The flora and fauna of Savoie

Savoie is full of surprises.
In this article, we'd like to take you on a journey of discovery of the species found around our resorts, in the hope that it will inspire you to come and see them for yourself.

It's important to respect the regulations and the advice to follow.
We would like to remind you that it is strictly forbidden to feed or touch the animals, as well as to pick wild species.
It is also essential not to leave the marked trails in order to preserve these species, especially in parks and nature reserves.

 

SAVOIE'S EMBLEMATIC FAUNA

 

La marmotte - the groundhog

  Scientific name : Marmota marmota

  Size : 50 cm for 3 to 7 kg

  Life expectancy : 6 to 15 years in the wild

 

Unsurprisingly, the marmot, this adorable herbivorous animal, can be easily observed at the end of winter.
After several months of hibernation and the depletion of their reserves, marmots emerge from their burrows, often followed by their marmottons in June.
It's not unusual to see them in full moult. This lasts about a month and enables them to adapt their fur to the summer season, with a shorter, lighter coat.

Marmots live in colonies and have a highly hierarchical family system, consisting of a dominant pair, a few young adults and young.
Their burrows, which can reach several dozen meters in length, comprise several areas with different functions : bedrooms, emergency exits and excrement areas.

On your next hike, pay close attention to their mode of communication.

If the groundhog whistles only once, briefly, the danger is from the sky.

On the other hand, if you hear several rapid whistles, the danger comes from the ground.
The best time to observe them is early in the morning and at the end of the day. The Plagne plateau is a place where they are numerous and love to play, so you should come across some.

 

 

Le bouquetin - the ibex

 

Scientific name : Capra ibex
Size : up to 1 metre at the toe / weight : between 60 and 120 kg
Life expectancy : 12 to 15 years

 

A symbol of the Vanoise National Park, the ibex has been saved from extinction thanks to major conservation efforts.
This exceptionally agile animal evolves on rock faces.
Males are distinguished by their imposing horns, which can reach up to a metre in length, while females' horns are finer and shorter.

 

In winter, the males compete in spectacular fights, which are decisive in gaining access to the females during the breeding season.
These confrontations establish a hierarchy : only the strongest and most robust individuals reproduce, which reinforces the vitality of the species while limiting inbreeding.

Unlike deer, their horns never fall off and continue to grow throughout their lives. The bulges on their horns allow us to estimate their age.

Like marmots, ibexes moult in spring and autumn.
Unlike marmots, however, they do not hibernate, but limit their movements during the winter.

 

A tip for observing them : go to the Refuge du Saut or, more easily, to Champagny-la-Vanoise, preferably early in the morning or at the end of the day.

The best time to see them is in May !

 

Le chamois

  Scientific name : Rupicapra rupicapra

  Size: 75 cm at the toe/ weight : 30 to 50 kg

  Life expectancy : 10 to 15 years

 

Shyer than ibexes, chamois are even more agile with their smaller size.
Chamois have keen eyesight and acute hearing, enabling them to detect movement at a distance of 300m.
They can whistle in warning if they feel in danger.
They share many features with ibexes, notably their diet, life expectancy and mating season.
The chamois has a very dark coat, especially in winter. Its horns are much smaller and curved like a hook.

More difficult to observe, the chamois is fast and nervous, and tends to hide in wooded areas on the edge of cliffs.

 

 

 

L'aigle royal - the golden eagle

Scientific name : Aquila chrysaetos
Span : up to 2,30 m /Weight : about 4 to 6 kg
Life expectancy : between 20 to 25 years in the wild

 

A majestic bird that has been present in the Alps for thousands of years, the eagle is a protected species.
It nests on cliffs at altitudes of between 1,000 and 2,500 meters.

With eyesight eight times as sharp as a human's, it can easily spot its prey.
Its powerful legs, equipped with sharp talons, enable it to capture and carry away prey weighing up to 5 kg.
It feeds mainly on marmots, but also on young chamois and ibex.

 

Did you know ? The eagle can reach top speeds of 160 to 200 km/h.

 

 

 

 

Le gypaète barbu - the bearded vulture

  Scientific name : Gypaetus barbatus
  Span : up to 2,80 metres/ Weight : 5 to 7kg.
  Life expectancy : 20 to 30 years

Recognizable by its red eyes circled in black, its rusty belly and its black “beard” drooping below its beak, the lammergeier can reach a wingspan of up to 3 meters.

 

It's a highly intelligent bird : it can recognize complex routes, remember precise locations and learn by observing others.
It is also very faithful: once in a pair, it stays with its partner for several decades.

Despite its imposing size, it remains discreet. It flies majestically, using thermal lift.

 

Described as the “cleaner of the peaks”, the lammergeier does not kill its prey.
Over 70% of its diet consists of bones, and sometimes the remains of other prey (tendons, cartilage, etc.).

Often, two eggs are laid, but only the stronger one survives by eliminating the other, a behavior known as cainism.

 

 

Good to know : this is the only ossivorous bird of prey. It digests bones with a highly acidic gastric juice, more powerful than that of vultures.
If the bone is too large, it drops it in flight to break it up, making it easier to ingest.

