Today, Spain, like many countries, faces the fact that a large number of native species will become extinct in the near future if measures are not taken to recover them. In insular areas, such as the Canary Islands, as they are areas more or less far from the continent, they can house unique species thanks to their environmental and climatic conditions, and many of them are endemic, that is, they are only found in that place. In addition, many of the species present in the Canary Islands are in danger of extinction and could disappear forever. In the case of invertebrates, the species present on these islands represent close to 40% of the total present in Spain.
If you want to know which are the species of animals in danger of extinction in the Canary Islands, continue reading this article on our site where we will tell you about them.
Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki)
This species belongs to the Fringillidae family and is a bird endemic to the island of Gran Canaria, hence its name. It is typical of aerial areas of the island and is always associated with dense pine forests of Pinus canariensis, the Canary Island pine, preferring areas of taller and more leafy pines. It feeds mainly on the seeds of these pines, but also supplements its diet by consuming invertebrates, especially during the mating and breeding season.
The blue finch is a small to medium species, measuring around 16 cm and the male is the one with a characteristic bluish color, while the females are more brown or greenish. The main threats that led this species to be in danger of extinction are its restricted distribution, the loss of pine forests , the capture of specimens and its very small population.
Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)
The monk seal is part of the Phocidae family and is one of the largest seal species, as males can be almost 3 meters long. They inhabit the coasts, beaches and areas with caves of the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Archipelago, although there are fewer and fewer individuals left, since is in critical danger of extinction Currently, there are several projects to recover the populations of this species and one of them aims to reintroduce it in several places in Spain, particularly in protected areas of the Canary Islands, in order to connect with the populations of Cabo Blanco and Madeira.
The main causes that have led this species to the point of disappearing in Spain are its illegal hunting, the strong anthropic pressure that has destroyed part of its habitat, the pollution of its waters and interaction with fishermen, among other threats.
Giant Lizard of La Gomera (Gallotia bravoana)
This lizard of the Lacertidae family is another of the vertebrates that is critically endangered in the Canary Islands, being a unique and exclusive species of the island of La Gomera, where it lives in the typical landscape of the island, a rocky and volcanic terrain. The giant lizard has a robust head and body, measures about 50 cm and is dark brown in color. A very notable feature is the almost white coloration of the gular area and some blue spots (ocelli) on the sides of the body.
This species was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in the 1990s. Since then there have been conservation projects and one of them focuses on captive breeding. Today, its threats are its scarce and restricted distribution, since it is only found on La Gomera, human and urban pressure, added to attacks by domestic cats, among other factors, that have brought this species to the brink of extinction.
Guirre or Canary Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus majorensis)
This is a subspecies of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and lives only in the Canary Islands, where it occupies areas of cliffs, volcanic calderas and ravines. It is the only scavenger bird on these islands and is currently only present in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, since its populations have been declining over time. It is a species that measures about 70 cm in length, its plumage is creamy white and it is characterized by its neck and face devoid of yellow feathers, a trait present in other species of vultures.
It is Critically endangered due to poisoning with hunting ammunition, electrocutions on power lines, since it is common for Egyptian vultures perch on them, and lack of food, among other threats. Currently, there are projects to conserve this species, which in turn will benefit other animals and their landscapes.
Common Nasturtium Butterfly (Pieris cheiranthi)
Another of the animals in danger of extinction in the Canary Islands is the common hooded butterfly. This Lepidoptera (butterfly) of the Pieridae family, endemic to the Canary Islands, is found in La Palma and Tenerife, although in the past it also reached La Gomera, where today is extinct. This butterfly is typical of shady areas and humid forests, it is generally found in areas of ravines in these forests, although it has also been seen in cultivated areas, where its caterpillars find food.
This butterfly is between 5 and 7 cm long and its wings are white-yellow with dark spots in the center and the apex of the wings. It is in danger of extinction mainly due to the destruction of its habitat by humans and parasites by a parasitic wasp introduced to the islands (Cotesia glomerata).
