Fauna of Tilos

Mammals

You will not encounter many mammlas on Tilos island. The Monk Seal and the Common Dolphin are important and remarkable species that are frequently found near the coasts of the island.

As the island is arid and poor in vegetation, the sites where you can encounter the remaining mammals are limited. On the most humid parts of the island and at those locations with dense bushy vegetation, such as at the ravines of Saint Panteleimon and at the irrigated cultivations of Eristos, you can find Hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor). At the cultivated areas and at the arid and mountainous sites, search for the relatively rare species of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Try to find it at the ravine of the Charkadio torrent, at the ravine of Skafis and at the area of Saint Nikolaos in Plaka. You may also see raptors, such as Bonelli’s Eagle and Long-Legged Buzzard, since the island rabbit population is of great importance to them. Finally, the Ship Rat (Rattus rattus) circulates around the island.

You will be particularly lucky if you see Common Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) swimming near the coasts of Tilos. The archipelago of the Aegean, offering narrow passages through the islands, constitutes an ideal biotope for the species. Finally, a typical sea dolphin, the Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is found in the open sea.

Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)

The Monk Seal is undeniably the most important mammal in Tilos island, as it is one of the most threatened mammals in Europe, and also worldwide.

The coasts of Tilos island have multifarious morphology and many caves are found near them. This morphology creates suitable habitats for the hospitality, reproduction and survival of the Monk Seal. There are at least five marine caves that it can use as a shelter. A very good shelter-cave for it that is also susceptible to nuisances is found at the site of Portela at the northeastern part of the island. If we respect all the shelters of the Monk Seal, we can possibly ensure its continuing survival around the coasts of Tilos in the future.

Birds

More than 100 bird species are travelling above Tilos island. This number is large in relation to the island size and it is considered an important element of its natural environment. For this reason Tilos consitutes an attraction for visitors who come every year in order to observe this diversity.

Interesting species that you meet in Tilos are the Mediterranean Shag, Eleonora’s Falcon, Bonelli’s Eagle, Audouin’s Gull, Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Chough, Olive-tree Warbler, Roller and Cretzschmar’s Bunting. The particular importance of Tilos island for birds is documented because:
– It has an important – in European or national level – population of species.
– It is an important reproduction place.
– It has an important role as a regular supply station for birds during migration.

Its geographical position and its isolation as an island make Tilos an important migratory station for many migratory birds, as it is situated on the route of Eastern Aegean islands and Eastern Turkey beaches. An obvious way that certain birds follow during their migratory travel is Crete-Karpathos-Rhodes-Halki-Tilos-Nisyros-Kos-Turkey etc. Less important bird species can also be observed during their vernal migration. These are Cory’s Shearwater, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Bee-eater, Short-toed Lark and Collared Flycatcher. During the autumnal migration we can observe the Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Rock Dove, Night Heron and Red-backed Shrike.

Finally, in the island cluster of Tilos important numbers of Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush and Woodchat Shrike live and reproduce and many Sardinian Warblers and Blue Tits can be found.

Because of its ornithological value, the area has been included since the ’80s in the list of Important Bird Areas in Europe and in the new list of registered Special Protection Areas (SPA), according to the provisions of the EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Despite the fact that Tilos is isolated from other islands and has a long distance from Asia Minor coasts, you will encounter numerous reptile species during a nature walk. Lizards usually are found in arid and dry areas and near rocks or stones.

You will find there the Agama (locally Kroukoudialos), the Kotcschy’s Gecko (very common species), the Snake-eyed Lizard (most common lizard in Tilos), the Turkish Lizard and the Snake-eyed Skink. Two snake species, the Black Coin Snake and the Ottoman Adder crawl on the ground. You will be lucky if your eye catches the marine turtle Karetta (threatened reptile species and priority species in the European Union) popping up its head through the Aegean Sea.

The amphibians of Tilos use its few sweet surface waters to give birth to their eggs there. After that, polliwogs are developed and they are transformed. At the island springs, you will observe polliwogs of the Green Toad Bufo viridis.

Insects

Sixteen diurnal species of lepidopteron insects are found on Tilos island. This number is large compared to the island size.

The butterfly Danaus chrysippus is a rare migratory species that circulates at the coastal meadows of the island and near small wetlands.