I know the ‘Big Five’ safari animals, what would you say are the ‘Big Five’ animals that are native to the UK?
Posted by LifeMycologist2544@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 330 comments
Just moved to London an have a foxhole in our garden where I see the fox come and go, made me curious about what the most iconic animals to see in the UK would be?
ExampleMediocre6716@reddit
Manky looking pigeon, XL bully, urban fox, seagull, stray cat.
90210fred@reddit
You missed chav from your inner city list
ExcitementKooky418@reddit
I think they basically fit in to the seagulls category, fairly similar behaviours - gather in towns, look scruffy, give dirty looks to passers by, make loud irritating noises to intimidate others, makes aesa with chips
ShowmasterQMTHH@reddit
All those animals are chav.
daekle@reddit
I think they go with the XL bully. Its a symbiotic relationship.
Or maybe codependant 🤔
90210fred@reddit
Ah, you mean like those little fish that eat parasites ofy larger ones? I see now
Interesting_Cod3761@reddit
You missed slug
Amazing_Attorney8929@reddit
Ginormous rat
feralhog3050@reddit
On a tangent, but a chav strolled past my house yesterday afternoon with an XL bully with a head like a caravan, fortunately on a shortish lead. One of my cats was enjoying a sunny loaf on the drive, the dog spotted him, about dislocated the bloke's shoulder. My cat, bless him, made himself look very big but otherwise never moved. Well, not until after the dog had moved off, then he came inside doing the feline equivalent of "fuck me, that was close" & had some Dreamies to calm his nerves
No_Space_9324@reddit
It's worrying how many people seem to have dogs that they can't control.
feralhog3050@reddit
Yeah, thankfully this one was on a lead & the guy had a good hold of it. The way the dog jumped, he's probably got a very sore shoulder this morning, but no harm was done
PaleozoicQueen@reddit
Lmao 😂😂😂😂 bang on there mate!
Jealous_Sympathy9402@reddit
🤣
FiveYardFaded@reddit
Fox, badger, red kite, red squirrel, Blobby
Davidp243@reddit
Blobby, apex predator of the British Isles
JonBarghestTheAuthor@reddit
Badgers are too, if you're mashed potato.
MinimumCut140@reddit
Aaaaand now that's in my head for the rest of the day. Tune though.
ExcitementKooky418@reddit
Lucky you! Everybody knows badger loves MASHED POTATOES!
LowAioli3870@reddit
La la la la la
Khaleesix87@reddit
Same here 🤣🤣🤣🤣
JonBarghestTheAuthor@reddit
It was already in your head. "Everybody knows", after all 🦡❤️🔨🥔
Azuras-Becky@reddit
We have a badger that invades our garden. He chases my dog back into the house.
Dependent_One6034@reddit
You might want to be a tad more careful, Some badgers have TB, This can be transmitted to dogs through bites, saliva or droppings.
Azuras-Becky@reddit
I am careful! Aside from the points you've raised the dog in question is a cockerpoo who'd lose that fight in a heartbeat! Unfortunately badgers are stealthy, and the garden is large (1980s build), so even being careful isn't enough. Just a few nights ago doggo had a near-fight with the bugger who'd been hiding under a fern. Thankfully I heard the prelude and was able to call him in.
zah_ali@reddit
This appearing below the post just for me 😂
ams3000@reddit
You follow the sub about crisps???🤣
Onetrillionpounds@reddit
It's your patriotic duty to follow the crisps sub, join us.
UglyFilthyDog@reddit
The worst part is, now I'm going to have to. If there's one thing I love it's crisps.
PaleozoicQueen@reddit
Badger Badger Badger Badger Badger MUSHROOM MUSHROOM
Super_Plastic5069@reddit
SNAKE!!!
Jcw28@reddit
Definitely a predator of some form...
Vickyinredditland@reddit
That's MR Blobby to you! Show some respect!
PaleozoicQueen@reddit
If I don't call him Mr Blobby will he come and get me? 😳😬
Lol!
UglyFilthyDog@reddit
No, that happens when you say Blobby three times in the mirror.
adymann@reddit
Should be Sir Mr Blobby in my book
Gnome_Father@reddit
I thought that was Savile?
LordIacobus@reddit
Or Andrew.
PaleozoicQueen@reddit
Stay away from the caves little children! That pink thing you saw in the forest is NOT your friend!
😂😂😂
Jenkes_of_Wolverton@reddit
Caused the extinction of our teletubby and clanger populations apparently.
ffordeffanatic@reddit
The wombles are still endangered, though there's still a reserve for them on Wimbledon common.
djdavies82@reddit
That would be the bovine overlords
exhauated-marra-6631@reddit
No hedgehog?
jovial_rebel@reddit
Don't forget the honourary Ronny Pickering who is the 6th member.
Kadoomed@reddit
No way a red kite gets in ahead of the golden eagle or barn owl.
