Page 75 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Wildlife of the Mediterranean maquis

LEFT Despite the pressures on the
landscape, the Mediterranean habitat
is recognised as a global biodiversity
hotspot and is recommended as a major
conservation priority

Weasel European hedgehog Field rabbit
Weasels hunt small rodents for food and are less The spiny mammal hibernates throughout The field rabbit’s natural habitat includes woods, © Thinkstock; Sol90; FLPA; Dreamstime
common where such prey is scarce, including at the winter months but can be found scuffling meadows and farmland. Rubbing their necks on
high altitudes and in dense woodland. If food is around at night in woodland, farmland and the ground, they will mark their territory with the
scarce they may hunt birds and young rabbits. suburban areas in Europe during warmer scent from their glands. Feeding and grazing are
Its size enables it to forage through tunnels and periods. Its protective coat of around 7,000 done close to their burrows. These animals have
runways of mice. spines helps keep it safe from predators. a remarkably wide field of vision.

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