Disclaimer: This map contains public domain material originally from the United States Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook.
Worms Molluscs Crustaceans Centipedes Arachnids Insects
Bony Fish Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Birds
The UK is one of the pioneers of both natural history research and wildlife conservation, a testament to a long-standing British enthusiasm for the natural world; indeed, Britain's own fauna is the best-documented in the world. For an island low in species diversity, few endemic animal species, with a long history of human development, and where a number of the most commonly-seen animals are foreign introductions, Britain is of more importance to European wildlife than it might at first appear. The island is home to internationally important populations of merlins (a small falcon), Europe's largest continuous otter population, and several globally significant seabird colonies. Following the spectacularly successful reintroduction of the red kite (Milvus milvus) in the late 20th Century, the UK now has the only population of these impressive birds in Europe whose numbers are on the rise. At the same time, continued development and agricultural expansion, the introduction of exotic wildlife and the pressures of climate change on species already at the northern extent of their ranges contribute to an overall decline in the health of British wildlife.
Earthworms are abundant in Britain's damp climate, and the UK has 28 native species.
|
Common Earthworm |
Lumbricus terrestris |
Britain's 810 known mollusc species include representatives of most of this giant phylum's major groups; British waters boast at least ten species of sea slug and a greater number of cephalopods (octopi and squid), animals often popular with underwater photographers. Slugs and snails are more abundant than many gardeners would like, and a number of species are both common and widespread, perhaps the most familiar being the garden snail (Helix aspersa), which has been introduced widely around the world.
|
Great Pond Snail |
Lymnaea stagnalis |
|
White-lipped Banded Snail |
Cepaea hortensis |
|
Brown-lipped Snail |
Cepaea nemoralis |
|
Garden Snail |
Helix aspersa |
|
Common Garden Slug |
Arion hortensis |
A consequence of a moist climate in which wood decays readily, the UK has several very common species of woodlouse. It also boasts an internationally significant population of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), a population under threat largely from a disease carried by introduced American signal crayfish. Marine crustaceans benefit from Britain's extensive shoreline, where multiple species of crabs can commonly be seen along the shore, in rockpools, and on dives.
|
Velvet Swimming Crab |
Neocora puber |
|
Common Woodlouse |
Oniscus asellus |
|
Common Striped Woodlouse |
Philoscia muscorum |
|
Pill Woodlouse |
Armadillidium vulgare |
Forty-four species of centipede occur in Britain, the most common being the brown centipede (Lithobius forficatus).
Spiders are diverse and abundant in Britain, with over 600 British species. Around a hundred may be found in a typical garden, making them a promising subject aspiring naturalists can study without leaving their back yard! The most familiar are the large garden or cross spider (Araneus diadematus) (left) and house spider (Tegenaria domestica). A single population of scorpions occurs in London but is not native, having been introduced in the 19th Century.
|
Harvestman |
Leiobunum rotundum |
|
Garden/Cross Spider |
Araneus diadematus |
|
Cucumber Spider |
Aranienella cucurbitina |
| Long-jawed Spider | Tetragnatha extensa |
|
Nursery Web Spider |
Pisaura mirabilis |
| Herb Hammock Spider | Neriene clathrata |
|
Motherphage Spider |
Coleotes terrestris |
|
House Spider |
Tegenaria domestica |
When
asked what his studies of natural history had revealed to him about God's
design, the British ecologist JBS Haldane famously replied that he'd learned
God must have "an inordinate fondness for beetles". Learning that over 1,000
species of beetle could be found within 10 miles of Birmingham motivated
Alfred Russell Wallace, the co-discoverer of evolutionary theory, to take up
an interest in natural history professionally. While the thousands of
beetles are often well-hidden, Britain has over 20 species of butterfly,
including an endemic subspecies of the common European swallowtail, and
around 50 dragonflies and damselflies. Sadly, in a common pattern with many
of Britain's animal groups, introduced species including the Asian harlequin
ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) threaten to outcompete native species
(four years after its introduction in 2004, the harlequin was the country's
most common ladybird), while over half of the country's butterflies are in
decline, a trend that is at least partly attributable to climate change.
