Mystery Creature reveal – the Irish Special (Native Irish Animals)

This week’s Mystery Creatures were all native Irish animals, but did you know what they were?

1. St. Patrick supposedly banished all the snakes from our Emerald Isle, but here is a reptile he left behind… the only native Irish reptile… the Common (vivparous) Lizard

IrishReptile
photo credit: nutmeg66 via photopin cc

Although not commonly spotted these lizards are found in a variety of habits all over Ireland; relying on the Sun to moderate their body temperature, these creatures need to hibernate to survive an Irish winter.

 

2. This is just one of a number of native Irish dog species…. the Irish Water Spaniel

IrishNativeDog
photo credit: Xanboozled via photopin cc

This cute curly haired canine is a water retriever. Although it may look more like a large poodle it is the largest and one of the oldest breeds of spaniel.

 

3. A really charming native Irish species…. the Moiled Cow!

IrishNativeCow
photo credit: jambox998 via photopin cc

This cow is a rare native breed, distinctive for it’s lack of horns and specific colouring. The name comes from the Gaelic word Maol, meaning mound and refers to the dome shape of it’s head.

 

4. Hard to mention Irish animals without a nod to our equine friends…. this one is the Kerry Bog Pony.

photo credit: Jim Linwood via photopin cc
photo credit: Jim Linwood via photopin cc

These native ponies were traditionally used for hauling peat from bogs. Their diminutive size (10 to 11.5 hands) and gentle temperament also made them ideal work ponies for small holdings.

5. And finally, the native Irish Black Bee, specially adapted for out damp and cold weather.

IrishNativeBee

 

 

Our native honey bee has the longest body hair of all the European species, adapted to keep it warm against the Irish climate. It has a shorter breeding season to fit with the shorter days of warmth that (technically) define and Irish summer!

nao

Science blogger and writer; Owner of Dr. How's Science Wows; Mother of three junior scientists who have taught me that to be a great scientist you need to look at life through the eyes of a child!