Lanzarote Natives that Crawl and Fly

Lanzarote is home to beautiful beaches, delicious Spanish delicacies and lively fiestas –you may or may not know that it is also home to several animals which are endemic to the island. Read on to learn about which unique creatures you might be lucky enough to spot on your next trip!

Gallotia Lizards

These little guys are known as the wall lizards (lacertids) of the Canary Islands, because (you guessed it) you’ll most likely see them crawling along your wall; a habitat which reflects their basic colour variation between grey and olive-brown. Gallotia are harmless, and characteristic for eating a considerable amount of plants – so locals need to keep an eye on their gardens!

Blind Albino Cave Crab

Their name says it all: small, blind and pale, the cave crab (also known as the squat lobster or ‘Jameitos’) is endemic to Lanzarote. You will be able to find these unique little creatures in the crystal clear natural lake in Jameos del Agua lagoon. Formed by the volcanic eruptions that took place on the island 4000 years ago, and transformed into a unique cultural attraction by the famous island-born artist Cesar Manrique, the Jameos are part of an astonishing 6km long lava tube. The crabs contribute to the natural wonder of Manrique’s artistic creation, and have been adopted as a symbol of the Jameos.

It is well worth visiting this attraction to see the cave crabs up close, while taking in one of the island’s most atmospheric sights!

Canarian Egyptian Vulture

Also known as the white scavenger vulture or pharaoh’s chicken, the Egyptian Vulture can be found from southwestern Europe to northern Africa to India. However, the subspecies of these vultures in the Canary Islands have been isolated from the rest, resulting in significant genetic differentiation. Once common to many of the Canary Islands, the Canarian Egyptian Vulture is now unique to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura – the two easternmost islands – with as few as 130 remaining.

You would be extremely lucky to spot one of these endangered birds, but keep an eye out for its bright yellow face, fluffy white body and diamond-shaped tail when you are near cliffs and caves (their favourite habitat).

How to Get to Lanzarote

If you’re intrigued by Lanzarote’s native animals and fancy a spot of bird-watching or taking a walk through the famous Jameos, then you should take a look at the flight options that are available to you. There are several airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways offering direct flights from London (Gatwick, Stansted or Luton) to Lanzarote for as little as £35.49, depending on the time of year.

When you arrive in Lanzarote, airport transfer services are the most convenient and comfortable ways to travel to your final destination. If you book in advance with one of my team at Shuttle Direct, you don’t need to worry about any unexpected costs, and you can leave all the organisation up to us.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for an affordable Lanzarote airport transfer, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.