A rich fauna
The archipelago's geographical isolation has favored the development of a fauna that tends to differ from that of the mainland. Birds are the main representatives. There are many species of migratory birds, as well as the Royal Gull, the Corsican Gull, the Audouin's Gull, the Yellow-legged Gull, the Crested Cormorant, the Shearwater, the Bluebird... Birds of prey are well represented, especially during migration periods (April, May and September): peregrine falcon, marsh harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawk and osprey. The terrestrial fauna is relatively poor in mammals. The hardy mouflon can be found on the rocky ridges of Mount Capanne, but also in Giglio and Capraia; the males are recognizable by their large spiral horns and can weigh up to 50 kg. Elba also boasts some fine specimens of wild boar (males weighing up to 120 kg!), but they are a threat to protected flora and fauna. The hedgehog, nocturnal, solitary and unfortunately all too often the victim of cars. Finally, the marten, a large predator that generally hunts at night and the only carnivorous mammal present on Elba. A few species of reptiles and amphibians are easily observed, but protected. Lizards, for example, are found all over the archipelago, frequenting both rocky and sandy areas. You can also find snakes, whose bite is harmless, toads and the bright green Sardinian tree frog, a species endemic to the archipelago. Whether you're an enthusiast, a professional naturalist or a budding one, keep your eyes peeled! The Tuscan archipelago abounds in beautiful butterflies. The Cardinal, a large butterfly with a wingspan of up to 40 mm, can be seen mainly on the islands of Elba and Giglio. Its wings are yellow-ochre with greenish tones and speckled with black. This large, beautiful butterfly, with its powerful flight, can be seen in the maquis from May to mid-October. This species, one of the most beautiful in Europe, loves arbutus trees, as its name suggests! The thistle butterfly is a migratory butterfly, wintering in Africa and migrating to southern Europe in spring. Finally, the small orange Coenonympha elbana butterfly, endemic to Elba (also found on Giglio and Giannutri), can be found in the scrubland up to around 1,000 meters above sea level.
Last but not least, the archipelago's magnificent protected aquatic fauna. Rocks, cavities and crevices are teeming with life: lobsters, conger eels, castagnoles, breams and moray eels have taken over the area. The sandy bottom is also home to sea urchins, starfish, abalone... With their remarkable intelligence, octopuses often live close to the seabed and like to thread their way through coastal sediments. Even cetaceans frequent the archipelago; in spring and summer, it's possible to spot the dorsal fins of dolphins, the oblique, sideways blow of a sperm whale, or more rarely the fin whale (the second largest animal living on the planet, after the blue whale).
Wild flora thousands of years old
Elba's exuberant vegetation is mainly characterized by Mediterranean maquis, made up of small trees (holm oak, cork oak, arbutus) and dense undergrowth. In spring, the maquis blooms with its rockroses, broom, thistles, poppies and heather, transforming the island into an immense bouquet of fragrant flowers. Equally diffuse is the sweet, spicy scent of aromatic plants such as rosemary, myrtle, helichrysum, mint and wild fennel... To the west, the Monte Capanne massif is made up of centuries-old chestnut forests, while the eastern slopes are characterized by vast plantations of umbrella pines.
Elba also boasts a diversity of orchids specific to the cocktail of sea and mountains. There are some forty different types of orchid, which bloom briefly but magnificently in spring. The archipelago's seabed is home to a wide variety of habitats and plant species. The coralligenous offers an astonishing palette of colors and is home to the famous (and rare) Mediterranean red coral.
