What Animals Live in Greece?
Many types of animals call Greece home, including mammals such as lynx, wolves, roe deer, wildcats, jackals and chamois, golden eagles, herons and other birds, and a variety of insects and reptiles. Greece, like many nations in the world, has year-round wildlife and seasonal visitors. Migratory birds and marine animals come to Greece during the spring and fall migration seasons from Europe and Africa.
The climate and topography of Greece varies widely, which in turn dictates the types of plants and animals living in certain areas. Greece contains mountain ranges, flatlands and coastal areas. Its climate depends largely on seasonal patterns of prevailing winds, which derive from the Atlantic during the winter and etesian winds in the summer. The plants and animals in Greece adapt to changes in temperature and survive in a variety of conditions. Hares, wild goats and porcupines, for instance, tolerate drought conditions and dry, hot summer air well. Mammals such as wildcats and deer grow long, thick fur coats to endure cold, harsh mountain winters. While animals live throughout Greece, some areas contain higher concentrations than others. The Olympus National Park, for instance, hosts numerous butterflies, mammals and birds. In addition to animals, Greece houses a variety of plant species. Over 6,000 species of wildflowers live in Greece; 1,700 live on Mount Olympus alone.
