Apart from the magnificent western green lizards (Lacerta bilineata), there are of course many other fascinating animals to be found in Ticino: not only reptiles such as the green whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus), but also mammals like roe deer (Capreolus capreoulus) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and beautiful insects like the scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) or the praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) - and of course many species of birds. The southern Swiss canton is rich in biodiversity, and many typical species of Ticino regularly visit the gardens of our small village in the Malcantone region, including mine.

But not all of these animals are visitors; some - like the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) or the wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) - are permanent residents that greet me on a daily basis. Others are very rare, or they are so shy that they never dare venture any closer than to the outer fringes of the village. On this page I would like to present a selection of some of my favorite representatives of the fauna ticinese, all photographed in my garden or at the most a few meters outside.