Estonia is a small country and Estonia is a small country and areas of unspoiled nature are very areas of unspoiled nature are very rare. Our plants and animals have rare. Our plants and animals have

only been developing for about only been developing for about 10,000 years, since the last Ice 10,000 years, since the last Ice

Age, and they are not represented Age, and they are not represented in great variety.in great variety.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Among 61 species of mammals, the Among 61 species of mammals, the

most widespread are:most widespread are:

Wild boar: adult boars weigh by far over 100 kilograms; piglets weigh up to 40 kilograms. The main natural enemy of wild

boars is a wolf. Additional feeding of wild boars is organized year-round.

Roe-deer: Roe deer has been living on the Estonian territory already for almost 10 000 years.  Roe deer is a

species that is very attached to its home territory.

One of the biggest mammals: Moose/European elk

Adult animals weigh on the average 300-500 kilograms; the calves weigh around 100 kilograms. Natural enemies of

moose are bear and wolf.

The smallest mammal – the mouse

Hare

Fox

Squirrel

Some endangered speciesSome endangered species represented in small numbers:represented in small numbers:

Brown bear – one of the biggest in our forests.

The only place in the Baltic countries where bears have lived for thousands of years is the forest of Alutaguse.

Lynx - has been living on the Estonian territory since the post-glacial time. The colour of common lynx varies to a great

extent. At present, 500-1000 lynx are counted in Estonia.

Wolf - is very similar to a big German shepherd.  It is speculated that at present there are 150-300 wolves in

Estonia. The average weight is 35-45 kilograms.

There are about 300 bird species in There are about 300 bird species in addition to the mammalsaddition to the mammals::

Barn swallow – the national bird of Estonia since 1962

Some common birds of Estonia:

House sparrow

Blackbird

White stork

Plants:Plants:

The cornflower - Estonia’s national flower

The pine is the most common tree in Estonia, covering 44% of the total forest

area

The apple was the only fruit known to ancient Estonians; crab trees (wild apple trees) can still be found in different

parts of the country, mostly on the islands.

The oldest oak trees in Estonia are up to 700 years old, their ‘life expectancy’ may extend to 2,000 years. The region

richest in oaks is Saaremaa.

Rare plants:

Yellow rattlebox - only found at Viidumäe on Saaremaa

Aconitum lycoctonum (kollane käoking) – found near Viljandi

The common mezereon – the most poisonous plant in Estonian forests. It is under protection and

picking its berries is forbidden.