The flora and fauna of the Canary Islands

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Presentation

The Canary Islands are an ecological treasure, especially for their flora. The famous Canarian pine three needles (used to build the magnificent carved balconies) is an endemic species very resistant to fire. It also counts a large amount of euphorbia and succulents such as thistle, euphorbia candelabrum (whose original inhabitants were diluting the milk into the sea to sleep and kill fish), agaves, prickly pears (for extraction of cochineal) and the dragon (the sap was used by the Guanches to compose and ointments to mummify).

The heights of the Teide, Tenerife, are the habitat of a violet species that grows to over 2000 m altitude. She has other unique companions in their way, such as broom and red or viper tajinaste of Wildpret. The briar wood (laurisilva) surrounding the National Park of Teide is composed of species such as laurel, linden, tree ferns and yew. This forest type PRIMIT i ve also extends to the islands of La Gomera and La Palma.

Among the edible plants, mention the date palm, chestnut, dwarf banana, red, tropical fruits (papaya, mango) and vines.

Herbaceous plants

Trees

Insects and Arachnids

Molluscs

Fishes

Relatives seabed, often composed of basalt, are full of fish and dynamite fishing (long practiced) did not help matters. Off, we often see schools of dolphins, tuna and pilot whales. Ocean currents approach the different coasts varieties of sea turtles.

Reptiles

The Canary Islands are also famous for their reptiles including some unique varieties of lizards in the world, like the giant lizard of the island of Hierro.

Birds

The Canary Islands are home to 70 indigenous varieties of birds and 200 migratory species. We see snipes, laurel pigeons and curlew, as well as predators such as peregrine falcons, vultures and ospreys. Of the permanent species, one counts the hoopoe, the blue chaffinch, bullfinch, the bustard of Fuerteventura and of course the canary (Serinus canarius).

Mammals

Mammals are a minority in the islands, these goats and sheep in great majority, and hares, hedgehogs and gerbils.

As for dromedaries, they were introduced to Lanzarote to the fifteenth century.

Corsican sheep have recently been introduced in the mountains of Tenerife proved very harmful since it tackles the local wildlife. Its hunting is prohibited, but it is a violent predator which is trying to get rid repatriating the last individuals.

Another imported species, the rabbit has become a real invader.

Hunting is regulated in the Canaries, but remains one of the favorite local activities, especially in Gran Canaria. Hunters go on with their greyhounds, but also with a dog Aboriginal shepherd is verdino, greenish brown coat.

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Canary Islands > Flora and Fauna