Wildlife in Corfu
Due to it’s sub-tropical climate and diverse landscape Corfu is home to some fantastic species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. To list them all would require many volumes, however below are some of the highlights.
There are several other snake species prevalent on the island and all are harmless and elusive. These include: Balkan whip snake, Dice snake, Leopard snake, and the aptly named Blind snake.
Corfu Tortoises and Turtles

Corfu is host to Hermans Tortoises (Testudo Hermani) which are found mainly in the undergrowth. They eat mainly flower, herbs and weed. They are now a protected species so please don’t consider taking one home as a pet. They are actually freely available in Pet Shops across the UK from home grown licensed breeders.
The other type of chelonian found on and around the islands are Terrapins. There are two types known: The European Pond Terrapin and the Stripe Necked Terrapin. They typically live near wild ponds where the like to hide in the vegetation around the edges. Both are freshwater only species.
The other type of chelonian found on and around the islands are Terrapins. There are two types known: The European Pond Terrapin and the Stripe Necked Terrapin. They typically live near wild ponds where the like to hide in the vegetation around the edges. Both are freshwater only species.
Corfu Lizards

There are Many species of lizard abound on Corfu and sightings are common place. Here are some of the commonly found species:
Balkan Green Lizard
These very attractive Lizards are the largest to be found on Corfu. Fully grown they have a body length of about 20cm. and nose to tail they can measure up to 60cm plus. They typically have a bright green skin and due to their long tails they can run easily on hind legs only. Very nifty indeed. The females are distinguished by more yellowish stripes running the length of their bodies. They are a regular sight, particularly in open country areas, although like most lizards they will quickly make themselves scarce once spotted, so a quite, still approach is needed if you really want a good look. Cameras should be readied on tripods etc to avoid excess movement. The Balkan Green Lizard rarely hibernates in the temperate climate of Corfu.
Balkan Green Lizard
These very attractive Lizards are the largest to be found on Corfu. Fully grown they have a body length of about 20cm. and nose to tail they can measure up to 60cm plus. They typically have a bright green skin and due to their long tails they can run easily on hind legs only. Very nifty indeed. The females are distinguished by more yellowish stripes running the length of their bodies. They are a regular sight, particularly in open country areas, although like most lizards they will quickly make themselves scarce once spotted, so a quite, still approach is needed if you really want a good look. Cameras should be readied on tripods etc to avoid excess movement. The Balkan Green Lizard rarely hibernates in the temperate climate of Corfu.

Dalmatian Algyroides
These Lizards are found in abundance on Corfu, and are often spotted in coastal resorts where they live in rocks or rocky walls. They reach lengths of about 8 inches in total. The mail of the species has a sandy brown appearance with a beautiful bright blue throat.
These Lizards are found in abundance on Corfu, and are often spotted in coastal resorts where they live in rocks or rocky walls. They reach lengths of about 8 inches in total. The mail of the species has a sandy brown appearance with a beautiful bright blue throat.

Agama
Nicknamed the “Sling Tailed Agama” these lizards reach 12 inches long nose to tail. They have spiny scales around their necks and head. They live mainly where there are rocks, as is their preferred habitat so coastal areas see quite a lot of them. Similar to a lot of other Lizards the male can change colour depending on mood, with a darkening colour displaying displeasure.
Nicknamed the “Sling Tailed Agama” these lizards reach 12 inches long nose to tail. They have spiny scales around their necks and head. They live mainly where there are rocks, as is their preferred habitat so coastal areas see quite a lot of them. Similar to a lot of other Lizards the male can change colour depending on mood, with a darkening colour displaying displeasure.
Corfu Birds

For those of you with an ornithological interest then Corfu has an abundance of riches on offer. These include amongst their number:
Little Egret, waterfowl, warblers, Pipits. Flamingos, Great White Egrets, Grey Herons, Cormorants Terns, Marsh Harrier Kingfishers Gulls, Waterfowl, Harriers, Kingfishers, Warblers, Hoopoe Eagles, Kites, Buzzards, Falcons, Kestrels, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstarts, Buntings, Bittern, Swallows, Swifts, Gulls, Oriole, Sparrows, Magpies, Jays, Shrikes, Scops Owls and Little Owls.
And finally a special mention goes to the Swallows. At certain points of the year they are seemingly everywhere. And that is no exaggeration! You will even find them nesting inside many of the best Tavernas where they co-exist quite comfortably with the ebb and flow of tourists. You may think (as I did) that this is allowed as part of a partnership with nature where humans allow them to flourish even indoor whilst the swallows help to reduce the number of insects. But no, apparently this practice dates back to a local folklore that stops the locals from disturbing the nests for fear of freckles or more understandably a death in the household.
Little Egret, waterfowl, warblers, Pipits. Flamingos, Great White Egrets, Grey Herons, Cormorants Terns, Marsh Harrier Kingfishers Gulls, Waterfowl, Harriers, Kingfishers, Warblers, Hoopoe Eagles, Kites, Buzzards, Falcons, Kestrels, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstarts, Buntings, Bittern, Swallows, Swifts, Gulls, Oriole, Sparrows, Magpies, Jays, Shrikes, Scops Owls and Little Owls.
And finally a special mention goes to the Swallows. At certain points of the year they are seemingly everywhere. And that is no exaggeration! You will even find them nesting inside many of the best Tavernas where they co-exist quite comfortably with the ebb and flow of tourists. You may think (as I did) that this is allowed as part of a partnership with nature where humans allow them to flourish even indoor whilst the swallows help to reduce the number of insects. But no, apparently this practice dates back to a local folklore that stops the locals from disturbing the nests for fear of freckles or more understandably a death in the household.
Corfu Insects

From spring onwards Corfu is awash with wild flowers and flowering trees and bushes. These in turn are host to a delightful array of splendidly colored butterflies, fireflies that light up the night with dazzling displays, and the hard to spot but all around you green and white Mantis. There are also many types of Bees resident on the island, and beekeeping is still popular amongst the locals, who produce a rather unique and highly palatable Honey.
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