Animals in France (and what is dangerous?)

Something that recently grabbed my consideration was some of the differences regarding animals in France, say compared to, well, another country. But particularly those not nearby. This thought process came about because of a scream from an Australian guest. There was a spider, and since Australia has some pretty poisonous spiders, I think she was right to ask me if it was dangerous. My answer, in France there is essentially no animal or insect that can kill you. At least not intentionally. Some might want to hurt you, but they are not out to kill you. She was rather relieved.

France is Not Scary

France’s animals certainly lean toward the mild side of scary. In fact generally not scary at all. Of course, there are the typical expected animals, those that are pets. (Though weirdly there is no French word for ‘pet’. Which in itself says something.) Dogs are very popular here, both in cities and the countryside, and especially certain breeds. I’m going to generalise, but typically dogs fall into two categories – small pet or large guard dog. One is trained to behave well and join the owner in cafes and restaurants. The other to bark and look frighteningly at anyone that comes near their territory. Every now and then, they are both.

Cats too are popular, but maybe more so in the rural areas. Easier to roam free. And catch mice. I have my own collection of cats, though only one is good at catching mice (Noisette).

But there is so much more to the animal kingdom than cats and dogs. And the species and perspectives are often unique to a place. So I thought I might delve into some of the differences I have discovered. Yeah, sort of a weird topic, but since I realised there are some very real differences, maybe it is worth considering. Particularly if you wish to live in France.

Ducks

I’ll start with ducks since I have pet ones. For most people in France ducks are considered good eating. If not eating, then ornamentation. That is they buy the more exotic ducks to sit on a pond. Think wood duck, or call duck (those all white little ones).

When I had dwarf mallards, I was asked all the time if I was raising them to eat. And when I responded, no, that they were pets, this just caused confusion. These days my flock is all call ducks, cute all white ducks, and not surprisingly now I never get asked (unless they are not seen) whether I will eat them.

One thing you discover about France when here is that the French will eat everything, and every part of everything, especially in animal form. Some stems from necessity (starvation in times of war), but more these days its about not wasting.

Hunting

Hunting is popular in France, but I would not call it a sport. Rather it is more tradition, and additional food for the table. Free food, excepting the time and effort that goes into attaining. And these days, interestingly and conversely, the hunters are also tasked with protecting the environment and its biodiversity. Since 2019, hunters are key in managing wetlands, hedgerows and fallow land.

There are over 90 variety of animals that can be hunted in France. Essentially small game, certain birds including waterfowl, land predators (think fox) and bigger game, such as deer or boar. No surprise, there are also all sorts of rules about hunting. It is France after all, and it loves, loves, loves rules. Which, considering this topic, it a good thing. Also, a Permis de Chasser is required – which includes having to pass a 1 hour written and in the field examination.

Boar

Boar is France’s biggest ‘pest’. Since the 1980s there has been a massive increase in boar through France. They were even pictured on the beaches of Nice during the Pandemic. A cull is now required every autumn / winter to try to manage their numbers. (And boar is a prized meat for a variety of home and restaurant dishes at this time.) Originally descended from domestic pigs they now roam mostly forests and woodlands. Excepting the odd beach loving one.

The male boars in France are known for their size, able to achieve 150+kg (330lbs). The females are much smaller. I have heard them now and then as they often travel as a family of females and young. When they travel as a herd they snuffle through the undergrowth, digging a lot, and generally making a lot of noise. They leave a trail of devastation behind them, so its easy to see where they have been. But in over a decade living here I can count on one hand the times I have seen a boar, and then only at night.

Deer

The roe or red deer is the largest mammal in France. Saying that, it is not very big. Taller than a boar, though not by much if the boar is full grown, and certainly lighter. Typically they are only 70cm (28 inches) high. Very shy and often alone or only in pairs, if not a small herd, they also reside mostly in forests and wooded lands. Like the boar, I have seen very few, though more than the boar. And this was typically at dawn or dusk only.

Their numbers declined after World War II, but have built back up since then, mainly because they have no natural predator in France. Except man. They are hunted, but numbers are strictly controlled so as not to decimate them again.

Small Game

Small game is classified as wild rabbits, birds, foxes, etc. Hares abound here (see what I did there? abound?). Honestly have you ever seen a hare? They truly bound through fields. I once had guests describe one they had seen, wondering what it was. Finally we determined it was not a small dog as they thought (due to the ears and bounding) but a hare.

Foxes too are quite common, though more in wooded areas than fields in comparison to hares. But the concept of the urban fox has not yet occurred here in France. They are rarely seen in fact, more the results of their visits to chicken coops in rural areas that keeps our awareness of them on high. I have only once seen a fox, but I have seen multiple hares. The latter prefer dawn and dusk as well.

