More than 70 percent of the country’s mammal fauna – 50 species – live in the territory of Zemaitija National Park. 8 of them are listed in the Lithuanian Red Book and 16 protected species are of European Community importance.
The most known species in the National Park are rodent species – 16. Common House Mouse (Mus musculus), Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius), Yellow Necked Mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus), Field Vole (Microtus agrestis), European Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris), Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris ), Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber) are some of the most common animals in this group. And to see Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) would be a surprise, because this specie is rare.
12 species of predatory mammals, the most mysterious of which are the Lynx (Lynx lynx) and the wolf. In water bodies live Otters and American mink (Neovison vison). In the forests can be found badger houses. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) also like to settle in caves dug by these mammals.
There are 11 species of flying mammals – bats. The most common are Brown long- earded bat (Plecotus auritus), Natterer`s bat (Myotis nattereri) and Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii). Bats are found both in the human neighborhood and in forests or near water bodies. The park of Plateliai manor is especially popular with these animals.
In the forest of the National Park can be found not only European hare (Lepus europaeus) but also protected Mountain hare (Lepus timidus), common mammal species that are widespread throughout the country: deer, red deer, elk, and wild boar.
Zemaitija National Park Directorate
Didžioji str. 10, Plateliai, LT-90420, Plungės dstr., Lithuania
Company code: 191440964
VAT code: LT914409610
The founder is the State Service of Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environment.
Website part-financed by the European Union 2014-2020. Interreg V-A South Baltic Cross Border Cooperation Program.
