Content
- Atlantic cod
- diver
- european bison
- European ground squirrel
- Pyrenean water mole
- Pyrenean newt
- Alpine marmot
- Northern Owl
- freshwater lobster
- painted moray
- Temporary Rana
- Iberian gecko
- other animals from europe
The European continent is composed of several countries in which a large number of species live, considering that there are endemic animals from Europe distributed in an important variety of different habitats. Over time, the development of natural processes combined with the impact caused by humans has caused a decrease in the native animals of Europe, making the current biodiversity not the same as it was centuries ago. The boundaries of this continent are sometimes imprecise, as there are even experts who speak of a Eurasian supercontinent.However, we can establish that Europe is limited by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Mediterranean to the south, the Atlantic to the west, and Asia to the east.
In this PeritoAnimal article, we will present you a list of animals from europe. Keep reading to learn more about them!
Atlantic cod
Atlantic cod (gadus morhua) is a highly commercialized fish for consumption on the continent. Although it is a migratory species, like others in the group, she is native to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom, among other countries. Generally transits in cold water, close to 1ºC, although it can tolerate areas with certain higher temperatures.
At birth, their diet is based on phytoplankton. However, in the juvenile stage, they feed on smaller crustaceans. Once they reach adulthood, they play a superior predatory role, feeding on other types of fish. An adult cod can reach 100 kg and reach 2 meters. Despite being part of the list of endangered animals in the category of little concern, there are warnings of super exploration of the species.
diver
The Great Bluebird (aca torda) is a species of seabird, the only one of its kind. Usually does not exceed the 45 cm long, with a wingspan of about 70 cm. It has a thick beak, the coloration is a combination of black and white, and the patterns of these colors vary according to the breeding season.
Although it is a bird with migratory behavior, it is native to Europe. Some of the countries from which it originates are Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It lives in areas of cliffs, but spends most of its time in the water. It is actually a bird that can dive efficiently, reaching depths of up to 120 m. Regarding extinction risk, its current status is vulnerable, due to climate changes that significantly affect the species.
european bison
The European bison (bonasus bison) is considered the largest mammal in Europe. It is a bovine of the family of goats, bulls, sheep and antelopes. It is a robust animal with a dark coat, which is more abundant on the head and neck. Both males and females have horns of about 50 cm.
The European bison is native to countries such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. They have been introduced into forest habitats but prefer open spaces such as meadows, river valleys and abandoned farmland. They preferentially feed on non-herbaceous vegetation, which digest better. Your current status is almost threatened with extinction, due to the low genetic diversity that affects the size of populations. The fragmentation of populations, some diseases of the species and poaching also significantly reduce the number of individuals of these animals in Europe.
European ground squirrel
The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is a rodent of the squirrel family, called Sciuridae. Weighs about 300grams and measures approximately 20cm. It is a diurnal animal that lives in groups and feeds on seeds, shoots, roots and invertebrates.
The European ground squirrel is native to Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine. Its habitat is very specific, limited to short grassland steppes and even areas of planted grass, such as golf courses and sports courts. You need well-drained, light soil to build your burrows. This species is in endangered, mainly due to changes in the soil of the ecosystems it inhabits.
Pyrenean water mole
The Pyrenees Water Mole (Galemys pyrenaicus) belongs to the Talpidae family, which it shares with the other moles. It is a low weight animal, which can reach up to 80 gr. Its length does not usually exceed 16 cm, but has a long tail that can even exceed the length of the body. The physical characteristics of the water mole fall between a mouse, a mole and a shrew, which makes it quite peculiar. They live in pairs, are good swimmers, as they move nimbly in the water, and dig holes in the ground.
The water mole is native to Andorra, Portugal, France and Spain, inhabiting mainly mountain streams with fast currents, although it can be present in slow moving water bodies. Regarding extinction risk, its current status is vulnerable, due to the alteration of the restricted habitat where it develops.
Pyrenean newt
The Pyrenees Newt (Calotriton asper) is an amphibian of the salamanders family. It has brown coloration, generally uniform, although males change it during the reproductive season. It is a nocturnal animal and has periods of hibernation. Their diet is based on insects and invertebrates.
