Greece Flora and Fauna

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Greece flora and fauna are so much a part of Greek life that even the myths have become intimately connected to them. Flora and fauna of Greece in this way have been afforded protection and care because their connection with the religious divinities rendered them inviolable. The origin of many plants and animals of Greece are thus explained in this mythical way. Particularly the animals in Greece have received this honor more than the plants.

The animals, which the Greeks have most admired either due to their physical beauty or some quality, have been given half divine and even divine origins. But even those that are not so well loved populate the territorial and marine wilderness, almost 900 different species thrive in Grecian jungles and seas. Greece is a last resort of many endangered animal refugees such as the monk seal and the Mediterranean sea turtle, along with rare species like the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and the Dolphins. The largest range of raptors in Europe can be found in the wetlands of the Evros delta and the dense rocky forests of the Dadia Forest. The Macedonian Lake, Mikri Prespa, has the richest colony of feathered fish-eaters in Europe, taking into accounts the ibises, cormorants, herons and egrets. Other important animals are:

• The brown bear - largest land mammal in Europe,
• The wolf
• The marten,
• The wildcat,
• The roe deer,
• The wild goats,
• The jackals,
• The hedgehogs

The myths concerning real life animals have been woven around the following animals:

• The Swallow
• The Spider
• The Stag Beetle
• The Hoopoe
• The Kingfisher
• The Nightingale

Many plants like the olive and the mint, the Hyacinth and the Narcissus all have got their immortal fame in the Greek myths. But apart from that about 5,500 species of flora make Greece one of the most bio-diverse countries of Europe in terms of flora. When spring comes, the hillsides of Greece are carpeted with flowers like gladioli, anemones, lilies, irises, cyclamens, and tulips sprouting even from the rocks. As for the , The extensive forests found in northern Greece, covered with aspen, pines, as well as other forest trees, conifers as well as deciduous trees such as chestnuts and beeches.