Cornwall is the most southernly county in England and offers a huge diversity of habitats for a wide variety of wildlife that is rarely found elsewhere in the country. Mammals of both land and sea, fascinating birds and an enormous variety of marine animals and even insects can be found all over Cornwall and around the rugged coastline.
Birds of prey such as buzzards, kestrels and owls can be seen surveying the ground for prey from the skies above and perching on the signs and lampposts that line the roads. Rare insects from butterflies to glow worms can be found across the county as can the common lizard, a reptile which is only found in the warmer regions of the UK. As well as these rarer animals, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, rabbits and squirrels are all commonly found in woodland and hedgerows all over Cornwall.
Cornwall is the only county in England that is completely surrounded by water, and Cornwall is also cut off from Devon by the River Tamar meaning that Cornwall is technically an island. The vast amount of water is home to numerous marine animals from different species of mollusc like clams, mussels, limpets and cuttlefish to the larger marine animals including bottlenose dolphins, grey seals, leatherback turtles, fin whales and basking sharks.
Red Fox Cubs
With all this incredible wildlife on our doorstep, it is no wonder that animal enthusiasts flock to Cornwall from all over the country to experience the variety of life that exists in this remarkable county.
For more information about seeing Cornish wildlife, please see: