Badger

[sure2talk]

Badgers can be found mostly in the Lowlands. Although not big, this animal can be rather fierce. Their distinctive feature is unusual black and white pattern on their heads. Badgers make a lot of funny noises. You can see them in spring and summer.

Otter

[jennicatpink]

Otters are brown mammals with impressive tail. They are dangerous aquatic predators, though they look rather harmless. Nowadays only small number of otters preserved, in particular near to northern and western coast of the country.

Pine Marten

[Alastair Rae]

Active mostly during the night, pine martens are hard to observe. They are small, agile mammals from badger and otter family. Pine martens are also good climbers and fast runners. Years ago it these animals were highly valued because of their fur.

Wild Goat

[ShooglyHamsta]

These goats are descendants of domesticated goats which went truly wild. Wild goats live in large herds, which can even count up to 500 individuals. In some cultures they are considered feral animals. Wild goats are usually born in January.

Wildcat

[Sugarmonster]

Wildcats are UK’s largest mammal predators. Today less than 400 wildcats live in the country. Their extinction became serious threat. Wildcats hunt small mammals, birds and other creatures. It may be very difficult to observe wildcats in the wild. Not only there are only few of them, but also they try not to encounter humans.

White – tailed Eagle

[Englishpointers (Limited Flickr time)]

It is UK’s largest bird of pray, it can reach 69 – 95 cm in length and 1.82 – 2.44 m wingspan. White – tailed eagle looks majestic with its huge, brown body, pale head and neck and – of course – white tail. It almost became extinct in 19th century, but fortunately introduction special programme prevented this.

Puffin

[LivingOS]

Incredibly sweet-looking little bird, often seen in internet memes. Its distinctive feature is brightly coloured, rather big beak. Puffins have black back and bear a little resemblance to penguins. Their short wings are perfectly adapted for swimming – they spend lots of time in water. It is easy to observe puffins in spring and summer.

Bottlenose Dolphin

[JCVD100]

This funny-looking animal lives in the see around almost whole Scotland. They are renowned for their big forehead, filled with organ called the melon, holding mass of fat and oily tissue. Melon helps them to communicate. Usually they live in groups called pods, consisting of 10 to 30 members.

Highland Cattle

[Red Junasun]

Well, yes, they aren’t wildlife animals, but… they are symbol of Scotland. Just look at them!

[photo by: foxypar4]

Both flora and fauna of Scotland are typical of the north west European part of the Palearctic ecozone. Aside from the agricultural areas, most of the country is covered in woods, heather moorland and peatland. You can see a lot of native Scots Pine, Silver Birch and Heather, although there is not as much of it as it used to. In near proximity of these tres, you can find beautiful Creeping ladies tresses, which is one of the few British orchids that is almost exclusive to Scotland. If you are looking for more secluded and wild scenery, it is best to go north, where human influence is not as visible as in the rest of Scottish land, especially Western Isles.

[photo by: foxypar4]

Because of the location on the world map, the plants grow differently there. The growing season starts later than in more southern parts of Britain. In the beginning of the year nothing is growing much, with just a few species flowering, but during the months of June, July and August the you can see myriads of flowers blooming all around.

[photo by: left-hand]

[photo by: RATAEDL]

When it comes to wildlife, Scotland also has a lot to offer. It is home to a wonderfully diverse range of species, from the bottlenose dolphins of the Moray Firth to the capercaillie of the Central Highlands and the thousands of seals and puffins inhabiting the beautiful coastlines. If you want to spy some of rarest specimens, then you’ll have to confine your search: to the wet lochside woods around Fort William for the brightly coloured chequered skipper butterfly; or the north coast of Caithness and Sutherland and Orkney for the Scottish Primrose endemic to the shores.

[photo by: Cayetano]

Of course, when speaking of animals, we shouldn’t forget the one and only Nessie, supposedly habiting the depths of Loch Ness. But that’ of course, is another matter entirely.