I have seen more weasels (or polecats), minks and/or stoats then foxes. Usually seen only when they are running across a road, so its hard to tell what type of Mustelidae species they are. Again, they are a predator of chickens and ducks, so there is more awareness of them as potential danger than there normally would be, at least for me. Badgers, though like the boar they tend to come out only at night. And like boar tend to leave behind signs of their being about, rather than actually sightings.

Reptiles

You may be happy to know there are no snakes in France that can actually kill you. There are supposedly 13 varieties of snakes. And yes the viper is included in this. Certainly a very real ouch should one bite you, after all there are fangs involved. And medical attention should be sought. But in all my years in France I have never seen one. I have seen the most common snake, the Aesculapian. 2 times. And it was the same snake as it lived in the garden and liked to raid my veg patch. They look fearful because they can grow to 1-2 meters (yards) in length. But no fangs, and very shy. So more an exciting sighting than scary.

Lizards, Geckos and Salamanders on the other hand are a dime a dozen. Come summer you will see them crawling up walls, sunbathing on windowsills or skittering into a crevice should they spot you (or your cat). There are some differences between them, though I couldn’t tell you from seeing them zip around. Technically Geckos and Lizards are reptiles, hence the sunbathing, so I guess technically easier to spot. While Salamander are amphibians and more comfortable near water. Fun fact – King Francis 1st decided on the Salamander as his symbol (with a crown on his head, of course!). Supposedly the salamander can survive fire, as well as live in water, and breathe air. So the salamander historically symbolised unwavering strength against adversity.

Insects

Again France is really quite mild when it even comes to insects. Especially pesky insects. Certainly they exist. And some areas are worse than others.

Flies

There is the fly season, the first of the pesky insects, that show up in June as things warm up. Not horse flies, just fly flies. Small and annoying, and still can’t figure out how to get out of a room they’ve entered, no matter how much you wave your arms about.

Mosquitoes

Then come the ubiquitous mosquito. Honestly is there anywhere on the planet without mosquitoes?! However, having lived and travelled in many mosquito infested countries and areas, I can attest that the mosquitoes of France are not bad at all. Almost singular in places, at least where I have lived. Still even 1 is annoying with that high pitched buzz – which even a mosquito net can’t deter. But the bites are nonsensical compared to say Alaska or Sweden. I can cope with 1 a night that doesn’t even itch come morning (though I suspect that depends on each persons reaction to their bite).

Augusts

But then there is the August or Aout bug, also known as chiggers. Tiny microscopic insects that show up in August (hence the name) and boy does their bite itch! Or maybe its’ just me and my reaction to them. They are so bad, for me, they even deserved their own post – Bugging Bugs.

Spiders

And thinking back to that Aussie scream, we mustn’t forget spiders. There are 1600 spiders in France, but only 2 are really considered dangerous. That’s a pretty good percentage. There’s the recluse, which by its name is not readily seen as it is super shy. And the black widow. Though the French black widow is different from those found in North and South America. (Sure, now you are picturing a black spider in a red beret leaning up against a lamppost and smoking a cigarette on a long stem. Am I right?) Really its the European Black Widow, but France is in Europe, so hey I though I would put that picture in your head. She doesn’t have the hourglass on her back and even better, is less potent than her American counter part.

Still of the vast variety of spiders some do get quite big. Not full blown tarantula sized big, but still scream in the shower big for those who really don’t like spiders. The Tarantula Wolf Spider is technically of that family but smaller than the average tarantula. And the Giant House Spider, well honestly the clue is in the name. And it’s one of the most common spiders in France. But harmless. So no screaming (as they like to hang out in showers). Me, I love them as they eat mosquitoes, so am happy to have them visit.

Chickens and Cockerels

Sort of full circle from ducks to chickens. And cockerels, especially as they are the symbol of France. If you visit the countryside, even some villages and small towns, you will hear the sound of chickens and cockerels crowing. As almost every home has a potager (a vegetable garden) many houses also keep chickens, and often a cockerel as protections from many of those small mammals mentioned above. Chickens are kept for the eggs of course, but also meat.

So if you are not a fan of the sound of poultry, don’t move the countryside of France. Which is about 95% of France I think. Those animal and countryside sounds are protected by law. Yup. Honest. So many people moved from cities to the countryside during/after the Pandemic lockdowns and then complained of countryside noises that a law was brought in here protecting those rural sounds (and smells). You gotta love France for its love of rules. Otherwise, don’t move here.

Animals France does not have

And in case you are curious on the animals France does not have: no skunks, possums, raccoons or armadillos, cobras, pythons or alligators/crocodiles.

Basically what is listed above is about it. A few are probably missing, like birds, bats, mice and rats, but you can lump them somewhere into the above. And anyway most of those above you will not see, even after a decade of living in France. Trust me, when it comes to animals in France, it is really rather boring.