{"id":15042,"date":"2026-04-15T08:53:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/blog\/fauna-flora-fuerteventura\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:30:09","slug":"fauna-flora-fuerteventura","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/fauna-flora-fuerteventura\/","title":{"rendered":"Fuerteventura’s endemic flora and fauna"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Each of the Canary Islands has a completely different geology and ecosystem, giving them unique and special landscapes. While the western islands are rocky and forested, the eastern islands, such as Fuerteventura, are flatter and more desert-like.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We encourage you to visit each of these islands to discover their peculiarities and find out which one appeals to you. If you are a nature lover, you should know that Fuerteventura’s flora and fauna <\/strong>have adapted to their environment, creating species with interesting characteristics. We will tell you some interesting facts about them, don’t miss them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fauna of Fuerteventura<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fuerteventura’s flora and fauna <\/strong>are superbly adapted to the desert climate. Land, sea and sky are full of endemic creatures you won’t find anywhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine fauna<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The marine fauna of Fuerteventura<\/strong> is very varied, due to the diversity of atmospheric conditions. The island is characterised by a strong contrast between windward (in the west, more exposed to the wind) and leeward (in the east, where the wind comes from the land).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The windward area, namely Corralejo and Jand\u00eda<\/strong>, is more exposed to the Atlantic currents. As a result, the waters are richer in plankton, which favours a greater diversity of species. Among these, the loggerhead turtle <\/strong>(Caretta caretta<\/em>) stands out, which spends most of its time in the water, only coming ashore to lay its eggs. Its survival is threatened by marine and coastal pollution, fishing, plastic ingestion and human interference with its eggs. Another species that can be seen in this area is the leatherback turtle, considered to be the largest in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The black crab<\/strong> (Grapsus adscensionis<\/em>), which can be found both on beaches and in rocky areas, also deserves a special mention. This crab, also known as the moro or colorado crab, is characterised by the bright red colour of its legs, while its shell is rounded, flattened and darker. Other important crabs can also be found in this area, such as the spider crab or santorra, which is more elongated and highly prized for fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as fish are concerned, the most important species are bream, sea bream, bogue, salema, rockfish<\/strong>, etc., and tuna, such as bonito, batudo and mackerel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Fuerteventura you can also find species such as the Canary lobster <\/strong>(Scyllarides latus<\/em>). This peculiar species can be found at depths of between 4 and 100 metres and usually only comes to the surface at night. Barnacles<\/strong>, also known as “goat’s feet”, are usually found in the rocky areas in the north of the island.Among the molluscs, the most common are mussels, limpets, burgaos and canaillas<\/strong>, which are part of the local gastronomy. There are also cuttlefish, octopus and squid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"marine
The loggerhead turtle is one of the most emblematic marine species in Fuerteventura.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Terrestrial fauna<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Among the terrestrial fauna of Fuerteventura, the Atlantic lizard<\/strong> (Gallotia atlantica<\/em>) stands out as an endemic species. This small reptile has a brown, grey, ochre, grey-green or blackish back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for species introduced by man, it is common to find a variety of mammals on the island. These include dogs, goats, sheep and even the occasional dromedary, which adds an exotic touch to Fuerteventura’s landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds of Fuerteventura<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the mammals, Fuerteventura is home to a large number of endemic birds, such as the Houbara Bustard<\/strong>, the guirre<\/strong> or  Canary Island Egyptian Vulture<\/strong> and the Canary Island Stonechat<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Houbara Bustard<\/strong> (Chlamydotis undulata<\/em>) is the national bird of Fuerteventura and can be found in the steppes and deserts of Africa up to the Sinai Peninsula. It can also be found on La Graciosa and Lanzarote. Unfortunately, it is an endangered species, with only around 800 individuals left. The Houbara is characterised by its light grey upperparts, white underparts and slender legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian vulture<\/strong> (Neophron percnopterus majorensis<\/em>) is a subspecies of the common vulture and the only scavenger bird on the islands. Its presence is mainly concentrated in the Majorero area. There are only about 360 individuals left of this species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have thick white plumage and a yellow-orange bill with a black tip. As scavengers, they are beneficial to the ecosystem. However, they are threatened by human activity. The Cabildo of Fuerteventura is collaborating with the Life Project<\/a> to protect the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Canary Island Stonechat<\/strong> (Saxicola dacotiae<\/em>) is another endemic bird of Fuerteventura. This species lives in the dry and rocky areas of the island, but is seriously threatened by the development of tourism, grazing and predation by nocturnal species such as rats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Canary Stonechat is thought to have evolved from a species of stonechat during the Pleistocene. Its appearance resembles that of a stylised robin. It is dark brown with a blackish head, striped back and white stripes behind the eyes and on the sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"birds
The Egyptian vulture is a key scavenger for the island\u2019s ecosystem balance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Flora of Fuerteventura<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The endemic plants of Fuerteventura<\/strong>, around 750 species, have existed all over the world since the Tertiary period, but have only survived on this island. These include the Jand\u00eda cactus (Euphorbia handiensis<\/em>), which has been declared the emblem of Fuerteventura’s flora by the Canary Islands Parliament, and the winter daisy (Argyranthemum winteri<\/em>), which flowers between March and April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herbaceous plants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The endemic flora of Fuerteventura <\/strong>presents an interesting variety of plants. In the Canary Islands, the herbaceous flowering plants are the tajinaste<\/strong>, and each island has its own endemic varieties. In the case of Fuerteventura, we can find the beautiful blue tajinaste of Jand\u00eda<\/strong> (Echium handiense<\/em>), which is in danger of extinction and grows in the extreme south of the island.We can also mention the asparagus <\/strong>(Asparagus nesiotes ssp. purpuriensis<\/em>), the sea buckthorn<\/strong> (Lycium intricatum<\/em>), the sea rosemary<\/strong> (Campylanthus salsoloides<\/em>), the sea holly<\/strong> (Rubia fruticosa<\/em>) and many others. These plants contribute to the richness and uniqueness of the island’s ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"flora
The blue tajinaste of Jand\u00eda is an endangered endemic plant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Canary Island palm<\/strong> (Phoenix canariensis<\/em>) and the date palm<\/strong> are the only trees native to Fuerteventura. Both were naturally present on the island long before human settlement, but due to their compatibility there is a risk of hybridisation, which could jeopardise the conservation of the species in their original form. If you want to see the only stronghold of the Canary palm in Fuerteventura, you have to go to the Buen Paso ravine.In short, the island’s endemic flora and fauna coexist in a spectacular panorama of species. From crabs and muscles to carrion-eating birds and beautiful tajinastes, the island is full of unique nature. During your stay on the island, we recommend that you take our little guide with you so that you can be amazed by the magic of nature. You can also complete your experience with the comfort of one of our Lopesan Hotel Group<\/a> hotels. You will find all the comfort you need after an exciting day of discovering the flora and fauna of Fuerteventura<\/strong>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each of the Canary Islands has a completely different geology and ecosystem, giving them unique and special landscapes. While the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[107,145],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fuerteventura","category-nature"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15042"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15654,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15042\/revisions\/15654"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}