VodkaMargarine@reddit
The Lesser Spotted Blobby is rarely seen in the wild these days.
JobAnxious2005@reddit
Adder
jonathanquirk@reddit
Specifically the Blackadder, as cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University!
ffordeffanatic@reddit
Surely he meant one of the other great Universities, Cambridge or Hull.
TawnyTeaTowel@reddit
Yes, Oxfords a complete dump
APiousCultist@reddit
You know the word 'bear' means something like 'brown one' because of Medieval superstition that saying their true name (Arktos I think?) would summon one. Do you think 'Blobby' is the same?
Outrageous-Arm1945@reddit
Golden or White tailed Eagle ahead of Kites. Understand Wild Boar are massive dicks too
MzHmmz@reddit
Probably depends where you live whether the kite or eagle is the most "iconic". I live in Leeds and red kites fly over my house all the time (somehow after 10 years in this house I still haven't got bored of watching them!), whereas I'm not sure I've ever actually seen an eagle. So to me the kite is much more iconic!
Scotstarr@reddit
We have a couple of white tailed eagles that just be nesting near the house. They are great to see.
Hypnagogic_Image@reddit
You forgot about the Haggis, native to Scotland
i_am_simple_bob@reddit
Boom boom!
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
Slow Worms getting shade
ExcitementKooky418@reddit
Badger,badger, badger,.badger mushroom!
Cha_r_ley@reddit
Fox, Badger, Hedgehog, Ant, Dec
Sea_Pomegranate8229@reddit
Badger, Sea Eagle, Beaver, Womble, Haggis
brightgreyday@reddit
Iconic/cute: hedgehog, robin, red fox, hare, otter or any of the mustelids
Iconic/wow: Red deer, badger, red fox, Scottish wildcat, peregrine falcon or golden eagle.
I wish Animals of Farthing Wood was back on tv
Satansrideordie@reddit
Ronnie Pickering, Ronnie Pickering, Ronnie Pickering, Ronnie Pickering, and Ronnie Pickering
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
Loch Ness Monster, Exmoor Beast, Hound of the Baskervilles, American Werewolves, Lambton Worm
handsome_vulpine@reddit
*American* werewolves? Not British ones?
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
Invasive species. They carry diseases which have made the native variety almost extinct outside the Scottish Highlands
handsome_vulpine@reddit
Ah. Of course.
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
But a spectacular sight! Increasingly common in cities too
mdmnl@reddit
Purple Aki
Apprehensive_Plum755@reddit
Ronnie Pickering
MadJen1979@reddit
Who?
eatingabananawrong@reddit
RONNIE PICKERING!!!!
UglyFilthyDog@reddit
Rip Ronnie.
Floor-notlava@reddit
Do you not know who he is?!!!
Margaet_moon@reddit
😂
Sburns85@reddit
Only if your muscular
Floor-notlava@reddit
🤮
Sburns85@reddit
You don’t know the legend
Floor-notlava@reddit
Sadly I do 🤢
xander012@reddit
Unfortunately extinct
Trick-Station8742@reddit
Rip
AnxiousTerminator@reddit
RIP
Beneficial_Waltz5217@reddit
You missed Womble
Rizzokit@reddit
Only on Wimbledon common
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
There used to be a small population at Tooting Bec, but habitat fragmentation and the milder winters seem to have caused their extinction
Rizzokit@reddit
Dam global warmer
AromoTheBrave@reddit
You forgot the Haggis in Scotland
Illustrious-Milk6518@reddit
Daleks
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
Not since 2150, when they were hunted to extermination
Kithulhu24601@reddit
The Catman of Greenock is my favourite UK cryptid
antimatterchopstix@reddit
Does one of those have great big googly eyes?
BigWork2739@reddit
I saw a werewolf at Trader Vic's one time.
kingmickyb@reddit
Was he drinking a Pina Colada?
Handsom_modest_Dan@reddit
Highland cow
eletricmojo@reddit
Highland Cow, hedgehog, Peregrine Falcon, Raven, badger
Starrryg@reddit
Badger, hedgehog, fox, Robin, pigeon
(Deer almost made the cut)
EldritchCleavage@reddit
Beast of Bodmin
Badger
School dinner ladies
Scottish wild cat
Fox
Calm-Homework3161@reddit
Cow, horse, pig, sheep, chicken
a-liquid-sky@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog, red squirrel, robin.
UglyFilthyDog@reddit
Don't see enough hedgies anymore 😕 their population has massively declined over the years, although it seems to be stabilising a little in recent years.
stevee05282@reddit
I'd swap the robin for the kingfisher
cayosonia@reddit
And Pine Martin
Fearless-Hedgehog661@reddit
*marten
cayosonia@reddit
No, I am sure he said his name was Martin /s
leffe186@reddit
I think they meant a rare Scottish subspecies, similar to the Crag Martin.
palpatineforever@reddit
the american robin is a different bird, named after the british one it also looks a bit wrong.
mdmnl@reddit
Distinctive plumage though
firthy@reddit
Stuns easily, the American Red
Khaleesix87@reddit
This made me chuckle and take my free award 🤣🤣🤣🤣
FlameFeather86@reddit
But when they grow up they become Nightwings, and 100% more badass.
