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The fauna
The fauna of the Cévennes National Park is extremely diverse, with over 2,400 species. Mediterranean, Continental and Alpine species are all found here, as are species from forest, steppe and rock habitats, or those linked to humid environments.
General information
The Park’s abundant fauna consists of 70 species of mammals (of the 135 in France), 195 species of bird (of which 135 breed here), 16 species of amphibians, 15 species of reptiles, 23 species of fish and over 2,000 species of invertebrates (including 1,824 of insects).
Mammals
The most striking aspect of the past few decades in terms of mammals in France, and in the Cévennes, is the reappearance of large species. While the return of ungulates (wild boar, stag, roe deer, moufflon, and for massifs outside the Cévennes, chamois and ibex) has been brought about by deliberate human action, that of mammals such as the otter, wolf and lynx is the result of a spontaneous expansion of these species.
Birds
The National Park’s bird fauna is characterised by its profusion in two particular groups: birds of prey (with 27 species, including three vultures) and birds of open spaces, especially those linked to the extremely unusual landscape of the vast short-grass prairies of the Causses and peaks.
Invertebrates
Although it already contains over 2,000 species, the Park’s inventory of invertebrates is far from finished and must be continued. The many altitudes of this territory – from the Mediterranean piedmont to the peaks of Mont Lozère and Mont Aigoual – and the great diversity of environments explain this extraordinary abundance.