It is native to Andorra, France and Spain, where it inhabits water bodies such as lakes, streams and even mountain cave systems with very low temperatures. It is in the category almost threatened with extinction, due to changes in the aquatic ecosystems where it lives, mainly caused by the development of infrastructure and tourism.
Alpine marmot
The alpine marmot (marmot marmot) is a large rodent within the European continent, measuring around 80 cm including the tail, and weighing up to 8 kg. It is a robust animal, with short legs and ears. These European animals have daytime habits, are highly sociable, and most of their time is spent searching for foods such as grasses, reeds, and herbs to build up body reserves and hibernate in winter.
The Alpine marmot is native to Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. builds communal lairs in alluvial soils or rocky areas, mainly in alpine meadows and in high altitude pastures. Its conservation status is classified as little worrying.
Northern Owl
The Northern Owl (aegolius funereus) is a bird that does not reach large dimensions, measuring approximately 30 cm with a wingspan of about 60 cm, and its weight varies between 100 to 200 grams. The plumage color varies between black, brown and white. It is carnivorous, its diet is based mainly on rodents such as water rats, mice and shrews. It emits a chant that can be heard from great distances.
These are some of the European countries where the Northern Owl is native: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Russia, Spain, among others. It also reproduces outside the borders of Europe. Live in mountain forests, mainly dense coniferous forests. Its current state of conservation is little worrying.
freshwater lobster
another of animals from europe is the freshwater lobster (astacus astacus), an arthropod belonging to the Astacidae family, which corresponds to a group of freshwater crayfish originating from the old continent. Females mature and reach between 6 and 8.5 cm, while males do it between 6 and 7 cm of lenght. It is a species with great need for oxygen and therefore, in the summer, if water bodies develop high eutrophication, there is a high mortality for the species.
Freshwater lobster is native to Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Polynia, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, among others. It inhabits rivers, lakes, ponds and reservoirs, in low and high lands. What is important is the presence of available shelter, such as rocks, logs, roots and aquatic vegetation. He builds burrows on soft sand bottoms, spaces he chooses most often. Your current status is vulnerable in relation to the level of extinction threat of the species.
painted moray
The painted moray (Helena Muraena) is a fish that belongs to the anguiliformes group, which it shares with eels and congers. It has a long body, measuring up to 1.5 m and weighing about 15 kg or even a little more. It is territorial, with nocturnal and solitary habits, it feeds on other fish, crabs and cephalopods. Its color is gray or dark brown, and has no scales.
Some of the regions where moray eels are native are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. It inhabits rocky bottoms where it spends most of the day, located at depths between 15 and 50 m. Your current status is little worrying.
Temporary Rana
Temporary Rana is an amphibian of the Ranidae family, with stout body, short legs and a head narrowed forward, forming a kind of beak. It has several color patterns, which makes it a very attractive species.
This animal from Europe is native to countries such as Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, among others. It develops in various types of forests, such as conifers, deciduous, tundra, wooded steppes, shrubs, swamps, and also in aquatic habitats such as lakes, lakes and rivers where it spawns. It is a frequent presence in gardens. Your current status is little worrying.
Iberian gecko
The Iberian lizard (Podarcis hispanicus) or common gecko has a length of 4 to 6 cm approximately, and females tend to be somewhat smaller than males. Its tail is quite long, usually exceeding the dimensions of its body. When it feels threatened by a predator, the Iberian gecko lets go of this structure, using it as a distraction in order to escape.
The Iberian lizard is native to France, Portugal and Spain. It is usually found in rocky areas, shrublands, alpine meadows, dense vegetation and also in buildings. It is another of the animals in Europe classified in a situation little worrying in relation to the risk of extinction.
other animals from europe
Below, we present a list with other animals from Europe:
- European mole (european talpa)
- Red-toothed dwarf shrew (Sorex minutus)
- Mouse-eared bat (myotis myotis)
- European Weasel (mustela lutreola)
- European Badger (honey honey)
- Mediterranean Monk Seal (monachus monachus)
- Iberian Lynx (lynx pardinus)
- Red deer (cervus elaphus)
- Chamois (Pyrenean capra)
- Common Hare (Lepus europaeus)
- Gecko (Mauritanian tarentola)
- Land urchin (Erinaceus europaeus)
Now that you've met a number of European animals, maybe you might be interested in this video where we explain how climate change affects animals:
If you want to read more articles similar to Animals from Europe, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.