Fascinating wildlife

The Alps are home to many animal species, from the iconic to the reclusive.

Some species are in danger of extinction, whilst others have been reintroduced or have returned of their own accord. For many animals, protected natural areas are an essential safe haven.

The fragmentation of the land and urban sprawl have also made it harder for animals to move around (migration, searching for food, breeding, etc.) so it is now essential that we maintain or create links between their living areas, such as biological corridors.

Approximately 30,000 animal species have been identified in the Alps, including:

15 different reptiles
21 amphibians (including one indigenous species)
Around 80 species of fish
Around 80 mammals, mostly mice, voles and bats, including some native species such as the Alpine field mouse and the Bavarian pine vole
Around 200 nesting birds
Plus an estimated 20,000 invertebrates!

The best-known and most iconic species are:

Large ungulates: chamois, ibex, mouflon (wild sheep)
Birds of prey: golden eagle, bearded vulture, griffon vulture
Mountain galliformes: black grouse, ptarmigan
Large carnivores: bear, wolf, lynx There is also the much-loved marmot.

However, other species are more reclusive or less well-known, such as the mountain hare, wallcreeper, spotted nutcracker, mountain apollo butterfly, rosalia longicorn beetle, or the large Alpine salamander, which was only discovered in 1988. Found on the French and Italian slopes of Monte Viso, its extremely limited geographical range makes the large Alpine salamander one of the rarest amphibians in the world!

Photo gallery: alpine Fauna

Golden eagle

Crested Tit

Mountain Hare

Chamois

Salamandra lanzai