Numerous bird species live in the Azores. Migratory birds, in particular, nest and overwinter in the archipelago. Rabbits, ferrets, and hedgehogs live in the wild in the hinterland. Trout, pike, carp, and perch abound in the ubiquitous lakes.
Nevertheless, biodiversity is relatively low. Birds are the only native animals. The Priolo, a species of bullfinch, lives only here and is even protected. The Pyrrula murina has the Pico da Vara their home. At night, the shearwaters (cagarro) with their peculiar calls cannot be overlooked. They are nocturnal and populate large parts of the coast. The birds are somewhat smaller than the familiar gulls.
Cory's Shearwaters (calonectris diomedea ssp. borealis, Portuguese: cagarro) can easily be confused with the ubiquitous gulls. However, they are actually related to albatrosses. These birds, with their gray-brown plumage, are often seen in groups at sea during the day. A cagarro can live up to 40 years. Their flight behavior is interesting, as they glide just above the sea surface, taking advantage of the buoyancy there. The birds live entirely at sea. They only come ashore to breed and raise their young. There they are easily attacked. Therefore, protected areas have been established for the birds at known breeding sites. Shearwaters breed in the spring by digging deep nesting burrows into the cliffs. A single egg is usually laid in May. The incubation period lasts 55 days. Feeding only occurs at night. Therefore, the cagarros' peculiar calls over the coast can only be heard at night. The breeding season ends in October. Sexual maturity is only reached after eight years. The mates usually last a lifetime.
Birds:
The native buzzard (açores), which is native to the area, was kept as a hawk by the first settlers. It gave the archipelago its name. Its hunting flights can be observed on all the islands. The rest were introduced or arrived as stowaways. These include stilts and finches, serins, robins, blackcaps, and a canary species. Many of the species found today in the Azores are migratory birds, using the archipelago as a stopover or wintering here.
Mammals:
Among the mammals, the cow is the most widespread. It was introduced, along with dogs and cats, at the beginning of the 15th century. To keep the herds together, special dogs were introduced: the Cães de Fila (Fila Dogs). A strong, obedient, knee-high breed with short fur and great stamina. The breed became feral over the centuries and was recognized as a separate dog breed in 1984. Another domestic animal is the goat. There are over 8000 of these bleating domestic animals on the archipelago.
There is a rustling in the undergrowth. Small lizards scurry across the paths. They like to sun themselves on the often dark lava rock. Ferrets, hedgehogs, and even rabbits live in the bush. In some years, there are real plagues – much to the delight of local innkeepers. The farmers, of course, see things somewhat differently. Otherwise, there are small rodents, as everywhere. In some regions – for example, in the northwest of Sao Miguel – there are therefore special pile dwellings as grain storage.
There are no dangerous or poisonous animals. Snakes and scorpions have not yet found their way to the Azores.
Marine fauna:
The marine fauna is rich. Pufferfish, groupers, barracudas, and many more can be found in the waters around the Azores. In addition, there are more than 20 species of dolphins and various whale species. Among them is the sperm whale, which was traditionally hunted by hand and processed industrially until the 80s. Trout, pike, carp, and bass abound in the numerous crater lakes.
Species spectrum:
Amphibians:
Caudates (Urodela):
Salamanders and newts (Salamandridae):
Spanish ribbed newt
(pleurodeles waltl, port.: Salamandra de costelas salientes) It is a sturdy newt with a flat head, small eyes, and coarse, warty skin. The coloration of the dorsal side varies between a gray, yellowish-green, or olive-gray base color with washed-out darker spots. The underside is somewhat lighter in color and rarely has patchy lighter patches. The name "ribbed newt" is derived from the lateral rib tubercles, in which the rib ends are located, which rarely penetrate the skin. The lighter, orange-colored rib tubercles often contrast strikingly with the base color. The tail is at least as long as the body, strongly flattened, and has a distinct skin ridge.
It is one of the largest caudate amphibians in Europe, living up to 20 years and reaching up to 30 cm in length. As a follower of human habitation, it lives year-round, mostly in standing water such as ditches, ponds, or cisterns.