 

 

LE tétra-lyre - Black grouse

 

Scientific name : Tetrao tetrix
Size : 45 to 60cm / Weight : 0.8 to 1.4kg 
Life expectancy : 4 to 5 years  (10 if conditions are good)

Also known as the little capercaillie, the black grouse is a discreet but spectacular bird, particularly during its courtship display.
This takes place from late April to mid-May, at dawn, when the males arrive and engage in a courtship display that is both sonorous and physical.

Adopting a herbivorous and granivorous diet, the black grouse feeds mainly on alpine flowers, berries and a few insects.

Highly sensitive to disturbance, this species is in steep decline and is now highly protected. In fact, you'll find many protected areas in the ski area.

In winter, black grouse take refuge in “igloos” dug under the snow, to keep warm and escape predators.

Black grouse wintering areas are often off the beaten track.

It is therefore essential to :

• Respect the quiet zones marked by the parks,
• Do not go off-piste in high-altitude forests in winter,
• Keep dogs on a leash.

 

La vipère aspic - asp viper

  Scientific name : Vipera aspis
  Size : 50 to 70cm
  Life expectancy : 15 to 20 years

 

The only species of venomous snake in Savoie, the viper can be recognized by its triangular head, vertical pupils and shorter body than the snake.

The viper overwinters between October and April, then emerges as soon as temperatures reach around 10°C.
It is mainly found in dry, rocky areas with good exposure to the sun.

It feeds mainly on small rodents, but may also eat insects.

Despite its bad reputation, the viper is not aggressive by nature : it prefers to flee or camouflage. It will only defend itself if surprised or trampled.

Bites are still rare, fewer than 200 a year in France, despite the millions of hikers.
They are fatal in about one case per decade.

 

 Advice for hikers :

 - Don't walk in tall grass without a stick,

 - Watch where you put your hands when sitting on stones,

 - Wear closed shoes in rocky areas,

 - Never handle a snake, even a dead one,

 - Off the trail, stamp your feet loudly to signal your presence,

 - If you see one: give it time to run away.

 

 

FLORA : A wonder TO BE PRESERVED

 

Flowers are beautiful, and it's tempting to pick them as souvenirs or gifts. However, it is not advisable, or even forbidden, to do so in parks and nature reserves.

 

L'edelweiss - NOBLEWHITE

 

An emblematic, rare and precious flower, edelweiss is a true mountain symbol.
It can be recognized by its silvery-white, star-shaped felting and its small yellow flowers clustered in the center.

Found at high altitudes in rocky environments, it blooms between June and August.
It is particularly resistant to extreme conditions (even freezer-like temperatures of -20°C).

 

Did you know ? Legend has it that young lovers used to climb mountains to pick one, risking their lives to do so, as a token of their love.
The edelweiss can also be found on coins, military badges and logos, reinforcing its status as an Alpine icon.

 

 

 

 

 

Les gentianes des neiges - SNOW GENTIANS

Quite different from yellow gentian, snow gentian is a small alpine plant that grows to no more than 10 cm in height.
Its intense azure-blue color and five fused petals give it a delicate, singular beauty.
It is one of the first flowers to appear after the snow has melted, illuminating the still snow-covered landscape with its brilliant hues.

 

This plant is particularly fond of sunshine and clear days.
As soon as the sky becomes overcast or the temperature drops, it gently closes up, as if to protect itself from the elements.
This ingenious behavior enables it to preserve its pollen and optimize flowering during favorable periods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Le génépi

 

Also well known and appreciated as an aromatic plant, genepi is a small plant with stems between 10 and 30 cm long, silvery-gray leaves and delicate pale yellow flowers.

Its distinctive aroma is both aromatic and camphorated, easily recognized by connoisseurs.

Genepi grows mainly on rocky slopes and screes, at altitudes of over 2,000 meters, where conditions are harsh but perfectly suited to its growth.
It blooms between July and August, presenting its small, luminous flowers in the midst of Alpine landscapes.

 

Widely used to make the famous liqueur of the same name, génépi is also consumed as an infusion, notably for its traditional virtues against digestive disorders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

L'arnica

Ranging in size from 20 to 60 cm and bright orange-yellow in color, arnica is an easily recognizable plant, often compared to a large daisy.
It flowers between June and August, depending on the altitude at which it grows.

Arnica is well known for its medicinal virtues, particularly for soothing everyday aches and pains. However, it should only be used externally, with caution.

 

It can be used in various forms :

  - Oily macerate, obtained by macerating dried flowers in a neutral oil,

  - Gel, cream, ointment, compress or tincture, which you can prepare yourself for the more courageous, or easily find in pharmacies.

 

Arnica is particularly effective in soothing blows, bruises, sprains and muscle pain, making it a valuable ally for sportsmen and women and hikers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many other species are present, so take the time on your next hike to observe the local flora and fauna.

In Méribel-Mottaret, you're just a stone's throw from the Tueda nature reserve. There's plenty of information available at the Maison de la Réserve.

 

To make the most of this natural setting, remember to book your accommodation with Agence Saulire. Our catalog is available HERE.