Algarve animals listed by scientific names. Although most famous for its wildflowers, birds and butterflies, the Algarve has a lot more to offer the general wildlife enthusiast; it's just a matter of knowing when and where to look. Below the gallery are articles, written by Clive Viney, author of Algarve Wildlife the natural year, giving details of the Algarve's diversity of Mammals and of Reptiles and Amphibians. European Chameleon. Red Fox. Grass Snake. Hedgehog. Lizard. Mouse. Mullet. Rabbit. Serotine Bat. Terrapin. Tree Frog. Wall Lizard. Previous. Next. Below: The Eyed- lizard is one of the fabulous reptiles that you may be lucky enough to glimpse in the Algarve. Only Western Hedgehog, Rabbit, Iberian Hare and various bats, which mostly defy identification, are readily visible. In remoter districts, those seeking wildlife might occasionally glimpse a Red Fox, a Eurasian Otter or even a party of foraging Wild Boar. Two well- established North African species are Common Genet, a spotted catlike carnivore and the Egyptian Mongoose. Whilst genets spend the day hiding, mongooses are diurnal and quite commonly seen. ![]() Most of the larger terrestrial mammals are unmistakable and carrying a field guide on the off chance of seeing one is unnecessary. Smaller mammals usually come in the form of specimens, perhaps a small vole from a swimming pool filter or just something the cat brought in - then a good reference source is necessary. Although not for the squeamish, road kills provide valuable information on occurrence and distribution. The most recently published guide is Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East by S. This is a 30 page PowerPoint file, explaining what nocturnal animals are; why they come out at night; how they feed and live etc. The animals include KS1 - NOCTURNAL. Nature 115, 306-306 (28 February. The Vision of Nocturnal Animals. Portugal; Romania; Sint Maarten; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland. First Day Cover Nocturnal Animals - Europ. First Day Cover Nocturnal Animals. Aulagnier et al first published in English by A& C Black in 2. Another useful and readily available reference book is the Collins Field Guide Mammals of Britain & Europe by David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett (1. The Hamlyn Guide Bats of Britain and Europe by Wilfried Schober and Eckard Grimmberger (1. For marine mammals, Sea Mammals of the World by Randall R. Powell (published by A& C Black 2. Weasels Mustela nivalis are very rarely seen in the Algarve, but this one was spotted in the stony ground which is a favourite hunting ground. Picture: Mark Barber Mammals of the Algarve - A Systematic Summary.
For terrestrial mammals, the systematic summary uses the English names and follows the sequence and scientific nomenclature employed by Aulagnier et al (2. Portuguese names are those used by Mitchell- Jones et al (1. Atlas of European Mammals, published by Academic Press, London. For cetaceans, the English and scientific names follow Randall et al (2. LAGOMORPHS Leporidae Medium- sized herbivorous animals. In Europe, they are characterised by long back legs, long ears and the ability to run fast. Universally regarded as game. Iberian Hare Lepus granatensis Lebre- ibrica. Separated from Rabbit by larger size, long black- tipped ears and loping gait. Common and widespread. Endemic to Iberia and the Balearic Islands. Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Coelho- bravo. Familiar mammal. Normally very common and widespread but declining dramatically in many areas. Suffers from considerable hunting pressure and disease. HEDGEHOGS Erinaceidae Familiar insectivorous mammals with a protective covering of spines on the back. Western Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus Ouri. Although mainly nocturnal, is also active at dawn and dusk. The Iberian Hare Lepus granatensis is most in evidence in springtime in the Algarve - that means from January onwards SHREWS Soricidae Tiny insectivorous mammals with long mobile muzzles. Nocturnal and usually solitary. Greater White- toothed Shrew Crocidura russula Musaranho- de- dentes- brancos. Quite common and widespread. Often the dominant species in a Barn Owl’s diet. Pygmy White- toothed Shrew. Suncus etruscus Musaranho- an. Much less common than Greater White- toothed Shrew. Found in traditional olive groves and vineyards, especially those with old stonewalls. Particularly sensitive to insecticides and herbicides. MOLES Talpidae Insectivorous mammals known for their burrowing habits. Iberian Mole. Talpa occidentalis Toupeira. Widespread Iberian endemic. Although common is invisible - lives permanently in underground tunnels. BATS Rhinolophidae, Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. Familiar, nocturnal flying mammals. Nearly a quarter of all mammalian species are bats. Colonial breeders and very vulnerable to habitat destruction, disturbance and poisoning (for example, remedial timber treatment in buildings). Specific identification of bats in flight is usually very difficult. All bat species have legal protection in the EU. Little is known about the distribution of bats in the Algarve. Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolophus eurayle Morcego- de- ferradura- mediterr. Roosts with Greater Horseshoe Bat and Schreiber’s Bat. Hedgehogs are common in the Algarve and are frequently seen in gardens and on golf courses. Picture Ray Tipper: Licence enquiry.. Greater Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Morcego- de- ferradura- grande ; Widespread cave- dwelling species. Lesser Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolophus hipposideros Morcego- de- ferradura- pequeno; Widespread species that frequently roosts in buildings during the summer. Breeds on coastal cliff faces in the central Algarve coast. Conservation status is vulnerable. Mehely’s Horseshoe Bat. Rhinolophus mehelyi Morcego- de- ferradura- mourisco; Local cave- dwelling species. Breeds on coastal cliff faces in the central Algarve. Conservation status is vulnerable. European Free- tailed Bat. Tadarida teniotis Morcego- rabudo. Recorded from western coastal areas. High and fast flying species. Schreibers’ Bat. Miniopterus schreibersii Morcego- de- peluche. Medium- sized, blunt- nosed and dome- headed bat with a fast swallow- like flight. Migratory species that travels far from roosts. A huge breeding colony of several thousand was discovered in a cave in the Salir area and also recorded breeding on coastal cliff faces in the central Algarve. Also known as Common Bentwing Bat. Serotine Bat. Eptesicus serotinus Morcego- hortel. Common house- dwelling species. Leisler’s Bat. Nyctalus leisleri Morcego- arboricola- pequeno; Medium- sized, fast- flying woodland bat. Kuhl’s Pipistrelle. Pipistrellus kuhlii Morcego de Kuhl. Common and widespread in urban areas but impossible to separate from Common Pipistrelle by field observation. Typically, hunts over streetlamps. The Parsley Frog Pelodytes ibericus is able to tolerate brackish water. Picture: Mark Barber Common Pipistrelle. Pipistrellus pipistrellus Morcego- an. Very common and widespread. Leaves its roost about 2. Soprano Pipistrelle. Pipistrellus pygmaeus; Slightly smaller than Common Pipistrelle and only recently elevated to species level on the basis of its higher frequency echolocation calls. Trapped at Vilamoura October 2. Brown Long- eared Bat. Plecotus auritus Morcego- orelhudo- castanho; Rare woodland species. Single record from the northwest Algarve. Grey Long- eared Bat. Plecotus austriacus Morcego- orelhudo- cinzento. Medium- sized, nocturnal bat with extraordinarily large ears. Recorded from western coastal areas. Lesser Mouse- eared Bat. Myotis blythi Morcego- rato- pequeno; Colonies found in caves in the Salir area (Fonte Ben. Common and widespread species usually associated with freshwater habitats. Geoffrey’s Bat. Myotis emarginatus Morcego- lanudo. Rare and its conservation status is vulnerable. Greater Mouse- eared Bat. Myotis myotis Morcego- rato- grande. Cave- dwelling species reported from the western Algarve. Natterer’s Bat. Myotis natterei Morcego- de- franja. Woodland species reported from the western Algarve. CANIDS Canidae Dog- like carnivores that are adapted for fast pursuit of prey in open country. Wolf. Canis lupus Lobo; Remained relatively common in the north of the region until the turn of the century but was extinct by 1. Stone corrals in many rural areas bear witness to the former presence of wolves. Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Raposa; Fairly common and widespread. Normally nocturnal and crepuscular. Most widespread and successful wild carnivore in the world. Rabbits are a common site in the countryside. Picture Ray Tipper: Licence enquiry.. MUSTELIDS Mustelidae Family of predatory carnivores that includes weasels, polecats, martens, badgers and otters. Weasel Mustela nivalis Doninha; Familiar and distinctive small mammal with a cylindrical body and short legs. Fairly common and widespread. Normally difficult to see but males seeking out females are noticeable in early spring. European Polecat Mustela putorius Toir. Occasionally seen in daylight but more active at night - often close to human settlements. Stone Marten. Martes foina Fuinha; Cat- sized mammal with a strikingly white throat bib. Favours open, rocky ground and when disturbed, runs in leaps and bounds. Occurs in human settlements where it scavenges and takes fruit and eggs. Widespread but difficult to see as it is solitary and nocturnal. Badger Meles meles Texugo; Familiar mammal with a black and white snout. Widespread but nocturnal. Mostly seen in car headlights or found as a road kill. Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra Lontra; Familiar riverside, semi- aquatic mammal with smooth, sleek fur. Normally nocturnal but where undisturbed is active in daylight. Fairly common and widespread along larger rivers and on remote shores. GENETS Viverridae Short- legged, long- bodied carnivores. Common Genet Genetta genetta Geneta; Cat- like but with Weasel characteristics and an exceptionally long, ringed tail. Nocturnal and extremely secretive. Sadly is usually seen as a road kill. Introduced to Europe many centuries ago from northwest Africa. The Moorish Gecko Tarentola mauritanica is quite at home with us and is frequently seen in and around houses. Picture: Mark Barber PINNIPEDS Phocidae Sea mammals with many aquatic adaptations. Harbour Seal. Phoca vitulina has occurred on the Portuguese west coast. Mediterranean Monk Seal. Monachus monachus has been recorded as a vagrant. MONGOOSES Herpestidae Mongooses are small to medium- sized, terrestrial carnivores.
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