|
Migrant Hawker |
Aeshna mixta |
| Downy Emerald | Cordulia aenea |
| Four-spotted Chaser | Libellula quadrimaculata |
| Small Red-eyed Damselfly | Erythromma viridulum |
|
Meadow Grasshopper |
Chorthippus parallelus |
| Oak Bush-Cricket | Meconema thalassinum |
|
Speckled Bush-Cricket |
Leptophyes punctatissima |
|
Common Pond Skater |
Gerris lacustris |
|
Common Backswimmer |
Notonecta glauca |
|
Green Shield Bug |
Palomena prasina |
| Forest Bug | Pentatoma rufipes |
|
Common Froghopper |
Philaenus spumarius |
|
Common European Earwig |
Forficura auricularia |
|
Common Scorpion-fly |
Panorpa communis |
|
Devil’s Coach-horse |
Staphylinus olens |
| Ground Beetle | Loricera pilicornis |
| Ground Beetle | Nebria brevicollis |
|
Ground Beetle |
Pterostichus madidus |
|
Ground Beetle |
Pterostichus niger |
|
Great Diving Beetle |
Ditiscus marginalis |
| Cereal Leaf Beetle | Oulema melanopus |
|
Scarlet Lily Beetle |
Lilioceris lilii |
| Bloody-nosed Beetle | Timarcha tenebricosa |
| Green Dock Leaf Beetle | Gastrophysa viridula |
|
Two-spot Ladybird |
Adalia bipunctata |
| Ten-spot Ladybird | Adalia decempunctata |
| Eyed Ladybird | Anatis ocellata |
| Fourteen-spot Ladybird | Propylea 14-punctata |
| Orange Ladybird | Halyzia 16-punctata |
|
Harlequin Ladybird |
Harmonia axyridis |
| Soldier Beetle | Cantharis decipiens |
| Soldier Beetle | Cantharis livida |
| Soldier Beetle | Cantharis nigricans |
| Soldier Beetle | Cantharis pellucida |
|
Common Malachite Beetle |
Malachius bipustulatus |
|
Thick-legged Flower Beetle |
Oedemera nobilis |
|
Click Beetle |
Athous haemoroidalis |
|
Black-headed Cardinal Beetle |
Pyrochroa coccinea |
|
Cardinal Beetle |
Pyrochroa serraticornis |
|
Weevil |
Phyllobius pomaceus |
|
Cockchafer |
Meiolontha meiolontha |
|
House Fly |
Musca domestica |
|
Cranefly |
Tipula padulosa |
|
Dronefly |
Eristala tenax |
| Hoverfly | Ferdinandea cuprea |
|
Hoverfly |
Myathropa florea |
| Common Greenbottle | Lucilia caesar |
|
Longhorn Moth |
Nemophora degeerella |
|
Nettle-tap |
Anthrophila fabriciana |
| Treble Brown-spot | Idaea trigeminata |
| Purple Bar | Cosmorhoe ocellata |
| Waved Umbar | Menophra abruptaria |
| Small Magpie | Eurrhypara hortulata |
|
Six-spot Burnet |
Zygaena filipendulae |
| Marbled Brown | Drymonia dodonaea |
| Lobster Moth | Stauropus fagi |
|
Pale Tussock |
Calliteara pudibunda |
|
Large Yellow Underwing |
Noctua orbona |
| Square-spot Rustic | Xestia xanthographa |
|
Magpie Moth |
Abraxas grossulariata |
| Common Emerald | Hemithea aestivaria |
|
Brimstone Moth |
Opisthograptis luteolata |
|
Small Skipper |
Thymelicus sylvestris |
| Silver-spotted Skipper | Hesperia comma |
|
Large Skipper |
Ochlodes venata |
|
Orange-tip |
Anthocharis cardamines |
|
Black-veined White |
Aporia crataegi |
|
Brimstone Butterfly |
Gonepteryx ramni |
|
Large White |
Pieris brassicae |
|
Small White |
Pieris rapae |
|
Green-veined White |
Pieris napi |
| Small Tortoiseshell | Aglais urticae |
|
Comma |
Polygonia c-album |
| Painted Lady | Vanessa (Cynthia) cordui |
| Marbled White | Melanargia galathea |
|
Gatekeeper |
Pyronia tithonus |
|
Meadow Brown |
Maniola jurtina |
|
Speckled Wood |
Pararge aegeria |
|
Ringlet |
Aphantopus hyperantus |
| Brown Argus | Plebeius agestris |
| Common Blue | Polyommatus icarus |
|
Holly Blue |
Celastrina argiolus |
| Green Hairstreak | Callophrys rubi |
| Small Copper | Lycaena phlaeas |
|
Honey Bee |
Apis mellifera |
|
White-tailed Bumblebee |
Bombus lucorum |
|
Common Carder Bumblebee |
Bombus pascuorum |
|
Common Wasp |
Vespula vulgaris |
|
Hornet |
Vespa crabro |
|
Sawfly |
Rhogogaster viridis |
|
Small Black Ant |
Lasius niger |
The majority of British fish species are, unsurprisingly, marine; although many populations are threatened with overfishing, more colourful species that aren't targeted by fishing operations, including species of wrasse, blenny and goby, occur in waters suitable for diving. The UK's freshwater fish fauna is poor, but angling one of the country's more popular pastimes.
