Creepy Crawlies in Spain (Non-Dangerous) 🐞 From lizards to locusts, Spain is home to a wide range of non-dangerous insects and reptiles. While some might look intimidating, most are harmless and even beneficial to the ecosystem — or your garden!
🧪 NOTE: For a guide to dangerous creepy crawlies in Spain. CLICK HERE
🪳 Cockroaches
Yes, they're creepy — but not dangerous (unless you're allergic).
Cockroaches are common in warm climates and can be found in the cleanest of homes. Spain is no exception.
🔍 Interesting Facts:
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There are over 4,000 species of cockroach worldwide.
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A new species, the Turkestan cockroach (Shelfordella lateralis), was recently spotted in Spain (March 2023).
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Cockroaches are cannibals, can hold their breath for 40 minutes, and survive underwater for 30 minutes.
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Despite the myth, they can’t survive a nuclear explosion, but they can handle more radiation than humans.
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Their shed skin, saliva, and droppings can trigger asthma and allergies.
Cicadas
If you've visited Spain in summer, you’ve likely heard the buzzing song of cicadas.
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These insects are completely harmless.
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Their noise is actually a mating call, made by males using a structure called a tymbal.
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Some cicadas can be heard from over a mile away!
Palm Weevil
Not harmful to humans — but deadly to palm trees.
The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a large reddish-brown beetle known for damaging palm trees from the inside out. Authorities are actively working to contain them.
🦗 Grasshoppers, Crickets & Locusts
Common summer insects in Spain. Harmless to humans, but loud!
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Grasshoppers: Noisy during the day, short antennae, good fliers and jumpers.
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Crickets: Noisy at night, long antennae, usually don’t fly.
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Both use stridulation (rubbing body parts together) to produce sound and attract mates.
Praying Mantis
These fascinating creatures may look like little monsters, but they don’t bite or carry disease.
⚠️ Be cautious when handling — their forelegs can pinch.
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Commonly seen in late summer and autumn
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Yes, the female eats the male after mating — nature is wild!
Creepy Crawlies in Spain, non dangerous
🐍 Harmless Snakes
You won’t see these in Benidorm’s town centre, but snakes are part of Spain’s diverse wildlife. Nearly all are protected by law and pose no threat to humans.
🐍 Common harmless snakes in Spain:
Grass Snake (Natrix natrix): Green/brown with a yellow ring behind the head
Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris): Feeds on insects and small mammals
False Smooth Snake: Mildly venomous to small prey, harmless to humans
🦎 Lizards & Geckos
Spain is home to around 16 species of lizards. Most are harmless and great for pest control.
Common species include:
Moorish Gecko & Turkish Gecko: Often found on walls, chasing insects
Ocellated Lizard: Large, green with blue spots — can grow over 20 inches
Large Psammodromus: Small, fast-moving lizard found in scrub and forest
Spiny-Footed Lizard: Recognisable by its "eyebrow" look and long tail
🦎 Fun to watch and usually active during warm daylight hours.
For info on dangerous creepy crawlies in Spain, click HERE
💬 Have you ever come across any of these creepy crawlies in Spain?
We’d love to hear your stories — funny, fascinating, or just a little freaky!
👉 Share your experiences in the comments below.