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Wild life in Cyprus
 There is a lot of wild life around the island.The largest being the Mufflon, a mountain sheep .It is thought that these animals were brought to the island by Neolithic settlers as domestic animals. Due to the fact that these are very shy and nimble animals they soon escaped and became wild. During the medieval period they were hunted almost to extinction, with only 20 being found during British rule. It was then that they became a protected spieces. Visitors to the island may view these at Stavros Tis Psokas and Platania, where a few are kept in spacious fences for this purpose.

 The Mufflon

Small Mammals
Rabbits, squirrels, weasles and foxes may be found in the forest areas. While hedge -hogs may be found around the costal areas. The rare Cyprus mouse may be found in the rocky dry areas of the island.
 Squirrel
Reptiles
Frogs, toads, lizards and snakes are also found in abundance around the island. A common snake to the island to the island is the black adder which is totally harmless and is one of the longest snakes found in Europe. The Levante adder being one of the most poisonous snakes can be found in the forests and around the Macchia and Phrygana areas.
 Black Adder
Sea Life
Around the coastal waters over 200 different species of marine life may be found. Snorkelling around the beach areas is very popular and many sea urchins, star fish and shoals of different kinds of fish can be seen around the rocky out crops in the sea. Turtles normally appear around June when they come onto the beaches at night to lay their eggs. Turtles are a protected species with the Cypriot government doing all possible to protect them.
 Turtle

Birds
The island is visited by millions of migratory birds yearly. Some just passing through and others to spend the winter.
Pink flamingos can be seen on the salt lakes of Larnaca and Akrotiri between November and April.
The island boasts of 50 permanent species of birds. In the mountainous areas vultures, kestrels and the imperial eagle can be seen. Quail, pheasant and woodcock are hunted by the locals at certain times of the year.

For a little more information on birds click HERE