Category Archives: Mammals of Spain

Mammals of Spain. Spain is home to a diverse range of mammal species, many of which are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. From the majestic Iberian lynx to the elusive European wildcat, Spain boasts a rich variety of carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. The country’s varied geography and climate have given rise to different mammalian ecosystems, such as the Pyrenees mountain range in the north and the Mediterranean forests and grasslands in the south. Despite threats such as habitat loss and climate change, many of Spain’s mammal populations are thriving, and efforts are being made to protect them for future generations.

Spain is also home to a diverse array of marine mammals, thanks to its long coastline and position at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the most notable marine mammals found in Spanish waters include the common dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, and the long-finned pilot whale. Spain is also home to the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, and several species of whales and porpoises, such as the fin whale, the sperm whale, and the harbour porpoise. These marine mammals are essential components of Spain’s marine ecosystems, playing important roles in maintaining the health and balance of the ocean’s food chains. However, like many other marine mammals around the world, they face threats from human activities such as fishing, pollution, and climate change.

Iberian Lynx, Mammals of Spain, Spain Wildlife News and Updates, Wildlife

Iberian lynx population in Castilla la Mancha

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Castilla-La Mancha, a region in central Spain, is home to the Iberian lynx, one of the most endangered feline species in the world. Thanks to a reintroduction program launched in 2014, the region now boasts a population estimated at over 582 individuals, including 223 cubs born in 2022. In this latest phase of the project, called “Life Lynx Connect,” three lynx are being released in the area, including a pair of one year old lynx named Tempo and Tesla. These releases mark another milestone in the ongoing effort to recover the Iberian lynx population in Castilla-La Mancha.

Population status and new releases in 2023

“The region of Castilla la Mancha has an estimated population of “more than” 582 Iberian lynx”. This includes the 223 cubs born in 2022 announced by the regional Minister of Sustainable Development, José Luis Escudero on Tuesday 21st Feb 2023 in Polán, a town located in the province of Toledo. Presumably the “more than” part is estimating that their are also untracked/uncounted specimins also in the province.

The minister provided these figures during the release of a pair of Iberian lynx at the El Borril estate, located in Polán: a male named “Tempo,” from the National Iberian Lynx Reproduction Center in Silves (Portugal), and “Tesla“, a female born at the Captive Breeding Center in La Olivilla (Jaén).

Reintroduction of lynx in Castilla la Mancha

These two lynx released on Tuesday 21st in the reintroduction area of Montes de Toledo, and a third that will be released in the coming weeks in the reintroduction area of eastern Sierra Morena, will be the only specimens released in 2023 in Castilla la Mancha as part of the European program ‘Life Lynx Connect,’ the Ministry of Sustainable Development said in the press release.

Escudero highlighted that “the favorable evolution of the reintroduction project has allowed for laying the foundations of the process of recovery of the Iberian lynx in the region.”

The Minister of Sustainable Development noted that eight years have passed since the first Iberian lynx were released as part of the ‘Life Iberlince’ project, and the efforts made in Castilla la Mancha during this period have enabled the establishment of three areas of stable presence of this threatened feline.

With the pair of lynx released on Tuesday, more than 118 specimens have already been released in since 2014, Escudero said, adding that in this new stage, framed in the ‘Lynx Connect’ project, the challenge has been set to consolidate the existing populations, connect them with each other, and reduce the threats to the species.

In this regard, he said that during 2022, 223 cubs of the species were born in the autonomous community, of which 107 were born in the Montes de Toledo,which “marks a new historical milestone in the conservation of the species.”

He also pointed out that the monitoring carried out by environmental agents, technicians from the Ministry of Sustainable Development, and the public company Geacam, with the collaboration of estate personnel, has allowed the detection of a total of 84 wild litters with (at least) those 223 cubs, 107 of them in the Montes de Toledo, 65 in eastern Sierra Morena, 47 in western Sierra Morena, and four in the province of Albacete.

A bright future for the Iberia lynx in Castilla la Mancha

Currently, a total of 112 territorial females are settled: 53 in the Montes de Toledo, 37 in eastern Sierra Morena, 21 in western Sierra Morena, and one in the province of Albacete, while the total population in Castilla la Mancha is 359 individuals older than one year (adults and juveniles) and the 223 cubs born in 2022, placing the figures above the 582 specimens.

Regarding this, Escudero stated: “As a regional government, we have fulfilled the recovery of a species native to our territory that was once extinct, and we have met the objectives set out in 2003 with the approval of the Iberian lynx Recovery Plan and the declaration of sensitive areas for the survival of the species in the region.”

