Due to its great variety of landscapes and habitats, a large number of fauna can be found throughout Ikaria. Some noteworthy examples are the hedgehog, which can be found in the plains of Fanari, endemic species of reptiles originating from Asia Minor, such as the Turkish lizard (Lacerta oertzeni) the gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus, the skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), the snake-eyed lizard (Ophisops elegans) the starred Agama (Laudakia stellio) the wall lizard (Lacertidae lacertinae) and the Lizard of Ikaria (Lacerta oerizeni) which is only found on the island. Some of the most frequently seen snakes of Ikaria include the Caspian whipsnake (Coluber caspius), Eastern montpillier snake (Malpolon insignitus) as well as the protected Ottoman viper (Vipera xanthia).
The island boasts a wide range of birds, including the Aegean gull, and the European shag. It also constitutes an important breeding ground for predatory as well as migratory birds, such as the Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinis), Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), Cinereous bunting (emberiza cineracea) as well as species of international interest, such as the White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the Lesser kestrel (Falcona umanni). Three species of protected bats can also be found on the island, such as Blasius’s horseshoe bat (Rinolophus blasii), the Lesser mouse-earred bat (Myotos blythii), and Geoffrey’s bat (Myotis emarginatus).
In the waters surrounding the island, particularly along the northern coast, threatened species can find shelter, especially along the northern coast, such as the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) and dolphins, including the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).