Netherlands
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Animals
National Animal
The Lion“We have more to learn from animals than animals have to learn from us.”
A.D.Williams
Animals commonly seen in the wild
Marine fauna:
Crabs, shrimps, lobsters, squids, catfish, anemones, porpoises.
Birds:
Hawks, ospreys, plovers, geese, sandpipers, gulls, common swift, spoonbills.
Land mammals:
Shrews, bats, roe deer, stoats, hedgehogs, hares, squirrels.
Snakes and insects:
Lizards, turtles and terrapins, scorpions, spiders, viper snakes, crocodiles.
Common sights you will not like
In the city and on the road
Stray cats are quite common. Horse drawn carriages can be seen being used by tourists in some cities. Food carts selling fish (especially herring) are often seen.
In theCountryside
Horseback riding is still quite popular.
Ratings for Netherlands Animals
On passing laws sanctioning cruelty to animals (from A -best- to G -worst) according to the World Animal Protection Index:
B
Hunting or poaching:
Hunting is allowed with a licence. Animals commonly hunted are deer, hares, rabbits and birds such as mallards, pheasants, wood pigeons. Unfortunately poaching of endangered species like Barbary macaques, rhinos, reptiles etc. is is still happening.
Animal fights:
Animal fights are banned in the Netherlands. Though underground dog fighting still takes place.
Sanctuaries to visit or volunteer:
N/A
We have not included the treatment of animals in the meat/fur/leather industries, zoos or circuses, animal testing as it unfortunately still happens in most countries.
