Bats

There are 8 species of bats in the area of Telašćica. During the day they dwell on dark places such as holes in old trees, caves and half-caves.

The biggest colony that has been established by now is in the cave Golubinka with the sea-entrance under the cliffs where about 2000 individuals of the Geoffrey's bat (Myotis emarginatus) dwell together with about 1000 individuals of the Greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). Also, pretty large numbers of some other species like European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis ) and Gray long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) are registered.

Other mammals

There are not many other species of mammals on the whole Dugi otok island, including Telašćica. Altogether 13 species of mammals have been recorded. Some of them are House mouse (Mus musculus ), rat (Ratus norvegicus ), Common vole (Microtus arvalis) and Stone marten ( Mustela foina ). Brown hare (Lepus europaeus ) used to live here a long time ago, but it is extinct now, probably because of the great number of martens on the island. Besides these autochthonous species, mouflons (Ovis musimon) were brought to the island which now live naturally on the pastures in the northern part of the whole island. During the day they dwell in the woods and macchia, and during the night and in the morning they come out on pasture.

According to data that is available at the moment, 110 species of birds have been registered in Telašćica, even though it is considered that there are even more species. The most interesting among them are birds of prey. On the cliffs on the open-sea side of the island the Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is nesting. Besides it Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae) can also be seen here. It only flies over this area, and it is nesting on Malta. Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus) and Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) can also be seen here. Numerous swifts that catch bugs in the air fly in flocks above the bay; Alpine swift (Apus melba) and Pallid swift (Apus palidus) that are distinguished among people, and Common swift that is called čiopa or caparin. The Pallid swift is called kosirić or jargić.

During the night on Telašćica shouts of the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) can be heard. It is our biggest owl that can be 70 cm high, and its wingspan is 170 cm.

White wagtail (Motacilla alba) that is on Dugi otok island called čobanica or čeperinka because it dwells by the sheep, feeds on ticks and other small bugs that dwell around them. The redbreast (Erithacus rubecula) a small song-bird of red chest and face can also be seen.

Around the bay numerous seagulls can also be seen (Larus cachinans – Yellow-legged gull). In some places on the island it is called kakalo, because of its characteristic cries. Black birds of a long neck can be seen flying low over the sea and these are shags. Two species can be found in the area of the park: Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). A bird of azure-blue colours flying quickly as lightning along the coast or across the lake can be seen very often. It is the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). This is our only bird of bright blue-green upperparts and chestnut-red under parts.

Of the amphibians, there are two species of frogs – European tree frog (Hyla arborea ) and green toad (Bufo viridis ). This is a small number but it is not surprising because this area is relatively dry, and these two species tolerate dry conditions.

In the area of the park 10 species have been recorded by now. Mediterranean Gecko or tarentula (Hemidactylus turcicus ), pronouncedly nocturnal animal, can often be seen on houses. Only 5 species of snakes have been recorded on the Dugi otok island: Leopard snake (Elaphe situla), Cat snake (Telescopus falax), Balkan Whip Snake (Coluber gemonensis), Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) and Grass Snake (Natrix natrix). None of them is poisonous for people. Of all the reptiles on the island lizards are encountered in most cases – Dalmatian wall lizard and Italian wall lizard (Podarcis melisellensis and Podarcis sicula) and great legless lizard – European legless lizard (Ophisaurus apodus). Biologically most interesting finding of the Dugi otok island is worm snake Typhlops vermicularis. It is an extremely rare underground species and it was recorded in Croatia only once in the vicinity of Sali in 1977.

Invertebrates of the land part of "Telašćica" Nature Park are just being explored. In researches that have been done so far, 339 species of invertebrates have been recorded: 58 day and night butterflies and 16 Dragonflies. Of the other invertebrates registered are 65 species of Terrestrial molluscs, 39 species of beetles, 20 species of Leafhoppers (Homoptera), 65 species of True bugs or Bedbugs (Heteroptera), 16 species of centipedes (Myriapoda), 53 species of spiders (Aranea), 1 species of Harvestmen (Opiliones) and 2 species of scorpions (Scorpiones) and 4 species of pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones).

Of the land invertebrates cicadas can often be heard in the summer. They dwell on the pine trees and chirrup the whole day. In the spring and early summer numerous butterflies can be seen. The most common is yellow Cleopatra butterfly (Gonepteryx cleopatra).