Andalusia is the meeting point between the continents of Europe and Africa and the region also marks the merging together of the waters of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The confluence of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic has led to the creation and existence of one of the most bio-diverse and ecologically rich marine areas in the world. At the same time, a highly varied geographical and geological area, which is a combination of coasts, snow covered mountains, deserts and forests has led to the creation of a unique ecosystem in Andalusia, which is home to a wide variety of plants, animals and birds.

The Andalucian landscape is quite varied both in terms of flora and fauna. The low altitude regions in Andalucia, along with the plains, are full of pastures, groves, grasses and herbs that form the perfect environment for its wild animals. Animals that are native to Spain are relatively small in size, since the onus for producing large animals is left to the regions of cross the sea neighbour, Africa. So while Spain does not boast of wild animals like lions, tigers, giraffes and elephants, it has its fair share of animals that are a little smaller in size. The country has its fair share of wolves, bears, lynxes and foxes. A variety of deer, wild goats, ibex, bats, tortoises and snakes are the wild animals native to this country. Apart from wild animals, Spain also has a large variety of native birds, some of which are exclusive to the country and some which are extremely rare. Spain has a number of native species of birds of prey like vultures, eagles and kites while birds that live in marsh lands like storks, bustards and flamingoes are also native Spaniards. A wide variety of other birds that are migrating are also present in Spain through major parts of the year.

The variety of wild animals found in Andalucian national parks -- the Doñana National Park and the Sierra Nevada National Park--is prolific. A large number of species that are almost extinct like the imperial eagle, the white eyed gull, the pardelle lynx, the civet and the monk seal can be found in Andalucian national parks and other protected areas.

The most common Andalucian animals found in its woods are the mountain goat and the deer. Apart from these, another native of Andalucia is the Muflon, which is a type of wild sheep found in the jungles of Spain. These large horned creatures can be found fighting in the season of autumn in order to establish their supremacy over the females. Apart from these, the native mongoose or the Meloncillo found in the Sierra Nevada national park is facing extinction in other parts of Spain. Different types and species of salamanders and lizards, scorpions and poisonous as well as non poisonous snakes can be found in the dry areas of Andalucia, while the occasional creepy crawly can be found almost anywhere and everywhere in Spain.

Apart from providing the ideal environment and eco system for a number of avian and land based species, Andalucia is also rich in marine life, with the Strait of Gibraltar being one of the world’s best known habitats of a variety of whales and dolphins . Fifteen known species of cetaceans( the family of whales, porpoises and dolphins) can be found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters that surround Andalusia. While some of these marine animals are migrants and tourists in search of food in these waters, four of these cetaceans are known natives of the place. In fact, two out of these fifteen cetaceans - the Striped dolphin and the Harbour porpoise are extremely rare and known to be very close to extinction. The Harbour porpoise is only found in the Bay of Cadiz and the Black Sea. The waters of Andalusia are full of marine life, with a number of species like Fin whales, Sperm whales, Beaked whales and Long-finned Pilot whales which are hard to find at other places in the world being commonly sighted here.

 

Among dolphins, the Bottle nose, Common and Risso dolphins are known to be natives of Andalusian waters. Even the rare Blue whales, Minke whales and Humpback whales also keep wandering around the seas surrounding Andalucia.