Wildlife

As far as we are aware, all of Finland’s species have arrived here since the last continental glacier melted. Finland’s geographic isolation has affected the distribution of plants and animals. Plants, animals and fungi that have established themselves here have become adapted to extreme boreal conditions. Consequently, they may not necessarily survive further south. In this chapter the most important endangeroued wild animals and some of the most common animals are described.

Durig your visit to Finland you will most likely meet the moscitos. Moscitos occure summer time in Finland. More if it is a warm and wet summer than under a dry summer. It is possible to buy moscito protection in all food shops, gasoline stations and drug stores. The first bite may give an allergic reaction but the following one’s are most likely not that bad. Not only foreigners suffer from the moscitos also the Finns do! It is a common subject of small talk for Finns.

There are two different types on snakes in Finland of which only one is poisoned, the viper (Vipera berus - Kyykäärme). The viper has a bad reputation due to its poison but it is highly dangerouse only for children. The viper is 50-65 cm long, dark grey to black with a black zigzag on its back.

Antidote against the viper bite can be bought at the chemist’s and Finnish women carry often the poison with the in their handbag.

The second snake found in Finland is the grass snake (Natrix natrix – rantakäärme). It is much longer than the viper, 75-90 cm and you may find it in connection to water bodies. The grass snake is harmless. There as also a lizard often mistaken for being a snake, the blindworm (Anguis fragilis – vaskitsa). The blindworm is cupper coloured and harmless.

The viper.