Fauna of Mt Pelion

The forests of Pelion and the crop zones scattered within the woods and the shrubland constitute ideal feeding zones and excellent shelters for a wide variety of living organisms.

Mammals

Mt Pelion: Wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Concerning mammals, almost all typical species of Greek mainland appear: weasels (Mustela nivalis), beech martens (Martes foina), hares (Lepus europaeus), European badgers (Meles meles), wild cats (Felis sylvestris), wild boars (Sus scrofa), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), but also gray wolves (Canis lupus) wander in the forests, forest clearings and adjacent agricultural areas of Pelion.
Furthermore, of particular interest is the presence of Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on the shores. This species of seal is one of the rarest marine mammals worldwide, as fewer than 700 individuals remain in 3-4 isolated sub-populations in the Aegean and the Mediterranean.

Birds

Mt Pelion: Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

The presence of a large number of different biotopes allow for the appearance of a large numver of bird species. Dense forests, extended agricultural fields and coastal boulders compose a landscape diverse in appearance and functions and allows for the co-existence of species belonging to different functional groups, from clearly forest species to those of coastal habitats. The following list has been compiled based on the formal Natura 2000 areas description forms and gives a glance of this wealth.
Of highest importance is the presence of species of a breeding pair of lanner falcons (Falco biarmicus) and a breeding pair of booted eagles (Aquila pennata). These species laid the base and the criteria for the characterization of Pelion as s Special Protection Zone (SPA) of the Natura 2000 network in materialization of the provisions of the European Birds Directive. Interesting is also the presence of Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae), that nests on the steep rocky faces near the sea, where it hunts for its prey. Also, present is the common kestrel (Falco tinunculus), an endangered species of migratory falcon, for the protection of which a number of European Union funded projects are under implementation. Other species of predators appearing in the area are the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorous), the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) and the common buzzard (Buteo buteo)..

Reptiles and amphibians

Mt Pelion: Salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

Regarding amphibians and reptiles, present is the leopard snake (Zamenis situla), the European cat snake (Telescopus fallax), the European blind snake (Typhlops vemicularis), the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), (Testudo hermani), Hermann's tortoise (Testudo marginata), (Ablepharus kitaibelii), European copper skink (Hemidactylus turcicus), the Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata), the European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) and the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra).

Text: G. Poulis
Photos: T. Adamakopoulos

topoguide Greece

GUIDES TO MT PELION

Photos and decriptions of dozens of fauna species of Mt Pelion are included in the 5 topoguides, which cover the areas of North, Central, East, West and South Pelion.

North Pelion topoguide, Central Pelion topoguide, West Pelion topoguide, East Pelion topoguide και South Pelion topoguide are the only guides for the respective areas and include detailed multi-scale maps up to 1:2,500, multi-page chapters on the geography, history and nature of the areas, hundreds active Points of Interest and dozens of hiking trails, which actively navigate the hiker in the intricate relief of this beautiful place.

The four guides for Mt Pelion are available for Android devices along with dozens of guides of other regions of Greece, within the hiking application topoguide Greece. Get the Pelion guides as an in-app purchase through the application.

The four guides for Mt Pelion are also available for iOS (iPhone και iPad) devices within the hiking application Topoguide Greece. Get the Pelion guides as an in-app purchase via the application.

The guides of Mt Pelion are members in the group of Central Greece. topoguide Greece provides active navigation along the hikes and helps the hiker to return to the route if he deviates from it.

It is very interesting that topoguide Greece has the ability to simultaneously display many areas, thus allowing the overall view of the detailed map of the whole of Mt Pelion and the easy alternation of the routes, the Points Of Interest and the dozens of pages of the guide with the countless photos.