Flora and fauna of the Polish Carpathians

259 species of the Polish Carpathians on karpaty.rocks — with photos, descriptions and a map. Most are in: Tatras (465), Strážov Mountains (377), Slovak Central Mountains (334), Slovak Ore Mountains (300). Use the filters to pick a range or other options; the map shows everything nearby.

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Edible only after cookingIn season nowHoney fungusArmillaria melleaHoney fungus mushrooms grow in large clusters on stumps and trees. Conditionally edible: only after thorough cooking. Season – August to October.

EdiblePorciniBoletus edulisThe most sought-after mushroom of the Carpathian forests: a brown cap, light tubes, and a thick stem with a light mesh. Season - from June to October.

In season nowGrey wolfCanis lupusA large predator of the Carpathian forests that lives in family packs. It avoids humans; in Ukraine, it is not listed in the Red Book.

EdibleGolden chanterelleCantharellus cibariusEgg-yellow mushroom with thick folds instead of gills. Grows from June to October in beech and spruce forests.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowEurasian lynxLynx lynxThe largest cat of the Carpathians, a secretive hunter of old forests. Listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species.

Red Data Book of UkraineBrown bearUrsus arctosThe largest predator of the Carpathians. In Ukraine, it permanently lives only in the Carpathians; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine as a vulnerable species.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowGolden eagleAquila chrysaetosThe largest eagle of the Carpathians. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, only 10–15 pairs nest — a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

EdibleBilberryVaccinium myrtillusThe main berry of the Carpathians: a low bush with blue-black berries that stain fingers. Ripe from July to August, in the polonynas until September.

Venomous snakeCommon European adderVipera berusThe only venomous snake in the Ukrainian Carpathians. A bite is rarely fatal but requires medical attention: call 103 or 112.

Red Data Book of UkraineFire salamanderSalamandra salamandraThe black salamander with yellow spots emerges in the beech forests of the Carpathians after rain. It is a vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red deerCervus elaphusThe largest deer of the Carpathians. In September, its loud roar fills the mountains — the rut of the Red deer.

Red Data Book of UkraineWestern capercaillieTetrao urogallusThe largest forest bird of the Carpathians, whose spring display is one of the wonders of the mountain forest. A disappearing species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineEuropean bisonBison bonasusThe largest animal in Europe, reintroduced to the Carpathians. The largest herd in Ukraine is in the Skole Beskids National Nature Park.

Red Data Book of UkraineHeuffel's crocusCrocus heuffelianusPurple spring carpets on mountain meadows, just after the snow melts. It blooms from March to May, in the high mountains — until June.

EdibleIn season nowHorn of plenty (black trumpet)Craterellus cornucopioidesA dark funnel-shaped 'trumpet' in the leaf litter of beech forests. Unremarkable in appearance, but a good edible mushroom that is easy to overlook.

Brown troutSalmo truttaThe main fish of cold Carpathian streams. Fishing is prohibited from October 10 to March 1, with a compensation of 7,225 UAH for each fish.

Red Data Book of UkraineEdelweissLeontopodium alpinumThe silvery 'star' on limestone cliffs. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, there are only a few small populations; a disappearing species in the Red Book.

EdibleBay boleteImleria badiaA chestnut mushroom of coniferous forests, whose tubes turn blue upon contact. A good edible mushroom; season – from July to November.

PoisonousRed Data Book of UkraineAlpine pasqueflowerPulsatilla albaWhite fluffy flowers that bloom on the polonynas of Chornohora right after the snow. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of UkraineIn season nowEuropean wildcatFelis silvestrisThe wild ancestor of domestic cats, a secretive inhabitant of the beech and oak forests of the Carpathians. A vulnerable species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

EdibleRed-capped scaber stalkLeccinum aurantiacumA mushroom with an orange-red cap and scaly stem that darkens when cut. It grows under aspen trees and is edible after thorough cooking.

In season nowSt John's wortHypericum perforatumYellow inflorescences on dry meadows and forest edges; leaves appear to be pierced with a needle. Blooms from June to August; a traditional herb for tea.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineEuropean yewTaxus baccataA long-lived coniferous tree of beech forests with red 'berries'. Mortally poisonous; a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

In season nowBlack woodpeckerDryocopus martiusThe largest woodpecker in Europe, black with a red cap. Its large cavities are later inhabited by owls, pigeons, and bats.

Deadly poisonousRed Data Book of UkraineDeadly nightshadeAtropa belladonnaTall grass of beech forests with shiny black berries in a star-shaped calyx. Deadly poisonous; listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Deadly poisonousIn season nowFuneral bellGalerina marginataA small brown mushroom on decaying wood with the same toxins as the death cap. A deadly lookalike of the honey fungus.

Wild boarSus scrofaWild boar is a common inhabitant of the Carpathian forests. A female with piglets can be dangerous: do not approach.

EdibleSummer cepBoletus reticulatusThe earliest 'white mushroom': light velvety cap and a net on the entire stem. It grows from May under beeches and oaks, edible.

In season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.

Red Data Book of UkraineEurasian otterLutra lutraA nimble fish hunter that lives in clean Carpathian rivers. A vulnerable species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

EdibleLingonberryVaccinium vitis-idaeaAn evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and tart red berries. It grows in spruce forests and on polonynas, ripening in August–September.

Red Data Book of UkraineBlack storkCiconia nigraA secretive forest relative of the white stork, feeding in the mountain streams of the Carpathians. A rare species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Edible only after cookingCommon juniperJuniperus communisA prickly coniferous shrub with bluish 'berries'-cones. In the high mountains of the Carpathians, it grows alongside mountain pine in krivolissia.

Sand lizardLacerta agilisThe most common lizard of sunny edges and clearings. In spring, males turn green, while females lay eggs in warm soil.

White storkCiconia ciconiaA large white bird with black wings and a red beak. It nests on poles and roofs in the villages of the Carpathian valleys and foothills.

Red Data Book of UkraineSmooth snakeCoronella austriacaA rare snake that is safe for humans, often confused with the viper and unjustly killed. Red Data Book of Ukraine.