Photo ↑ by @carettacalabriaconservation
As you may already know, Corfu has a unique fauna, some of it influenced by its geographical position and climate. There are also animals you can find in Corfu today only because of preservation efforts throughout history.
For example, if you watched the recent series based on the Durrell family, you can probably remember how young Gerald tried to get otters to breed, as they were nearly extinct. Part of the story was real and otters are now quite common in Corfu.
However, there is much more to explore on the island. Here are some animals you have probably never seen before.
Loggerhead Turtle
Also known as caretta caretta, the loggerhead turtle is endangered. Females lay eggs very rarely, once every few years, hence the low population. Eggs are often vulnerable to predators too. But once the turtle becomes mature, it gains size, so it only has to worry about very large predators, such as sharks.
In Corfu, these turtles can be spotted around sandy beaches on the west side. They also have nesting points. Sometimes, these points are marked on the beach by locals, so try to be cautious.
Sea Anemone
For hundreds of years, the science world was undecided about sea anemones. They could be classified as animals, but also as plants. Some scientists thought they could be in both categories. The animals live close to the coast, but they go relatively deep, so they are not too easy to find.
Their bodies are split into multiple chambers, each with its own role. Sea anemones are carnivores. They are slow, so hunting is not a good option. However, they have sticky tentacles.
Crested Lark
In theory, the crested lark is not too rare. However, the variety living in Corfu stands out in the crowd because it is the largest. Apart from the countryside in Corfu, the typical crested lark also lives in other countries of Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa.
The bird prefers dry lands and fields. It feeds on insects and seeds. It is one of those birds nesting on the ground.
European Pond Terrapin
The European pond terrapin, turtle or tortoise is a freshwater turtle that can be found all around Europe, but not as easily as in this part of Greece. The name is given by its unique pattern. Also, it is worth noting that this turtle is one of the two freshwater species living in Corfu.
The population is not impressive, but avid walkers may still be able to find it. It prefers the wetlands and given the degradation over the past century, the population has been dramatically reduced.
Emperor Dragonfly
The winged insect can be observed in Corfu from May to October. The dragonfly is often referred to as a spinner in some parts of Corfu. It is relatively large compared to other species of dragonfly and comes with a beautiful green thorax.
It is more popular around quiet areas and wetlands with stagnating waters. Aquatic vegetation is also important for this insect to thrive.