The Island’s southerly location makes it a popular place for a great deal of wildlife. While best known for its red squirrels, the Island is home to other creatures that may take you by surprise.

Ventnor supports wildlife rarely found elsewhere in the UK thanks to its microclimate. The town hosts the largest colony of common wall lizards in Britain. The hotel has the perfect breeding spots for lizards, making it almost guaranteed to see one basking on a sunny day.

In addition, the island is one of the last red squirrel havens in England, with these shy natives often spotted in the gardens' woodland areas.

The nearby downs are home to feral goats introduced to manage holm oak, another Mediterranean species that thrives here, and also provide habitat for the rare and beautiful Glanville fritillary butterflies.

Offshore, Ventnor’s marine environment thrives as well. Visitors may catch glimpses of dolphins, basking sharks, and other marine species that flourish in the sheltered, oceanic waters, an extension of Ventnor’s biodiversity above and below the waves.

Migratory birds pause here on their way north for summer or south for winter – and among those making a pit stop is the osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey – which often plashes down at Newtown National Nature reserve on the edge of the Solent.

Another bird of prey that offers a thrilling spectacle in flight is the peregrine falcon. You can often see this fine-tuned hunting machine in action in the grounds of Farringford House or along the cliffs of Tennyson Down. In spring and summer, the lower cliffs at nearby Freshwater are one of the few remaining breeding sites in southern England for guillemots.

If that were not enough, the Island recently released six juvenile white-tailed eagles along its eastern coast.

Read More at the link below. https://slowwighttravelguide.c...

Just a short drive from Ventnor, Amazon World Zoo Park in Newchurch is the Isle of Wight’s largest exotic animal attraction and a brilliant day out for all ages. Home to over 100 rare and beautiful species. From sloths and toucans to armadillos and lemurs, it lets you walk through rainforest habitats, spot tropical birds in flight, and enjoy keeper talks and meet-the-animal experiences. There’s also Monkey Madness, a jungle-themed soft play perfect for kids, plus a cafe, gift shop, and plenty of shaded paths. Open almost every day throughout the year.

https://www.amazonworld.co.uk/

Whatever the weather, Tapnell Farm Park and our new Aqua Park are guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained! There’s something for everyone and all ages are welcome! Meet our farmyard friends including our miniature donkeys, pigs and alpacas or head out to the Wallaby Walkabout to get up close with our friendly wallabies and cheeky meerkats. Find out more about our animals in our Meet the Animals area with regular talks from the Farm Park keepers. Explore the straw barn, whizz down the zip wire or get bouncy on our trampolines and giant jumping pillows! Kids of all ages (yes, even parents and grandparents!) love the pedal karts, mini golf and football shoot-out area too. Our awesome Aqua Park is the Isle of Wight’s bounciest and best attraction! It will have you splashing, sliding and laughing all the way round the 20 obstacles made up of giant free-fall slides and fun (but challenging!) elements too. Coming this summer, the Island's first Football Golf course! When you’re ready to relax, there’s plenty of mouth-watering treats, snacks and drinks to choose from in our café or head over to The Cow Restaurant & Bar for the best burgers on the Island! Please note, Tapnell Farm Park and Isle of Wight Aqua Park are separate businesses and each has its own separate entrance.

https://tapnellfarm.com/

We’re the Isle of Wight’s award-winning primate rescue centre. A place to relax, have fun in the fresh air and meet some amazing animals. Our sanctuary is for animals in need of care and attention. You’ll learn all about these fascinating creatures, their personalities, and how they came to be at the Haven. Many were rescued from tragic situations, found tied up in airports, or badly neglected by their previous owners. We rescue and rehabilitate owls that have injuries and wouldn’t survive in the wild. And we also look after reptiles and a mob of meerkats. Come and say hello.

https://monkeyhaven.org/

Just a few miles from Sandown, Alverstone Mead is one of the Isle of Wight’s most peaceful nature reserves. About 28 hectares of woodland, wet meadows, and wildflower areas.

Right in the heart of it is the Red Squirrel Hide, a raised hide surrounded by trees and canopy, where you can quietly watch red squirrels leaping from branch to branch throughout the year. The hide is accessed via raised walkways.

It’s a calm, immersive spot where wildlife lovers can spot not just squirrels, but kingfishers, dormice, bats, and woodland birds. It’s one of the best places to experience native red squirrels on the Island.