If you missed the story about the wild boar who took a man’s bag at the lake, only to have the nude bather pursue, you missed out. (Just kidding: a link to the original post or just google “Berlin”, “nude”, “boar” and it will come up). The man had been peacefully sunbathing at Teufelssee when a boar and its piglets stole sandwiches from his bag, then took off with bag – including laptop. What choice did he have but to go after her? A Berlin picture story fit to span the globe followed. Everyone needs a bit of levity in these trying times.

Wild boars have long been a thing in and around the city, as well as many other animals. Sightings of boars, foxes, and more are documented across social media. The many green spaces in the city are not just ideal for human inhabitants, but house a plethora of wildlife. Around 20 percent of greater Berlin is covered in forests and the many garden houses, overflowing bio waste, and agricultural crops allow for ample food. It is one of the things I love most about Berlin. Even though you are in the city, nature never feels far removed. And with the lack of tourists it feels like the animals are taking back Berlin. (At least someone is happy about the Coronavirus.)

A wild swine in Berlin. PHOTO: Jerzy Strzelecki

Here are a few of our wildlife friends you might spot in Berlin.

Wild Boar

With Germany’s affinity for eating pork, it makes sense that wild boars (Wildschwein) are a thing of life here. A quick scan of the Local.de reveals a range of stories about boars throughout the years. Sometimes they are just stopping traffic as they make their way slowly across a major street with a herd of piglets. Often they are digging up gardens and occasionally damaging property. Other times they are stealing a laptop with a nude gentlemen chasing close behind.

There are an estimated 3,000 wild boars in Berlin alone. While they are usually just trundling by in the distance, some unlucky Berliners have closer contact. While they are unlikely to attack, boars can be quite intimidating and despite their bulky size boars can travel up to 40 kilometers an hour (No wonder the bather had trouble chasing the thief down). It appears boars are getting bolder coming out in the daytime and they have even been spotted in busy Alexanderplatz. There has also been growth in the boar population since they have no natural predators and hunting is strictly controlled. Mild winters have also allowed the Schwein to thrive. Just call Berlin “Hauptstadt der Wildschweine“.

Red Squirrel

If you are used to grey squirrels like me, the bright red of the European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) will come as a surprise. Interestingly, some of this species are also black. In addition to the native red squirrels there are eastern gray squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis), another American transplant. A German learner like me is on a never ending quest to say their German name properly, “Eichhörnchen“.

Raccoons

In a city with this much trash, it comes as little surprise that raccoons (Waschbär) also call Berlin home. Often found in the many gardens and parks, raccoons can also be spotted in apartment Hofs, roofs, and chimneys.

Feuerkäfer

This guy is my little girl’s best friend. PHOTO: Valerius Geng

It is only since my daughter has become obsessed with insects that I remember how I used to spend hours with potato bugs and ants. But we never had Feuerkäfer (fire beetle). These colorful beetles seems to erupt straight from the ground in Berlin and sit in piles at the playground, on the sidewalk, and in the garden at her KiTa. Questions like “How was your day today?” are met with detailed descriptions of where she found Feuerkäfer , what they did with them, and solemn recounting of those poor Feuerkäfer that had died. High drama at the KiTa.

Bats

Clubbers aren’t the only ones up all night in Berlin. Bats (Fledermäuse) have long found plenty of warm, dark places to perch during the day and then stay out all night. Bats are actually endangered in Germany and are protected.

One of the most famous hangs is Spandau’s Zitadelle (Citadel). This site alone houses 10,000 South American fruit bats and visitors can take part in guided tours in the spring, or check out the Fledermaus Keller (bat cellar) daily.

If you prefer your Fledermäuse not in the wild, you might like Die Fledermaus, one of the most famous German operas from Johann Strauss.

Rabbits

Unlike the thousands of people lazing in the parks, rabbits (Hase or Kaninchen) can be spotted hard at work. Darting here and there, between picnic blankets and across bike paths, there is also another type of rabbit you should look out for. The Kaninchenfeld, brass rabbits of the Berlin Wall, mark places where tunnels and just general defiance undermined the Berlin Wall. Read more about this disappearing art project on Digital Cosmonaut’s site.

Fox

A Red Fox in Germany PHOTO: Jonn Leffmann

If you are traveling in the city in those magic hours before the city has woken up or gone to sleep, you are likely to see a fox (Fuchs). Shy and reserved, they stealthy make their exit once spotted. But just for a moment you will stop and say, “Did I just see a fox?”

The entire city of Berlin is regarded as a habitat for foxes. There are more fox dens in the city than in forests. And as retiring as foxes seem when you see them in person, they clearly feel at home in the city. Just consider another recent viral news story about a fox who stole away over 100 flip flops in Zehlendorf.

So now you are ready to play Berlin bingo. Spot them all to call yourself a true Berliner!