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The coasts and coastlines of the world are habitats recognized as incalculable sources of wealth of marine flora and fauna. Without a doubt, the characteristic fauna of the coastline of each and every corner of the planet goes far beyond seagulls, dolphins and turtles. Although these tend to be some of the most emblematic marine animals around the world, there are many more species that turn the coasts into a spectacle of wild animals.
If you want to know the characteristics, classification and curiosities of +60 animals from the coastContinue reading this Green Ecologist article, in which you will also discover which are the most abundant species on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian coasts, as well as on the Mediterranean coast.
Dolphins, one of the best-known coastal animals
Recognized worldwide as one of the most emblematic animals of the marine and coastal ecosystems from any corner of the planet, dolphins (family Delphinidae) They are also one of the most social and intelligent mammals in the animal kingdom.
Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), among other species, are characterized by their ability to use different sounds such as dances and jumps to communicate, orient themselves and even to corner their prey.
Find out more about these marine mammals with this other Green Ecologist article on What dolphins eat and where they live.
Animals of the coast that fly: seagulls
Seagulls are probably the sea birds that we can find more easily in beaches and coasts from any corner of the planet. They belong to the Laridae family, which includes various species, such as the kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), the Mediterranean gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) and the Andean seagull (Chroicocephalus serranus).
They are characterized by being omnivorous species, used to opportunistically stealing food and even feeding on waste and garbage that humans leave on the beaches and surroundings, which poses a serious danger to their survival when they ingest plastics and other materials. seriously damaging to them.
Sea turtles
The majestic and impressive sea turtles (Chelonoidea family) They are abundant in the vast majority of the coasts of South America and the Caribbean, as well as in South Africa and India, so they are also some coastal animals very important.
There are many species of sea turtles that, year after year, visit the beaches and coastal areas of different regions of the planet to lay their eggs. Among them the hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and silly (Caretta caretta), the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), as well as the gigantic leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
Find out all about these marine reptiles in this other article about Sea Turtles: types and characteristics, with photo and video gallery.
Sardines
Sardines (family Cupleidae) abound in the Coast zones of almost all the seas of the world, mainly those located in tropical regions. Known by the common name of sardines, various species of fish with scales are included within this group, many of them being one of the most fished species for human consumption.
These coastal animals are characterized by grouping into large banks, in which the numerous individuals of the same or different species cooperate to feed on small planktonic animals, as well as to protect themselves from possible predators.
Crabs
Among the immense biodiversity of marine fauna, invertebrates of different classes and groups abound on the coasts, seas and oceans of the entire planet. Among them, the group of crustaceans is one of the most representative, which includes crabs (superfamily Portunoidea).
Although most crabs find their habitat on the seabed, various species have developed the ability to go outside and thus inhabit beaches, rocks and cliffs in coastal areas. Between the coastal crabs The most striking are the colorful Halloween crab (Gecarcinus quadratus), the coconut crab (Birgus latro) and the giant crab of the Japanese coasts (Macrocheira kaempferi).
Learn more about Crustaceans, what they are, types, characteristics and examples in this other post.
Animals of the Peruvian coast
The fauna of the peruvian coast It is one of the richest and most diverse on the planet, where we can mainly find various species of birds, mammals and fish.
Birds of the Peruvian coast
- Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
- Black oystercatcher (Haematopus ater)
- Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)
- Inca ternInca Larosterna)
- Guanay cormorant (Leucocarbo bougainvillii)
- Snowy EgretEgretta thula)
- Peruvian booby (Sula variegata)
- Albatross (family Diomedeidae)
Mammals of the coast of Peru
- South American Sea Lion (Otaria byronia)
- Humpback whale or yubarta (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- South American seal (Phocidae family)
Peruvian fish
- Peruvian anchovy (Engraulis ringens)
- Common Bonito (Sardinian sardinian)
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)
Here below you can see the images of the animals of the peruvian coast of these lists in the order indicated in them.
Animals of the Ecuadorian coast
The amazing marine and terrestrial fauna of the Ecuadorian coast includes numerous species of birds, mammals and reptiles that find their natural habitat throughout the coastline of Ecuador, as well as the amazing Galapagos Islands. These are some examples of animals from the coast of Ecuador:
Birds of the Ecuadorian coast
- Emerald hummingbird (Amazilia luciae)
- Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
- Rufous-headed Cachalaca (Ortalis erythroptera)
- Red-breasted honey manDacnis venusta)
Mammals off the coast of Ecuador
- Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki)
- Galápagos Fur Wolf (Arctophoca galapagoensis)
- Guanta (Cuniculus paca)
- Ragtail armadilloCabassous centralis)
- Skunks (family Mephitidae)
- Hairy-nosed bat (Chiroptera family)
- Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
- Bay slothBradypus variegatus)
Ecuadorian reptiles off the coast
- Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
- Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus)
- Coastal alligator (Crocodylus acutus)
Next, we show images of the animals of the Ecuadorian coast of the lists in the same order.
Animals of the Mediterranean coast
The Mediterranean Sea bathes the coasts of various European countries, as well as North Africa and part of Asia, thus encompassing one of the fmost diverse marine aunas in the world, among which various species of birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates stand out. These are some examples of animals from the Mediterranean coast:
Birds of the Mediterranean Sea coast
- White Heron (Ardea alba)
- Little owls (family Strigidae)
- Wood pigeonsColumba palumbus)
- Sandpipers (Hypoleucos actitis)
- Common Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Mammals of the Mediterranean coast
- Fin whaleBalaenoptera physalus)
- Common sperm whale (Physiter macrocephalus)
- Pilot whale (Grampus griseus)
- Pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
- Cuvier's Zífio (Ziphius cavirostris)
- Killer whales (Orcinus orca)
Reptiles
- Common gecko (Mauritanian Tarentola)
- Bastard snake (Malpolon monspessulanus)
- Lizards (Lacertilia family)
Invertebrates
- Holothurians or sea cucumbers (family Holothuroidea)
- Ophiuras (family Ophiuroidea)
- Coquinas (Donax trunculus)
- Dung beetles (Order Coleoptera)
These are some images of the animals of the Mediterranean coast in the order of the lists we have just seen. In addition, at the end you will see a video from our YouTube channel about coastal animals and you will know in more detail several of those that we have explained here.
If you want to read more articles similar to +60 animals from the coast, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- Brazeiro, A; Toranza, C. & Bartesaghi, L. (2009) Coastal Biodiversity Project. EcoPlata-University of the Republic Agreement, Faculty of Sciences (Uruguay), pp: 8-21.
- Martínez, M. L. (2012) The beaches and coastal dunes: a home in motion. Economic Culture Fund, Mexico.
- Salazar-Vallejo, S. I. (2002) Hurricanes and tropical coastal biodiversity. Journal of Tropical Biology (Mexico), Volume 50 (2).
