Flora & fauna of Hungary

Hungary is rich in natural heritage. Many of the ancient plants and animals survive on the almost untouched plains, morasses, marshes, floodplains, pastures, forests, and meadows. The Hungarian climate has all the characteristic features of the moderate climate zone.

The seasons can be sharply distinguished, and oceanic, continental and minor Mediterranean effects also influence the weather. The Carpathian Basins climate and geographical diversity (i.e., its division into mountains, hills and plains) facilitated the development of diversified flora and fauna. European, Euro-Asian, Mediterranean, Carpathian, Atlantic and Southern European species can be found, as can fossils from the Ice Age. In addition, we can find some species occurring only in the Carpathian Basin (such as the Bánáti peonies blooming in the Mecsek Hills).Hungary is characterised by a remarkable variety of terrain ideal for lovers of the countryside. In the wink of an eye the table-top flatness of the plain converts to hilly regions where the forces of nature have formed basalt organ-pipes or caves with drip-stones shaped like fairytale figures.

Hungary is known for its extremely diverse natural heritage, including unspoilt marshland, steppes, bogs, river flats, pastures, forests and meadows, all populated by the fascinating flora and the fauna typical of the region. Plants and animals are those common to Central Europe. Hungary is covered with steppes and frondose woods and several tropical plants in the region.

 Oak is the predominant deciduous tree; various conifers are located in the mountains. Among the abundant wildlife are deer, boar, hare, and mouflon. The Great Plain is a breeding ground and a migration center for a variety of birds. Fish are plentiful in rivers and lakes. The flora and fauna enchants the senses of travelers visiting the land of Hungary. One can find native animals like the Hungarian grey cow, deriving its existence from the primitive bullock. Other known species of the region is the black and white long-wool sheep. Bird reserves, which safeguards species like erne, peregrine falcon, striped-headed reed-warbler, spoonbill, ibis, aigrette, bittern, red heron, small sea-pig. Among the migratory birds one can sight birds like the laughing-goose, wild geese and herons.

Bustards, the largest species of European birds flock in the Dévaványa settlement that is found in the Körös-Maros National Park. Different horse breeds like nóniusz, gidrán and furioso, reared along the region of Mezõhegyes. The forested region of Hungary is covered with oak, lime, beech, and other deciduous plantation especially in the region of Transdanubian ranges.

Species like hare, fox, deer, boar, duck, heron, crane, and stork that can be abundantly sighted at Great Hungarian Plain.Some of the native species that can be seen frequently are Longhorned Gray Steppe cattle, Magyar Vizsla (oldest hunting dog), Transylvanian Bloodhound, Hungarian thoroughbred horses, Lipicai, cavalry white horses, Black-and-white stork and many others.  

Visiting the first settled national park of the region known as Hortobágyi National Park, which has the biggest saliferous-formed plains within the European region would be a great experience. Some of the important  national parks  are the Bükk National Park, Aggtelek National Park, Ferto-Hanság National Park, Danube-Dráva National Park, Körös-Maros National Park, Balaton-uplands National Park, Danube-Ipoly National Park.