Discover the exuberant flora and fauna of Fuerteventura.

The flora and fauna of Fuerteventura are one of the island’s most precious treasures. The island’s geographic location, climate and geology have supported the proliferation of some animals and plants that bear no relation to those in mainland Spain. If you are a nature lover, you’ll be itching to get to know more about this subject and we are delighted to fill you in. Don’t miss out!

Discover the flora and fauna of Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura’s exceptional flora and fauna are the perfect excuse for spending some unforgettable days exploring, discovering and enjoying life with your family. The island offers a wealth of activities to allow you to explore in depth the exuberant local nature. Here are some ideas:

Bird watching: Fuerteventura enjoys the presence of a wide variety of migratory and resident species. There are excursions and bird watching trails that will give you the chance to observe birds including the Canarian houbara, the kestrel and the stone-curlew.
Hiking in the national parks: Follow the trails in the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo or the Parque Natural de Jandía to admire some spectacular landscapes.
Dolphin and whale watching: The waters surrounding the island are home to diverse species of cetaceans such as dolphins and whales. Boat trips are a fabulous way of seeing these marine mammals in their natural environment.
Cycle Trails: If you like to keep active, you’ll have an amazing time on the cycle trails and paths that traverse the island.
Snorkelling and scuba diving trips Would you like to see the marine biodiversity of Fuerteventura for yourself? If so, take the plunge with some activities such as snorkelling or scuba diving.

The wildlife of Fuerteventura: what animals live in Fuerteventura?

The island’s ecosystem offers the opportunity to get up close to a range of fascinating creatures. Here is a quick look at some of them.

Marine life

Fuerteventura’s marine life includes turtles (leatherbacks and loggerheads), mullets (sargos, bream), tuna (bonito, mackerels), pelagic fish (sardines, sword fish, silversides), crabs and mussels.

Cetaceans are frequently observed in the ocean. These include dolphins and even whales. If you’re on a ferry trip between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, it’s highly likely that you’ll see some of them while you’re on board.

Land-living wildlife

When it comes to animals on the island, get ready to see Canarian camels, lizards, Majorero goats, hedgehogs, shrews, gophers, bats, locusts and butterflies, among many other animals.

However, the most outstanding wildlife on the island is its incredible birds, many of them migratory. Don’t miss the Canarian hubara, the Canarian kestrel, the stone-curlew, the Canarian stonechat, the Berthelot’s pipit, the Iberian grey shrike, the cream-coloured courser and diverse migratory species such as the grey heron, the Montagu’s harrier and the Kentish plover. Fortunately, Fuerteventura boasts different ornithological reserves where you can see these incredible species.

Are there venomous animals in Fuerteventura?

In general, be assured that the wildlife in Fuerteventura is relatively harmless. Don’t worry – there aren’t any creatures that represent a significant threat for humans on the island. There are some venomous species including scorpions, the black widow spider and some types of vipers (asp, vipera seoanei, latastes viper, bastarda viper, horned viper).

Just like in any other place, there is always the possibility of encountering one of these species. However, you should understand that these encounters are rare, so it’s best to maintain normal levels of caution and, of course, to not disturb the local wildlife. If you’re going to explore the natural environment, remember to inform yourself about the dangers, wear suitable footwear and follow all the standard recommendations.

The Flora of Fuerteventura: all about Fuerteventura’s plants

Fuerteventura’s plant life is adapted to the island’s conditions, where arid and semi-arid conditions predominate with a dry, windy climate. Although this is no impediment to the island’s wide variety of plants and vegetation that create its picturesque landscapes.

Xerophilous species are most abundant, that is, those that can survive with little water. Among the most common ones are thorny shrubs such as the balsan spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera). Fuerteventura’s other iconic plants include the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) and the Launaea arborescens, which forms dense bushes and has bright yellow flowers. In coastal areas, you can observe species such as the Polycarpaea nivea and the Canarian Euphorbia.

If you’ve got this far, you’ll have discovered that both the wildlife of Fuerteventura and its plants are, to say the least, spectacular. But if there is one thing better than reading about this subject, it’s seeing it for yourself. Are you planning a back-to-nature holiday in Fuerteventura?

This article was inspired by the passion we feel for Fuerteventura. We hope you enjoy your visit as much as we’ve enjoyed writing this post.