Cicadas

Anyone visiting Sardinia in the height of summer will encounter them everywhere: cicadas. Their steady, intense buzzing is a typical sound of the Mediterranean region, produced by specialized drum organs on the males’ abdomens. With volumes of up to 100 decibels – comparable to a lawnmower – their song can dominate the soundscape of entire landscapes.

Cicadas spend most of their lives hidden underground, often for several years, before emerging for just a few weeks to mate. During this time, they are most active during the hottest hours of the day, when the air shimmers over olive groves and pine forests, and time seems to flow more slowly. The scent of myrtle, rosemary, and dry resin mingles with the unceasing sounds of their song, which only falls silent for a few seconds before starting again.

Cicadas are 2-5 cm long, with robust bodies and translucent wings, and their loud calls can be heard from trees and shrubs during the day. The most widespread species is the northern cicada (Cicada orni), whose loud, rhythmic buzzing can be heard from coastal groves to the hills. Several species of the genus Tibicina are also present, with at least four confirmed on Sardinia, including Tibicina corsica corsica and Tibicina nigronervosa. It is likely that many more singing cicada species exist on Sardinia, whose presence has not yet been fully studied.

In Mediterranean culture, cicadas have symbolized summer, endurance and joy of life since ancient times. Poets and philosophers admired their tireless singing, devoted only to the sun, only to the moment. On Sardinia, they are also considered a small charm of good luck in some regions, where it is said that a cicada resting on your hand brings fortune and success.

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Crabs

Sardinia is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, but behind the scenes of its lagoons lies a fascinating wildlife. It is worth taking a closer look, especially at the crab species that inhabit these calm coastal waters.

Lagoons such as Stagno Petrosu near Orosei provide ideal conditions for crabs: shallow water, muddy or sandy bottoms, and an abundant food supply. These small, quick-moving creatures are often found along the shoreline. Some species dig tunnels in the substrate, while others cleverly hide among stones and plants to escape predators like herons and seagulls.

Interestingly, crabs play an important role in the lagoon ecosystem by naturally improving the soil:

Crabs dig in the mud or sand and feed on organic material such as dead plant matter, algae, or small animals. By burrowing, they aerate and loosen the soil. This allows oxygen to penetrate deeper layers, enabling aerobic microorganisms – those that require oxygen to survive and decompose material – to work more efficiently and distribute nutrients more evenly.

Anything the crabs do not consume remains in or on the soil. This leftover organic material can be broken down by microorganisms, making nutrients available again for plants and other organisms. This process helps maintain a stable cycle of energy and nutrients. Without this natural recycling, organic matter could accumulate excessively, leading to oxygen depletion, an overgrowth of dominant microorganisms, or changes in soil structure.

In this way, crabs act as natural recyclers and soil caretakers, helping to keep the ecosystem stable, nutrient-rich, and well-aerated.

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Dolphins

To our great surprise, dolphins swam past us off the coast near Bari Sardo – an unexpected gift of nature, especially since we hadn’t expected to see them in this area at all! It was already an unforgettable moment: sunrise, an empty beach, no boats, just us, the sea, the earth, and the sky. And then – suddenly – the first dorsal fin appeared, right in the rays of the rising sun.

Watching dolphins in the wild is definitely one of those special experiences: their graceful surfacing, playful jumps, and the feeling of boundless freedom stay with you forever.

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is particularly native here and, with a bit of luck, can be spotted throughout the year. In the clear, deep blue waters around the island, these marine mammals find ideal conditions: abundant fish, sheltered bays, and relatively clean water. In addition to the bottlenose dolphin, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and occasionally striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) can also be seen.

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Grasshoppers and Crickets

Anyone wandering through Sardinia’s meadows and hills in the summer will inevitably notice a constant chirping. Behind this summery concert are, besides cicadas, two other groups of insects: grasshoppers and crickets. Their sounds bring the landscape to life.

Grasshoppers (2-8 cm long) are active during the day, like cicadas, and jump quickly through the grass when approached. Some species can leap up to 20 meters. With their strong hind legs and usually green, brown, or speckled bodies, they are perfectly adapted to the dry, sunny landscapes of Sardinia. Their chirping is produced by rubbing their hind legs against their front wings – a rhythmic, slightly scratchy hum. They create these sounds mainly for reproduction, to attract females, but also to deter rivals or predators.

