Wildlife
Wildlife
According to the latest census carried out in the territory, in addition to numerous invertebrates, 93 species of vertebrates live and reproduce in the Giara, 14 of which belong to mammals, 11 to reptiles, 64 to birds and 4 to amphibians. This biodiversity has been favoured by the geomorphological features of the plateau. However, extensive land use for livestock and roads has altered the balance of ecosystems with serious repercussions on the populations of certain animal species.
MAMMALS
In the woods of the plateau live wild boar, marten, wild cat, hedgehog, weasel and fox. The deer and the deer have disappeared.
THE REPTILES
In the paulis is found the viper becia. Among the saurians, there are the Turkish emidattilo, the tarantulas, the country lizard and the tyrrhenian. There is also the dwarf algiroid, a rare endemic Sardinian.
THE BIRDS
The Giara has proved to be particularly welcoming for many species of resident and migratory birds, both aquatic and terrestrial. Some of the resident birds, such as the great spotted woodpecker and the jay, play a primary role in maintaining the ecological balance. Others are the hoopoe, the succiacapré and the axiolo. There are also numerous passerines, turtledoves and woodland in the high spots of the Giara, while the clearings and meadows on the edge of the woods host specimens of Sardinian partridge.
THE AMPHIBIANS
The emerald toad, the Sardinian discoglosso and the Sardinian tree frog populate the paulis. The presence of the geotritone sardo, a rare endemism that normally lives in caves has also been reported.
THE INSECTS
It is the most represented class. It has many endemic lepidoptera such as the macaone and the sphinx. The oak’s cerambice and the gall’s vespina are also very common.