Brunel25@reddit
Hare.
RaveyDGravy@reddit
I was going to say the exact same 5!
TazTazTAZTazTaz_@reddit
A fucking fox in the top 5? Boring ass
smelliepoo@reddit
Robins were here back when we still called orange red! That makes them native in my book!
FairAd4560@reddit
Why would you think a robin isn’t native? 😂
Exact-Put-6961@reddit
Red Deer, Wild Cat. Otter, Fox, Badger
Any-Republic-4269@reddit
Robins are very much native!
jamawg@reddit
Well, Ronnie Pickering has to top of the list
BeanOnAJourney@reddit
I personally would say Red Fox, Golden Eagle, Red Deer, Badger, Red Squirrel.
The_Nunnster@reddit
The British Wildlife Centre Blog held a Facebook contest in 2013, where the red deer, badger, fox, otter, and red squirrel came out on top as our Big Five.
With banknotes being updated to replace historical figures with nature/wildlife, we might get an idea for what four out of our Big Five could be.
N57_Fish@reddit
Red deer, red squirrel, fox, badger, golden eagle
buttnuggetmaster@reddit
Fox, squirrel, rabbit, pigeon, badger
ScrotbagScrewball@reddit
Badger badger badger mushroom snaaaaake
3knuckles@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog, barn owl, red squirrel
FlawlessC0wboy@reddit
Surely Deer has to make the cut. Saw this fella in Scotland last week
Famous_Address3625@reddit
He’s majestic!
FlawlessC0wboy@reddit
Right next to the road just chilling
Alexander-Wright@reddit
As we are counting Scotland, as we should, the Haggis deserves a place on the table.
AdministrativeShip2@reddit
Otter, Badger, Red deer, Wallaby and one of the cryptid big cats.
Thelichemaster@reddit
Fox, pigeon, seagull, badger and squirrel.
Perfect-Battle8492@reddit
Kingfisher, puffin, barn owl, woodland stag, common seal
Bettie16@reddit
Did you really need to include the "common" part? Bit rude and elistist...
ace_of_bass1@reddit
Great list. Shame otters didn’t make it though
Forsaken-Original-28@reddit
Grey seals are bigger and more impressive than common seals imo
zoltan_g@reddit
Kevin, Dave, Kayleigh, Darren and if you're really lucky Ronnie Pickering
Kind_Shift_8121@reddit
Ronny Pickering holding all 5 places
grubbygromit@reddit
Ronnie pickering is definitely one.
DR_95_SuperBolDor@reddit
I agree with the badger, fox and red kite suggestions. I think red squirrels could be up there, but not before a pine martin. I'd say an owl of some sort ought to make the list, probably a tawny one. Seals are pretty cool, as are dolphins, but I don't know if we're going on an aquatic safari or not. I've seen a golden eagle in Scotland and that was one of the most majestic things I've ever seen anywhere. I've seen wild boar in the forest of Dean, they're pretty awesome critters. I had a raven come and hang out with me on the Isle of Islay once, that thing was pretty cool... Apparently the humble robin is Britain's favourite bird.
No_Yogurtcloset8315@reddit
Fox, badger, red deer, hedgehog, otter.
AvatarIII@reddit
Fyi the big 5 are not the most iconic animals in Africa, they are the most deadly (and valuable) to hunters, that's why things like giraffes and zebra are not in the big 5.
Cultural_Act_3286@reddit
White tailed eagle, Red deer, Otter, Beaver, Alder.
OldLevermonkey@reddit
Was that meant to be adder at the end?
Cultural_Act_3286@reddit
Yes, bloody auto-thingy
TawnyTeaTowel@reddit
At least it was still UK native :)
Lethiun@reddit
Cave Lion, Leopard, Straight-tusked Elephant, Auroch and Stephanorhinus
Clear-Security-Risk@reddit
Native to the UK or extant in the UK?
If extant: Fox (native) Red deer (native) Fallow deer (introduced) Sea eagle (native) Highland cow (introduced)
If native: Bear (ursus arctos) (extirpated by Romans) Wolf (canis lupos lupos) (extirpated by the 18th c) Lynx (lynx lynx) (extirpated middle aged) Auroch (bos primigenius) (gone 1600BC) Cave lion (pantera speleae) (gone 16,000 years ago)
We are I think in the process of reintroducing lynx!
