Island Fauna
“ΚΠΙ KRI” (CRETAN IBEX) (Capra aegagrus cretensis); rare, shy; endemic to
Snmarla gorge, White Mountains I lUiSHWATER CRABS (Potamon); streams on Crete, Serifos, Naxos, Rhodhos,
other high-water-table areas IΊ I.ICANS; fishing harbor mascots DOLPHINS (Delphinus); often follow boats PORPOISES (Phocaena)] as above
MONK SEAL (Monachus); killed by fishermen; possibly extinct
GREEN SEA TURTLE (Chelonia); found mostly in Ionian Sea, especially Zakinthos
PARROT FISH (Scarus); common in Kykladhes
Overfishing and pollution of the Aegean have resulted in the virtual depletion, since World War II, of the breeding stocks of most fish species. Thus deceptively clear waters are often quite sterile.
Endemic Fauna of the Mountains and Inland Regions
EUROPEAN BROWN BEAR (Ursus arctos)·, present range includes the Pindhos and
north border regions—avoid overnighting in dense forest WOLF (Canis lupus)·, very rare
SPANISH LYNX (Lynx pardellus); rare; found only in Kara Dere of western Rhodhopi hills
WILD BOAR (Sus Scrofa); prolific ROE DEER (Capreolus capreolus); rare
CHAMOIS (Rupicapra); inhabit lofty, inaccessible crags and summits of the Pindhos
WEASELS (Mustela); favor high-altitude rock piles plus forest habitats
JACKAL (Canis aureus)·, also on larger islands
Other assorted rodents, badgers, foxes
GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquiius chrysaetos)
LAMMERGEYER (Gypaetus barbatus); also on Crete
GRIFFON VULTURE (Gyps fulvus)
EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Aegypius monachus)
STORKS (Ciconia ciconia); protected in folklore—roost throughout Ipiros, Maked- honia, Thraki, Thessalia
Ubiquitous Species
HARES (Lepus europaeus), RABBITS (Oryctolagus cuniculus), MOLES (Taipa
europaea), HEDGEHOGS (Erinaceus sp.); roadside animals RAVENS (Corvus corax), ROOK (Corvus frugiiegus), MAGPIES (Pica pica)
SWALLOWS (Hirundo rustica)·, commensal with humans PARTRIDGE (Perdix perdix), TURTLE DOVES (Streptopelia turtur), QUAIL
(Coturnix coturnix)·, game birds, hunted in autumn FINCHES (Fringilia sp.), BEE-EATERS (Merops apiaster), HOOPOOES (Upupa
epops); most colorful avians EGRETS (Egretta garzetta), HERONS (Ardea cinerea), BITTERNS (Botarus sp. and Ixobrychus sp.), MALLARDS (Anas platyrhynchos), COOTS (Fulica atra)·, in Greece’s extensive wetlands NIGHT JAR (Caprimulgus europaeus), SCOPS OWL (Otus scops), LITTLE OWL
(Athene noctua)] night criers GREEK NEWT (Trituris); orange speckles; abroad after rains
GREEK LAND TORTOISE (Testudo); widespread; noisy eater
AGAMO LIZARD (Agama)·, medium-size, salt-and-pepper pattern, other types from
finger to arm size FROGS (Rana sp.); six species