New Delhi: Wildlife around the world is so fascinating. Every day, we learn new things about flora and fauna. In this article, we will look at fascinating animals from Spain. Spain is a country with diverse flora and fauna. The country has two long coastlines and is located south of France. The two coastlines lie one on the north of the Cantabrian Sea, the other on the east and south of the Mediterranean Sea, and one smaller one on the west and south of the Atlantic Ocean.
Spain is one of the European countries with the most biodiversity. It has about 60,000 to 70,000 animal species, including mainland and island groups. Around seven hundred of these species are vertebrates, which do not include marine fish, while the rest are invertebrates. The highest number of unique species can be found among freshwater fish in mountainous regions, coastal areas, and the fauna of the Canary Islands. About 30 per cent of the vertebrates in Spain are at risk of extinction.
5 fascinating animals of Spain
- Iberian Lynx
- Iberian Wolf
- Balearic Shearwater
- Cantabrian brown bear
- Spanish Ibex
Iberian Lynx
Iberian Lynx (Photo credit: Manuel ROMARIS/Moment/Getty Images)
The Iberian lynx is a rare wild cat found only on the Iberian Peninsula. Its scientific name is Lynx pardinus. Fewer than 700 Iberian lynxes are left in the wild due to years of conservation efforts. The population dropped significantly during the 1960s to the early 2000s because of habitat loss and hunting. At one point, only about 100 individuals remained, mainly in southern Spain, while the lynx used to roam up to Galicia and Northern Portugal. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers this species endangered.
Iberian Wolf
Iberian Wolf (Photo credit: Juan Giribet/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Iberian wolf is often seen as a mythical animal mainly found in northern Spain and northern Portugal. Wild populations used to exist across Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, but by the end of World War II, they had largely disappeared from most of Northern and Central Europe. Iberian wolves live in forests, mountains, and plains. They can be seen in places like Galicia and Asturias in Spain, particularly in the Picos de Europa National Park. These wolves hunt animals such as boars, red deer, roe deer, rabbits, and ibexes, and they also prey on sheep, which leads to conflicts with local farmers.
Balearic Shearwater
Balearic Shearwater (Photo credit: Daniel Valverde/500px/Getty Images)
The Balearic shearwater is a migratory sea bird that breeds on the coastal cliffs of the Balearic Islands and moves out to sea during winter. However, habitat destruction from coastal development and threats from introduced predators put this bird at risk of extinction.
Cantabrian Brown Bear
Cantabrian Brown Bear (Photo credit: David Santiago Garcia/Cavan/Getty Images)
The Cantabrian brown bear is a subspecies of the European brown bear. It is a common resident of mature forests in Europe but is rare now. This bear was once very widespread across the Iberian Peninsula, especially in Madrid. They can live up to 30 years and grow to about 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long. Adult males usually weigh between 250 to 300 kg but can reach up to 481 kg (1,058 lb). Their coat colours can vary from dark brown to light gold and different shades of grey. They have poor eyesight but can see colours at night. Their hearing is excellent, and their sense of smell is the most developed, which helps them daily. Their diet includes plants, insects, small animals, occasionally large ungulates and livestock.
Spanish Ibex
Spanish Ibex (Photo credit: Westend61/Getty Images)
The Spanish ibex, also known as the Iberian ibex, has four subspecies. Sadly, two subspecies are extinct, while the other two are native to the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish ibex thrives in rocky areas, preferring cliffs with scrub, deciduous, or coniferous trees. They are active day and night, mainly in the morning and late afternoon. These social animals often change herds and can be found in forests and grasslands at altitudes of 500 to 2,500 meters, sometimes going even higher in summer. Conservation efforts have allowed them to spread to new areas, including Malaga, Granada, or Almería coastal regions where the shore can occasionally see them.
This article highlights five fascinating animals found in Spain, including the endangered Iberian lynx, the elusive Iberian wolf, the migratory Balearic shearwater, the rare Cantabrian brown bear, and the adaptable Spanish ibex. Learn about their habitats, conservation status, and threats. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