|
Common Eel |
Anguilla anguilla |
|
Pike |
Esox lucius |
|
Perch |
Perca fluviatilis |
Britain has seven native amphibian species. One of these, the pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) became extinct in the wild in the late 1990s, but a population has recently been re-established and awarded native status (ironically, before its extinction, this species was regarded as a foreign introduction). The UK boasts one of Europe's largest populations of the threatened great crested newt, although this and other native species are in decline, due mostly to the loss of temporary pools that provide important breeding habitats. Frogs and toads are among the most widespread and abundant vertebrates in Britain, but numerous frogs die annually to infectious disease and the recent introduction to Britain of the lethal chytrid fungus is a cause for serious concern. In some areas, introduced American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbianus) prey on native amphibians, and may also act as carriers for the fungus.
Surprisingly for a country with so few species, it is not entirely clear how many reptiles are native to the UK; the number ranges between 8 and 14. Six species (three lizards and three snakes) are certainly native to the British mainland; some populations of the wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) may be; this and the green lizard are native to the Channel Islands. British waters are naturally part of the migration route of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the world's largest. Four other sea turtle species may occur in British waters, and in recent years loggerheads (Caretta caretta) have been washed ashore with increasing frequency. The remaining species is the European pond terrapin, a long-extinct species in Britain that appears to have been accidentally reintroduced, but these populations may not survive. Although reptiles are widespread in Britain, they are rarely encountered, and populations are thought to be declining for all species.
Around
50% of Britain's 40 or so mammal species are foreign introductions,
including several of the most commonly seen: the grey squirrel, rabbit, and
muntjac deer. The native red squirrel and British subspecies of the water
vole are both the target of intense conservation efforts, as they have
succumbed to threats including competition and predation from non-native
species. At the same time, there are a number of success stories among
Britain's mammals; badgers (left) and foxes have adapted well to urban
environments, while reversal of a century of pollution has lead to an
increase in otter numbers throughout the country, with the knock-on effect
that otters may control numbers of introduced American mink. Britain is also
moving to follow other European nations in reintroducing the beaver, one of
a number of mammal species hunted to extinction in historic times.
|
European Badger |
Meles meles |
|
Stoat |
Mustela erminea |
|
Red Fox |
Vulpes vulpes |
|
Rabbit |
Oryctolagus curinculus |
|
Harvest Mouse |
Micromys minutus |
|
Brown Rat |
Rattus norvegicus |
|
Hedgehog |
Erinaceus europaeus |
|
Reeves' Muntjac |
Muntiacus reevesi |
|
Roe Deer |
Capreolus capreolus |
The islands off Britain's north coast hold internationally important populations of seabirds; 66% of the world's gannets breed in the British Isles. Many waders, ducks and other birds migrate from southern Europe and Africa to breed in British coastal wetlands; storks are still occasional visitors to the Norfolk Broads, though are not native. Britain has a highly visible and moderately diverse bird fauna, and this has no doubt inspired the particular fondness the country's residents have for this aspect of their fauna; the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is Britain's largest registered charity. This organisation has spearheaded successful habitat restoration, protection and reintroduction schemes for a range of British birds, including bitterns, red kites and sea eagles. The establishment of numerous private reserves by the RSPB and other organisations, with viewing points and hides for birdwatching, has made Britain a particularly accessible country for ornithologists.