Cigarrón palo palmero (Acrostira euphorbiae)
This species of grasshopper of the Pamphagidae family is endemic to La Palma, where it lives in areas with xerophytic vegetation, that is, adapted to dry places. It is almost always on a plant that is also endemic to the island, the tabaiba (Euphorbia obtusifolia), from which it feeds and lives. The female is about 7 cm long and is larger than the male, which is only 3 cm long. Their coloration also differs, since that of the male is more contrasting, with areas with reddish and black tones, yellow on the head and white on the legs, the female, on the other hand, is greyish.
One of the curious characteristics of this species (and other species of the same family) is that, unlike other grasshoppers, it does not have wings and its ability to jump is poor, so it is It moves by walking on the plants with very slow movements, which often makes it go unnoticed. Having a very restricted distribution, this species is threatened by the destruction of its habitat for the establishment of cattle, which by trampling the ground kill the tabaiba, from the which this grasshopper has a strong dependency.
Canary Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata fueertaventurae)
This bird is a subspecies of great bustard endemic to Fuerteventura, Lobos, La Graciosa and Lanzarote. It can be found in steppe environments, in areas of dunes, dry plains and hills where there is little vegetation. It looks similar to other bustards, with sandy colors and dark spots, and measures approximately 60 cm. It is a gregarious species whose groups are made up of few individuals. The plumage on the male's neck is characteristic during the reproductive season, which he exhibits by strutting in front of females. It is an omnivorous bird, and its diet is based on different species of plants present on the islands, as well as insects, molluscs and small vertebrates.
The main threats to this bird are the destruction of its environments due to urban development, the presence of humans during the harvest season of truffles, illegal hunting and power lines that cause collisions with this and other birds.
Tagarote falcon (Falco pelegrinoides)
Ave of the Falconidae family that many authors classify as a subspecies of Falco peregrinus, the peregrine falcon is very similar to this, but somewhat smaller, since it measures around 30 cm, it is more colorful pale and has a spot with red tones on the nape. It is found in almost all the Canary Islands and is also present in North Africa. Its habitat is rocky ravines covered by bushes and cliffs where it nests and can hunt pigeons, its preferred prey, although it also consumes other birds.
This type of falcon is another of the most endangered animals in the Canary Islands for various reasons, including poachingand electrocution from power lines. In addition, some sports such as canyoning, hang gliding and hiking cause discomfort and disturbance during the breeding season of these birds.
Blind crab of the jameos or jameito (Munidopsis polymorpha)
This crustacean of the Galatheidae family is endemic to Lanzarote and lives only in the jameos (tunnels or volcanic caves) present on this island, known as Jameos del Agua. Small in size, measuring between 2 and 3 cm, it has very peculiar characteristics, since it is an almost blind species, although it has highly developed hearing, and it is albino due to the environment in which it lives. It is a species that is very sensitive to environmental changes in its surroundings, and can be affected by the polluted seawater that reaches the Jameos del Agua.
Disturbances caused by noise and light seriously affect them. Added to this is the contamination of the water by metals due to the fact that when the Jameos del Agua were opened to tourism, people threw coins into the sea, a practice that is currently prohibited, and these are the main threats to this crab.
Sun limpet or Greater limpet (Patella candei)
We finalize the list of animals in greatest danger of extinction in the Canary Islands with the sun limpet, also called majorera limpet. It is a species of mollusc of the Patellidae family, endemic to the islands of Macaronesia and is present in Fuerteventura, one of the few places where it survives. It lives in coastal areas with little waves where other species of limpets also live. Its shell is yellowish with greenish or grayish tones, depending on the size, which can be up to a little over 8 cm.
Due to the choice of habitat, it is a species that is easy to collect by shellfish collectors, since it is visible and in areas with easy access, which has led it to be in danger of extinction. In addition, because it is such a tourist area, human pressure has also contributed to the loss of its environments
After reviewing the list of the most threatened species on these islands, don't miss this other article to find out how to protect animals in danger of extinction, they need us!
