Animals of Wales facts for kids

Wales is a country in the United Kingdom. It is home to many amazing animals. From tiny insects to large marine mammals, Wales has a rich variety of wildlife. Let's explore some of the cool creatures you can find here!

Red kite, the national bird of Wales.

Common seal juvenile, off Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Animals of the Sea

The waters around Wales are full of life! Especially around Cardigan Bay and the Pembrokeshire coast. You can often spot different types of whales here.

• Whales: Minke whales and pilot whales are common in summer. Fin whales and killer whales are seen less often.
• Dolphins: Bottlenose dolphins are common visitors. Risso’s dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins are rarer.
• Other Sea Animals: Keep an eye out for grey seals. You might also see huge basking sharks (they eat tiny plankton, so they are harmless!). Even sunfish can be spotted.

Mammals on Land

Wales is home to many interesting mammals. Some are big, and some are very small.

• Deer: The two largest land mammals are Roe deer and fallow deer. Roe deer live in central and northern Wales. Fallow deer can be found in both country and town areas. The red deer is the biggest native deer species. You can also find muntjac, roe, and sika deer.
• Other Mammals: The European polecat lives in both cities and the countryside. The red fox is one of the most common mammals in Wales. You might also see badgers, hares, hedgehogs, otters, rabbits, stoats, and weasels.
• Rare Finds: Pine martens are very rarely seen. Wales is also home to 13 different types of bats. Red squirrels are another special mammal found here.

Birds of Wales

About 430 different kinds of birds have been seen in Wales! Some birds are very special to the country.

Puffin on the North Coast of Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

• Signature Species: The red kite is a famous bird in Wales. Ospreys are also a "signature species."
• Common Birds: You can often see dippers, choughs, and puffins. Other common birds include guillemots, razorbills, short-eared owls, Manx shearwaters, whimbrel, and plovers.
• Rare Birds: The Montagu's harrier is a rare bird in Britain. It has several nesting spots in Wales.
• Changing Populations: The Red grouse used to be very common. But its numbers have gone down a lot because of hunting. You can still find red grouse in the far north of Wales.

Reptiles

Wales has a few types of reptiles. These cold-blooded animals love sunny spots.

• Snakes: Adders and grass snakes have been recorded here. Adders are the only venomous snakes in Britain, but they usually only bite if they feel threatened.
• Lizards: Common lizards are often seen, especially near Oxwich Bay.
• Conservation: Some sand lizards have been released into the wild. This was done by volunteers from the Herpetological Conservation Trust and zoos like Chester and Jersey Zoos. This helps to protect this rare species.

Priority Species

Some animals in Wales are very important to protect. These are called "priority species." They need special help to make sure they survive and thrive. Here are some of them: