The Animals of Liechtenstein© James Foster Robinson
Jan 17, 2003
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small country only 160 km² and its elevation ranges from 430 to 2,600 meters above sea level. Despite its size it has a rich and abundant fauna or variety of animals. Its mountains and valleys are home to approximately 55 species of mammals. There are 17 species of bats, 140 of breeding birds, 7 of reptiles, 10 of amphibians and 24 species of fish. In addition, 120 species of butterflies, 342 species of bugs, 76 of longhorn beetles, 76 of lacewings, 194 of syrphids and 65 of midges have been discovered in Liechtenstein.
In Alpine Liechtenstein, you can find red deer, goats, ibex and golden eagles as well as the mountain hare and the snowbird. Other mountain residents include the Marmot, the North Bat, the Black Grouse, woodpeckers, the Tengmalm's Owl, the Eurasian Pygmy owl, the Alpine Cough, the Wall Creeper, the Snow Finch, the Water Pipit, the Alpine Finch. Reptiles include the Alpine Salamander and the Common Viper, Liechtenstein's only poisonous snake. The grass frog, the earth toad or the Alpine newt live in the streams and lakes in the mountains. The Alpine grass is home to many insects including 88 species of butterfly and the rare Siberian grass hopper and the red winged grass hopper. Also found on the mountain slopes and valleys high above the Rhine are deer, fox, badgers, the black woodpecker, the rare white-backed woodpecker and owls. In the Schlosswald forest near Vaduz live the stag beetle and the rare Rosalia longhorn.
In the Ruggeller Riet, 96 hectares of protected land, can be found 408 species of beetles, 82 species of spiders, a variety of birds which include the endangered Corn Crake as well as the Quail, the Whinchat, the Corn Bunting and the Grass Hopper Warbler. The Rhine dam stretches from Balzers to Ruggell. The dry grasslands beside it are home to the Common Stonechat, 45 species of butterfly, the rare Apollo Butterfly, the Silver-washed Fritillary, the Lesser Purple Emperor or the Small Kingfisher.
When you visit the Principality of Liechtenstein, be sure to take the time to walk the Rhine Dam, hike in the forests and mountain valleys. Enjoy the colour and smell Liechtenstein’s flowers, listen to the music of its birds and watch the antics of its many animals. Who would have thought that in such small area so much natural richness and beauty could be found. References: http://www.liechtenstein.li/lisite/html/... World Conservation Monitoring Center, IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, Information Office, WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK
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