flora & fauna

        Already at the first encounter Rab will welcome you with the fragrance of Mediterranean vegetation while woods of evergreen coniferous: oak, ilex (Quercus ilex), pines and cypresses (Cypressus sempervirens) prevent the island to be left deserted and bare in winter. Holly oak and pine forests on the Rab hills alternate with myrtle (Myrtus communis), Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) and other lower specifically Mediterranean macchia.

        A particular island preciousness is the wooded region Kalifront and the protected wood Dundo in it, with the greatest holly oak plantation on the Adriatic. Here also grow hollies or mock privets (Phillyrea latifoia), Scots and Austrian pines (Pinus nigra) and approximately a hundred cork oak trees, while of deciduous trees here grows the flowering ash tree (Fraxunus ornus). The thick macchia at the foot of the secular trees is interwoven with wild grape, ivy (Hedera helix) and other climbing plants, while ferns and various mushrooms grow close to the surface. The wood Dundo is famous also outside our country as the destination of many excursions, particularly of foresters and botanists.

        In 1912 professor Günter from Graz wrote "Rab is visited by numerous foreign tourists owing to the richness of its woods, the Komrèar park in particular, which was arranged by the head forester Belia...". And really the luxuriant vegetation of Komrèar is the pride of the islanders. In addition to already known plant species, Belia tried to cultivate some completely continental deciduous species but also some expressely Mediterranean ones in the park.Thus poplar trees, maple-trees and elms grow here, together with umbrella pines (Pinus pinea), a pine species growing only in the hot Mediterranean environment. Here one can find laurel and cypress- a characteristic of the Kvarner area as well as Dalmatian peculiarities: oleanders, rosemary, secular agaves, the pittosporum torbira, Indian figs and cacti of particularly beautiful blossom. Promenades along the sea coast and other smaller parks are also adorned by well-grown palms. The inhabitants of Rab have repaid Belia for his good deeds, by erecting his bronze bust at the entrance to the park.

        In addition to the Komrcar park, in the southwestern part there is an abundance of varied vegetation: pine woods, grassy valleys overgrown mostly with blackberry and whortleberry bushes. The most beautiful field flowers grow here: poppies, sweet violets, daisies, corn-flowers.

        In winter, owing to its mild climate, Rab is the dwelling place of many bird species (about 40 of them) and since everything is subject to tourism, the rich undersea world has been preserved, too. It is the habitat of starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sponges, corals, eatable crabs, various types of fish, pen-shells, mussel shrimps, scallops and other shellfish.

        Weasels and martens are the greatest predators in this area, they hunt field mice, rats, hares or rabbits and are the biggest autochthon mammals on the island, besides domestic animals. Does and deer stick to the wooded Kalifront, while in the valleys close to brooks and swamps frog concerts of tree-toads can be heard. Among reptiles the most numerous are lizards, while the green lizard is a rarity here. Curiously enough there are no venomous snakes on the island. Many insect species live on Rab but the most numerous are the varied multicoloured butterflies, while in summer cicada songs can be heard everywhere.