Alonnisos is known for the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus Monachus that swims around its water. The monk seal is also one of the most endangered animal species in Europe, making its presence on the island even more precious. Only 400-500 are said to survive today, with two thirds of them estimated to be in Greece, particularly in the Marine Park of Alonnisos.
Apart from the Mediterranean monk seal, the waters around Alonnisos are known for several species of dolphin and whale. The former include the common dolphin, striped dolphin and bottle nose dolphin, while the latter include the sperm whale, cuvier’s beaked whale and long-finned pilot whale. Overall the whole area is an important habitat for about 300 species of fish, including the Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena), Bluefish tuna, Dusky perch (Serranus Gigas) and two-banded sea bream (Diplodas vulgaris). Also worth mentioning is the presence of red coral, making the sea around Alonnisos a unique one in Greece.
In the skies over Alonnisos there are around 80 species of birds that can appear, from Eleonora’s Falcon to the Rock Nuthatch and Sardinian Warbler. Check out the section on birdwatching for more.
Lastly, on land you will find many strange reptiles and mammals, like the Apra hircus aegagrus wild goat on the small islet of Gioura, considered a rare species. Here is a look at what other land creatures you could find in the Northern Sporades:
- Spur-thighed tortoise or Greek tortoise (testudo Graeca)
- Marginated tortoise (testudo marginata)
- Bogenfinger gecko (Cyrtodactylus kotchyi)
- Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
- Erhard’s wall lizard (podarcis erhardii)
- Skyros wall lizard (podarcis gaigeae)
- Balkan green lizard (lacerta trilineata)
- Caspian Whipsnake (Dolichophis caspius)
- Four-lined snake (Elaphe quatrolineata)
- European ratsnake (Zamenis situla)
- Wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)
- Southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor)
Photo: alonissos-park.gr