Sierra Nevada National Park

🇪🇸 Spain

🐐 Spanish Ibex on High Sierra Crags
🌍 #268 Global · 2.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Europe #22 in Desert & Scrub
Iberia, Spain 436 spp. recorded

Sierra Nevada National Park sits in southern Spain, protecting a rugged landscape of high Iberian peaks and sheltered valleys covered in dense Mediterranean scrub. This terrain creates a distinct environment where rocky ridges drop into sun-baked slopes, setting the park apart from greener northern ranges through its dry aromatic vegetation and dramatic altitude shifts.

37.100° N   3.272° W

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

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard ★
LC

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Timon nevadensis

10–20% · Possible
Spanish Ibex ★
LC

Spanish Ibex

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capra pyrenaica

40–50% · Likely
Iberian Green Frog ★
LC

Iberian Green Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax perezi

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

50–60% · Likely
Andalusian wall lizard
LC

Andalusian wall lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis vaucheri

40–50% · Likely
European Serin
LC

European Serin

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Serinus serinus

30–40% · Possible
Large Psammodromus
LC

Large Psammodromus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammodromus algirus

30–40% · Possible
Eurasian Goldfinch
LC

Eurasian Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Carduelis carduelis

30–40% · Possible
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

30–40% · Possible
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

30–40% · Possible
Sardinian Warbler
LC

Sardinian Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Curruca melanocephala

30–40% · Possible
Eurasian Magpie
LC

Eurasian Magpie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pica pica

30–40% · Possible
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

30–40% · Possible
Spotless Starling
LC

Spotless Starling

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Sturnus unicolor

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Spanish Ibex ★
LC

Spanish Ibex

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capra pyrenaica

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eurasian Red Squirrel
LC

Eurasian Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus vulgaris

20–30% · Possible
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

10–20% · With luck
Red Deer
LC

Red Deer

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

Insufficient data
European Badger
LC

European Badger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Meles meles

Insufficient data
Savi's Pipistrelle
LC

Savi's Pipistrelle

Mammal

Hypsugo savii

Insufficient data
Greater White-toothed Shrew
LC

Greater White-toothed Shrew

Mammal

Crocidura russula

Insufficient data
Greater Horseshoe Bat
LC

Greater Horseshoe Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

Insufficient data
Granada Hare
LC

Granada Hare

Mammal

Lepus granatensis

Insufficient data
Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat
VU

Schreibers' Long-fingered Bat

Mammal

Miniopterus schreibersii

Insufficient data
Southwestern Water Vole
NT

Southwestern Water Vole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Arvicola sapidus

Insufficient data
European Free-tailed Bat
LC

European Free-tailed Bat

Mammal

Tadarida teniotis

Insufficient data
Stone Marten
LC

Stone Marten

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Martes foina

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Eurasian Blackbird
LC

Eurasian Blackbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus merula

50–60% · Likely
Wood Pigeon
LC

Wood Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Columba palumbus

50–60% · Likely
European Serin
LC

European Serin

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Serinus serinus

30–40% · Possible
Eurasian Goldfinch
LC

Eurasian Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Carduelis carduelis

30–40% · Possible
Great Tit
LC

Great Tit

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Parus major

30–40% · Possible
Blackcap
LC

Blackcap

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sylvia atricapilla

30–40% · Possible
Sardinian Warbler
LC

Sardinian Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Curruca melanocephala

30–40% · Possible
Eurasian Magpie
LC

Eurasian Magpie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pica pica

30–40% · Possible
Chaffinch
LC

Chaffinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Fringilla coelebs

30–40% · Possible
Spotless Starling
LC

Spotless Starling

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Sturnus unicolor

30–40% · Possible
White Wagtail
LC

White Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Motacilla alba

30–40% · Possible
European Robin
LC

European Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Erithacus rubecula

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard ★
LC

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Timon nevadensis

10–20% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Andalusian wall lizard
LC

Andalusian wall lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis vaucheri

