Spain is one of the EU countries that does not escape the dangers that threaten its animal populations. Currently, due to climate change, polluting anthropic activities and the destruction of environments (among many other factors), many native species of Andalusia, as well as the rest of Spain, are in danger of extinction, so taking measures to Solving this in time is urgent. So much so, that informing us about them and learning about their life history is the first step in saving them.
If you are interested in knowing the species of animals in danger of extinction in Andalusia, don't miss this article on our site where we will tell you about all about them.
Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
This is a mammal of the Felidae family and is one of the most threatened felines on the planet, which is also endemic to the Peninsula Iberian. Its preferred habitat is the scrublands and Mediterranean forests in a very good state of conservation and, today, it is only found in very restricted areas far from human beings. It is small in size compared to other lynxes, measuring about 80 cm and weighing no more than 20 kg. It has a slender and graceful appearance, with long legs and a characteristic short tail with a black tip, as well as pointed ears finished in stiff black hairs like a brush and sideburns of hair on the sides of the face. All this gives it a unique look. The design of its fur with brown tones and black spots allows it to perfectly camouflage itself in the environment.
Some of the threats that put this feline in danger of extinction are the alarming decrease due to diseases of its preferred prey, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), various road accidents and illegal hunting.
Bigeye bat (Myotis capaccinii)
This species belongs to the Vespertilionidae family and lives almost exclusively in areas of the Mediterranean coast, always associated with caves, tunnels and caverns near water, where it also lives and nests. The bigeye bat is a gregarious animal and shares shelter during the winter with other bat species. It is a small bat, measuring between 3 and 4 cm, and its fur is light greyish in color.
Because it is a rare species with very specific habitat requirements, it is one of the most endangered animals in Andalusia due to alteration and pollution of the places where it lives, its shelters and the areas where it hunts for its food, which are mainly insects that it captures on the surface of the water, it can also catch small fish.
Black Tortoise (Testudo graeca)
The spur-thighed tortoise belongs to the Testudinidae family, which in Spain lives in arid areas with low rainfall, in thickets with low vegetation. The females are somewhat larger than the males, measuring approximately 18 cm, while the males can measure up to 15 cm. It is characterized by having a very convex shell with greenish and yellow tones. It is a species that feeds on various food sources, being able to consume mainly wild plant species and supplementing its diet with insects, carrion and the remains of dead animals.
There are several causes of the alarming decrease in their populations, among which are the great pressure on their habitat by humans, the practices of agriculture and livestock , the advance of housing developments and the forest fires
Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
This bird species of the Otididae family is the largest that inhabits the Iberian Peninsula, mainly in plains with herbaceous vegetation, which It is their favorite habitat, especially in areas of cereal crops. It is a bird that, although it is a good flier, prefers to run when it feels threatened. It has a long neck and legs, which gives it a slender appearance, although its body is quite bulky. It feeds on a variety of insects and vegetables, both seeds and shoots.
The Great Bustard is extremely sensitive to changes in its environment, so even minimal changes can cause extinctions at the local level, and this is what has happened in many regions of Spain where this species used to live. Formerly, poaching was the main cause of their disappearance and, today, the destruction of their environments, which cause the loss of nesting sites and the decline of their food sources is what has led it to be in danger of extinction. In addition, disturbances by humans, electrocutions with barbed wire and attacks by dogs also contribute to its decrease.
Black stork (Ciconia nigra)
This species of bird belongs to the Coniidae family and in favorable times it inhabits forest areas and close to bodies of water and rocky areas, where they nest. In winter, they migrate to southern areas, in areas of marshes, reservoirs and rice fields. This stork measures around 100 cm and its most notable characteristic is the coloration of its plumage: all black on the upper part and with a marked iridescence, while the entire lower part is white. In addition, its intense red beak, as well as the area around its eyes, gives it a unique and unmistakable appearance.
Feeds mainly on fish it catches, either alone or in small groups and in shallow waters. In addition, it can consume invertebrates, crustaceans, small vertebrates and, occasionally, the young of other birds. Their main threats are the destruction of their nesting areas and disturbances by humans, be they fishermen, hikers and climbers, and even bird watchers. For all these reasons, the black stork is also part of the list of animals in danger of extinction in Andalusia and it is totally forbidden to remove or alter its nests.
