The Fauna of Pantelleria island

The fauna of Pantelleria is unique because of its geographical position which has isolated the species of the island, allowing the development and growth of endemisms, and the conservation of other species which are rare or extinct in other parts of the world.
The Pantescan Donkey (U Sceccu in local dialect), already well known in the first century B.C., was very common on the island until a few decades ago. The main features of this donkey were the height at the withers, which could reach 140 cm. and the unusual amble (camel-like) walk. Because of its robust and slender body the donkey played an important role in the development of the island’s viticulture as it could carry many loads along the steep paths; the donkey was so precious to the peasants that they were kept in their own stables, called locally ‘sarduni’. Another animal always found in peasant life is the Pantescan goat, unfortunately almost extinct. It was probably the first domestic to be introduced into the island by prehistoric populations, and it has adapted and avolved into an exceptionally robust animal. The Plecotus Bat, called locally ‘Tallarita i notte’ (night swallow) is expecially common in the natural caves in Gelfiser. The wild rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) is very diffuse, and can be easily seen along mountain paths after sunset. Very valuable are the rare sightings of wildcats (felix silvestri).








 REPTILES
The island’s species of reptile offer a more interesting study. Two rare species which can be found are the ‘Colubro Ferro di cavallo’ (literally horse-shoe coluber, scientific name Coluber Ippocrepis), which is found only in Pantelleria and Sardinia and is considered Europe’s most beautiful snake because of it’s colours, the other rare reptile is the green tortoise (testudo graeca), locally called tortuca. The colony of tortoises in Pantelleria is one of the few today still in its natural state (it is completely extinct in its natural state in the rest of Sicily). The sicilian lizards (locally called ‘Sarmucela’) run about the island’s stone walls together with the geckos (locally called ‘Cucciarda tignusa’), both perfectly camouflaged. Other reptiles include the coluber, whose coloured species reminds one of obsidian stone, and the gongilo (called sangumia) which lives under the stones.



 INVERTEBRATES
Among the invertebrates of Pantelleria,  although both European and African species are present on the island, it is worth mentioning the following endemic subspecies: a melliporous bee probably of african origin, which can be distinguished from other bees for its dark colour and aggressiveness, and the grilled talpa (literally cricket mole), which lives in a confined area around the lake called ‘Specchio di Venere’ (Venus’ mirror).







 BIRDS
A visit to the beautiful lake is recommended to all bird watchers, as it is frequented by many varied species: the small blackcap (locally ‘fatascia’) and other sparrowlike specimens; the stilt-bird, as elegant as the grey heron, the pink flamingo and the crane. Because Pantelleria is between Europe and Africa, it is used as a bridge by many migrating birds, such as the rare falco della regina (literally queen’s falcon, scientific name falco eleonorate), whose black silhouette is sometimes seen on the island; other species of falcon include the brown kite, the pelegrine falcon, the buzzard and the hen harrier. One must not miss these large flocks of birds in spring time, soaring over the sea, carried by air currents. It is quite common to see the profile of the ‘capovaccaro’ (of the vulture family) or some eagle subspecies such as the ‘bonelli’ eagle or the harrier eagle. The unique species of falcon in Pantelleria is the kestrel, called locally ‘sicarro’, which is found in big colonies along the island’s cliffs. Other rare birds which are frequent visitors to Pantelleria are the bee-eater (vocally called ‘scilakila’, scientific name merops apiaster), the marine jay, the moore (called ‘catabubbo’ in dialect), the oriole (‘ghiannuni’); all these birds are mightly appreciated for their coloured plumage. Among the more common species found in Pantelleria are the thrush, the blackbirds, the woodcock, and the quail. Among the wading birds are the grey heron, the red heron, the nitticora, the gazzetta ciuffetto, the cavaliere d’italia, the avocetto, and the crane. It has to be mentioned that the Montagna Grande (Big Mountain) is the only European site where the algerian tit and the rare beccamoschino make their nests.