Protected Species - What are they?

There are 100s of protected species in Scotland, ranging from plants and fungi to insects to mammals like the Scottish wildcat. Use the links below to find out more about which species are protected, how they are protected and what this means to you. 

Protected mammals in Scotland

Find out more about which of our mammal species are protected and what this means.

Protected bird species

All wild birds in Scotland are protected, and some species receive a higher level of protection.

Protected amphibians and reptiles in Scotland

Find out which of our amphibians and reptiles are protected and what that protection means.

Protected fish in Scotland

Some of the rarer species of fish in Scotland receive legal protection.

Protected invertebrates in Scotland

Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like insects or molluscs.

Protected plants and fungi in Scotland

All wild plants are protected by law, and some species receive a higher level of protection.