At the mountainous and semi-mountainous elevations you may come across the hare or hedgehog, squirrel or snow-mouse, ferret or weasel. Be on the lookout for the occasional wild goat, otter, fox, deer, wild boar, wild cat and wolf, to name just a few.
Here are some of the rarer animals:
Wolf (Canis lupus)
Considered endangered and vulnerable in the Red Book of Endangered Species in Greece, the wolf prefers large, dense forests and frequents lower elevations only where these forests exist. It feeds on small animals and mammals. The wolf lives in families or herds of up to 15 members, and is given the hostile treatment by farmers as it can attack livestock. Evrytania is actually the southern border of its habitat.
Deer (Capreolus capreolus)
Preferring broadleaf and mixed forests that are not as dense, the deer avoides dense forests and lives in small groups. It is also classified as vulnerable in Greece according to the Red Book, and is under threat from the wolf but also from poaching.
Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Living also in mountainous areas, the wild boar can be found around oak, chestnut and beech forests near crops. It also lives in family groups and its main enemy is the wolf. In certain areas it is illegal to hunt the wild boar as its numbers have declined.
Wild goat (Rupicapra rupicapra)
The wild goat likes high altitudes, particularly broadleaf and coniferous forests with steep cliffs. It lives in small herds and is included in the Red Book of Endangered Species, classified as ‘Rare’. Consequently, hunting the wild goat is considered illegal.
Wild cat (Felis silvestris)
Amiable to dense, large forests and woodlands faraway from human presence, the wild cat feeds on small mammals (rodents and rabbits) as well as birds. It is also designated as an endangered species in the Red Book.
Yellow-Bellied Toad (Bombina variegate)
This toad loves ponds and streams and is common in the Balkans, with the southern border of its territory being the Krikelopotamos river in Evritania.