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

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

Has the body of a duck, neck of a goose, and voice of a goose having a bad day

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

Timid by nature, often flying off at the slightest sign of danger

One of Europe’s oldest surviving deer species

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

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

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

Look a bit like a cross between a beaver and a rat

Famous for stealing chips, sandwiches, and even ice cream right out of people’s hands

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

This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface

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

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

Has large eyes that could cover a field of 360o to survey their surroundings before they take a nap

The gardener’s best friend, as they will eat up insect pests crawling in the vegetable beds

Renowned for their spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including steep dives and intricate flight patterns

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

The flocks of this social and gregarious bird are fond of migration, flying over the horizon and creating a V-shaped formation

Its long, serrated beak, often called a “sawbill,” is perfectly adapted for catching slippery prey like fish

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

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

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

Brilliant mimics, they can copy bird calls and even human-made sounds like car alarms and ringing phones!

Got their name from their ability to quickly slide off logs or rocks into the water when they feel threatened

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

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

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

A bird that can change its color to match its surroundings!

Can hang upside down while feeding!

They’re kind of like big, furry rats but with a different shape

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

Doesn’t have venom, so you don’t need to worry about it if you see one

It’s a frog, but it doesn’t look like the typical frogs we think of!

Named for the dark mask-like markings around its eyes, which make it look like it’s wearing a pair of fancy glasses

Swift, enjoys harsh weather, adores the mountains, and is toxic to its predators

You might mistake it for a big squirrel, but it’s smaller and has a more delicate appearance

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!

Its tail is almost as long as its body, and it can even stick to things

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!

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”

Known to be fiercely protective of their nesting sites and will aggressively defend their territory from intruders, including humans

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

Green amphibian that’s really good at hiding, usually no bigger than your hand

Can produce a peculiar garlic-like smell when threatened, which acts as another line of defense to deter predators

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

When winter comes, they bury themselves in the mud and basically freeze solid!

With its triangular head, distinct from its neck, and vertical pupils, it’s easy to recognize

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

The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer

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

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

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

Meet the model for the Sagittarius sign in the zodiac!

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

Can switch from winter white to summer grey – truly a nature’s savvy survivors!

Also known as the “human fish” by locals due to its flesh-colored skin

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

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

Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities

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

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

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

They have the ability to regenerate lost limbs and other body parts, a superpower in the animal kingdom!

One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds

Not only one of the largest deer species but also among the most majestic

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

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

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

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