Caha Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caha Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Hungry Hill |
| Elevation | 685 m (2,247 ft) |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Old Irish cechar, "bog" |
| Native name | An Cheacha (Irish) |
| Geography | |
 Caha Mountains
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Provinces of Ireland | Munster |
The Caha Mountains (called An Cheacha in Irish) are a group of mountains found on the Beara Peninsula in the southwest of County Cork, Ireland. These mountains are made mostly of sandstone. The tallest point in the Caha Mountains is Hungry Hill, which stands at 685 meters (about 2,247 feet) high. Other well-known peaks include Knocknagree and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Exploring the Caha Mountains
The Caha Mountains are a very special place for nature. They have been named a Special Area of Conservation. This means they are protected to help keep their unique plants and animals safe.
The mountains are made of a type of rock called Old Red Sandstone. You'll see lots of rocky areas and cliffs, mixed with grassy slopes. In the southern part, there's a wide, flat area that can be quite boggy. It has many small lakes scattered around. You can also find different types of habitats here, like blanket bog and heathland.
Amazing Plants and Animals
The Caha Mountains are home to many interesting plants. You can find purple moor grass and heather growing here. On the higher, drier parts, you might spot plants like crowberry and roseroot. There are also special ferns, such as Wilson's filmy-fern and hard fern.
One very rare plant found here is called Minuartia recurva, also known as Alpine sandwort. It's not found anywhere else in Ireland! Another unique plant is the Killarney fern (Vandenboschia speciosa). It's a beautiful fern that loves the damp, shady spots in the mountains.
The Caha Mountains are also full of wildlife. You might see the Kerry slug, which is a special type of slug found only in Ireland. Other animals living here include otters, badgers, hares, and lizards. The rivers and lakes are home to brown trout and frogs.
Birdwatchers love the Caha Mountains too. The peregrine falcon, one of the fastest birds in the world, nests here. The ring ouzel, a type of thrush, visits the area during its long journeys between different parts of the world.