SaltyLilSelkie@reddit
Tawny owl, adder, hare, weasel, pine marten
TawnyTeaTowel@reddit
“Tawny owl…”
Good to see my distant cousin make the list…
MossyHenge@reddit
Red squirrel, adder, barn owl, haggis, Ronnie Pickering.
Secure_Music_6062@reddit
Edmonds, Clarkson, Attenborough, Madeley and rarely spotted Branson
Reasonable_Speed7471@reddit
Dench, Mirren, Thompson, the Great Damed Smith and the fringed Winkleman
TawnyTeaTowel@reddit
I think the Lesser Spotted Agutter would be a better fit than the Winkleman.
Psychological-Ad1264@reddit
That's because the Branson is a migratory species, spending large amounts of time on an island in the Caribbean, although it has been known to venture over to Epstein Island.
gowcog@reddit
Red deer, Golden Eagle, Red squirrel, Grouse and Nessie
Sleepyllama23@reddit
Foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, robins, deer
stevee05282@reddit
Kingfishers are better than robins
Affectionate_Comb_78@reddit
No pigeons!?
HoneyGlazedBadger@reddit
Gruffalo, Soup Dragon, Paddington, uncle Bulgaria and Tinkerbell.
TawnyTeaTowel@reddit
Does the Soup Dragon count? Isn’t he an ex-pat living on the moon ?
Davidp243@reddit
Actually Paddington is an invasive species
paulmclaughlin@reddit
It's almost entirely displaced the native Rupert
feralhog3050@reddit
Definitely not native, but probably naturalised by now
Signal-Ad2674@reddit
Peruvian pest
Bettie16@reddit
Coming over here, taking our sandwiches(!)
handsome_vulpine@reddit
Very happy to see almost everybody say fox.
International_Car300@reddit
The following Wombles:
Great Uncle Bulgaria, Orinico, Tobermore, Madame Cholet, and Tomsk.
MzHmmz@reddit
Depends exactly how you're defining "iconic". Some animals are pretty special but are so rare or localised to particular areas that you could live here your whole life and never see one (e.g. red squirrel, pine marten, otter), whereas other animals are pretty "iconic" of the UK but are so common they're not exciting (e.g. pigeons). Also the animals that we'll pick will depend on which parts of the country we've lived in, as some animals are very iconic in certain areas but rarely seen in others.
For me (I live in Leeds, and have always lived around the north of England) I'd say it would be foxes (yes, they're common but still feel sort of special, unlike pigeons!), deer (red or roe), hedgehogs, red kites (this one is probably going to be localised, some areas have none while they're now widespread in others after a reintroduction programme), and maybe badgers (although you're much less likely to actually see a badger unless you're specifically setting out to find one). Or perhaps replace badgers with robins or blackbirds, both iconic British garden birds, but probably less exciting than a badger!
Wild_Region_7853@reddit
Fox, highland cow, deer, red kite and that capybara that is on the run from Marwell zoo
Southern_Progress_13@reddit
Pigeon, grey squirrel, fox, XL bully, dead badger
truthbomn@reddit
Atlantic puffin
TooNeuroToBeABot@reddit
Red Squirrel, Pine Martin, Crossbill, Adder, Scottish Wildcat (maybe if there’s is still such a thing, possibly all have interbreed with domestic cats) not all big but all are allusive and native.
Admirable-Mall-9601@reddit
There’s breeding and release work going on around the Cairngorms if you google 🐈
Sburns85@reddit
The wild cat still have some real genetic ones around. I have also seen one once in the wild
DukeOfGloucester8P@reddit
Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Hedgehog, Golden Eagle, Badger
pixelunicorns@reddit
There's so many to choose from, but I think it has to be iconic and yet not super common to see, so maybe red squirrel, wild boar, red deer, barn owl, adder.
JealousStuff4405@reddit
As someone who spends a lot of time trying to see new wildlife and sticking to mammals like the African big 5
Red fox Red deer Otter Badger Red squirrel
The squirrel is more cute than impressive and tends to get people hating grey squirrels for no reason but wasn’t sure on a fifth. Maybe grey seal or wildcat but wildcat barely exist as a true wild species in uk
Derfel60@reddit
Red deer, fox, badger, hedgehog, pheasant
Scared-Room-9962@reddit
Wasps
Huge spiders that run under the settee, never to be seen again
Suicide Birds (Famous Grouse? Pheasant?)
Small, endlessly yapping dogs that your neighbour leaves yapping in their garden for 14 hours a day.
Hedgehogs (Why don't they just share the hedge?)
Formal-Proposal7850@reddit
Ta chuck. Got the famous grouse tune stuck in my head now
-C80-@reddit
“Why don’t they just share the hedge” had me choking on my coffee 😂
GJThunderqunt@reddit
Peacocks are fairly impressive suicide birds too. Was travelling at speed when one suicided in front of me. Its defence against the 60mph fiesta? "Look at my lovely tail". Splat.
