When one thinks of the Greek Islands and Greece , the first and foremost thing that comes to mind is the pristine beaches and beach islands like Mykonos, Hydra and many more and the white-washed resort villages of Santorini. And then the second thing that follows is the historical and cultural hub of Athens – the Acropolis. But did you know, Greece is a paradise for even wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts?
Set between Asia, Africa and Europe, Greece boasts an astonishing array of wildlife – from the bears of Epirus on the mainland, to the beautiful birds and cute mammals that make their homes on the islands. Greece covers a vast area, so for this blog, we’ll focus on her islands to give you a glimpse of some of the joy that awaits a wildlife lover on a trip to the Greek islands. Our daughter has been a wildlife and fauna enthusiast since the beginning. And that is the reason, this information excites us all the more to move Greece up our travel bucket list.
Recently we did a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh National Park in India. Where she had her first live interaction with a tiger in it’s natural habitat. Ever since she returned, she is already planning out her next wildlife adventure.
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What land mammals can I see in the Greek islands?
This is when when we also started exploring what is the wildlife scene in Greek Islands. And we were thrilled on the possibilities. So will be you.
For starters, you’re unlikely to see any large mammals on the Greek islands. Instead, you’ll need to pay close attention to the tinier things in life. With care and clever timing, you may spot species like the impossibly sweet Cretan spiny mouse, with its reddish fur and white underbelly and tell-tale spiny fur. This little creature is most likely to be seen on a trip to the Samaria Gorge on the beautiful island of Crete. Other notable furry friends include the Beech Marten, an inquisitive pale-furred mustelid once hunted for fur. However, the population is now enjoying a period of growth, and they are common on many of the islands.
What birds can I see in the Greek Islands?
And not just animals, the Greek Islands are also abode to several bird species. So, even bird lovers are not going to be disappointed when visiting here.
In fact, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that the Greek Islands are a bird lovers paradise. Many birds stop here as part of their migratory journey, meaning a huge variety of species can be seen throughout the islands. One of the most common is the pretty Hoopoe, which is as at home in urban centres as it is in the countryside. You’ll also see the Dalmatian pelican, a fierce-looking beast that patrols the promenades – Mykonos even has its own resident pelican called Petros.
As well as chance sightings, the Greek Islands offer opportunities for birdwatching expeditions. The island of Lesvos is especially famous for its birdlife and every year it sees beautiful species such as the Golden Oriole and diminutive Bee Eater. The Kalloni Gulf in particular offers the opportunity to see birds such as the Purple Heron and Black Stork.
What sea mammals can I see on the Greek Islands?
The sea is the lifeblood of the Greek Islands – even the flag pays homage to the rich waters of this fascinating part of Europe. The most common sea mammal is the bottle-nosed dolphin, often found delighting tourists on a boat trip in the Aegean or Ionian sea.
There are rare species here too, such as the Mediterranean monk seal, protected in the national marine park of Alonissos. The area is also home to the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta Caretta, that makes its perilous pilgrimage to lay eggs on the tourist beaches of Zakynthos and Kalymnos. If you’re travelling around the Hellenic Trench, the stretch of water between Crete in the south and the Ionian sea, you may be lucky enough to see a majestic Sperm Whale on its travels.
Conclusion
Just like us, if you were thinking that sea beaches and white washed homes and some historical places are all that Greece has to offer, now you know there is much more to the Greek Islands than meets the eyes. So, as we plan our trip to Greece, we will definitely have some Greek Islands wildlife chasing in our bucket list. And we hope so will you! We are sure you will have a wonderful time spotting some of the above mentioned rare species. No matter whether you are traveling solo or with kids and family. Either ways, we highly recommend have some time reserved on your Greek itinerary for the love of wildlife.
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