Estonia is a country that is situated in northern Europe and it is bordered by the Gulf of Finland to the north, the Baltic Sea to the west, Latvia to the south, as well as Russia and Lake Peipus to the east, this little (only by size, not by the power of their spirit) Baltic state has huge sea wildlife areas and fabulous forests, so Dangerous Animals In Estonia you can meet?

The country is unique because of the surrounding waters, which give it distinct fauna and flora.  The two main islands Hiiumaa and Saaremaa make up the largest areas of the country.  Tallinn is the capital and here you will find some of the most unique cuisines that you are going to explore in Europe. It is important to note that numerous creatures inhabit the waters and the mainland of the country.  Estonian is the most common language although Finnish is also spoken in most parts of the country.  Since the country lies on the shores of the Baltic Sea a major part of the country is, lowlands while only a few areas are high at about 1043 feet above sea level.  The country has over 1400 lakes and these are some of the best environments for different species to thrive. When traversing this part of the world then you should watch out for dangerous creatures of the sea.

The cuisine in the country is mostly based on marine creatures; however, you can find some authentic dishes that are only made in this region.  The country is part of the Baltic nations hence a major political territory.  While a majority of the people in Latvia and Lithuania are Baltic, people a large part of Estonians are linguistically and culturally Finnish.  The country is located in the northern part of Europe, this is where the most predominant climate is the temperate climate, and it also transitions between continental and maritime. The eastern part of Estonia is mostly maritime while the western part is continental. The average temperature in this region is 44 degrees Fahrenheit hence moderate very cold. The country is home to a wide array of fauna and flora and there are huge mammals that you will only find in this part of the world and nowhere else.  There have been other creatures that were on the verge of extinction, however, different measures have been put in place and currently, they are surging back.

Why visit Estonia

Estonia is a beautiful country and it is a fantastic location for some exceptional wildlife. The people in this region are friendly and they will guide you to some of the best spots in the region.  The history of the country is rich and when you visit, you have the chance to explore some of the best sites in the country.  Estonia alongside its Scandinavian countries makes some of the best locations to go and see some of the unique animals that you are going to only find in Europe. Outside the amazing and beautiful architecture in the capital, the rest of the country features a rugged landscape and coastal regions, which are perfect for hiking, watching, and exploring various fun activities in the region.

There are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in this region and it is important that you are careful during your visit to different parts of the country.  Here are the animals that you should watch out for during your visit to Estonia.

Gray Wolf

The grey wolf is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your visit to Estonia. It is the national animal of this country hence this goes to show how the people in the region value the animal and the population has begun to increase ever since the government in place began putting in measures that are geared towards the protection of the creature.  The dense forests of the country mean that you are likely to meet carnivorous predators during your visit to the region. They are known to thrive in the forests and snowy parts of the region. They usually stay in packs and you must watch out for these creatures because they can be very dangerous.

Further reading: dangerous animals in Poland

Although gray wolf attacks are rare in Estonia, it does not mean that you joke with them.  Hunting and other human activities have threatened the lives of these creatures. They have become more defensive and will attack whenever they feel that they are being cornered. You must take your time to explore the region and know some of the iconic creatures found in the area.  Most of the habitats that you are likely to find the gray wolf is in the wooded or rocky areas and you should maintain a safe distance from them to avoid any altercation.

European eel

This is one of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter during your trip to Estonia. They are found in the waters of the country. It is often considered a delicacy in some cultures.  When it is treated as food, it does not pose any major threat. However, in its natural habitat, this creature is exceptionally dangerous and you should keep a very safe distance.

They are known to generate electricity of up to 550 kilovolts. This is enough to shock you dead. It is essential that you consider your safety when traversing different parts of the country.

Wild boar

Wild boar in Israel

Wild boars are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to encounter in Estonia. These creatures are found in different parts of the country and you should watch out for them because they can cause havoc. Despite the wild boars being herbivores, they are known to be very dangerous creatures because during their hunting expedition or digging for tubers and rhizomes they can attack you if they feel that you are a threat to them. They are abundant in Estonia and if you are going to explore different parts of the country then you should watch out for these creatures.

They are mostly found in the forests and the woodlands of Estonia. They usually have tusks that are used for protection and in as much as they do not pose threat to humans they can attack out of self-preservation.  While you might want to explore their habitats, it is always important that you keep a safe distance from these creatures.