Crickets (1.5-3 cm long), on the other hand, are active in the evening or at night. Despite their small size, they often sound surprisingly loud. Their steady, melodic trilling comes from rubbing the forewings together, serving the same purpose as grasshoppers: attracting females.

Crickets are smaller, darker, and less prone to jumping than grasshoppers. During the day, they hide in cool, sheltered spots such as soil or leaf litter, under stones, or beneath bark, remaining hidden until dusk. In contrast, grasshoppers are visible on meadows and fields during the daytime.

Both insect groups, as long as their populations remain in natural balance, are an indispensable part of Sardinian nature. They serve as food for many animals, including birds, lizards, frogs, and small mammals. Spiders and other predatory insects also prey on grasshoppers and crickets when they are small enough.

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Sheep and Goats

Anyone traveling through Sardinia will almost inevitably encounter them: sheep and goats, moving in small herds across the hills or gathering in the shade of ancient olive trees. In fact, there are more sheep than people on Sardinia, and their milk produces one of Italy’s most famous cheeses – Pecorino Sardo – a flavorful ambassador of Sardinian cuisine, still made today using traditional methods. Goat milk and cheese are also part of the shepherd’s diet, closely tied to nature and the seasons.

For centuries, sheep and goats have shaped not only the landscape but also the culture of the island. The sound of the bells around their necks carries a timeless quality, as if echoing ancient myths and songs.

During long journeys with their herds, shepherds developed a unique world of music and stories. They carved the launeddas from simple reeds – a triple wind instrument whose sound is still considered typically Sardinian – and preserved deep knowledge about herbs, weather signs, and the behavior of their animals, passed down from generation to generation.

In mythology, goats symbolize fertility and untamed life force, often depicted as companions of wild deities, while sheep have been associated since antiquity with purity, gentleness and the eternal cycle of life. Archaeological finds and old legends suggest that sheep sacrifices were once an important part of ritual practices.

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Spiders

Anyone walking attentively through nature can not only admire their delicate, intricately woven webs but also observe how skillfully spiders catch prey and move through their surroundings. On Sardinia, spiders are ubiquitous inhabitants of gardens, forests, and coastal areas. They play an important role in the ecosystem, keeping insect populations in check and maintaining a natural balance.

The variety of species to discover is fascinating: from tiny jumping spiders that dart through the undergrowth, to funnel-web spiders that construct funnel-shaped webs, to the striking orb-weavers. Some species can “read” their web through tiny vibrations, distinguishing whether a prey item or just a fallen leaf has landed.

Sardinia is also home to the Apulian tarantula (Lycosa tarantula), a wolf spider and one of Europe’s largest spiders. It can reach up to 30 millimeters in body length with a leg span of up to 80 millimeters and lives in self-dug burrows lined with silk threads. Particularly on warm summer nights, these spiders hunt insects and other small prey.

Wolf spiders, including the tarantula, have eight eyes arranged in a characteristic pattern. The central pair is especially sensitive to light, providing excellent night vision. Their eyes reflect light, similar to cats or dogs, thanks to a special layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. In the dark, when a flashlight or moonlight hits their eyes, they can glow silver, reddish, or greenish. Walking through Sardinian fields at night with a light, one may spot the “glowing points” of a tarantula in the grass – a truly captivating sight!

The Apulian tarantula is not aggressive and avoids humans. If handled or picked up, it may bite. While the bite can be painful, comparable to a bee sting, it is harmless to healthy people. Allergic reactions are very rare.

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Wild Boars

In the dense forests and mountainous regions of Sardinia, wild boars (Sus scrofa meridionalis) are native inhabitants. They usually remain shy but still shape the landscape. With their strong build and characteristic snout, they are perfectly adapted to life in the wild. Most are black, though some are gray, brown, or speckled. Impressively fast, they can easily climb steep slopes.

As omnivores, wild boars play an important role in the ecosystem: they spread seeds, loosen the soil, and help maintain balance in the forest. Near agricultural areas, however, they can sometimes pose a minor challenge for farmers. Their presence is often revealed during the cooler morning hours or at dusk by signs such as uprooted soil, broken roots, or freshly fallen acorns.

Unexpectedly, at the end of our trip, we were able to observe wild boars up close – right in Olbia! One evening on the balcony of our last accommodation, we noticed a dog barking incessantly outside. Looking down, we saw a family of wild boars moving beneath a large fig tree in the garden, including several young piglets! We were able to watch them for quite some time from the balcony before it became too dark to see anything clearly.

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