Fauna and flora of the Canary Islands

Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Canary Islands, you could meet goats and dogs, among others, According to one theory, the archipelago owes its name. Apparently, the Canary Great Danes are descendants of the ancient wild dogs (canary prisoner). The works on the restoration of the Canary Goat breed have been successfully completed (canary goat).

Several types of lizards have also survived from pre-Hispanic times – the most famous of them are the meter reptiles that live on El Hierro, which can be seen at the Giant Lizard Breeding Center. Other popular animals are rabbits and turtle doves, popular with hunters (Hunting is officially allowed from August to December on Thursdays and Sundays). There are also many species of birds on the islands – among them, of course, canaries, which are not bright yellow in the wild, but gray-brown.

However, the greatest wealth of fauna awaits in the waters surrounding the archipelago – floats in them over 350 Mediterranean and tropical fish species, 26 whale species and friendly bottlenose dolphins, which can be observed during specially organized cruises.
In fertile volcanic soil it grows over 2 thousand. different plant species, about half of which are endemic species (occurring only in the Canary Islands). For a layman it means, that he will see many exotic plants here, which until now he had only seen in a pot or fancy bouquets.

The areas around the houses sparkle with the colors of red hibiscus flowers all year round, bougainvillea and colored carnations. You can also see maroon poinsettia trees (popular bethlehem stars) and also known as the birds of paradise, the exotic orange-blue royal strelitzias - the symbol of the Canary Islands. Banana plantations are a common sight, tobacco, flowers and orange and almond groves.

The hot southern regions of the islands and the areas called malpais cover the so-called. tabaibales, that is, different varieties of dry-loving plants of the cactus spurge species. Tabaibas are the most common, that is, branched bushes resembling yucca. The menacing looking spiny shrubs in the shape of organ pipes are the Canary Island spurge (cardon). The fig prickly pear is also popular (ichumberas) with flaky leaves covered with thorns. It is worth trying the refreshing-tasting prickly pear fruit – you can buy them in a store or pick them up yourself (due to the almost invisible sharp spikes of the fruit, they should not be touched with bare hands or when picked, nor peeling the skin). The Canary Island date palm grows in some areas.

The higher parts of the islands have a climate similar to the Mediterranean, in which vines feel great, eucalyptus, cork trees, mimosa and junipers.

Such fruit is grown on a large scale in the Canary Islands, like an avocado, mangoes and pineapples, and bananas, which, to distinguish them from those grown in South America, are called platano canario. Such a distinction is perfectly justified, because the fruits grown in the archipelago have a really completely different taste and appearance – they are definitely smaller than their South American cousins ​​and more sweet and aromatic. However, there are some risks involved in eating a banana in the Canary Islands – After returning home, bananas imported from Ecuador appear tasteless.

An important element of the landscape are laurel forests (laurel wreath). In the Tertiary period (ok. 3 million years ago) covered almost all of Europe, and to this day they have been preserved almost exclusively in the Canary Islands. Besides the laurel trees (laurel trees) holly grows in the ever shrouded laurisiha, ferns, lindens and heathers reaching to 10 m in height.

Two plants, which the islanders are especially proud of, is a Canary Island pine (canary pine) and the dragon dracaena (drago). The former is a tropical pine species, the tree is extremely fire resistant. Dracaena is the oldest and most famous plant in the archipelago. Because they don't have jars, their age cannot be accurately determined, however, it is suspected, that some specimens may be as long as about a thousand years (e.g.. Drago Milenario in Tenerife). The guanches attributed magical powers to the dragons, using their red juice, called dragon's blood, for medicinal purposes.

Environmental Protection

In a period of intense and uncontrolled development of mass tourism, the Canary Islands were literally flooded with cement and money.

However, it turned out over time, that that, which brings large profits to the islands, can destroy them irretrievably. From the end of the years 80. XX w. The local governments of individual islands began to pay more and more attention to the protection of their natural beauty. Currently, the Canary Islands are probably the best protected area in Europe. More than 40% the area of ​​the archipelago is under protection, guaranteed by UNESCO biosphere reserves (La Palma was fully covered, Lanzarote, El Hieno and partly Gran Canaria) and over 141 protected areas, with four national parks at the forefront (Teide in Tenerife; Garajonay in La Gomera, Timanfaya in Lanzarote and Caldera de Taburiente in La Palmie).

Contrary to appearances, protecting nature on the islands is quite a difficult task - decision-makers are torn between investing in tourism, which is a pillar of the domestic economy, and environmental protection. La Palma is a good example of internal conflict, where the local government wants to build five new golf courses, which will probably attract tourists. Unfortunately, such an investment is tantamount to the destruction of a part of the protected areas. The leader in the ecological race is El Hierro - the island has set itself the goal of energy and water self-sufficiency, which it intends to achieve by using only renewable energy sources.

Water Only two islands – Tenerife and La Palma – have natural springs. The rest must desalinate the seawater, which is then fully recycled, therefore better not to drink tap water – it's just distasteful. It is also worth trying to follow the inscriptions everywhere, asking you to save water, e.g.. while bathing.