MAMMALS OF CYPRUS

Cyprus Post issued the stamp series featured Mammals, the Rhinodolphin, the Cyprus Fox, and the Hare on September 09, 2004. The stamp issuance represented in three setenant stamp set.

The Rhinodolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most common dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea. It is usually found in schools of 10-20 dolphins, mainly near costal areas but also in the open sea where the schools are even larger, comprising of hundreds of dolphins. It is of medium size and over 3 meters in length. It mainly feeds on cephalopods (squid, octopus) and fish. Twelve months after mating it produces an offspring of approximately half a meter.

The Cyprus Fox (Vulpes vulpes indutus) is the second largest mammal of the Cyprus fauna after mouflon. It is a quick agile animal but also quite clever and intelligent. This combined with its strong senses characterizes it as makes it an animal with an effective hunting ability. It can be found throughout the island, in costal and mountainous areas but also in built-up areas depending on the availability of food. Its reproductive period begins around January or February. The gestation period lasts 50-55 days. It lives in rock caves, in holes in the ground that makes itself and in thick shrubs. The main sources of food for the fox are small rodents, insects, birds, fruit, plant bulbs, eggs, worms as well as corpses of large mammals.

The hare (Lepus europeus cyprium) is found in nearly all parts of Cyprus and at all altitudes. It is very quick and clever animal. It is usually active during the night, while during the day it hides in shrubs and other vegetation. It usually breeds 2-4 young, 3-4 times a year, depending on climatic and other conditions. It is an exclusive vegetarian mammal and the main type of game on our island.

Source: Department of Postal Services, Republic of Cyprus.

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