The flora and Fauna of Crete

Fauna

The main mammals of the island are: donkeys, the badger, the ferret, the hedgehog, the flycatcher, the muskrat, various species of mice and rats and many species of bat.
Also, the waters of Crete are home to a large number of marine mammals, such as hummingbirds, whales, dolphins and Mediterranean seals.

There are several species of birds of prey, mainly the endangered vultures and golden eagles, as well as the largest number of vultures in Europe.

Also, the coasts of the island are an important refuge for sea turtles loggerheads or leatherback turtles. Also on the island are bred the native Messaric horse and the native Cretan Tracker. While the endemic wild goat of Crete, Kri-Kri, lives free in the mountains.

Flora

The plain of Messara from the Asterousia Mountains in the southern part of Heraklion prefecture.
In addition to animals, there are many endemic plant species, even in their endemic form, ie they are isolated in limited areas, such as Malotyra “Siderites syrioca”.

In Crete there are hundreds of orchid species, which are a pole of attraction for plant lovers and researchers. Also known are the herbs of Crete, such as dittany and red tulip, which is now found in many places.

The plants of Crete have been the object of attraction and systematic study by travelers at least since the time of Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (early 18th century) having as basic idea ​​this uniqueness and endemicity of the Cretan plants. These ideas today produce an element of cultural pride and are widely found in Crete, especially in mountainous areas such as Sfakia where many of these endemic varieties are found.

The plants and especially the property of wild and endemic species to withstand mountainous conditions (drought, altitude, wind, etc.) are found in mantinades and other representations through which modern Cretans talk about their own life and its characteristics. in each of their areas as they distinguish it from other areas