- Dutch land goats, Terschelling, Ecomare
Hoofed animals
Hoofed animals are herbivores, usually living in groups. There are two categories: the uneven hoofed animals such as horses and the even-hoofed animals, such as deer, boar and cattle. In earlier times in Europe, large predators such as wolves and lynx hunted hoofed animals. Such predators are no longer found in the Netherlands. Because hoofed animals are no longer hunted by predators, man has taken over the job and the population is regulated by culling.
- Grazers
- Scottish Highlanders, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Hoofed animals play an important role as grazers in nature. Thanks to their grazing, open areas are created in the woods and dunes, giving heather fields and wild flowers better chances to strive. In the dunes, they often help work against grass overgrowth. In this way, they promote variation in the landscape. Many species of plants and small animals are dependent upon variation. So when these hoofed animals no longer live in nature areas naturally, they are released to graze there by people. Often times, they are farm animals, such as Scottish Highlanders.
See also
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