Native Plants & Animals of Morocco

Native Plants & Animals of Morocco




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Despite the harsh desert climate, Morocco boasts hundreds of species of plants and animals.
The geographical terrain of Morocco is one of the most grueling in the world during the heat of the day as it is mostly desert. Despite this, Morocco is home to many species of plants and animals. The majority of these plants and animals have adapted to the terrain and have become excellent at utilizing what little water is available to them.
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 Morrocan Plants & Flowers Plant Life in Morocco

Native Plants
Morocco is home to a variety of plant species. Its geographical location and unusual desert and mountain terrain give rise to many different types of flora. There is an estimated 4,979 different types of plant taxa in Morocco. Nine major families that include more than 100 species each make up 60 percent of Morocco's flora. The genus Silene is the most diverse Moroccan flora---containing more than 69 species. Other important Moroccan families include Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Caryophyllaceae.

Land Mammals
Morocco has an estimated 105 species of land mammals, and close to 18 are considered endangered. One of the most common mammals is the dorcas gazelle, the smallest gazelle that exists. This particular breed has long, curved horns on both the males and females and very long legs. They tend to feed on Acacia leaves and are very active in the evening and morning, due to the heat of the Moroccan desert. They rarely drink water and absorb the water from plants they eat.

The Sloughi, a species of dog, is one of the most interesting Moroccan animals. Sloughis are often domesticated and are used for hunting. They appear very similar in appearance to greyhounds and are also very fast.

Birds
Although the desert heat can be hard on many animals, Morocco boasts more than 454 species of birds, nearly all of them native to the country. The most common types of birds include pheasants, pigeons, doves, woodpeckers, and partridges. Other types of birds that occupy the coast include pelicans, gulls, and boobies. Ducks, swans, storks, flamingos, and even ostriches are native to Morocco as well.

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Morocco: Animals and Plants


Morocco: Animals and Plants



In Morocco there are 460 species of birds, including the rare bald ibis.
Morocco has a rich birdlife including birds of prey such as eagles, falcons and buzzards. Woodpeckers, larks and finches are found in parts of the country as are many kinds of waterbirds.

There are at least 104 different reptiles. Many of the reptiles such as geckos are nocturnal. Go here to read about geckos 



The spiny-tailed lizard lives here too.


In the desert in the south of Morocco, mammals such as genets, fennec foxes (see picture below) jerboas (which are jumping mice), gerbils, striped hyena, baboons and wild goats. European animals such as porcupines and hedgehogs are active at night and there are rabbits and foxes.




  Foxes like this one can be found in Morocco
In the mountainous parts of Morocco there are forests of cork oak, evergreen oak, juniper, cedar, fir, and pine. The plains are usually covered with scrub brush and alfa grass.






.. .....Some snakes like this sand viper are active at night.












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Plant Life in Morocco

Morocco is a country on the coast of North Africa. It mostly has a Mediterranean climate with an awe-inspiring abundance of flora. There are an estimated 5,000 different species of plants in Morocco, and many of them are endemic to the region. Going on a nature walk through any part of the country will give you an entertaining view of plants both big and small.




Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a highly aromatic tree that produces leathery leaves that are full of the camphorous essential oil. These trees thrive in Morocco and provide a pleasant scent through many parts of the regi


Maquis grows all over Morocco and other Mediterranean regions.

Maquis

Maquis is the word that is used to describe the thick, massive growth of brush along the region. The brush consists of aromatic shrubs and herbs like laurel, mint and myrrh. Olive trees also grow within the maquis ground covering.

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