Animal species

Tenerife is home to countless native species of animals and a great many who have turned the Island and its waters into their perfect habitat.

Barred hogfish

The barred hogfish (Pseudolepidaplois scrofa) is a curious fish that swims alone or in twos in Tenerife's waters. It feeds on sea urchins, crustaceans…

Betherlot's pipits

The Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii) is named after the naturist Sabino Betherlot and is an endemic species in Tenerife. It is easily…

Bolle's pigeon

The other endemic species of pigeon that inhabits the Canarian laurel forests together with the laurel pigeon is the Bolle's pigeon (Columba bollii),…

Bottlenose dolphin

The warm and mild waters that bathe Tenerife's coast are the perfect habitat for marine species such as the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).…

Canarian Cleopatra

Tenerife's laurel forests are inhabited by the Canarian Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleobule cleobule), an endemic species of butterfly. With a wing span…

Canarian long-eared bat

The Canarian long-eared bat (Plecotus teneriffae) is an endemic species in the Canary Islands with characteristically large ears reaching up to 40 mm…

Canary bird

The canary bird (Serinus canaria) is, without doubt, one of the symbols of the Islands. It can often be seen fluttering over farm crops, in ravines or…

Laurel pigeon

The laurel pigeon (Columba junoniae) is one of the two endemic species of pigeons that inhabit the Canarian laurel forests. They usually live in…

Loggerhead sea turtle

In summer, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) comes to the waters around Tenerife from the north of America, Cuba and Mexico. During the…

Osprey

The osprey or fish eagle (Pandion haliaetus) is one of the Canary Islands' endangered birds of prey. Males typically have a wingspan of 147 cm…

Parrot fish

The parrot fish (Sparisoma euscarus cretense) is a very popular species of fish in Tenerife thanks to the variety of recipes it can be cooked in. It…

Plain swift

This apodiforme bird is endemic to the Canary Islands and prefers the islands with the most relief. The plain swift (Apus unicolor) can be told apart…