Mercantour National Park

🇫🇷 France

🐿️ Alpine Marmot Summer Spectacle
🌍 #204 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #7 in Europe #33 in Temperate Forest
Western Europe, France 491 spp. recorded

Mercantour National Park is a protected mountain reserve in the French Alps, stretching along the Italian border through dramatic granite peaks and deep alpine valleys. Pine forests, open meadows, and rocky ridges define the terrain, crossed by traditional footpaths that wind past high glacial lakes.

44.054° N   7.443° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Chamois ★
LC

Northern Chamois

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rupicapra rupicapra

70–80% · Very likely
Alpine Ibex ★
LC Endemic

Alpine Ibex

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capra ibex

70–80% · Very likely
Alpine Marmot ★
LC

Alpine Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota marmota

70–80% · Very likely
Gray Wolf ★
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

70–80% · Very likely
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

60–70% · Likely
Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

50–60% · Likely
Common Wall Lizard
LC

Common Wall Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis muralis

50–60% · Likely
Black Redstart
LC

Black Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicurus ochruros

50–60% · Likely
Carrion Crow
LC

Carrion Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corone

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
French Cave Salamander
EN

French Cave Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Speleomantes strinatii

40–50% · Likely
European Robin
LC

European Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erithacus rubecula

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Jay
LC

Eurasian Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Garrulus glandarius

40–50% · Likely
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Northern Chamois ★
LC

Northern Chamois

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rupicapra rupicapra

70–80% · Very likely
Alpine Ibex ★
LC Endemic

Alpine Ibex

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capra ibex

70–80% · Very likely
Alpine Marmot ★
LC

Alpine Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota marmota

70–80% · Very likely
Gray Wolf ★
LC Endemic

Gray Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

50–60% · Likely
Western Roe Deer
LC

Western Roe Deer

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Capreolus capreolus

40–50% · Likely
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

30–40% · Possible
Edible Dormouse
LC

Edible Dormouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Glis glis

20–30% · Possible
Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

20–30% · Possible
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

20–30% · Possible
Lesser Horseshoe Bat
LC

Lesser Horseshoe Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Rhinolophus hipposideros

10–20% · Possible
Garden Dormouse
VU

Garden Dormouse

Mammal

Eliomys quercinus

10–20% · With luck
Greater Horseshoe Bat
LC

Greater Horseshoe Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

10–20% · With luck
Brown Hare
LC

Brown Hare

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus europaeus

10–20% · With luck
European Mole
LC

European Mole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Talpa europaea

10–20% · With luck
Pine Marten
LC

Pine Marten

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Martes martes

0–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

60–70% · Likely
Black Redstart
LC

Black Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicurus ochruros

50–60% · Likely
Carrion Crow
LC

Carrion Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corone

50–60% · Likely
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

50–60% · Likely
Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
European Robin
LC

European Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erithacus rubecula

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Jay
LC

Eurasian Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Garrulus glandarius

40–50% · Likely
Common Chiffchaff
LC

Common Chiffchaff

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phylloscopus collybita

40–50% · Likely
Eurasian Goldfinch
LC

Eurasian Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Carduelis carduelis

40–50% · Likely
Coal Tit
LC

Coal Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Periparus ater

40–50% · Likely
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

40–50% · Likely
White Wagtail
LC

White Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla alba

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Wall Lizard
LC

Common Wall Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis muralis

50–60% · Likely
Western Green Lizard
LC

Western Green Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta bilineata

40–50% · Likely
Green Whip Snake
LC

Green Whip Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Hierophis viridiflavus

40–50% · Likely
Asp Viper
VU

Asp Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Vipera aspis

30–40% · Possible
Italian Slow Worm
LC

Italian Slow Worm

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anguis veronensis

20–30% · Possible
Sand Lizard
LC

Sand Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lacerta agilis

20–30% · Possible
Viperine Snake
LC

Viperine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Natrix maura

20–30% · Possible
barred grass snake
LC Endemic

barred grass snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Natrix helvetica

20–30% · Possible
Aesculapian Snake
LC

Aesculapian Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zamenis longissimus

