| Many people don't consider the United Kingdom to | | | | of their lifestyle they have evolved very large |
| have much variety in terms of wildlife. The | | | | front limbs that are ideal for digging. Their |
| country is densely populated and extremely | | | | eyesight is very bad as well. Moles are extremely |
| urbanised with precious few areas for wild animals | | | | hard to catch a glimpse of but evidence of their |
| to flourish. The most successful species are those | | | | activity is evident in the mounds of earth that |
| that can live alongside humans in towns and cities. | | | | they leave behind when digging a new tunnel, |
| While the country cannot compete for variety | | | | often referred to as a molehill. |
| with many others there are still a large range of | | | | The most numerous of British mammals are |
| animals living on the British Isles. | | | | rabbits and squirrels. Both grey and herbivorous |
| One of the most controversial animals living in | | | | these mammals can be found everywhere, |
| Britain is the fox. Wily and cunning the fox is | | | | especially in woods and forests. Because in the |
| related to dogs and is an effective predator and | | | | past Britain was almost entirely covered by |
| scavenger. Foxes have coped remarkably well | | | | woodland many of the creatures that live here |
| with Man's civilisation, adapting to town conditions | | | | are very well adapted to live in and around trees. |
| and the country life exceptionally well. Often seen | | | | The common grey squirrel actually replaced the |
| as a pest by farmers the fox has been hunted | | | | native red squirrel a while back due to their ability |
| mercilessly for centuries, only in the last few | | | | to out-compete the reds in the new |
| years has a ban on fox hunting come into place. | | | | environments. Squirrels and rabbits are both |
| Sporting a red coat and pale underbelly the fox | | | | rodents and are the most easily noticeable rodent |
| will eat just about anything it can. In urban centres | | | | here. If you are careful you'll be able to see rats, |
| they can often be found raiding bins for left-overs | | | | mice and voles, although the latter are |
| while around farms they are notorious for killing | | | | considerably harder to catch a glimpse of. |
| and eating chickens. However, despite their | | | | Because of such excessive city building the British |
| reputation as a pest and a nuisance the fox | | | | Isles are home to very few wild large animals. |
| remains one of the signature animals for the UK, | | | | There are millions of sheep and cows but they |
| symbolic of the country lifestyle as well as a city | | | | are all domesticated. In the New Forest and some |
| scavenger. | | | | other places there are many wild deer. Deer are |
| Falling into the same category as mid-sized | | | | like thinner cows with antlers. They thrive in more |
| mammals as foxes are badgers. Badgers are like | | | | open areas and are one of the more visually |
| a small bear/mole/dog type thing with a black and | | | | striking animals living here. It's not just about |
| white striped head. Their bodies are grey and | | | | mammals though as the UK is home to many |
| they live on a mix of plants and smaller animals. | | | | kinds of birds, almost all are black, grey or brown. |
| They are reclusive and shy animals that live in | | | | The most famous British bird is the robin, |
| underground lairs called sets. Badgers will typically | | | | traditionally used as a symbol of Christmas. The |
| only venture forth at night and are not as brave | | | | bird's most obvious feature is its red breast. |
| as foxes. It is a rare sight to see a badger and | | | | While the animals one can find in Britain are not as |
| sadly all that most people see of them are dead | | | | exciting as places such as Brazil or Africa there |
| ones at the side of the road. Badgers do not | | | | are certainly a lot of interesting species here. |
| venture into towns, preferring to live in forests | | | | What is interesting about the wildlife in the UK is |
| and woods. | | | | how many species have adapted so well to urban |
| Similar to a badger but much smaller and more | | | | environments. Foxes, seagulls, pigeons and rats |
| blind are moles. Moles live almost entirely | | | | have all done extremely well in towns and cities, |
| underground, digging a network of tunnels. They | | | | showing just how adaptable life can be. |
| eat worms and other grubs and insects. Because | | | | |