A single specimen was discovered in a cistern in Ponta Delgada at the end of 1981. Investigations revealed that the ribbed newt, originally from the Alentejo region, likely arrived on the island with a shipment of timber from Portugal. Sao Miguel reached.
Alpine newt
(triturus carnifex, Portuguese: Tritao de crista) The alpine newt is a broad-headed aquatic newt with powerful legs. During the mating season, males develop a pointed, serrated, moderately high dorsal crest, separated from the upper edge of the tail by a notch. The upper body is brownish-grey to blackish-brown with distinct, round, dark spots. Females and juveniles often have a yellowish longitudinal line down the middle of the back. The underside is orange-red with dark spots, and the throat is dark. The flanks are lightly or not at all spotted with white. The skin is fine to smooth.
It can grow up to 20 cm long and is protected by the EU Habitats Directive and therefore subject to reporting.
The species was originally called Triturus cristatus. It has been classified as such since 1922. Sao Miguel It is known that it was allegedly released from a display aquarium in the Lagoa de Congro area by the director of the Carlos Machado Museum in the capital, Ponta Delgada. He is now in the central region of Sao Miguel widespread and also frequently found in wells and cattle troughs.
Anuran amphibians:
True frogs (ranidae):
Iberian water frog
(Rana perezi, Portuguese: Ra verde) It is a relatively small, variable green frog without a temporal spot. The tympanic membrane is prominent. The upper surface is smooth or slightly grained in various shades of green, brown, gray, or yellow with dark brown spots and often a yellowish midline. The underside is whitish with light gray spots. The head-body length is a maximum of 8 cm. It is found primarily in small to large, still and flowing bodies of water.
It is one of the most common amphibians in Portugal and was probably introduced to the Azores by humans in 1820 as part of malaria control efforts. Today it inhabits almost all of the archipelago's crater lakes. It is very adaptable and can even be found in the approximately 30°C warm water of the Ribeira Quente near Furnas. Its population density is very high. In a 3×4 m water basin on Santa Maria 230 copies were counted.
Reptiles:
Turtles (Testudinata):
Sea turtles (cheloniidae):
Loggerhead sea turtle
(Caretta caretta, Portuguese: Tartaruga boba) This is by far the most common sea turtle. It grows up to 110 cm long and weighs up to 150 kg. Its basic coloration is reddish-brown. Adults have a yellowish-brown shell.
They have been sighted well over a thousand times on the coasts of the Azores alone. The turtles cross the Atlantic from the southeastern United States westward, passing the Azores and continuing south toward Madeira and the Canary Islands. In the Azores, carapace lengths of 8 to 60 cm have been observed.
Hawksbill turtle
(eretmochelys imbricata, Portuguese: Tartaruga imbrivada) The hawksbill turtle, like most sea turtles, is found worldwide. It reaches a length of 100 cm and a weight of 75 kg. Adults are typically black to dark brown with yellowish and light brown to reddish spots and stripes.
The species is internationally protected under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
It is almost extinct because of its sought-after tortoiseshell and is only very rarely seen off the Azores.
Atlantic ridley turtle
(Lepidochelys kempi, Portuguese: Tartaruga de Kemp) It grows to a length of up to 70 cm and weighs up to 50 kg. The shell is usually grey-green. It was almost wiped out because of its meat.
The species is now internationally protected under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
A young animal was found in 1913 before Corvo Captured. In June 1989, it was found 15 miles south of Pico A specimen weighing 1,63 kg was registered.
Leatherback turtles (dermochelyidae):
Leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea, Portuguese: Leatherback Turtle) Unlike other sea turtles, the leatherback turtle does not have a rigid shell of bone and horn, but rather a thick, leathery skin embedded with small, mosaic-like bone plates. These animals are relatively large and can reach a body length of up to 256 cm and a weight of over 900 kg. Females average a body length of 155 cm and a weight of 250 to 500 kg.
Specimens of this species are caught in fishing nets off the Azores every year.
Lizards (Sauria):
Lizards (Lacertidae):
Madeiran wall lizard
(Podarcis dugesii dugesii, Portuguese: Lagartixa da Madeira) It was introduced to the Azores and inhabits almost exclusively the coastal zone, where it is widespread.