PureDeidBrilliant@reddit
Red deer, golden eagle, osprey, Sharon and red fox.
Skyremmer102@reddit
Depends how you want to define "native" but generally you could include bison, red deer, fallow or roe deer, boar and goat.
Historical_Owl2154@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog, red kite, squirrel
AMightyDwarf@reddit
I’ve got the big 19, here.
Inkblot7001@reddit
Drunk human trying to keep a kebab upright, with chill sauce and fresh onion warpaint.
Urban fox defecating on a sonic animal scare device.
Young and underage teen vaping, enveloped in mango-coloured fumes.
Walking policeman on a beat.
Delivery rider stopping at zebra-crossing.
Forsaken-Original-28@reddit
Red Deer, Basking Shark, Badger and we had a Walrus briefly show up in our town once and there's currently one touring Scotland. Orcas occasionally visit as well, I imagine they're pretty impressive
supaloaf2K@reddit
If you had to pick a UK “Big Five,” I’d go with animals you can actually spot without trying too hard:
• Red fox. Urban and rural. You’re already seeing one.
• Red deer. The largest land mammal in the UK. Easy to see in places like Richmond Park.
• European badger. Nocturnal but very common. Look for setts in woodland edges.
• Grey seal. Huge colonies along the coast, especially around Blakeney Point.
• Red squirrel. Rare in England, but iconic. Strongholds in Formby Pinewoods and parts of Scotland.
If you want a bonus swap, hedgehogs are a strong contender. Small, declining, but very British.
Fox in the garden is a good start. You’ll probably see a badger next if you’re patient at night.
Level-Location1679@reddit
If you're talking ones that are actually interesting to see if you were travelling here:
- Basking shark
- Red squirrel
- Puffin
- Slow worm
- Barn owl
No_Context_7579@reddit
In wales we have
Dragons
Sheep
Tom Jones
The peacocks that used to escape from Cardiff Castle and stroll around the city centre
Crack heads
jollygoodvelo@reddit
Hedgehog, fallow deer, red squirrel, fish eagle, adder.
Bigbanghead@reddit
Fox - Fantastic Mr Fox (Roald Dahl).
Hedgehog - Mrs Tiggy-Winkle (Beatrix Potter).
Rabbit - Watership Down (Richard Adams).
Toad - The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame).
Tarka - Tarka the Otter (Henry Williamson).
Owl - Hedwig (Harry Potter)
AMightyDwarf@reddit
Could’ve just said Animals of Farthing Wood for all of them.
Bigbanghead@reddit
Badger, snake, white deer? Fox and Toad were already taken.
Conscious_Ring_9855@reddit
I think deer has to be on the list
eggs_and_ham_i_am@reddit
Deer and Munjac for sure. They're are everywhere and very over populated.
GrandAsOwt@reddit
Muntjac are common in the south east of England but not so much in northern England, Wales and Scotland. Yet.
ajhnsn27@reddit
Definitely not Muntjac - they're an invasive species and by law if injured, animal rehab centres have to put them down not rehab/release them
Miss_Type@reddit
I don't think muntjac are native?
eggs_and_ham_i_am@reddit
I missed the native part of the post🤦🏻♂️
OldLevermonkey@reddit
Red and roe are our natives with fallow being introduced by the Normans. All the others are recent escapees from collections.
doriobias@reddit
They aren't. They escaped from the zoo and multiplied.
Mike_Mac72@reddit
They do have an advantage of being tasty.
Chevey0@reddit
For clarity Muntjac are a type of deer
BedaFomm@reddit
And they’re not native.
bitfitter22@reddit
Neither are fallow,sika or Chinese water deer only red and roe are native
Safari_Tom@reddit
And not everywhere.
mdmnl@reddit
For further clarity, classes as invasive/non-native
Cheap_Doughnut7887@reddit
Yeah, I was surprised to not see Red Deer mentioned, being the largest UK animal.
AMightyDwarf@reddit
Wouldn’t that be Bison?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6p250dw299o
Cheap_Doughnut7887@reddit
Oh. I actually read this article a few years ago. Very cool.
BastardsCryinInnit@reddit
Sburns85@reddit
If you are in Edinburgh. We have a population. Seen one on the cycle path between craigleith and pilton
BastardsCryinInnit@reddit
Unfortunately France is closer to me than Edinburgh!!!
I saw the red squirrels in NI on Spring Watch, they were at a National Trust place just east of Belfast and you can sit and watch them from the enclosures.
But, I do like the idea of hanging round a cycle path in Edinburgh. Would feel like a proper achievement!
Sburns85@reddit
Was the most random thing I saw. Really red squirrel just ran across the path in front of me. We also have deer in the city
FireWhiskey5000@reddit
Depending on where in the UK you live, Brownsea island in Poole harbour is a red squirrel stronghold.
BastardsCryinInnit@reddit
Thank you! Googling it now!
