή της Παναγίας Γκουβερνιώτισσας βρίσκεται κοντά στο χωριό Ποταμιές, 3km ανατολικά του Ηρακλείου. Σήμερα δεν λειτουργεί ως μοναστήρι, αλλά ο ναός της χρησιμοποιείται κανονικά. Είναι κτισμένο σε μικρό λόφο με ωραία θέα στη Λαγκάδα των Ποταμιών.
