What wildlife can you find in italy

The crested porcupine is a nocturnal and monogamous animal that gets its name from the long black to grey quills that run along the top of its head, nape and down its back which it can raise - normally in defense when disturbed - into an impressive crest. It is Italy's largest rodent measuring about 70 cm long and weighing up to 15 kg. A protected species and with no natural enemies, it is still relatively common, despite being victim to poachers.

Its back and sides are covered in long distinctive black and white striped spines which are sturdier than its shorter thicker body bristles and crest quills, but which aren't firmly attached. It is these, that if threatened at a short distance, the crested porcupine will attempt to stab into its opponent by charging backwards. Contrary to popular belief, the crested porcupine cannot launch its quills at a disturber.

The porcupine digs large burrows among rocks and tree stumps and feeds on plants, roots, tubers, fruits, and even gnaws the bark of trees. I will never forget the first time I saw one of these magnificent animals: it was late in the evening on a drive back from Florence through the hills above Montieri and as we turned a bend there it was all lit up black and white and huge! So be advised. Take it slow on Maremma's roads at night. Found in Maremma's forests of mixed hardwoods with thick undergrowth, interspersed with meadows and cultivated fields.

A slender animal with an average weight of 25 kg and a height of approximately 70 cm to 80 cm. The roe deers coat in summer is a reddish in colour with lighter lower parts, changing in winter to a grey-brown. It feeds on buds, leaves and grasses and in winter the tips of wood. Prefering in the spring and summer fodder grasses and legumes in particular.

It is preyed upon by wolves, foxes, wild cats and the golden eagle. You are most likely to see a female with her daughters at dusk feeding close to edges of Maremma's woodlands, but you can also see them in groups of about four to ten with the males in the Parco Naturale della Maremma. The stone marten has primarily nocturnal habits. It lives alone or in a family that dissipates at the end of the training of its young to hunt for themselves. Capable of jumping, it climbs easily on trees and buildings but usually lives on the ground.

It rarely swims. A weak digger, it frequents cavities and the burrows of other animals and often takes refuge in the hollows of trees, or in sinuous rock crevices as well as in barns, attics and buildings that are not too crowded. It feeds on various small animals such as insects, amphibians, birds and their eggs, mice, dormice, and domestic pets. And is capable of opening its jaw beyond a 90 degree angle allowing it to transport big prey and large eggs without breaking them.

It has scent glands located in its paws, on its belly and around the anal region, which it uses to mark its territory. It moves with an odd gait giving rise to a parallel set of fingerprints in which the trace of the hind legs coincides with that of the front.

Maremma's weasel can be seen in many places; the plains, hills and mountains, in cultivated land, the forests, bushy areas, and in abandoned houses. It can weigh up to grams and with its 7cm long tail reaches a length of up to 32 cm. A slender animal, it has a dense, soft fur dominantly yellow-brown in colour, with a tail that is uniform in color and a white underbelly. It feeds on rodents and also hares, rabbits, birds and their eggs, reptiles and amphibians.

It is eaten by birds of prey and other carnivores. Mainly nocturnal, it is a very lively animal and lives solitary or in small family groups, taking refuge in burrows dug by other animals. The nest is constructed of hay, straw and piles of stones and wood and can be found between tree roots and in their cavities.

The ancestor of domesticated pigs, Maremma's wild boar are covered with a thick bristly, usually greyish-brown, fur.

As adults they can reach 80 to 90 cm in height and weigh between 50 and kg. Both the upper and lower incisors in the males form into the distinctive long upward bending tusks. Active at dusk and at night, they are omnivorous and feed on berries, roots, tubers, acorns, beech nuts, fruits, and also snails, worms and insects, small vertebrates, eggs of birds that nest on the ground and dead animals.

They live in sounders of about twenty animals led by the eldest female sows. Adult males are solitary with the exception of during winter, when mating occurs. The piglets up until six months old have a reddish coat with yellow longitudinal stripes. Find out lots more with wild boar facts.

Want to know what snakes you might see during your walks in Maremma? There aren't many - thank goodness as I don't like them one bit!

This page which I didn't like typing out! Not to mention the various species of crab, sea hare and coral. Finally, the fin and sperm whale and bottlenose dolphin are just some of the mammals that inhabit the waters off the coast and that volunteers in Italy can spend their days researching.

The project offered allows research focused on these spectacular creatures and activities centred around ensuring their protection. And research and protection are, in fact, extremely crucial. The incredible show of diversity mentioned above is under serious threat. In large part due to the destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitat; the introduction of alien species; the overexploitation of natural environment and pollution. Employment FAQ's. Specials Trip Finder Brochures Menu.

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