|
Little Grebe |
Tachybaptus ruficollis |
|
Great Crested Grebe |
Podiceps cristatus |
|
Gannet |
Morus bassanus |
|
Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax carbo |
|
Grey Heron |
Ardea cinerea |
|
Little Egret |
Egretta garzetta |
|
Bittern |
Botaurus stellaris |
|
Mute Swan |
Cygnus olor |
|
Canada Goose |
Branta canadensis |
|
Shelduck |
Tadorna tadorna |
|
Widgeon |
Anas penelope |
|
Teal |
Anas crecca |
|
Mallard |
Anas platyrhynchos |
|
Gadwall |
Anas strepera |
|
Shoveler Duck |
Anas clypeata |
|
Goosander |
Mergus merganser |
|
Common Pochard |
Aythya ferina |
|
Tufted Duck |
Aythya fuligula |
|
Long-tailed Duck |
Clangula hyemalis |
|
Goldeneye |
Bucephala cangula |
|
Smew |
Mergellus albellus |
|
Ruddy Duck |
Oxyura jamaicensis |
|
Red Kite |
Milvus milvus |
|
Hen Harrier |
Circus cyaneus |
|
Marsh Harrier |
Circus aeruginosus |
|
Common Buzzard |
Buteo buteo |
|
Common Kestrel |
Falco tinnunculus |
|
Grey Partridge |
Perdix perdix |
|
Pheasant |
Phasianus colcicus |
|
Moorhen |
Gallinula chloropus |
|
Eurasian Coot |
Fulica atra |
|
Oystercatcher |
Haemotopus ostralegus |
|
Lapwing |
Vanellus vanellus |
|
Ruddy Turnstone |
Arenaria interpres |
|
Golden Plover |
Pluvarius apricaria |
|
Black-headed Gull |
Larus ridibundus |
|
Herring Gull |
Larus argentatus |
|
Great Back-backed Gull |
Larus marinus |
|
Little Auk |
Alle alle |
|
Razorbill |
Alca torda |
|
Guillemot |
Uria aalge |
|
Puffin |
Fratercula arcrtica |
|
Feral Pigeon |
Columba livia |
|
Wood Pigeon |
Columba palambus |
|
Collared Dove |
Streptopelia decaocto |
|
Cuckoo |
Cuculus canorus |
|
Common Kingfisher |
Alcedo atthis |
|
Green Woodpecker |
Picus viridis |
|
Barn Swallow |
Hirundo rustica |
|
House Martin |
Delichon urbicum |
|
Pied Wagtail |
Motacilla alba |
|
Grey Wagtail |
Motacilla cinerea |
|
Wren |
Troglodytes troglodytes |
|
Dunnock |
Prunella modularis |
|
Robin |
Erithacus rubecula |
|
Stonechat |
Saxicola torquata |
|
Blackbird |
Turdus merula |
|
Song Thrush |
Turdus philomelos |
| Redwing | Turdus iliacus |
|
Mistle Thrush |
Turdus viscivorus |
|
Bearded Tit |
Panurus biarmicus |
|
Great Tit |
Parus major |
|
Blue Tit |
Parus caeruleus |
|
Treecreeper |
Certhia familiaris |
|
Chaffinch |
Fringilla coelebs |
|
Greenfinch |
Carduelis chloris |
|
Goldfinch |
Carduelis carduelis |
|
Bullfinch |
Pyrrhula pyrrhula |
|
European Starling |
Sternus vulgaris |
|
Magpie |
Pica pica |
| Eurasian Jay | Garrulus glandarius |
|
Jackdaw |
Corvus monedula |
|
Rook |
Corvus frugilegus |
|
Carrion Crow |
Corvus corone |
|
Raven |
Corvus corax |
|
Common Reed Bunting |
Emberiza schoeniclus |