Corsican fauna

The mouflon is the symbol of the wild fauna in Corsica.
There are about 400-500 living in Corsica now and they are protected.
The male has 80 cm long curved horns, while those of the female are very small, practically non-existant.
Habitat: mountains

The fox is an opportunistic predator, who eats almost everything: birds, chickens, insects, fruit.
Habitat: all sorts and conditions

The wild sanglier lives in troups directed by a dominant female. The old male prefers solitude. They are essentiel vegetarian, eat roots, champignons.
Habitat: forest, maquis

The most rare species in Europe, only 9 couples are known in Corsica. He is a hunter, but sometimes he eats also carrion.
Habutat: mountains

Easlily recognised by its forked tail. He eats mainly prey: birds, rodents. Very abundant in the Balagne.
Habitat: valleys, prairies; partial migrator

The balbuzard is, as his name indicates, exclusively a fisher. He makes his nest (2 mt high and 1.50 in diameter) high up the rocks. Actively protected, their numbers have increased from 6 couples in 1977 to 20 couples.
Habitat: Costal rocks, rivers; migrator, present march-november

About 30 couples propagate themselves in Corsica. Fortunately, their number is slightly increasing. Great predator, he hunts by skimming over mountain-ridges to surprise his prey.
Habitat: mountains

Not much bigger then your fist, its repetitive whistle gives the Corsican night its magic character. It eats mainly insects; crickets, butterflies.
Habitat: maquis, migrator or sedentary

The sittelle corse is the only really endemic bird in Corsica. It attaches itself to a specific Corsican tree, the pine-tree.
Habitat: pine-trees between 1000 - 1500 m.

This tiny bird weighs only 9 grams.
Habitat: forest, maquis

There are no poisonous snakes in Corsica, but a bite from this one is painful. She is also very protected. She hibernates in a hole in the ground. To observe her the months april-may are the best; then she is sexually active.
Habitat: maquis, dry and sunny places

Unique land turtle, protected. Now, a good polulation live in the south, Porto Vechio, Figari and the Sartenais. More information about this unique animal at the "Village des Tortues" in Moltifao.
Habitat: maquis, areas with cork-oaks and grazing sheep

Massive body, black and yellow. Salamanders need a certain degree of humidity: they appear only at night or just after a rainshower.
Habitat: forest, woodland