Buying Property in Kefalonia? Find Out About the Animals of the Island
If you are considering buying property in Kefalonia, you have a lot to think about. Why not do some exploration of the island before you tie yourself down with a lot of details? Kefalonia has got mixed scenery, including everything from spotless white beaches to cool, fertile woodlands. In this vast variety of terrain, a wide range of vegetation and creatures exist, many especially native to Kefalonia. Of particular interest are the Mediterranean monk seal, the Loggerhead turtle, and a remarkable and unexpected population of wild horses. Following is a short synopsis of these original creatures from Kefalonia.
Buying Property in Kefalonia? Facts Concerning the Mediterranean Monk Seal
This animal is the rarest of all seal species, and one of the 6 critically endangered mammals in the world. This monk seal is the only class of seal that exists in the Mediterranean area and no where else. Sadly, only about 500 of these seals remain worldwide, and half of them can be found in Greek waters. An adult monk seal weighs about 300kg, and is about 2.5m long. Coloured grey or brown, these animals are about 1m long and weigh about 15kg. Science has proven that the monk seal can have a life of approximately 40 years. They breed from September to November. Unfortunately, unless someone does something fast, the almost extinct monk seal will die out in the Mediterranean area.
Buying Property in Kefalonia? Find Out about the Loggerhead Turtle
No other turtle but the loggerhead can be found in Greece. Identified by its distinct red-brown shell and large head, this animal can reach a metre in length, and weigh over 100kg. The turtle’s eggs are laid at night, about four times per season; the egg count is about 100. It’s thought that there are about 80 female loggerheads on the Kefalonia near Mounda Beach. The beach has a gentle incline that makes it easy for the turtles to survey the terrain before emerging from the water to lay their eggs. Furthermore, this region is practically untouched on this beach’s length of 2.8km. When you’re buying property in Kefalonia close to or on a beach, you will definitely see these incredible animals.
Buying Property in Kefalonia? Find Out about Wild Horses on the Island
The wild horses on the island of Kefalonia supposedly derived from domesticated horses that were left alone out in the wild. In the past 100 years, only one or two herds of wild horses have been spotted on the island of Kefalonia near the monastery of Zoodochos Pighi near the village known as Arginia. These horses live in this rocky and untamed area which is scattered with native pine forests as well as deep ravines and gullies. Though they come from a recognised equine classification, these creatures, due to their isolation and severe survival conditions, are deemed an exclusive Kefalonian breed. Legend holds they are direct descendants of the horses of Alexander the Great
If you are buying property in Kefalonia, it will be exciting to check out the wildlife on the island.