Tenerife Wildlife - Is it all in the wild?

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Yes, what wildlife?

Although Tenerife is only roughly 100 miles from Africa, it has hardly any wild creatures.

At least, not on land. The ocean is different.

What about all those countless interesting lizards?

They are also part of the oldest species of Tenerife wildlife. They have evolved on the biggest of all Canary Islands, since they have made it to shore, 20 million years ago.

It is the type, which I also have seen by the Rambla del Castro of Los Realejos.

A friend of mine and I fed the same specie with overripe bananas in Taoro Park in the middle of its residential area.

The wildlife of the lizards is not an easy one. Wild stray cats are a great threat.

The Galotia lizard of Tenerife is also prominent in the far north, in the Anaga mountains and in nearby Mercedes forests.

A tamed lizard:

Or what lizards eat besides fruit.

Such a North lizard once found its way onto my neighbors' balcony. This creature, which had lost its tail became tame and ate flies out of my neighbor's hand. Just figure that he hunted for flies for it every morning.

The neighbor remembers that the little lizard teeth were rather sharp, while it looked at him like a mini crocodile. Once, it almost bit him.

It may have been a cat which had attacked this lizard. Rats are usually not that dangerous for it. They are not fast enough.

The Southern Tenerife lizard:

This one may have been 50cm long, if I remember well.

It is a male lizard called Gallotia Intermedia.

It may cross your path in the Teno mountain region or by Mount Teide or in its Cañadas.

However, we captured this one a further down from Spain's highest peak, while we had drinks in a little outside Bodega Café, which had a rock garden.

See how it looks at you in the picture beside, all curious... Its yellow dots seem to glow, while blue also adorns its reptile coat.

All Tenerife lizards are wall lizards. I call them rock lizards. You discover them, wherever you walk outdoors near stones and even rubble. It is not easy to catch one on camera, unless it is sun bathing and half asleep.

Cobra and lizard wildlife video:

So the main Tenerife untamed animal life consists of wild cats and lizards. If it wasn't for the cats, those reptiles would even be more abundant. You don't only surprise those rock reptiles by volcanic terrain. They quickly slip under a stone or into a crevice to hide. Of course, there are many at Playa Jardin, where a great deal of landscape design ideas were put into practice. This terrain is no absolute virgin ground any more. However, it has many volcanic rocks, and retaining walls. The latter also make it paradise habitat for lizard wildlife.

Indigenous goats:

Tenerife goats are at home in rough country by ocean or in altitudes. They are the semi wildlife which blocks your path often, when you get a little off the beaten track. They always have right of way. You and your car must always yield. They were already around, when the neolithic Guanches reigned the island. Spaniards could learn much about goat keeping from them, but preferred them to look after the animals.

Tenerife wild sea animals:

• Los Gigantes Pilot whales and dolphins;
  learn more about other Tenerife cetaceans which are known for whale watching.
• Tenerife sharks small shark species called Cazones in Spanish which means big hunters.
• Amazing under ocean wildlife, such as giant tortoises, squid, mantas, orcas
• edible fish like Doradas, Bonitas, Viejas, Trouper, Tuna, Sardines, eels, octopus, blue Marlin, Sting Rays
• Any fish and fauna which love volcanic rocks and flora in temperate Altantic waters
• Mind more seafood and edible fish listed for Tenerife eating out with partly English translations such as for Rodavallo, Lubina, Chicharros, Sama, Sargo, Lenguado for the fresh fish Restaurant Tambo Tenerife Punta Brava.

Wildlife in Tenerife on land, in forests

and in parks
• There are rumors about Muflons wild sheap in Tenerife forests
• Varied stray cats in coastal regions and gorges
  where they are sometimes spayed and neuted by vet volunteers.
  It was reported in the media that they flew expressively
  to Tenerife in the past to do so.
• Abandoned or run-away dogs in mountains and forests
  which may be rabid in rare cases
• Occasional birds, where doves or sea gulls are most common, but also Canary birds, passer (pardal hispaniolis) birds, blue finches,
  tiny Tenerife blue tits and some others

Wildlife in parks of Tenerife and in its wildlife resorts:

• There are spectacular wild birds at Devil's gorge in Tenerife South.
• Parque Aguila, Aguila Park is famous for its semi wild aguilas eagles, hawks, falcons, condors, malibous, macaws, flamingos and even ostriches.
• The Tenerife animals like , tigers, apes, meercats and penguins in zoos or wildlife resorts of Tenerife cannot be called wildlife, as most of them are kept in cativity, such as in enclosures or even cages.
• Animals for stunts, such as orcas, dolphins and sea lions which are used in tourist attractions for entertainment Tenerife Loro Park may be trained, tame to an extent to even bear offspring in captivity, but remain wild animals which don't enjoy real wild life.
• Then there are always bats, bees and other insects in wild regions of Tenerife.

Endangered birds species:

Pet parrot Lucy turns wild:

World leading parrot preservation in Tenerife Spain:

Anyway, learn why the biggest global parrot conservation of Loro Park can really prevent some wildlife extinction...

Tenerife has only pet snakes:

Tenerife is officially snake free. Meantime, Gran Canaria Island harbors some African intruder snakes. They managed to sneak in on boats.

From wildlife to entertainment Tenerife at famous Loro Park with its biggest collection of birds, with its wild animals like tigers, shimpanzees, marine animals and more.

Kindly note:
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I almost forgot about my page on reef crabs Puerto de la Cruz by the Muelle jetty. Look at their photos and read on, but be warned, they are not the nicest of creatures...

Visit Orlando, Florida for fantastic wildlife experiences such as swimming with Manatees, scuba diving or taking a trip to the impressive Everglades National Park. Much more than Theme parks, Orlando could be the destination of your dreams.

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