Iberian Spotted Toad (Pelodytes ibericus)
This little toad belongs to the Pelodytidae family and lives exclusively in the Iberian Peninsula, since it is endemic to the south It prefers open areas and with little vegetation and, in general, lays its eggs in temporary puddles, artificial pools or in gutters. It is a small species that measures between 2 and 4 cm in length, the female being larger than the male. Its color is quite variable, from gray and greenish to yellowish tones, its most notable characteristic being the presence of green spots and warts on the back.
It is nocturnal and difficult to see, except during the breeding season, when they stand in the water and sing to attract the female, even during the day. Adults feed on small invertebrates, while larvae consume algae, aquatic plants, and detritus. Like other amphibians, this species is threatened by climate change, habitat destruction and retreat, and pollution of waters
Andalusian Torillo (Turnix sylvatica)
The torillo is within the family Turnicidae that inhabits areas of sand and low scrub. Its size is small, it measures around 16 cm and its plumage is typical of cryptic birds where brown, brown, reddish and cream tones predominate. Curiously, in this species the female is more striking and the male goes more unnoticed, causing the reproductive roles to be reversed, a detail that makes them unique. Its diet is omnivorous and consumes everything from insects and other invertebrates to plants and their seeds.
The torillo is extremely elusive and therefore its study is difficult, however, it is known that there are currently very few individuals in areas of AndalusiaIt is a highly endangered bird due to its resemblance to the quail, which has led to its being hunted as well. Likewise, the destruction and transformation of its habitat for irrigated areas and reforestation with monoculture species, has almost led to its extinction in Spain.
Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)
This bird belongs to the Accipitridae family and is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, where it can be found in various types of environments, such as pine forests, marshes in coastal areas, in dunes or in mountainous areas and with a lot of vegetation. It is a large eagle, measuring between 40 and 60 cm long, and with brown plumage and light spots dotted all over the body, although the shoulders are white.
Because it is the basis of its diet, the imperial eagle is closely associated with the rabbit, so its presence will be greater in areas with an abundance of this animal. In addition, it supplements its diet by hunting other birds and reptiles. One of the main reasons why this species is in danger of extinction in Andalusia and other areas of the country is the high mortality in young individuals due to poisoning, electrocutions with power lines, the reduction of rabbit populations and the destruction of their habitat, among other causes.
If you like these animals, discover all the Types of eagles in this other article.
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
From the Anatidae family, the White-headed Duck is a species of duck that inhabits lakes and lagoons with abundant aquatic vegetation in southern Spain. It also inhabits other wetlands, whether natural or artificial with deep and clean waters. Its appearance is unmistakable, it has a stocky body that ends in an upright and pointed tail and its head stands out for ending in a prominent beak. It has a marked sexual dimorphism, since the male exhibits an intense light blue beak during the reproductive season, while the rest of the year it is white. Its plumage is brownish brown with a white head and part of the neck and nape black.
These ducks are excellent divers and their diet is omnivorous, feeding on both invertebrate larvae and plants and seeds. Its main threat is the presence of the Cinnamon Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), an American species that is also very similar to the White-headed Duck. This species, being more aggressive, displaces the native White-headed Duck. Also the presence of exotic fish is another factor that threatens this species of duck, since they cause imbalance in the waters.
Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes)
We finalize the list of animals in greatest danger of extinction in Andalusia with the crayfish, also called European crayfish. This species of crab belongs to the Astacidae family and can be found in a wide variety of water bodies, whether in lagoons, reservoirs, mountain waters or ponds. It prefers calm waters and in a good state of conservation. Its coloration is reddish-olive with a lighter belly and it measures about 12 cm long. It is a species with crepuscular habits that during daylight hours remains sheltered and hidden between rocks or in tunnels that it digs. Its diet is also quite variable and can consume anything from aquatic plants and small fish and insects to carrion.
It is a species extremely sensitive to environmental changes in its environment, which is why it is threatened above all by insecticide contamination, so it is a bioindicator species of environmental quality. In addition, competition with exotic species such as the more resistant and aggressive American crab, is also another factor that puts the crayfish in danger of extinction.
