The Scottish Crossbill (eBird) is a bird that occurs only in the United Kingdom. The Orkney Vole (ARKive WM), the Skomer Vole (BBC), and the Saint Kilda Field Mouse (Wikipedia) are endemic mammal subspecies.
Turtle dove. A once familiar sight and a sound often associated with the British summer, the turtle dove has decline by a staggering 97% since 1970 and now resides on the Global Red List for Endangered Species.
Deer (Roe, Red and Muntjac)
Among the most common animals in England, these deer species all so nimble you may only catch a fleeting glimpse as they bound through the trees or across a meadow. The roe deer is the most ubiquitous – look for its distinguishable white rump.
Bears in Britain: A brief history
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) was once widespread across Britain, found in the wild from Devon in southern England to Sutherland in northern Scotland. However, by the end of the last Ice Age, populations had dwindled and it had become rare.
The answer is we did, until really very recently. Cave lions died out in the UK around 12 to 14,000 years ago, a relative blink of the eye in evolutionary terms and their extinction coincides with the point humans were getting into farming as the ice retreated from northern hemispheres.
Red squirrels are now only found in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England. They can inhabit deciduous or coniferous woodland. The UK population is around 140,000, compared to several million grey squirrels. The red squirrel is one of our rarest mammals.
A "specially protected wild animal" is: a badger, bat, wild cat, dolphin, dormouse, hedgehog, pine marten, otter, polecat, shrew or red squirrel. The law defines certain other species as vermin and landowners are permitted (or, in the case of wild rabbits, are required) to cull them.
Badgers, bats and dormice are all examples of protected species in Britain. These species – which include a number of animals and some plants - are legally protected under UK and European law.
Only one living specimen of the tree species Madhuca diplostemon is known to exist.
The rarest animal in the world is the vaquita (Phocoena sinus). It is a kind of critically endangered porpoise that only lives in the furthest north-western corner of the Gulf of California in Mexico.
The Lion derived from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Aquitaine - Eleanor's family. Naturally, of course, the Lion as a symbol of British "pride" and might was forever identified with Eleanor's irascible, irresponsible but fearless son, Richard I the Lionheart.
Dogs Are the Most Popular Pet in the UK, Owned by 34% of Households. According to a post written by the UK pet food association PFMA, dogs are the most popular pet across the United Kingdom. There are approximately 10 million homes that have at least one dog.
1. Dogs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the UK's favourite pet is the dog.
' Over recent years, plans to reintroduce species that once lived in the UK but were driven to extinction have rapidly expanded. These have already seen animals such as the white-tailed eagle, red kite, pool frog, ladybird spider, pine marten and Eurasian beaver successfully brought back.
The largest wild mammals that remain in Britain today are predominantly members of the deer family. The red deer is the largest native mammal species, and is common throughout England, Scotland and Wales. The other indigenous species is the roe deer.
Capercaillie. Belonging to the grouse family, the capercaillie is one of the most rarest birds found in the UK and is native to Scotland. They are well known for the differences between males and females, with male capercaillies doubling the size of their female counterparts.
Badgers are the UK's largest land predator and are one of the most well-known British species.
Meet the majestic lions! Monarto Safari Park is home to one of Australia's largest lion prides. With three adult females, three sub-adult females, three adult males and three cubs, the lion habitat is always a hive of activity!
TIGERS IN EUROPE
Even more recently, tigers roamed parts of Europe, including eastern Turkey, Ukraine and southern Russia.
No gray wolves currently live in the United Kingdom. Private organizations have discussed the potential reintroduction of wolves into Scotland, but official discussions have not yet occurred.