Animals and plants

Animals and Plants In Malta

Malta is a small island in the centre of the Mediterranean sea.

LadybirdsIn Malta there are about 30 species of ladybirds. Some are orange, some are yellow and others dark brown. Ladybirds are very beneficial creatures , because one of their favourite foods is aphids, which are tiny creatures who do great harm to crops.

Qabru – fresh water crabWe have many kinds of crabs in the sea around Malta. But there is one special crab that lives in sea water. Now that’s a problm in Malta for this animal in Malta as fresh water is scarce, this is why this creature I so rare in Malta. Unfortunately we are in danger of losing this fascinating animal.

Cape SorrelThis flower is yellow and looks like a trumpet. It opens in Spring and Winter. This plant grows everywhere, and some fields become bright yellow with this flower. It is often called by the common name sour grass due to its pleasant sour flavour. This sourness is caused by oxalic acid, which is toxic in large quantities.

Maltese Honey BeeThe bee is a sub-species of the Western honey bee that has naturalized and adapted to the environment of the Maltese Islands. It evolved as a different sub-species when the Maltese islands were cut off from mainland Europe. The bee is of relatively black colour. It is well adapted for high temperatures and dry summers and cool winters.

Bats There are 10 species of bats in Malta. They are all insectivorous, hunting insects like moths, which they catch in flight. Bats can see, but they rely on their excellent hearing to find their way about. To do this, they emit high shriek and catch back the echo. Some bats in Malta are resident and breed here, others migrate like birds. All bats in Malta are protected by law.

SpidersSpiders in Malta are not dangerous. There are more than 500 species of spiders which live in Malta. They produce silk and use this silk to spin webs in which to catch their victims. The biggest spiders which are found in Malta are the argiopes. Their bodies are about 25mm long and their legs are striped yellow and black. They make lovely big orbwebs in valleys and gardens to catch flies and wasps.