auna is a broad term encompassing all the animal extinct after intensive hunting with few exceptions of visiting Cyprus in a F organisms of an area, mammals, birds, reptiles, species that survive on the island until today. year depends on the amphibians, insects, fish, different micro organisms and climatic conditions Bones of the Mesopotamian deer have been found in a other species that are the study object of Zoology. of Northern and Ea- number of areas of the island, which shows that this stern Europe as well The rich Nature of Cyprus, and specifically fauna and species was widespread. It became extinct relatively as the amount of flora, is mainly the result of species evolution over time, recently, probably 400 years ago, almost certainly as a precipitation that under the influence of climate and soil conditions, the result of continuous hunting. falls on the island island’s geographical position and insular character - and The Mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion), is a species of wild Hedgehog- in a given year. Hemiechinus auritus dorotheae hence relative isolation- and the human influence in sheep that is endemic to Cyprus. It is the biggest wild The total number of relation to the limited extend of the land. mammal of the island and is a real treasure of the Cyprus breeding birds in Grey heron-Ardea cinerea The diversity of landscapes with their special forests. It is believed to have come to Cyprus as a Cyprus is 114. Six microclimatic and topographic features, the soil and domestic animal at around 8000 B.C. with the first of the permanent residents are endemic (2 species and 4 geological diversity, the variety of vegetation humans, who arrived on the island. In the past, it was Cyprus. It can be found subspecies) as follows: common on both mountain ranges, Troodos and Egyptian fruit bat- associations, and forest and agricultural plant species, Rousettus aegyptiacus everywhere on the island in create a variety of ecological niches and habitats Pentadaktylos. Uncontrolled hunting led to a dramatic fairly large numbers. · Cyprus warbler (Sylvia melanothorax) capable of meeting the biological needs of a large number decrease of the mouflon population. During the 1930s The Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus dorotheae) is another of animal species. there were only 15 animals left, which found refuge in the · Cyprus wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) Pafos forest. In view of the high risk of extinction, the endemic subspecies of Cyprus. It is a nocturnal, shy Presently, about 30 mammal species, 25 reptiles and species found in suitable habitats at 1600 m altitude · Short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla amphibians, 370 bird species, 250 fish species and around above sea level. dorotheae) 6000 insect species are known to live in various habitats The Bat species is one of the most strange but important of the island. · Jay (Garrulus glandarius glaszneri) animal groups of the Cyprus fauna. There are 16 bat species in Cyprus (one species belongs to Megahyroptera · Scops owl (Otus scops cyprius) Mammals and the rest to Microhyroptera). Very few studies have been conducted, so far, on the biology of these species · Coal tit (Parus ater cypriotes) Archaeological evidence shows that various big mammal in Cyprus. Their role in the ecosystem is vital since the Migration is a pheno- species like elephants and hippopotamus used to live on 15 species of Microhyroptera feed mainly on insects and menon, repeated nearly the island, thousands of years ago. Due to the absence of only the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) the same period every enemies and their special feeding habits, these species feeds on mature fruits. year. Weather condi- gradually evolved into pygmies adapting to the tions during migration, environment of the island. Shortly after the first humans both in autumn and settled on Cyprus, 8-10 thousand years ago, these Birds spring are characte- species disappeared obviously as a result of intensive Fox-Vulpes vulpes indutus Cyprus is one of the most important migratory routes in rized by light winds, hunting. Skeletons of the pygmy elephant and Europe because of its geographical position. It is also perfect visibility and whole Pafos state forest was designated a game reserve Long-eared owl-Asio otus hippopotamus have recently been found in caves in the considered as an area with rich avifauna, and an important Akrotiri area. area and the mouflon population recovered. Today it bird area in Europe with high endemism. low cloud cover, numbers thousands of animals. During the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, new mammal The number of bird species recorded until now in Cyprus conditions that are The Fox (Vulpes vulpes indutus) is an endemic subspecies species appeared on the island such as the Mesopotamian is 370. Of those, 53 are favourable for birds of Cyprus and the