Fauna

Spain has the second largest number of mammals in Europe, with 115 different species recorded.

It has a diverse collection of native animals, including a wide variety of amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals and fish. The country is home to some acclaimed species, such as the Bearded Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Lynx, Iberian Wolf & Eurasian Brown Bear.

Other characteristic mammals in Spain

Other characteristic mammals found in Spain include the Genet, Wild Boar and Spanish Ibex, and also some cetaceans, like Orcas, Pilot Whales and Sperm Whales.

Bird species

Spain is home to 635 bird species, including kites, vultures, eagles, storks, flamingos & bustards.

The incredible affluence of birds in Spain is due to being in the natural migration route, which is between Europe and Africa.

Endangered animals.

Some native Spanish species are known to be endangered. One of these is the Iberian Lynx, being the most endangered cat in the world. With thanks to the conservation programmes and agreements with landowners, Spain has managed to raise the number of this animal from 100 in 2014 to now having around 500.

Other endangered species include Spengler's Freshwater Mussel, El Hierro Giant Lizard and the Mediterranean Monk seal.

Flora

Due to its varied climate, Spain has a greater variety of natural vegetation than any other European country; with around 8,000 species catalogued.

Different parts of Spain.

In the humid areas of the North, there are deciduous trees (oak, chestnut, elm, beech and poplar), as well as varieties of pine.

In the dry southern region, you can find pine, juniper, and other evergreens, particular the ilex and cork oak, and drought-resistant shrubs.

The Canary islands, support both Mediterranean & African flora.

In the mainland and the islands, Spain has 8.000 to 9.000 species of vascular plants, more than any other country in Europe. Between 20% & 25% of these are endemic to the country.

Most of the plains and valleys of the interior used to be arrayed in sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forest. These were influenced by holm oak & cork oak, with wild olive and carob in the south, but only remnants of this natural vegetation remains.