Fauna
The fauna of Guara Somontano is a reflection of its natural wealth, making this territory an ideal destination for wildlife observation and sustainable tourism.
Special Protection Area for Birds
Declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) in 1989, Guara Somontano is an ideal place for the nesting of large birds of prey, highlighting the bearded vulture, in danger of extinction in other areas, which feeds on bones and plays a key role in the ecosystem. Taking advantage of the rocky cliffs, you can also find griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, falcons, kestrels, golden eagles and Bonelli's eagles.
Mammals
Mammals such as wild boar, roe deer and fox live in the forests. You can also find nocturnal animals such as the wildcat, the dormouse, the marten, the genet and the badger. In higher areas, the mountain goat has been recovering its population in recent years, being one of the most emblematic species of the sierra. Otters can sometimes be seen in the crystalline rivers
Amphibians
The ravines and rivers are home to amphibians such as the common salamander and the Pyrenean newt, species that require clean water to survive. Among the reptiles, the ladder snake and the ocellated or jewelled lizard stand out.
Fishes
The rivers Vero, the Alcanadre or the Mascún, are home to an interesting community of fish adapted to the clean and cold waters of the area. The common trout is the most emblematic species, being an indicator of the purity of the water. There are also native species such as carp, mountain barbel and native crab, which inhabit the middle and lower reaches of rivers. In some areas, the introduction of foreign species such as the American crab has posed a threat to the natural balance of these ecosystems.
Insects
The variety of ecosystems in the region favours the presence of a rich diversity of insects, including butterflies such as the Old World swallowtail and the Spanish moon moth, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe.
