Page 74 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Wildlife of the Mediterranean maquis

Moving in on the maquis

With civilisation’s growing desire to live in more beautiful and unspoiled
parts of the world, the maquis and its wildlife are under threat
Mediterranean regions have long been impacted vegetation and the animals that inhabit the area
directly by humans, with the biggest threat to as some species become hunting targets for food,
the scrubland being development. Situated near while overpopulation brings with it the exploitation
beaches and coastlines, and with its warmer climate, of natural resources. Other threats include the
this habitat makes for a desirable environment in introduction of invasive and exotic species, and then
which to live. Because of this, many people flock there’s the threat of fire. Both natural and man-
to the area, building homes and hotels, bringing made fires alter the landscape as older vegetation is
with them the threat of chemical pollution, which cleared to make way for new. Long-sleeping seeds
heavily affects the area and the vegetation. Short- are left to develop in the warm ash. As animals
term financial gains to growing tourism in the return to a charred landscape their tracks appear
area often outweigh the long-term security of in this changed earth. Predators find it easier to
biodiversity and the maintenance of the ecosystem. spot their prey among the blackened twigs without
Large volumes of incoming people affect the leaves to hide behind.
“Situated near beaches and coastlines, and with its
warmer climate, this habitat makes for a desirable
environment in which to live”

Mediterranean maquis in numbers
over 1 5 12k 8K INCLUDES HOME TO MAMMAL

IN
50% species OF ITS SPECIES 220SPECIES
SPECIES
of plant species ARE FOUND YEARS 24 500OF BIRD &
can’t be found are under countries which are REPTILE
anywhere else in threat NOWHERE spent occupied by spread across three
continents 355SPECIES
the world ELSE humans

Mini mammals

Larger species are not the only wonders of the maquis; there are other smaller mammals to marvel at

Blackhead warbler Common rat Bastard snake
The adult male has a grey back, whitish Also known as the brown rat, the common rat Also known as the Montpellier snake, fully grown
underparts, black head, white throat and red can weigh more than half a kilogram (1.1 pounds) adults are a black-ish, dark grey or olive colour
eyes. The female is mainly brown above and buff and can grow to approximately 23 centimetres with a white underbelly. They can grow to over
below, with a grey head. The Sardinian warbler’s (nine inches) excluding the tail. Rats have an 1.83 metres (six feet) long. Their rear fangs are
song is fast and rattling. The species like open, acute sense of hearing and a well-developed poisonous, although the bite is more painful than
cultivated areas with bushes for nesting. sense of touch and smell. fatal. The snake lives in sunny and open habitats.

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