Im in East London so basically anywhere outside this little enclave is a faff to get to 😂 France is easier!
I saw the Northern Irish red squirrels on Spring Watch, seemed like a nice place to go!
FireWhiskey5000@reddit
I went to Brownsea as a kid, I think we saw a red squirrel, but can’t remember. It’s a national trust place and when looking on their website (to check before posting) they reckon they have about 250 red squirrels.
WatercressUpset8637@reddit
And you can only see wombles in Wimbledon
Sudden-Coast9543@reddit
Badger badger badger badger badger
Traditional_Bison472@reddit
Oh youre getting serious answers...
Floor-notlava@reddit
For South London: Fox; Grey Squirrel (an American import and interbred with our native reds, but very much native to London!); Crow; Hedgehog & Green Parakeet.
Professional-Deer-50@reddit
In Scotland the 5 top are Golden Eagle, Scottish Wildcat, Arctic Fox, Red Deer, Sea Eagle.
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
Take out the arctic fox, which hasn't been seen in the wild in Scotland since the last ice age, and replace it with the most Scottish creature of all: the midge.
Professional-Deer-50@reddit
Oops, my bad. I have seen them at the Highland Wildlife park but oviously not in the wild. You're quite right about the midge - they are the fiercest Scottish creature. On a holiday in Gairloch, I encountered 2 American tourists who refused to believe how bad the midges were - they thought it a hoax. I'm sure they found out eventually.
PaleozoicQueen@reddit
Hedgehog, Fox, Badger, Owl, Kestrel
Remote-Field4624@reddit
Fox, badger deer and lots of em., rabbits and moles just in pure numbers.
I wanted say some birds but maybe is another conversation and harder one.
Darrowby_385@reddit
Otters, hedgehogs, pinemartins, kingfishers, badgers. Can I have birds?
-_Error@reddit
Lots of cool animals to see in the UK but if I had to choose 5 it would be.
1.Otters 2. beavers 3. Wild pigs 4. White tailed eagle 5. Great bustard
Soggy-Blood9603@reddit
This is the Sunday morning thread I didn’t k ie I needed. Well done everyone 👏😂
_1489555458biguy@reddit
While the big 5 is a marketing term for me (I've seen most of them in the wild) the key commonality is that they're charismatic megafauna. These animals are big and dangerous which causes feelings of admiration and wonder when seeing them up close.
Britains big 5 should've included:
Straight tusked Elephant Narrow-nosed Rhinoceros Cave Bear European Bison or the Aurochs? Homotherium (scimitar toothed cat)
Today the list should include.
Leopard European Brown Bear Hippopotamus European Bison Golden Eagle or Osprey
I've done some elementary research on Wikipedia and I'm shocked to realise as an African that Leopard and Hippos used to be present in the UK 30 000 years ago.
The only difference is the presence of a large human population.
Spikyleaf69@reddit
Fox, badger, deer, eagle, haggis
bendybow@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog, deer, wild boar.
ShowMeYourPapers@reddit
Robins, foxes, badgers, pigeons, roadmen.
Identifiable2023@reddit
Hedgehogs
WhyAllNamesTaken_Noo@reddit
Maybe not part of the big five, but on my hikes I often see the grouse (often red grouse too) in the moorland and to me that is iconic. They are part of the landscape and I'd be sad if they weren't there
Extension-Truth@reddit
What about dogs (British breeds)?
Tom_FooIery@reddit
Badger, Fox, Deer, Haggis, Wombles.
CatalunyaNoEsEspanya@reddit
Hedgehog, badger, peregrine falcon, puffin, and red fox.
Oilfreeeggs@reddit
Badger, badger , badger , badger , badger
-C80-@reddit
Mushroom mushroom
LowEnergy1169@reddit
Snaaake
Margaet_moon@reddit
OoOooO snakkkkee snakkkkE
Margaet_moon@reddit
I am so happy there are others out there who still rememebr this video every time the hear badger mentioned.
WhatWeHavingForTea@reddit
Mashed potato?
Stunning-Profit8876@reddit
I live out in the sticks (Essex countryside) and the birds of prey are my favourites.
Buzzards, Red Kites, Kestrels, Peregrine Falcons and especially Owls.
Badgers, Foxes and Hedgehogs are always nice to see.
Slow worms, grass snakes and adders sadly not seen too much these days.
A shout out to my favourite non-natives, but now established: Wasp spiders and Muntjac deer
Cyril_Sneer_6@reddit
Yes it's the birds of prey which interest me. I see plenty of kites and buzzards round my way too. I also hear owls in the tall trees where I live but I never get to see them.
PatchworkMann@reddit
in manchester the wild animals i have seen in order of appearances
pigeon squirrel magpie seagull small garden bird thing crow/corvid thing rat fox deer rabbit toad/frog mole
castlerigger@reddit
For Scotland in particular it is red deer, golden eagle, red squirrel, otter and the pine marten.
