National Animal of Turkey
Grey Wolf is the officially declared national animal of Turkey. These wolves mainly reside in deep forests and mountainous terrains. Timber wolf is another name used for Grey wolves. The wolves might weigh up to 100 pounds. These carnivores live on deer, moose, and elk. Wolves tend to roam in packs, including the parents and their pups.
As the national animal of Turkey, the wolf is the symbol of courage, strength, unity, and goodness. According to the Turkish legend, once a grey wolf saved a wounded human child and cured him back to health. After this, the boy grew up with the wolves and mated with a wolf, and they had half-wolf and half-human children. As per mythology, the heirs of these children became the rulers of the land.
Native Animals (Wild & Domestic)
Turkey is an extensive land with varied geographical contours, including mountains, islands, coastlines, valleys, etc. The country's biodiversity is enriched with various species of flora and fauna. The land shelters above 1500 species of animals. The native animals in Turkey include wolf, fox, wild boar, beaver, bear, wild cat, jackals, lynxes, chamois, hyena, deer, gazelles, otter, mountain goats, etc. The predominating domestic animal species in Turkey are Angora goats, camels, and water buffaloes. Wildlife explorers get a momentary glimpse of leopards very rarely in the deepest of the forests. The shepherd dog breed in Turkey keeps an eye on the goats, horses, and sheep. The dog breed is a licensed one. Likely, Turkey has its Van cats. The cats have soft white furs and different colored eyes (one blue, one green). The tourists can witness the popular native animals in the forests and the wildlife sanctuaries located in different corners of Turkey.
Apart from these popular native animals, there are also somewhat extinct species residing in the land. One such animal is Chevrotain, also known as mouse deer. This unique animal is a deer-like, small creature with the smallest hoof in the world. Other rare animals of Turkey include bald Ibis, wild mountain sheep, and the Asia Minor spiny mouse.
Native Birds
Turkey is the home to diverse species of birds. Eagles and vultures are the most popular among the predator birds. Migratory birds come to Anatolia, two times a year. The birds include storks, cranes, vultures, black kites, hawks, etc. The last few Ibis in the entire world, till date, reside in the southeast of Anatolia.
Native Aquatic Animals
Black Sea, Marmara Sea, Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea protect Turkey from all around. Turkey is home to plenty of fish. The Mediterranean seals and Loggerhead Sea Turtle reside in the crystalline water of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Different species of sea wolves, red mullets are found in the Mediterranean water. The tourists can see a species of anchovy in the Black Sea. The Turkish Government has organized many fish breeding programs for business.
The Wildlife Habitats in Turkey
Turkey is rich in its biodiversity, with a vast range of flora and fauna. The expansive ecosystem implies there are different places where you can see the native wildlife. The mountain gazelles live in the deep forests lying between Turkey and Syria. You can witness these animals only in this specific region in the whole world. At one point in time, Gazelles had become almost an extinct animal species. Then, the Turkish Government decided to create a gazelle sanctuary to prevent the imminent loss. The Government established this sanctuary in 2019 with only 100 mountain gazelles. Consequently, today, the same sanctuary houses more than 100 gazelles.
Northern forests are the habitat of brown bears in Turkey. For the past few years, the brown bear species face the threat of extinction. For this reason, many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Turkey houses brown bears to save the species.
The Turkey Government has founded 33 national parks and large animal enclosures for different species to allow a comfortable and safe living atmosphere. Y. Pine Grove National Park is the first national park in Turkey. The national park preserves above 100 flora species. The national park shelters animals like foxes, wolves, deer, and poisonous snakes. Among birds, the park houses eagles and hawks.
On the other side, Bird Paradise National Park houses more than 250 bird species. The native birds of Turkey are white pelicans, egrets, nightingales, ducks, purple herons, and geese.
Hatila Valley National Park, located in a mountainous region, is filled with pine trees, rushing waterfalls, and fast-flowing rivers. Animals like wild boars, wolves, foxes, gazelles, goats, rabbits, and squirrels live amidst the lush greenery.
Wild cats live in the dense jungle. The tourists can see the mountain sheep and goats running along with the hill areas. The dolphins swim in the coastal water bodies. Animals like bears, wild boars, caracals, and wild cats can be seen the most in the national parks of Turkey.
Most Venomous Animals in Turkey
Turkey houses some of the most poisonous animals in its fauna. The animals are mentioned below,
Spider:
Turkey houses some of the most poisonous spiders in the entire world. The species include brown recluse, wolf spider, and black widow. The dense forests are the favorite habitats for these spiders. A single bite of a spider can cause death within three minutes.
Snakes:
Dozens of snake species inhabit Turkey, and most of them are dreadfully poisonous. Ottoman Viper is one of the most virulent snakes. The snake is also known as Coastal viper or Rock viper. The snake bites one without even the smallest of provocation. Venom is in every bite of this snake. Other poisonous snakes include Wagner’s viper, black desert snake, and European adder.
Centipedes:
You can see the centipedes in the scrublands and deserts. Some of the centipedes can be a foot long. Turkish centipedes bite humans. Fortunately, the bites are not fatal, but it hurts a lot. Antibiotics can heal the wound.
Endangered Species in Turkey:
Mediterranean Monk Seal
The seal is an endangered species today. Only a hundred of these animals are alive now.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The giant turtle can weigh up to 300 pounds. Like the other sea turtles, this species is also critically at risk
Bald Ibis
The Bald Ibis is a migratory bird. The bird is entirely extinct only a few live in sanctuaries.
Asia Minor Spiny Mouse
The small rodent lives with packs. The spiny mouse mostly lives in forests and needs immediate attention.
Anatolian Leopard
Experts had already declared that these leopards are extinct, but a few years back, some glimpse of them came to sight. Now, the Anatolian leopard is on the list to get immediate protection.
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