only carnivorous mammal of the island. deer (Dama dama mesopotamica), the Fallow deer (Dama permanent residents while during their migra- It can be found in many areas even though its population dama), the Red deer (Cervus elaphus), the Marten the remaining 317 are tion journeys from has been constantly declining over the last two decades. (Mustella nivalis), the wild cat (Felis silvestris), the fox migrants. Of the migra- Europe to Africa Ecologists consider the fox a useful animal with an (Vulpes vulpes), the mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion), the tory birds, 237 are com- and back. important role in the ecosystems. In Cyprus, there is hare (Lepus europaeus) and various mice species. mon visitors and the re- still great prejudice against this sympathetic animal. Some mammal species had been brought by the first maining 80 are rare or very settlers of the island, as domestic animals. Many of them The Hare (Lepus europaeus cyprius) is also an endemic rare visitors. The number Cyprus warbler-Sylvia melanothorax escaped and lived in the wild, but eventually became subspecies. It is the main and biggest game species in Griffon vulture-Gyps fulvus of the migratory birds Reptiles and Amphibians lizards. It was identified as Threats and protection an endemic species in 1983. There are 22 reptiles and 3 amphibian species living in Animal life in Cyprus faces many threats, some of which Cyprus. They include 3 turtle species, 11 species of The Large whip snake (Doli- are common worldwide. The relatively small area of the lizards (4 endemic subspecies) and 8 snake species, whi- chophis jugularis) is the most country poses additional pressures especially for ch include one endemic species and two endemic subs- common snake of the island. species that are hunted. The main threats are habitat pecies. Three of the snakes found in Cyprus are poisonous It is not poisonous and its loss, illegal hunting and possibly over-hunting, misuse of pesticides and tourist development. but only one can be harmful to man. colour is black. It is a very Large whip snake- Dolichophis jugularis well known snake, which can Significant steps are being taken during the last years Three frog species are live even in gardens keeping for the protection of many fauna species, such as the included in the amphibian: The them clean from other snakes and mice, as it feeds on designation and management of protected areas Tree frog (Hyla savignyi), the them. containing important habitats and species, measures to Marsh frog (Rana ridibunda) halt illegal hunting, determination of the Important Bird and the Green toad (Bufo A very common snake is the Blunt-nosed viper (Macro- Areas (IBAs) in Cyprus, submission of the Cyprus’ NATURA viridis). vipera lebetina). It is the most dangerous snake of the 2000 network to the European Union, elaboration of island with a very strong poison, this being the reason management plans targeting threatened species, specific The native turtle species, that is under constant persecution from people research and management projects like the turtle include two marine species Green toad-Bufo viridis everywhere. project at Akamas, the Griffon vulture project, LIFE the Green turtle (Chelonia projects etc. mydas) and the Common turtle Two rare snakes of the island are the Cat snake (Caretta caretta), which visit the sandy beaches of (Telescopus fallax cyprianus) and the Cyprus Grass snake Cyprus to lay their eggs. The third turtle species is the (Natrix natrix cypriaca) which was re-discovered in 1992 Fauna of Cyprus European pond turtle (Mauremis caspica rivulata) which is after 30 years with no records. It is confined to four Category Species Number Total under threat in Cyprus because of habitat loss and the locations of the island and is strictly protected. of species drying out of many rivers of the island. It lives in Insects Mouflon 1 rivulets with low water speed, with rich vegetation Fox 1 cover, in the vicinity of Hare 1 Nicosia and Polis tis Chry- Scientific knowledge on insect species is comparatively Mammals Hedgehog 1 sochou. poor in Cyprus, with the exception of certain groups, Mice 6 30 like butterflies and insects with agricultural interest. Bats 16 One of the most interesting Up to date, records and studies indicate that the number Seal 1 and rare lizards is the Berber of insects presently known from Cyprus is about 6000. Dolphins 3 skink (Eumeces schneiderii), Birds 61 Families 370 370 One of the most important groups of insects, are a very fast reptile with a Snakes 8 butterflies which belong to the order of Lepidoptera. body length of 30-40 cm. Reptiles Lizards 11 22 There are 52 butterfly species in Cyprus, of which 9 are Turtles 3 European pond turtle - A very common reptile is the endemic. Many other insect species are endemic and the Amphibians Frogs 3 3 Mauremis caspica rivulata Agama lizard (Laudakia stellio most important habitats of those species are protected.