A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide

Can hang upside down while feeding!

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

They might not look like much, but they have an incredible talent: singing!

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

Can be quite friendly and will often come close to humans, especially if they’re offered food

Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms

The biggest bat you can find in Europe, with wings that can stretch out as wide as your arm!

Instead of a bony shell, it has a flat, leathery covering that helps it glide smoothly through the water

Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history

A tiny bird, one of the smallest in fact!

Very loyal partners! Once they find a mate, they usually stay together for life

In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

The smallest of all the crane species and is known for its elegance and grace

Very active and noisy, with a loud, piercing call that sounds like “pee-wit”

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food

Often chasing each other in the air or amusing themselves by catching and dropping objects like sticks or leaves

Quite noisy creatures which is a common sight in wetland areas

Symbol of environmental health as they are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, particularly pollution levels

Has the ability to survive in varying water salinity levels, which is unusual for freshwater amphibians

Known for its bright red belly, a bold warning to predators, combined with its distinctive “whoop” call

Its shell is a beautifully patterned dome that offers both protection and style

Can live for several decades under the right conditions, but grow slowly and only reach maturity after several years

Usually green, but its color can change a bit depending on where it lives and what it’s doing

Meet the most endangered frog species in Europe

Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!

What makes them really interesting is their skin – it’s covered in lots of little bumpy scales, like tiny pearls

Excellent climbers, capable of scaling rocky slopes and walls with ease

Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water

Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water

When threatened, they roll into a tight, spiky ball, tucking in their face, feet, and belly

Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck

Considered a hybrid species — believed to have arisen from the interbreeding of the house sparrow and the Spanish sparrow

Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower

Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities

They spread faster than any other colonizing mammal in the world

Often lives close to humans and is sometimes seen as a pest

Their horns are curved backward, resembling a hook or a pair of lyre-shaped instruments

The direct ancestor of the domestic cat—no wonder why they look so alike!

One of the most common reptile of the European wetlands

Their stiff, upright tail feathers aid them in swimming and diving

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

The “living tractors of the East”—vital in traditional agriculture, particularly in Asia

Can walk along the riverbed using its wings to stabilize itself against the current

It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians in Europe

As one of the largest deer species, the red deer holds a prominent place in the cultural and natural history of many European, Asian, and North African regions. They are robust and large, with males (stags) significantly larger than females (hinds). One of the most distinctive features of the red deer is its antlers, which […]

Introduced to many regions where it is now considered an invasive species

During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back

The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm

They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior

Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

These birds are quite chatty, and their sounds are like a strong and determined rattling laugh

Recognizable by their distinctive and familiar call, resembling the noise of small pebbles colliding, creating a “tak tak” sound

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes

Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess

Majestic giants of the sea, they peacefully glide through the ocean with mouths agape, filtering the waters for sustenance

Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

Stands out with its striking ocelli, or eye-like markings, that adorn its sleek body

With mesmerizing blend of bold blues, fiery reds, and sunshine yellows, it effortlessly catches the eye of all who cross its path

Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments

A reptile that can mimic the hues of nature and capture its feast with a tongue that’s like a thunder

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

A small, burrowing snake that can’t see well but can smell its way to a tasty insect

Helpful for the ecosystem and agriculture as it reduces the number of pests and other dangerous snakes

With the agility of a nimble climber, it effortlessly slithers up trees and through tangled vegetation

Known for its docile and non-aggressive nature

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world’s most widely distributed carnivore!

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds underwater

A tiny creature that dwells below the surface in a complex system of tunnels and burrows

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon

Their population distribution is often associated with human settlements as they are comfortable in both agricultural and urban habitats

The word ‘squirrel’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Skiouros’ meaning ‘shadow tail’ – not specific

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

Their muzzle has wrinkled lips, which makes them look like a dog’s face, and is commonly called a bulldog bat

The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight

A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur

Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide

The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

This bird looks like a modern mosaic art-piece

This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface

One of the only birds that can drill a hole in the hardest of wood