Animals in the Alps of Europe

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The Alpine Marmot is a rodent with a thick fur coat, large front teeth, and small ears. This much-loved animal can be seen scampering around sunny mountain slopes and may occasionally wander across your path. Some marmot populations, such as those near the alpine mountain resort Davos in Switzerland, have become more used to humans and will eat from the hand.

The Alpine Marmot belongs to the squirrel family, and eats grass and herbs. It hibernates in winter.

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Sadly not as common a sight as once it was, the Red Squirrel is now a protected species. Although generally recognisable by its reddish colouring, a Red Squirrel can also have black fur, and it has a pale underbelly.

The Red Squirrel lives in woodland, as well as in parks and gardens. Its diet includes eggs and young birds in addition to plants.

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The Brown Hare is another creature that may be found across Europe, but this endangered species is generally wary of humans and is well-suited to solitary life in Alpine areas.

In breeding season, Brown Hares can be seen 'boxing' with their forefeet as they balance on their hind legs.

The Brown Hare has a mainly plant-based diet but occasionally will also eat small animals.

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The Edible Dormouse (also known as the Fat Dormouse) is one of 3 varieties of Dormice found in the Alpine regions. The (ironically) rarer Common Dormouse and the Tree Dormouse are protected species, and are smaller and lighter.

This little rodent has large, dark eyes and thick grey fur. It has an omnivorous diet that includes plants and berries, eggs and baby birds.

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The Alpine Ibex is a type of mountain goat with long curved horns. It lives high up in the Alps where it has a diet of lichen, grass and herbs.

Having been hunted almost to extinction, the Alpine Ibex is now a protected species. It normally lives between 12 and 15 years.

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The Chamois is an Alpine goat with a coat that changes from a red-brown with dark underparts in summer to a blackish-brown with light underparts in winter. It has slim, curved horns. It can be recognised by the dark stripes from eye to nose.

The Chamois is perfectly designed for high altitude living on mountainsides. This nimble animal has hooves that allow it to remain stable-footed on rocky ground. It eats grass and herbs.

The tuft of hair that is often seen on traditional alpine hats comes from the neck of the Chamois. It is also known for its soft leather.

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This little creature has a large, whiskered snout and tiny eyes. The Common Shrew is a carnivore and has a voracious appetite. It lives in woodland, and is not unique to the Alps but rather can be found in most countries of Europe.

Here's an interesting fact about shrews from Wikipedia:
Young shrews often form a caravan behind the mother, each carrying the tail of the sibling in front with its mouth.

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The Pine Marten belongs to the same family as the badger, stoat and otter, and all can be found in the Alps. It lives in woodland and forests.

The Pine Marten has a dark coat with yellowish underparts and a distinctive yellow throat patch. It eats small mammals such as squirrels, birds and their eggs, and berries.

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The Eagle Owl is the largest species of owl that is found in the mountains of the Alps. It can be up to 70 cm (27 inches) in height. The Eagle Owl has distinctive bright orange eyes and tufted ears, and feathered legs.

The Eagle Owl generally lives on high rocky ledges and hunts mammals and birds.

Other species of owl found in Alpine areas include in order of descending size: Tawny Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Barn Owl, Tengmalm's Owl, Little Owl, Scops Owl, and Pygmy Owl.

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The European Lynx is a highly-protected species that has been reintroduced to the Alps. The populations of lynxes are more stable in other parts of Europe such as Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

This medium-size cat has a brown coat with dark speckles, a short tail with black tip, and tufted ears. It hunts deer, goats and smaller mammals.
A lynx can live up to 15 years and prefers a woodland habitat.

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If you love the Alps, you'll enjoy this fun Alpine Cow design, officially approved and made by Keds and sold via Zazzle from Mountain Crazy Gifts (U.S.), plus direct from Zazzle international stores in Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, and more! Visit now to view the whole range.

Brown Cow patches lace-up shoes for women by Mountain Crazy Gift Store

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