Spain, situated at the southwestern edge of Europe, is a global biodiversity hotspot. Its unique geographic placement, serving as a land bridge between Europe and Africa, supports an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 animal species. The nation’s landscapes shift dramatically, supporting life from high mountain ranges to extensive coastlines. This faunal wealth is characterized by a high degree of endemism, with approximately 30% of Europe’s unique species found exclusively within Spanish territory.
Geographic Factors Driving Biodiversity
Spain’s ecological richness results directly from the complex geography of the Iberian Peninsula. The country spans four distinct European biogeographical regions: the Atlantic, Alpine, Mediterranean, and Macaronesian (Canary Islands). This creates a mosaic of habitats, ranging from humid, deciduous forests in the north to arid scrublands in the southeast.
Mountain ranges like the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada act as natural barriers, promoting the isolation and evolution of specialized, endemic species. The contrast between the cool, wet Atlantic climate and the hot, dry Mediterranean climate further fragments habitats. This climatic variation, combined with the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, provides the environmental context for Spain’s specialized animal communities.
Iconic and Endemic Terrestrial Mammals
The Iberian Peninsula is home to several of Europe’s most threatened mammals, including the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus). This medium-sized feline is one of the world’s most endangered cat species, though conservation efforts led to its reclassification to Vulnerable in 2024. The lynx is a specialized predator whose survival is linked to the European rabbit, which constitutes up to 90% of its diet.
The Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is found primarily in the northwestern parts of the peninsula. This subspecies of the gray wolf is a highly social carnivore, living in structured packs that typically range from five to fifteen individuals. These wolves regulate their ecosystems by preying on large herbivores such as Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). In mountainous regions, the Spanish Ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is a prominent sight, with four distinct subspecies adapted to the rugged, rocky terrain.
Critical Role in Avian Migration
Spain’s position is important for avian life, acting as a stopover point for millions of birds traveling between African wintering grounds and European breeding territories. The Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow 14-kilometer gap separating Spain from Morocco, serves as a major migratory bottleneck. This passage is vital for soaring birds, such as raptors and storks, which rely on thermal air currents that do not form over open water.
Each spring and autumn, an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 raptors cross the Strait annually. Species like the Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), and White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) concentrate here during their transcontinental journey. Major wetland areas like Doñana National Park in Andalusia also provide habitat for a vast array of aquatic birds, serving as a resting and feeding station on the Atlantic Flyway.
Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Spain’s extensive coastline, bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, supports diverse marine life. The Strait of Gibraltar is a hot spot for cetaceans, serving as a migratory corridor for species such as the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and home to resident populations of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The coastal waters also support smaller marine mammals like the Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) and the Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba).
Inland, Spanish rivers and lakes are recognized for their high proportion of endemic species, particularly among fish. The Pyrenean Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), an endangered semi-aquatic mammal, is adapted to the cold, fast-flowing mountain streams, where it forages for aquatic invertebrates. Endemic fish species, such as the Iberochondrostoma oretanum and the Valencia Toothcarp (Valencia hispanica), demonstrate the isolation of the Iberian river systems.