Brown bears

Brown Bear in Tierpark Goldau, Switzerland

Perhaps the most common breeds of bears that you are going to find in different parts of the world are brown bears.  Estonia is home to a very large population of brown bears and you should ensure that you explore the different parts of the country well before anything.  If you are traversing the country then there is a high chance that you might encounter them during your trip. These brown bears are often in the woodlands and the dense forests of Estonia.  Bear-watching is one of the fun activities that you can do during your visit to Estonia.

You are guaranteed the best experience when you visit this country.  It is important that you treat these creatures with caution because they can cause severe damage and injuries to your body.  The unpredictability of these species is what makes them very dangerous. A brown bear is unlikely to attack you if you are going to keep a safe distance from them. However, when they feel threatened then they are going to attack you immediately. Most of the attacks in the country occur when young mothers are with their cubs hence in their protective nature, they will attack anyone on their territory.

Wolverine

The wolverine is one creature that you are going to encounter during your trip to Estonia. You will find them thriving in their solitary life in the forest.  Even though you might be fooled that they are living a solitary life these creatures are known to attack with precision. Their cuteness should not fool you or make you assume that they are docile creatures and will not attack whenever they are startled. Human activities are some of the factors that have contributed to the reduction in the numbers of these creatures.

They have a deep distrust of humans hence they are going to monitor you from a distance and will not hesitate to attack you whenever they are feeling threatened. They have impeccable ferocity and even with their small stature they will attack, and kill both prey and predators that are bigger than they are.  Always stay safe when exploring this region.

Common European adder

Common adder

The common European adder is one of the deadliest snakes that you are going to find in Estonia. These snakes are found virtually anywhere in the country hence the need to be careful when moving from one part to another in Estonia. Depending on the region you are visiting, you will hear it being called other names such as European viper or common European viper. They have fangs that are used to deliver potent venom.  The venom from the snake is enough to kill smaller animals such as rats, rabbits, and rodents among others. This means that it is active and it can cause severe effects on your organs. It is important that when you are exploring different parts of the country you should ensure that you keep a safe distance from this creature.

They are found in almost all habitats hence their varied diversity. You should not mistake them for being docile because the venom is known to cause a severe allergic reaction in people with allergen profiles.  If you are exploring the country and you are bitten by a snake then you should immediate medical attention. Many people tend to underestimate this snake because the symptoms might seem mild in some people hence, they do not think it can cause fatalities. One of the features of venom is that it causes respiratory failure which leads to death by asphyxiation.

Bats

Bat

Perhaps this might seem that it is negligible or something that cannot cause any danger to humans. However, you are mistaken; bats are some of the most dangerous creatures that you are going to find in the region. There are different bat species in Estonia and they are found in different areas such as urban areas and even in the mountains and woodlands.

The bats are known to carry bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that can cause severe diseases and infections in humans. According to recent research, the bats are main carriers of bacteria that causes the severe acute respiratory syndrome, Ebola. There have been numerous studies linking them to rabies as well. While they are harmless creatures, you should always watch them from a distance because otherwise, they can cause severe infection.

Sea lamprey

Perhaps this is not what you expected to be on the list. However, the sea lamprey is a bottom dweller and since Estonia is covered by numerous waterbodies then you are likely to find them traversing different parts of the country. These creatures are nicknamed vampire fish because of their parasitic nature and impeccable teeth.  It is often considered a parasitic sea creature hence the need to avoid them during your trip to the region.

They usually grow up to 2 feet long and they are known to attack anything that comes their way. Although unprovoked attacks are rare, you should watch out for them because you never know when they can attack. Especially if you are into water sports and you find yourself in their habitat then they might cause attacks.

Eurasian lynx

The Eurasian lynx is another creature that you are going to encounter during your trip to Estonia. This is a common creature especially deep in the dense forests of the country. The number of these creatures has dwindled over the years because of various factors such as habitat degradation and climate change. It is imperative to note that they are very sly creatures and you might not even see them if you are not keen during your travel to the region. You should always ensure that you are keeping a safe distance from them because they have sharp claws and teeth, which are used in attacking anything that interferes with them in their habitat.

The lynx is known to have a strong pack mentality hence will hang around and attack you whenever they are feeling threatened or you are in their territory.  They vary in color depending on the region you are going to find them; it is always important to know how aggressive these creatures can be when startled.

 

 

Aurimas Bio

Hi there! I’m Aurimas, a man behind Go Look Explore. I’m passionate about hiking, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and everything outdoors related. Let’s connect.