FLORA AND FAUNA Estonia is a small country

FLORA AND FAUNA Estonia is a small country and areas of unspoiled nature are very rare. Our plants and animals have only been developing for about 10, 000 years, since the last Ice Age, and they are not represented in great variety.

Among 61 species of mammals, the most widespread are: Wild boar: adult boars weigh by far over 100 kilograms; piglets weigh up to 40 kilograms. The main natural enemy of wild boars is a wolf. Additional feeding of wild boars is organized yearround.

Roe-deer: Roe deer has been living on the Estonian territory already for almost 10 000 years. Roe deer is a species that is very attached to its home territory.

One of the biggest mammals: Moose/European elk Adult animals weigh on the average 300 -500 kilograms; the calves weigh around 100 kilograms. Natural enemies of moose are bear and wolf.

The smallest mammal – the mouse

Hare

Fox

Squirrel

Some endangered species represented in small numbers: Brown bear – one of the biggest in our forests. The only place in the Baltic countries where bears have lived for thousands of years is the forest of Alutaguse.

Lynx - has been living on the Estonian territory since the post -glacial time. The colour of common lynx varies to a great extent. At present, 500 -1000 lynx are counted in Estonia.

Wolf - is very similar to a big German shepherd. It is speculated that at present there are 150 -300 wolves in Estonia. The average weight is 35 -45 kilograms.

There about 300 bird species in addition to the mammals: Barn swallow – the national bird of Estonia since 1962

Some common birds of Estonia: House sparrow

Blackbird

White stork

Plants: The cornflower - Estonia’s national flower

The pine is the most common tree in Estonia, covering 44% of the total forest area

The apple was the only fruit known to ancient Estonians; crab trees (wild apple trees) can still be found in different parts of the country, mostly on the islands.

The oldest oak trees in Estonia are up to 700 years old, their ‘life expectancy’ may extend to 2, 000 years. The region richest in oaks is Saaremaa.

Rare plants: Yellow rattlebox - only found at Viidumäe on Saaremaa Aconitum lycoctonum (kollane käoking) – found near Viljandi

The common mezereon – the most poisonous plant in Estonian forests. It is under protection and picking its berries is forbidden.