faune


	Environnement Génèse Faune Flore


LA FAUNE

By starting with the category of the smallest creatures, the most popular insect is the cicada which serenades every vacationer in the Camargue.


	.Continuing on to the next size, the reptiles are represented by three main specimens.

The lizard comes out in broad daylight for the sun. As soon as it detects a presence, it hides quickly under vegetation or any rock fissure nearly.
	The grass snake from Montpellier is in fact the only African snake introduced in France. It occupies the periphery of the Mediterranean.
The "reinette arboricole".


	In the underwater category, you will find a very particular species of sellfish that develop in salted environment : the "artemias".

The eggs of these small sellfish are particularly well adapted to drought as they are capable of waiting for briny water, to hatch.


	Regarding the fish, three main species are described. The first two are from lagoon environments, the last one emigrates between the sea and ponds.

There exist several species of gobies. These fishes are considered of little interest to the fishermen because they have no direct economic value. On the other hand, they are the main nourishment for all the other fishes : they are called fodder species.
	The pipe fish. An original fish, it's shape resembles the grass found at the bottom of the lagoon where it prefers to reside. It is also able to rapidly bury itself under sandy ground.
The last scaley specimen that attracts one's attention is the mullet. This fish is a migrant, it passes regularly from sea to lagoons. In order to escape its predators, it does extraordinary leaps above the surface.


	After the scaled species, we come to the most well-known residents of the Camargue : the birds.

The pink flamingo. This is the most characteristic bird of the Camargue water expanses. Although it frequents many areas of the coastline, it nests only in the Camargue.
	The tufted heron wades in shallow lagoons to look for food. Today numerous couples nest in the briny water even though the species had almost disappeared in France at the beginning of the XX° century.
The avocet is a bird that lives on mollusc found in the mud. It stays sheltered from humans, where its nest is not far from the pond where it feeds.
	The "Garde-Boeuf" heron, currently lives in rice fields. It is not its natural habitat but it finds food there. It is often seen sittingon one of the famous Camargue horse's back.


	Of course, there are other numerous species of birds, and the Camargue ornithological centres can help you with any necessary information.

	To end our presentation of the fauna, it is necessary to also mention the horses and bulls.

	The Camargue horse that everyone knows (Crin Blanc) is a working horse. It is very resistant and stays outside all year round in the fields and wet lands. The horses dung even nourishes a variety of insects.
The Camargue bull is bred in humid grassland. It is often the main event in the traditional festivals.