Fauna

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

 

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