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The wildlife in Cyprus consists of 168 species of birds, 12
species of mammals, 20 reptiles and amphibians and 16 different butterflies
Mammals
Mufflon
Probably the most famous mammal on the island and its landmark. It lives in the
Troodos mountains but is rarely seen in freedom. The mufflon is a shy mountain sheep, very
nimble and skilled in climbing . Its male carries enormous, curved horns. Contrary to all
other vertrebates it survived on the island from the antiquity until today. Scientists
discovered in the settlement of Chirokitia bones of wild sheeps. It is assumed that these
sheep came to Cyprus as domestic animals of the neolithic settlers and then grew wild.
It has always been a popular hunting object due to its tasty meat. Its number was
decreased during the medieval period until only 20 specimen were counted during the
British rule. The mufflon was declared a protected animal. Today around 800 specimen were
counted. In Stavros dis Psokas and Platania a few mufflons are kept in spacious fences to
give visitors the opportunity to watch these shy and rare animals.
In the forest and macchia areas live a number of small animals like,
foxes, rabbits, squirrels and weasels while the hedge-hog wanders around in the coastal
areas. A rare, indigenous specie is the Cyprus Mouse which lives in the rocky, dry regions
of the island. It carries on its back, within the fur, little thorns that gave it the
name.
A number of bats inhabit the island's coast and mountain areas.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Frogs, toads, lizards like the chameleon and snakes can be found in large
numbers. Snakes and lizards are well adjusted to the dry environment. Some of the snakes
lie dormant during the summer and escape in this way the heat. A very common, harmless
snake is the Black Adder which is one of the longest in Europe and can be found in Macchia
and Phrygana. One of the dangerous poisonous snakes in Cyprus is the Levante Adder living
in the same areas and in the forests.
Sea Life
More than 200 different species are present in the waters around Cyprus.
Sea-urchins and the starfish, , the sword-fish and the red mullet, squid, octopus and
shrimps are only a few to be named.
Turtles
The Lara-Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches of Cyprus, situated about 5 km north of
Avagas, has always been the breeding-place for turtles. When it was recognised that this
specie is treatened to die out measures where taken to protect the turtles. In 1971 the
Fishery Department of Cyprus declared the turtles a protected species. End of the
seventies the Lara-Project was founded for the protection of these animals which is
financially supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Two kinds of turtles lay their eggs on the north-west coast of Cyprus.
The chelonia mydas and the caretta caretta.
Beginning of June the first turtles appear during night at the beach,
dig slowly a up to 80 cm deep hole into the sand and lay between 100 and 130 eggs. Then
they disappear into the sea but return three to five times during that season. After the
season has finished it might take up to three years to return to the same breeding place.
Conservationists try to protect the nests from foxes or birds with cages
from wire until the young ones are hatched out. After 7-8 weeks the young turtles hatch
out and hurry in the dark of the night into the sea. This is the time when most of them
become victims of other animals. The chances of survival for the estimated 6000 young
turtles yearly are considerably low. Conservationists help them on their first step by
taking the turtles into the sea where they have to continue the battle on their own. The
female turtles return to their birthplace after 15 to 30 years to lay eggs.
Turtles, found on other beaches of the island are being brought to Lara beach. In order to
increase the survival chances, the young turtles are now kept in cages in the sea until
they reach a certain size. If these actions will actually help the turtles remains to be
seen.
Insects
Very rich is the family of insects on the island. Only the butterflies amount to
50 different species. It is assumed that Cyprus is a resting place for butterfly swarms on
their passage from Africa to South-Europe in spring time. Some of the endemic species are
the rare Black-Veined White Butterfly and the Brown Argus which can be found only in the
higher regions of the Troodos mountains or the Cyprus Silver Line Butterfly in the
foothills of Troodos.
Birds
Also the opulence of different birds is due to the
geographical positon of the island. It is visited every year by millions of migration
birds. Some stay only shortly to rest and then move on. Others spend the winter here, like
the robin, the song-thrush and the pink flamingo. The pink flamingos, which are a typical
sight on the salt-lakes of Larnaka and Akrotiri, reach Cyprus in November and return to
their homes in March.
More that 350 different bird species are counted, 50 of which are permanent guests.
 Birds of prey such as the imperial eagle, vultures or the kestrel can be found
in the mountain areas of Troodos.
Popular targets for hunters is the woodcock, the pheasant and the quail. The hunt for
these birds is restricted to certain months a year.
Many species of birds are threatened to die out as a result of the increasing number of
disappearing biotopes and the Cypriot enthusiasm for hunting.
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Mammals