40–50% · Likely
Large Psammodromus
LC

Large Psammodromus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammodromus algirus

30–40% · Possible
Moorish Gecko
LC

Moorish Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Tarentola mauritanica

20–30% · Possible
Mediterranean House Gecko
LC

Mediterranean House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus turcicus

10–20% · Possible
Viperine Snake
LC

Viperine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Natrix maura

10–20% · Possible
Spiny-footed Lizard
LC

Spiny-footed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthodactylus erythrurus

10–20% · With luck
Horseshoe Whip Snake
LC

Horseshoe Whip Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Hemorrhois hippocrepis

10–20% · With luck
Ladder Snake
LC

Ladder Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Zamenis scalaris

10–20% · With luck
Pond Slider
LC

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

10–20% · With luck
Catalonian Wall Lizard
LC

Catalonian Wall Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Podarcis liolepis

10–20% · With luck
Montpellier Snake
LC

Montpellier Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Malpolon monspessulanus

0–10% · With luck
Southern Smooth Snake
LC

Southern Smooth Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Coronella girondica

0–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Iberian Green Frog ★
LC

Iberian Green Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax perezi

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Giant Toad
LC

Giant Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bufo spinosus

20–30% · Possible
Natterjack Toad
LC

Natterjack Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Epidalea calamita

10–20% · With luck
Spanish Newt
LC

Spanish Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pleurodeles waltl

10–20% · With luck
Pygmy Marbled Newt
NT

Pygmy Marbled Newt

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Triturus pygmaeus

Insufficient data
Mediterranean Tree Frog
LC

Mediterranean Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyla meridionalis

Insufficient data
Midwife Toad of Hillenius
EN

Midwife Toad of Hillenius

Amphibian

Alytes dickhilleni

Insufficient data
Iberian parsley frog
LC

Iberian parsley frog

Amphibian

Pelodytes ibericus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Ibex Rutting Season

SepOct

Male Spanish Ibex engage in dramatic head-butting contests to establish dominance and secure mating rights, a spectacle visible in high-altitude rocky areas.

Spanish Ibex
LC

Spanish Ibex

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Capra pyrenaica

40–50% · Likely
🦎

Ocellated Lizard Mating Displays

AprMay

Male Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizards perform territorial displays, including push-ups and color changes, to attract females in sun-exposed rocky slopes.

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard
LC

Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Timon nevadensis

10–20% · Possible
🐸

Amphibian Breeding Chorus

MarApr

Iberian Green Frogs and Giant Toads gather in wetlands and temporary pools, creating a loud, synchronized chorus at dusk to attract mates and defend territories.

Giant Toad
LC

Giant Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Bufo spinosus

20–30% · Possible
Iberian Green Frog
LC

Iberian Green Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pelophylax perezi

40–50% · 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
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard
<5
<5
<5
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
<5
<5
Spanish Ibex
30–40
10–20
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
Iberian Green Frog
10–20
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
10–20
0–10
Eurasian Blackbird
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Wood Pigeon
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
Andalusian wall lizard
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
European Serin
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
Large Psammodromus
10–20
10–20
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
0–10
0–10
0–10
Eurasian Goldfinch
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
Great Tit
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
Blackcap
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
20–30
30–40
40–50
40–50
Sardinian Warbler
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
Eurasian Magpie
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
10–20
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
Chaffinch
40–50
40–50
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
Spotless Starling
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
20–30
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 Ibex Rutting Season
🦎 Ocellated Lizard Mating Displays
🐸 Amphibian Breeding Chorus

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Moderate
🐐 Spanish Ibex on High Sierra Crags

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
318
🐒 Mammals
59
🦎 Reptiles
45
🐸 Amphibians
14
436 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
24 Threatened 10 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
41%
📊
Coverage (82 species at ≥5% of 436 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
19%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 2 reptile, 1 mammal, 1 amphibian)
47% Global avg
69%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
64
🌟
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
1
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
5
⚖️

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