The Wild Advent colouring book features a different species of British wildlife to colour every day in the run-up to Christmas. It offers a great opportunity to introduce children (aka our future generation of conservationists and wildlife warriors) to the amazing wildlife we have right here on our doorsteps.
The colouring book includes lots of popular European species, as well as some less well known animals that you might never have heard of!
In this post, I'll introduce you to each species in the colouring book, including a note on their conservation status, so you can engage in conversations about our native wildlife as you count down the days to Christmas.
1. Hare
The brown hare is one of Britain’s most iconic mammals, recognisable by its long ears and fast, bounding runs across fields. Hares were introduced to the country by the Romans. Despite their widespread presence in the UK, their numbers have been declining, largely due to changes in agricultural practices. They are classified as a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss and predation.
Fun Fact: Hares can run at speeds of up to 45 mph, making them one of the fastest land animals in Britain.
2. Natterjack Toad
The natterjack toad is a rare amphibian in the UK, known for the loud, rasping call that males produce during mating season. It lives in sandy coastal areas and heathlands, but its population has dwindled due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are in place to protect its remaining habitats, and the natterjack toad is listed as a protected species under the UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Fun Fact: Natterjack toads are nicknamed the “running toads” because, unlike most toads, they move by running instead of hopping.
3. Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are a much-loved species in Britain, frequently found in gardens. Unfortunately, they’ve seen a significant decline, with their population plummeting due to habitat fragmentation, road accidents and changes in farming. Hedgehogs are now listed as a vulnerable species, and conservation initiatives encourage creating hedgehog-friendly environments.
Fun Fact: Hedgehogs have about 5,000 to 7,000 spines on their backs, which they can raise as a defence mechanism when threatened.
4. Hazel Dormouse
The hazel dormouse is a tiny, nocturnal rodent found in southern England and Wales. They hibernate through the winter and rely on woodland habitats rich in fruit, nuts and insects. Habitat fragmentation has placed the species under threat, making it one of the UK's most endangered mammals.
Fun Fact: Hazel dormice can sleep for over six months during hibernation, curling into a tight ball to conserve heat.
5. Great Crested Newt
The great crested newt is Britain’s largest and most striking newt, with a distinctive jagged crest along the males' backs during the breeding season. These newts are protected by law, as their populations have declined due to pond loss and agricultural intensification. They are a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Fun Fact: During the breeding season, male great crested newts perform an elaborate underwater courtship display to attract females.
6. House Sparrow
House sparrows are small, lively birds often found around human settlements. Sadly, they have seen a sharp decline in recent years, particularly in urban areas, where loss of nesting sites and food sources has contributed to their drop in numbers. Despite this, they are still a common sight and a reminder of nature in urban spaces.
Fun Fact: House sparrows have been living alongside humans for over 10,000 years, thriving in urban and rural environments.
7. Otter
Once on the brink of extinction in the UK due to pollution and habitat destruction, otter populations have made a remarkable comeback thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Though you will be lucky to see one, these elusive creatures are now found across the UK, thriving in clean rivers and lakes.
Fun Fact: Otters use 'tools', such as rocks, to crack open shellfish and other hard-shelled prey.
8. Red Deer
The red deer is Britain’s largest native land mammal, with a presence in the highlands of Scotland and parts of England. Although their numbers are stable, their habitats are often impacted by human activities, such as forestry and hunting. Red deer are a majestic symbol of the British countryside.
Fun Fact: Male red deer, known as stags, grow and shed their antlers each year, with the largest sets appearing in autumn during the mating season.
9. Brown Long-Eared Bat
The brown long-eared bat is a quiet, whispering flyer found in woodland and rural areas. Like many bats in the UK, this species is under threat due to habitat destruction and loss of roosting sites. Bats play a vital role in controlling insect populations and are fully protected under UK law.
Fun Fact: The brown long-eared bat’s ears are almost as long as its body, giving it incredible hearing for hunting insects in complete darkness.
10. Sand Lizard
One of Britain’s rarest reptiles, the sand lizard inhabits heathlands and sand dunes. Loss of habitat has resulted in a significant decline, but conservation work, including habitat restoration and reintroduction programs, has been helping their numbers to recover.
Fun Fact: Male sand lizards turn bright green during the breeding season, making them one of the most colourful reptiles in the UK.
11. Pine Marten
Pine martens are small, tree-dwelling mammals found mainly in the woodlands of Scotland. After years of persecution, they are now making a recovery thanks to legal protection and reintroduction efforts. Pine martens are also critical to controlling grey squirrel populations in some regions.
Fun Fact: Pine martens have semi-retractable claws that help them climb trees with ease, making them agile hunters and foragers.