10–20% · Possible
Southern Smooth Snake
LC

Southern Smooth Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Coronella girondica

10–20% · Possible
Smooth Snake
LC

Smooth Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Coronella austriaca

10–20% · With luck
Moorish Gecko
LC

Moorish Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Tarentola mauritanica

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

70–80% · Very likely
French Cave Salamander
EN

French Cave Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Speleomantes strinatii

40–50% · Likely
Fire Salamander
VU

Fire Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Salamandra salamandra

40–50% · Likely
Giant Toad
LC

Giant Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bufo spinosus

30–40% · Possible
European Toad
LC

European Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufo bufo

20–30% · Possible
Common Midwife Toad
LC

Common Midwife Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Alytes obstetricans

20–30% · Possible
Green Toad
LC

Green Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bufotes viridis

0–10% · With luck
Italian Crested Newt
VU

Italian Crested Newt

Amphibian

Triturus carnifex

0–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

Alpine Marmot Summer Emergence

JunJulAug

Following months of deep subterranean hibernation, alpine marmot families emerge to sunbathe on boulders and establish territory across high meadows.

Alpine Marmot
LC

Alpine Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota marmota

70–80% · Very likely
🦌

Red Deer Autumn Rut

SepOct

The forested valleys echo with the deep, resonant roars of red deer stags as they fiercely compete to gather and defend harems of hinds during the autumn breeding season.

Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

50–60% · Likely
🐸

Spring Amphibian Migration

AprMay

As melting snowpack frees high-altitude tarns and streams, massive congregations of frogs and toads move en masse to breeding waters.

Giant Toad
LC

Giant Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bufo spinosus

30–40% · Possible
European Common Frog
LC

European Common Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana temporaria

70–80% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
Northern Chamois
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Alpine Ibex
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
40–50
50–60
40–50
Alpine Marmot
10–20
10–20
10–20
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
40–50
30–40
20–30
Gray Wolf
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
0–10
10–20
10–20
0–10
10–20
20–30
European Common Frog
10–20
30–40
80–90
50–60
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
40–50
10–20
10–20
Chaffinch
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
30–40
70–80
70–80
70–80
Red Deer
70–80
80–90
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
50–60
70–80
Common Wall Lizard
10–20
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
40–50
Black Redstart
40–50
30–40
50–60
60–70
30–40
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Carrion Crow
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
Great Tit
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
Eurasian Blackbird
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
50–60
French Cave Salamander
40–50
20–30
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
50–60
80–90
30–40
European Robin
50–60
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
10–20
30–40
50–60
60–70
50–60
Eurasian Jay
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
60–70
60–70
40–50
Western Roe Deer
50–60
80–90
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 Alpine Marmot Summer Emergence
🦌 Red Deer Autumn Rut
🐸 Spring Amphibian Migration
0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐿️ Alpine Marmot Summer Spectacle

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
328
🐒 Mammals
104
🦎 Reptiles
37
🐸 Amphibians
22
491 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
29 Threatened 11 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
61%
📊
Coverage (131 species at ≥5% of 491 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
27%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (5 bird, 4 mammal, 2 amphibian, 1 reptile)
47% Global avg
91%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
81
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
6
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
22
⚖️

Mercantour or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Cévennes National Park 📍 302 km 🦅 Griffon Vultures Over the Gorges

Cévennes National Park

🇫🇷 France 🌍 #236 Global · 3.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #13 in Europe #21 in Desert & Scrub
Pyrénées National Park 📍 467 km 🐐 Pyrenean Chamois Above the Cirques

Pyrénées National Park

🇫🇷 France 🌍 #196 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #6 in Europe #30 in Temperate Forest
Aigüestortes National Park 📍 547 km 🐿️ Marmots Whistle Among Alpine Lakes

Aigüestortes National Park

🇪🇸 Spain 🌍 #253 Global · 3.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #17 in Europe #53 in Temperate Forest
Triglav National Park 📍 557 km 🦎 Fire Salamanders After Alpine Rain

Triglav National Park

🇸🇮 Slovenia 🌍 #275 Global · 2.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #22 in Europe #63 in Temperate Forest