Lower animals:
Hydrozoans (Hydrozoa):
Yellow feather polyp
(Aglaophenia tubulifera) It lives around the Azores at depths of 40 m and above. The fans are perpendicular to the current.
Staghorn coral (antipatharia):
Black coral
(antipathes) The staghorn coral lives in large bushes at depths of 30 meters and above. They reach a height of more than one meter. The black horny skeleton is formed by mineral deposits.
Bristle worms (Polychaeta):
screwworm
(Spirographis spallanzani) The screwworm is quite common in the Azores. It grows up to 40 cm long and lives primarily on rock walls. The actual worms live in the parchment-like tubes.
Crayfish (caprellidae):
Spiny crab
(caprella acanthifera) The tiny crab, up to 1 cm long, lives on starfish.
Shrimp (decapoda):
Mediterranean cleaner shrimp
(lysmata seticaudata) This shrimp species changes its sex from male to female as it ages.
Spiny lobster relatives (decapoda):
Slipper lobster
(scyllarides latus) The slipper lobster grows up to 45 cm long. Instead of large antennae, it has two pincers, and its first forelegs are modified into claws. These serve as defense. It feeds primarily on limpets.
Crabs (decapoda):
Giant spider crab
(maja squinado) The giant spider crab reaches a body length of 25 cm, making it the largest crab species in the archipelago. It eats everything, including animals and sea cucumbers.
Fuzzy crab
(pilumnus villosissismus)
Hairy crab
(pilumnus hirtellus)
Hermit crab (decapoda):
Red Hermit
(dardanus calidus) It lives in water depths of up to 30 meters. It is the largest hermit crab in the archipelago.
Striped Rock Hermit
(eupagurus anachoretus) It lives in water depths of up to 30 m.
Woolly palm hermit
(pagurus cuanensis) It lives in water depths of up to 30 m.
Nudibranchs (nudibranchia):
Patterned star snail
(hypselodoris fontandraui) It lives only in the Mediterranean and the Azores and grows up to 4 cm long. Its coloration is diverse, and the colorful branches radiating from the midline are striking.
Dragon snail
(roboastra europeae) It comes in two color forms and grows up to 8 cm long. In addition to a yellow-striped form, there is also an orange-blue color form.
Gibraltar nudibranch
(tambja ceutae) It grows up to 5 cm long and is one of the most common nudibranchs in the Azores.
Orange-spotted veiltail nudibranch
(glossodoris edmunsi) It only grows up to 4 cm long and impresses with its colorful spots of color.
Leopard slug
(Discodoris atromaculata) It can grow up to 12 cm long, although much smaller specimens are commonly found. The white species with brown spots feeds on sponges, where it is most commonly found.
Fringed snail
(Marionia blainvillea) It grows up to 5 cm long and feeds primarily on cnidarians. Its body features numerous conspicuous gill appendages.
Sea urchins (echinoidei):
Brown diadem sea urchin
(centrostephanus longispinis) It occurs mainly in dark places and is often confused with the black diadem sea urchin because of its often dark coloring.
Starfish (asteroidei):
Orange starfish
(hacelia attenuata) It occurs at depths of 20 m to 150 m.
Red-violet starfish
(ophidiaster ophidianus) The coloration ranges from dark purple to light orange. The species lives at depths of up to approximately 20 m and grows up to 40 cm in size.
Sea squirts (Ascidia):
White dwarf sea squirt
(Clavelina oblonga) It was probably introduced to the Azores from its original home in the Caribbean.
Orange-crowned sea squirt
(distaplia corolla) It was probably introduced to the Azores from its original habitat in the Caribbean. In addition to the orange color variant, there is also a purple species.
Blue Grape Ascidia
(eudistoma angolanum) It likes to form colonies and can be found just below the water surface.
Sponge-like sea squirt
(cystodytes dellechiaje) It likes to form colonies and is only found below 30 m. It is one of the most common species in the Azores. The screw coral is quite common in the Azores. It grows to