12. Beaver
Reintroduced to the UK after centuries of absence, beavers play a crucial role in improving biodiversity. Their dam-building activities create wetlands, which benefit a wide range of species. Beavers are now successfully established in parts of Scotland and England.
Fun Fact: Beavers’ teeth are orange because they are coated in iron, which helps them stay strong and gnaw through wood.
13. Water Vole
Water voles are under serious threat from habitat loss and predation by invasive American mink. They are one of the UK’s fastest-declining mammals, but conservationists are working hard to protect and restore their habitats.
Fun Fact: Water voles are sometimes called 'water rats', but they are not closely related to rats at all.
14. Curlew
With its long, curved beak, the curlew is an unmistakable sight in British wetlands and grasslands. However, their numbers are in steep decline, primarily due to habitat loss. Curlews are now a priority for conservation efforts across the UK.
Fun Fact: The curlew’s distinctive 'cur-lee' call is one of the most recognisable bird sounds in Britain’s wetlands.
15. Red Fox
The red fox is one of the most adaptable species in Britain, thriving in both rural and urban areas. Despite being a common sight, foxes face challenges such as habitat destruction and conflict with humans. They remain an integral part of Britain’s ecosystem.
Fun Fact: Red foxes have incredible night vision, thanks to a layer of cells in their eyes that reflect light, helping them hunt in the dark.
16. Brown-Lipped Snail
Often found in gardens and woodlands, the brown-lipped snail is a small yet fascinating creature, playing an essential role in the ecosystem by helping decompose plant matter. They are widespread and not currently under threat, making them a common feature of the UK’s natural landscape.
Fun Fact: The 'lip' in the brown-lipped snail’s name refers to the brown band on the opening of its shell, a distinguishing feature of this species.
17. Grey Seal
The grey seal is one of two seal species in the UK and can often be seen basking on rocky shores or swimming in coastal waters. The population is considered stable, but they face threats from pollution, entanglement in fishing gear and climate change.
Fun Fact: Grey seals can dive as deep as 70 metres (230 feet) and hold their breath for up to 16 minutes while hunting underwater.
18. Basking Shark
The basking shark is the world’s second-largest fish, often spotted off the UK’s coasts during the summer. While they are harmless filter feeders, their numbers have declined due to overfishing and are now protected under UK law.
Fun Fact: Despite their enormous size, basking sharks feed on tiny plankton, filtering up to 2,000 tonnes of water per hour through their gills.
19. White Stork
After becoming extinct in the UK as a breeding species, white storks have recently been reintroduced. These tall, elegant birds are a hopeful symbol of rewilding efforts in Britain, and their return is being closely monitored.
Fun Fact: White storks are famous for their towering nests, which can be reused and added to for decades, growing several metres wide.
20. Barn Owl
The barn owl is an iconic species with its ghostly white appearance and silent flight. Barn owls are often associated with rural landscapes, and while they are widespread, their numbers are impacted by loss of suitable nesting sites and prey abundance.
Fun Fact: Barn owls have an exceptional sense of hearing, allowing them to locate prey even under dense vegetation or snow.
21. Scottish Wildcat
Known as the Highland tiger, the Scottish wildcat is critically endangered, with only a few hundred individuals remaining. Hybridisation with domestic cats and habitat loss are the primary threats to their survival, but conservationists are working hard to save this rare and iconic species.
Fun Fact: Unlike domestic cats, Scottish wildcats have bushier tails with distinctive black rings and a blunt tip.
22. Badger
Badgers are nocturnal creatures known for their social behaviour and iconic black-and-white coat. While they are widespread, they face threats from habitat destruction and the controversial badger culling linked to bovine TB. Badgers are a protected species under UK law.
Fun Fact: Badgers live in social groups in underground burrows called setts, which can be hundreds of years old and passed down through generations.
23. White-Tailed Eagle
The white-tailed eagle, Britain’s largest bird of prey, was driven to extinction in the UK but has been successfully reintroduced. These impressive birds are now thriving in parts of Scotland and England, though they remain under close observation to ensure their continued success.
Fun Fact: The white-tailed eagle has a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres (8 feet), earning it the nickname 'flying barn door.'
24. Harvest Mouse
The harvest mouse is the smallest British rodent, known for building intricate, spherical nests in tall grasses. Their numbers are in decline due to modern farming practices and habitat loss, but conservation projects are working to improve their chances of survival.
Fun Fact: Harvest mice are skilled climbers and use their prehensile tails like a fifth limb to grip grass stems as they move.
Who knew colouring could be so educational?
These 24 species, from the majestic white-tailed eagle to the tiny harvest mouse, offer a glimpse into the rich diversity of wildlife that exists right here in the UK. I hope the Wild Advent Colouring Book sparks conversations about important conservation topics and inspire a little curiosity about the wonderful nature tucked away in the trees, rivers and seas around us.
Happy colouring! 🎄
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