He added that they have also fulfilled “the objectives set by the different ‘Life’ projects that have been carried out for the recovery of the species.

Lynx or Lynxes. Whats the correct plural?

The plural for lynx is either “lynxes” or “lynx”. Both forms are considered correct and can be used interchangeably. “Lynx” is actually the more common plural form of “lynx” in British English, while “lynxes” is more common in American English. However, both forms are correct and you can use the one that sounds better to you without anyone telling you you’ve spelt it wrong! 🙂

Further reading
Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Mammals of Spain, Wildlife

The Stone Marten

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  • Scientific: Martes foina
  • Spanish: Garduña
  • Catalan: Fagina
  • Portuguese: Fuinha

The Stone Marten (also known as Beech marten) is a mammal of the Mustelidae family, it is around 12cms high at the shoulder with a long slim body of between 40 to 55cms with the bushy tail adding another 22 to 30cms. The main colouring is brown with the legs a darker shade and the chest and throat an obvious contrasting white, often dividing onto the top of the forelegs. The ears are short, upright and rounded, while the face and snout are steeply sloped.

These secretive mammals are territorial, defending a range of up to 10km from other males, active at dusk and night time. They are solitary other than in the breeding season, resting in a selection of places including under rocks, in tree hollows or in quiet barns and other buildings.

Beech martens prefer open deciduous forest and rocky outcrops in mountainous habitats, but will live in a variety of habitats including woodland, rocky scrub or urban areas as long as there is sufficient cover. They can also be found in mountainous zones to 4000m in summer.

They are able to climb trees making good use of their claws but are more terrestrial than their close cousins the Pine marten (Martes martes).

Stone martens are omnivores and their diet includes smaller mammals, eggs, birds, small rabbits, earthworms and fruit. The food supply can alter with latitude whereby small rodents, fruit and insects are more abundant to northern examples with fruit, reptiles and insects available to the southern inhabitants. The wild fruit includes rose hips and juniper berries as well as taking cultivated fruit from orchards.

Mating takes place during the summer but the female delays implantation for several months ensuring that the young are born the following spring. Gestation takes 56 days with, on average, 3 to 4 young born in March to July using a nest prepared and lined with grasses and moss. The young are blind and hairless at birth. Weaning occurs after 8 weeks with the mother and young remaining together through the summer while she teaches them to hunt. They reach sexual maturity from a minimum of 18 months. The maximum life expectancy in the wild is 10 years, with the average being much less.

Threats

Those that prey on the stone marten are wild cat (Felis silvestris), wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and eagle owls (Bubo bubo).

At one point their skins were sought after but the current danger is more through habitat destruction. Also secondary poisoning may occur if they eat rats and mice that have consumed bait.

Martens (Martes) in Spain

There are two species of martens in the genus Martes that are found in Europe: the European pine marten (Martes martes) and the beech marten (Martes foina). In Spain, the beech marten is known as “garduña” and the European pine marten is known as “marta.”

Read about the pine marten and how to tell the difference between the two species here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/the-european-pine-marten-martes-martes/

Further reading at wikipedia (especially the description of the difference between the stone and pine marten.) Main photo also from Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech_marten

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Mammals of Spain

Common genet – Genetta genetta – Gineta

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Genetta genetta is a small carnivorous mammal known as the common genet and Gineta in Spanish. It is native to Africa, and has been introduced to parts of Europe. It is a member of the Viverridae family, which also includes civets and meerkats. They have a slender body, short legs, and a long tail, and are usually gray or brown in color with black spots or stripes. They are primarily active at night and feed on small animals such as rodents and insects.

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Mammals of Spain

Iberian Wild Boar – Sus scrofa – Jabali

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  • Subspecies in Spain: Sus scrofa castilianus (Thomas, 1912) and Sus scofra baeticus (Thomas, 1912)
  • Body length: 120 cm.
  • Tail length: 22cm.
  • Height at the withers: 65 cm.
  • Weight: Males between 70 and 90 kgs., Females between 40 and 65 kgs. Occasionally even 150 kgs.
  • Lifespan: 20 years recorded in captivity 8 to 12 years in the wild

Description and Habits

The Iberian Wild Boar – Sus scrofa – Jabali is a medium-sized mammal with a large and elongated head and very small eyes. The neck is thick and the legs are very short, which further accentuates its plump body. The forequarters are bigger than the hindquarters which is unlike the domestic pig that has been bred to develop the rear of its body to be larger in order to reach the highest value in the meat market.

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