8509 Magazine - 2024 edition - Magazine - Page 47
Flora & Fauna
Garden and roadside bushes
You will see hibiscus, bougainvillea
and oleanders in the main, they are
available in many different colours and
varieties, all very beautiful.
Sea Turtles
Two species can be found on the island,
the green turtle and the loggerhead
(both of which are endangered). Green
turtles breed almost exclusively on the
desolate, surf-swept beaches of the west
coast, north of Paphos, mainly in the Lara
area (where there is a seasonal station
and ‘hatchery’). Loggerhead turtles are a
little more elusive and tend to breed on
beaches that provide complete seclusion
throughout the night. Turtles are a
protected species in Cyprus, with a Cyprus
Turtle Conservation project in place.
It is often said that turtles have a “lost
year”, because scientists are unsure what
happens to the little turtles for the first
year or so of their lives. Therefore it is
interesting that several hatchlings and
some young juveniles have been found
in Paphos Harbour, or sighted or caught
off the Paphos coast. These are signs that
bode well for the green turtle in Cyprus.
Hares
There are a few of these around the resort
but you have to be lucky to see them.
They are very fast and will run like mad to
get away from humans.
Recommended reading – Birds and
Mammals of Cyprus by George Sfikas.
Wild flowers
Cyprus is an amazing place for wild
flowers, especially in the Spring which
starts in January - there are more than
1950 species of flowering plants (140
of which are found nowhere else in the
world) and the island is a riot of colour.
There are around 45-50 different
species of orchids in Cyprus, some of
which are endemic.
Trees
You will see masses of olive trees and
carob trees around the resort. These
are protected by law here so, other
than for reasons of disease, they will
be here for some years to come. There
is one olive tree next to the Aphrodite
Hills Hotel entrance which is over 300
years old and one in the village square
in Polis which is over 600 years old.
Carob trees have green pods which
gradually go black. The beans were
used for making plastic at one time but
are now used as a chocolate substitute
and available in health food shops in
many countries. The majestic cedar
tree can also be
found in parts of
the Paphos
Forest, mainly in
Cedar Valley.
Carob pods
Wildlife / Trees / Flora/ Nature
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