UK wide I would say roe deer, fox, badger, hedgehog, otter.
mmoonbelly@reddit
Not a Wildcat in Scotland?
tmbyfc@reddit
Spice Girls
a4991@reddit
Puffin, beaver, hedgehog, red squirrel, red deer
Kirstemis@reddit
Robin, foxes, badger, midgies, dogs on strings.
No_Milk7278@reddit
pigeons
TensionWarm1936@reddit
Not seeing a lot of love in the comments for rabbits and hares, nor the various species of mice that inhabit these isles so here I am standing up for them!
urbanworm@reddit
Agreed, have seen so many native species but would love to see a hare in the wild…. Hell, I’ve not seen one out of the wild, they could be 6 foot tall or the size of a pigeon - no reference!
TensionWarm1936@reddit
Oh I didn't know that! Thanks for pointing it out.
RonBonxious@reddit
Rabbits and brown hares aren't technically native, but they have been here a long time (since Norman/Roman times I believe)
RobCarrol75@reddit
Golden Eagle has to be one of them. They are absolutely magestic
Nudie-64@reddit
I don't know about the UK as a whole, but Scotland has its own official big five.
Red deer, red squirrel, harbour seal, golden eagle and Scottish wildcat.
The wildcat is the most difficult to find even in the highlands.
DescriptionSignal458@reddit
Golden eagle, orca, stag, swallow tail, red squirrel.
Mean_Reference9749@reddit
Luckily, nothing that will kill you.
Elegant-Cash7897@reddit
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger.
tiorzol@reddit
Bodger?
accordionshoes@reddit
everybody knows.....
TheGreatBatsby@reddit
Mushroom? Mushroom?
Neat-Ostrich7135@reddit
Badger, badger, badger, badger, snaaaaake. I think you'll find.
Trick-Station8742@reddit
Old Greg
accordionshoes@reddit
badger, boar, fox, deer, scouser
Neat-Ostrich7135@reddit
Deer, otter, badger, fox, ? Maybe an eagle?
Historical_Heron4801@reddit
Pine Marten
imtheorangeycenter@reddit
Blobby
SquareEconomist1992@reddit
Badgers, Hedgehogs, Foxes, Robins, Cats&Dogs
AromaticVacation3077@reddit
Then why did my cat safari business fail?
SquareEconomist1992@reddit
What....
Crocodylus-niloticus@reddit
Fox, badger, red deer, roe deer, otter would by my choices
mankytoes@reddit
Merge the deers and add hedgehog, gotta have those cute little buggers in there.
dansmapoche@reddit
Fox, badger, squirrel, hedgehog, robin.
Night-King-001@reddit
Bodgers and/or Badgers, Bagpusses, Wombles, Peter Rabbitses, and Poohs.
DaughterOfATiredMech@reddit
Dog, cat, fox, pigeon, squirrel
lordsteve1@reddit
Red deer, Golden eagle, basking shark, otter, kingfisher.
They need to be rare enough that seeing them is a special thing; and you actually need to go looking for them for a decent chance.
BigPhatVideos@reddit
Purple Aki, Ronnie Pickering, John Smeaton, Danny G and John Fury.
Wrecked-Tum@reddit
Wasps, golden retriever, foxes, ant and dec
ChelseaGem@reddit
I think Anton Dec counts as one.
Old_Bat282@reddit
Mammals: Fox, badger, hedgehog, red squirrel, red deer.
Just looking at that list....is there some significance in the fact that so many of our native mammals are ginger?
ding_0_dong@reddit
Otter, Mole, Water Rat, Badger and Toad of Toad Hall
Cyril_Sneer_6@reddit
Ah I thought you were going to mention Toad in the Hole
chocklityclair@reddit
Roundabout painters and flag shaggers are quite common, as are foxes, pigeons and rabbits.
Swanlk67@reddit
These are subjective of course but I’m basing mine on rarity as much as individual impressiveness:-
Golden Eagle Osprey Dolphins / whales Mature stag Native Wildcat
AlphisH@reddit
If you ever go to a park, you'll see ducks, geese, swans and loons.
Michael_of_Derry@reddit
Wolves and bears should also be there.
Brilliant-Second5749@reddit
Badger,red squirrel,pine martin, red deer, hare
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
Fox
Badger
Red squirrel
Hedgehog
Maybe a stoat or otter?
Moomoocaboob@reddit
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger
jimmyboogaloo78@reddit
Ronnie pickering, A deer, Mr Blobby, The Wealdstone raider, a Badger..
MudNext5256@reddit
Ronnie Pickering, the Wealdstone Raider, Keith Lemon, Mr Blobby and Andy Peters.
