Page 72 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Wildlife of the Mediterranean maquis

Where in the world?

The region around the Mediterranean Sea is famous for an
ever changing landscape of high mountains, rocky shores
and sandy beaches. Home to thousands of species and
subspecies, the maquis covers portions of three continents:
Africa, Asia and Europe. Countless islands brimming with
beautiful wildlife make for an exciting place to explore and Short-toed eagle
These birds can live up to 30 years in the
admire. The ‘Mediterranean Basin’, as it is otherwise known, wild. They are found in warmer climates,

is the largest of the world’s five Mediterranean forests, where plenty of snakes are available as a
woodlands and scrublands. To survive the sparse and rough source of food. They like to nest in forests
terrain, its animal inhabitants have become agile climbers and but hunt in open, agricultural areas. The
population has declined or become extinct
adopted varied diets that include the foliage available nearby. Iberian Imperial eagle in some places across Europe.
Meanwhile vegetation is able to reproduce with notable speed With its pale cream head and neck
following fires that can crop up as a result of the dry and hot but dark brown feathers elsewhere,

weather. Those who live here have faced intense strain on this particular inhabitant is Iberian wolf
their homes as the lands they roam come under threat from extremely distinctive, recognised This wolf is a subspecies of the grey

partially for its flat gliding flight. Its
human civilisation. cry is a resounding ‘owk’ sound. wolf, sporting a grey, brown and fawn
Juveniles are a red-brown colour coat with an insulating undercoat.
that fades to pale brown with dark Distinctive markings include a white
throat and cheeks. Smaller in stature

Iberian lynx flight feathers and white fringes. to the grey wolf, the average male
The world’s most endangered feline species, weighs approximately 35 kilograms
the Iberian lynx is recognised by its tawny (77 pounds), while the female weighs
coat, long legs, ‘bearded’ face and very in at around 30 kilograms (66 pounds).
short tail with a black tip. The feline feeds
primarily on wild rabbits, but also consumes
ducks, deer and partridges if rabbit numbers
are low.

Iberian badger
The badger is a social animal, living
Greasy rockrose in colonies of between six and 20
Particularly well suited to the climate of individuals. Badgers do not have
the Mediterranean, the Cistus ladanifer can many predators or natural enemies,
withstand both long summer droughts and but in some parts wolves, dogs and
cold weather. They are heat resistant, and lynxes pose a threat. However, in
fire in fact helps increase the germination other areas they can live side-by-

of seeds which offer shelter to the minor side with other predators such as

fauna when spread and in bloom. foxes without conflict.
Shrubland plants

Haws are important for the wildlife, particularly The forested areas of the Mediterranean are
during the winter months, as the birds feed on the much more diverse than those found in other
fruit and dispense the food in their droppings. areas of Europe, attracting all manner of wildlife.
Olive Thyme
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