The fauna of the Mediterranean climate is abundant and very varied, it includes all kinds of animals: bears, foxes, squirrels, reptiles, mountain goats, etc. They usually live in Mediterranean forests or scrublands; biomes that develop in regions with a Mediterranean climate.
The Mediterranean climate is characterized by having mild winters and dry summers, while in autumn and spring rainfall becomes abundant. The vegetation of the Mediterranean forests has adapted to the frequent forest fires that occur there.
Due to the variety of plant ecosystems, these forests are home to a rich and varied fauna comprised of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, as well as a large number of insects.
There are many species of the fauna of the Mediterranean climate that are in danger due to the disappearance of their habitats, although some of these species still survive, such as the Iberian lynx.
Their main climatic adaptations are destined to survive the seasonal drought, since at certain times of the year they will experience water shortages and vegetative shortages, having to adjust to these circumstances.
On the other hand, some scholars affirm that in reality there is no fauna expressly typical of the Mediterranean climate, but that the majority have originated in the contiguous areas and have been occupying the different habitats.
The classification of the Mediterranean climate fauna can be divided into 3 groups:
- Birds
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Mammals
Birds of the Mediterranean climate
Migratory birds stand out; they migrate in summer to less warm and dry climates, and others in winter. They can be divided into four main main groups:
- The most abundant birds in this climate are small ones or simply birds and sparrows.
- In another group, there are pigeons, turtledoves, ducks and birds of similar size.
- Waders, such as storks, herons, etc.
- Finally, there is the group of raptors; These can be both day and night.
Iberian imperial eagle
Most of these birds are grain-based, except for carnivorous birds of prey.
Among some of the species of birds that inhabit this climate we can find:
- Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti): a species of accipitriform bird of the Accipitridae family. It is the most emblematic of the Mediterranean forest and is currently in danger of extinction due to the reduction of its habitat, decrease in prey (rabbits), poisoning and mortality from power lines.
- Red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus rufficolis): it is a species of bird of the Caprimulgidae family, raised in the Iberian Peninsula and the northern Maghreb. It is a summer migratory bird, it rests during the day and thanks to its fur it can go unnoticed and evade its predators. It feeds on insects.
- Other birds of the Mediterranean Forest:
- Jay (Garrulus Glandarius)
- Common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)
- Blue tit (Parus cristatus)
- Goldfinch (Carduelis Carduelis)
- Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocara Pyrrhocarax) (Chough)
- Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
- Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)
- Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Reptiles and amphibians
The Mediterranean forest can still boast of its reptiles and amphibians. Snakes and snakes are very useful in the ecosystem, which level or control the populations of rats, mice, etc. On the other hand, toads, frogs and lizards help by acting as a biological insecticide for flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers.
They are only active from spring, their presence in the winter of this climate would cause their death; reptiles for being cold-blooded animals and amphibians for their susceptibility to changes in temperature, pressure and other factors that affect them during winter.
Reptiles
Common gecko
Most are hunters and carnivores, although there are exceptions. The most representative are the following:
- Ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida): small saurian of the Lacértidae family. It is characterized by having bluish spots on the back. It was previously hunted and consumed but is currently protected by law.
- Green lizard (Lacerta viridis): belongs to the family of the lacértidae. It is characterized by having an intense green color and when exposed to sunlight it becomes almost fluorescent, they have a great speed of flight.
- Iberian lizard (Podarcis hispánica): has a wider distribution and dispersion, has a discrete grayish and uniform coloration.
- Long-tailed lizard (Psammdromus algirus): it has a very long tail, it is twice the size of its body, it has two white stripes and one black on the back, they are grayish in color and they are very fast to escape.
- Common gecko (Tarentola mauritanica): they belong to the Gekkonidae family. They are gray in color with bumps on the back, their pupils are adapted to darkness.
- Bastard snake (Malpolon Monspessulamum): belongs to the Colúmbrid family. It is aggressive and fierce, it can exceed 2 meters in length.
- Ladder snake (Elaphe scalaris): brown in color, can grow to over 2 meters.
- Water snakes: within this group there are several species such as the viperina.
- Snout viper (vipera lastati): feared by most people, they are very poisonous.
- Leprous terrapin (Mauremys caspica): it belongs to the group of chelonians or turtles and has a greenish-brown shell.
Amphibians
Iberian newt
They inhabit both the aquatic area and the land area. Some of the most representative species are:
- Gallipato (Plerodeles waltl)
- Runner toad (Bufo calamita)
- Spade Toad (Pelobates cultripes)
- Common toad (Bufo bufo)
- Green or common frog (Rana perezi)
- Common salamander (Salamandra salamandra)
- Marbled Newt (Triturus marmoratus)
- Iberian newt (Triturus boscai)
Mammals
Iberian lynx
The species of mammals in the Mediterranean forest are very varied and abundant, they include all kinds of animals. Among some of them we can find:
- Iberian lynx (Lynx Pardina)
- Iberian Wolf (Canis Lupus Signatus)
- Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
- Fallow deer (Lady Lady)
- Deer (Cervus elaphus)
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
- Wildcat (Felix silvestris)
- Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- Dormouse (Eliomys quercinus)
- Genettes (Genetta genetta)
- Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)
References
- Life Forests (2007). Flora and Fauna of the Mediterranean Forest. Taken from forestsvida.blogspot.com.
- Forests, Eco (2016). Mediterranean forests: Fauna and vegetation. Taken from tendenzias.com.
- Ibáñez, Juan José (2010). Mediterranean Biome: The Mediterranean forest and scrub. Taken from madrimasd.org.
- Orovengua, Emilio (2006). Mediterranean Fauna: Reptiles. Taken from naturablog.blogspot.com.
- Guadarrama Regional Park. The Mediterranean Forest. Taken from parqueregionalguadarrama.org.