Duncan_Evermind@reddit
Gruffalo, Wombles, Very hungry catapiller, Paddington Bear & Peter rabbit
EndRepresentative369@reddit
Fox, Pigeon, Badger, Magpie, Squirrel
IkeTurn@reddit
Red Deer, Golden Eagle, Red Squirrel, Otter, Common Seal
Dreadheaddanski@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog, deer, red kite
Wensley1963@reddit
Reintroduced, but I reckon Beaver 🦫
FireWhiskey5000@reddit
If you’re talking about the 5 people get most excited about seeing it’s probably: Badger, Otter, Barn Owl, Red Squirrel, Kingfisher. Though honourable mentions go to Adders and Puffins.
If you want an iconic 5 it’s possibly: Fox, Hedgehog, Red Deer, Robin and Harbour Seal or Puffin.
You could also have: Lion, Dragon, Unicorn, Irish Hare/Irish Elk and Robin.
RevDollyRotten@reddit
As you're in London: a pigeon with stringfoot, a massively fat royal park squirrel, a rat "the size of a small dog", a very angry seagull and Ken Livingstone bimbling about. Bonus if any of them are eating fried chicken scraps.
Aceleeds@reddit
Dunno but Wolf, beaver, and wild pig surely need to be in there
rich-tma@reddit
Badgers, badgers, badgers, badgers, badgers
ConradMurkitt@reddit
Hedgehog 🦔 ??
WGD23@reddit
Fox, badger, deer, otter, seal
soton_indies@reddit
Currently : spotted Woodpecker, green Woodpecker, golden eagle, tawny owl, barn owl
takeagamble@reddit
Badger, fox, deer, beaver, hedgehog
mdmnl@reddit
Fox, badger, red squirrel, cockapoo wearing a rainjacket that's considerably more flattering than anything I own, and wood pigeons (because they've been very vocal this week near us).
RebeliousStreak@reddit
Deer, badger, fox, barn owl, red squirrel
RebeliousStreak@reddit
Oh... Hedgehog was another but I didn't know which to swap out.
nonamelikethepresent@reddit
Has to be deer. Beautiful and great to see but common and less charismatic.
I like to think in a decade we can say Beavers and Pine Martens. Get the real rarities back and on the charisma list
Sburns85@reddit
Deer, foxes, badgers, red squirrels and robins. Have seen all them in the wild near Edinburgh as well. Deer especially are everywhere
levezvosskinnyfists7@reddit
Ronnie Pickering, Wealdstone Raider…
Iscan49er@reddit
Ones I have yet to see in the wild: badger, red squirrel, beaver, pine marten, dormouse
Neo-Riamu@reddit
The Lock ness monster
The Black shuck
The Welsh dragon
The Scottish Haggis
And my favourite The brownies
Limp-Attitude-490@reddit
And not forgetting the worst one of the lot, the Chav.
soton_indies@reddit
Depends if you mean now or before humans killed too many of them?
werewolfbutch874@reddit
Fox, badger, hedgehog are definitely the top three I think - they’re everywhere. You could almost make a whole top 5 just for Scotland with red deer, wild cats, pine martens and red squirrels, but you won’t see most of those in the rest of the UK. Maybe fox, badger, hedgehog, red kite, dormouse? I like red kites because there was such a successful conservation effort for them, and there’s a similar effort ongoing for dormice.
AcidHouseMouse@reddit
Nessie, Welsh dragon, unicorn, lion, haggis
Quiet_surprise79@reddit
White tailed eagle, boar, badger, otter and red deer
Nizz_Lord@reddit
My next door neighbours kids
Teleopsis@reddit
Grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, brown bear, red deer, aurochs
All native species but sadly our ancestors killed off all of them except the deer.
MostlyBoatsandBikes@reddit
Hedgehog
parsuval@reddit
Deer, fox, golden eagle, red squirrel, peregrine falcon
Images of stags are on everything touristy. Foxes thrive alongside us in cities and rural areas. Golden eagle used to be our largest bird of prey. Red squirrel are super cute. The Peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on the planet.
Bibdabob@reddit
Big Dave, deano, Jayden, Weatherspoons will and mutant mile mark.
Taylor_Kittenface@reddit
My back garden has hedgehogs, frogs, squirrels (grey), crows, and seagulls. I love them all, so put fat balls, nuts and seeds, and some cat food out year around.
Watching from my kitchen window, I do get annoyed when the seagulls make it to the food first. We have one wee magpie atm with a sore leg, and I just want him to get all of the seeds and nuts.
Historical_Cobbler@reddit
When I did a safari it was the big 5 the big 5 were hard to find, I didn’t see them all despite the drives we did, so I’m going for rareity.
Wildcat Pine martin Golden eagle Nessie Bison
YragNitram1956@reddit
Badger, Red deer, Fox, Otter and Pine marten. Or if you want another herbivore Roedeer.
KittyGrewAMoustache@reddit
Hedgehog badger otter dormouse red squirrel. Maybe tawny owl or barn owl.
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