Fuerteventura, Wildlife and Nature

Fuerteventura was declared a Biosphere Reserve in May 2009 because of it's rich and unique natural setting. There are three main areas:

Firstly, the east coast there are sand dunes, low cliffs and long beaches which are home to many endemic and rare species of plants and birds.

Secondly, the western coast has 100 km of high cliffs and isolated beaches.

Thirdly, the middle of the island has a large expanse of dry steppe and extinct volcanoes, and is the home of some rare birds like the Houbara Bustard, Egyptian Vulture and the Canary Island Chat, which is now only found on Fuerteventura.

All mammals on the island have been introduced either deliberately or accidentally. Goats roam over the barren land and feed off wild grasses, lichens and aromatic herbs. The goat meat and cheese is well renowned for it's flavour.

Also there are 13 protected natural areas on the island which cover just over 50% of the island,and the sea drops to 1 km very quickly off the coast of the island, and the sea is incredibly rich in marine life. Whilst the island, with it's volcanic origins, is very barren and there is a lack of trees and vegetation.

There's a wide range of birds to be spotted on the island, and these include Ruddy Shellduck, Mallard, Common Teal, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Egptian Vulture ,Eurasion Spoonbill, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Barbary Falcon, Moorhen ,Coot, Houbara Bustard, Black-winged Stilt ,Stone-curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian C ollared Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Berthelot´s Pipet, Canary Island´s Stonechat, Southern Grey Shrike, Common Raven, Spanish Sparrow, Common Linnet and Trumpeter Finch. See Birds on Fuerteventura

The usual mammals to be seen are the Algerian Hedgehog, Barbary Ground Squirrel, Bats, Brown Rats, Mice and Rabbits.

Reptiles include Geckos and Lizards. I had two Geckos that each moved in to my apartment for a few days, one of them was huge! They moved around the room and were often found hanging frim the ceiling.

Butterflies include the Bath White, Greenish Black Tip, African Migrant, Cloudied Yellow, Geranium Bronze, Monarch and Painted Lady.

Clouded Yellow Butterfly

Crimson Speckled Moth African Grass Blue

Dragonflies include the Scarlet Darter and Blue-tailed damselfly.

Dragonfly Resting Dragonfly Fuerteventura Dragonfly Feeding

There is an on-going scheme, by the Cabildo(Island Council) to re-introduce loggerhead turtles to the island which have been absent for over a century. The turtle eggs are brought in from the Cape Verde Islands and put in nests on the beach in Cofete. When the eggs hatch, the baby turtles are taken to a nursery in Morro Jable for 2 years. They are then released on Cofete beach, and it is hoped that they will return in 10-15 years and lay their own eggs on the beach. See our turtle news page.

The excellent photos on this page were all taken by David Galavan who is a regular visitor to the island. Our thanks to him for allowing the reproduction of his photos on this page.

Little ringed Plover Shrike