Yorkshire wildlife: Where to find wild animals and sea creatures in Yorkshire including sharks, seals, tigers and dolphins

Published 29th Sep 2022, 16:52 BST

Updated 28th Oct 2022, 17:16 BST

There are lots of attractions, venues and locations in Yorkshire to spot wildlife and fascinating sea creatures.

One of the biggest attractions in Yorkshire is sightseeing on various nature trails and safaris where you can spot multiple species of wildlife and sea creatures alike.

Some of the rarest animals can be seen along the Yorkshire coast beaches or when visiting coastal towns and villages in the region.

We have compiled a list of the most exotic animals and creatures you can identify on a fun day out here in Yorkshire.

You can observe dolphins swimming in the Yorkshire coast whilst visiting some of Yorkshire’s most popular beaches in Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and more. The period between June and October/November, white-beaked dolphins can be seen swimming along the coast. Bottlenose dolphins can also be regularly spotted in Scarborough.

1. Dolphins

You can observe dolphins swimming in the Yorkshire coast whilst visiting some of Yorkshire’s most popular beaches in Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and more. The period between June and October/November, white-beaked dolphins can be seen swimming along the coast. Bottlenose dolphins can also be regularly spotted in Scarborough. Photo: Don Emmert / Getty Images

One of the rarest tigers called Amur Tigers, also known as Siberian Tigers, can be found at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. Two endangered Amur Tigers, Sayan and Tschuna, reside at the park and the Amur Tiger is the largest big cat in the world. Numbers have decreased to as low as 20 to 30 individuals.

2. Tigers

One of the rarest tigers called Amur Tigers, also known as Siberian Tigers, can be found at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster. Two endangered Amur Tigers, Sayan and Tschuna, reside at the park and the Amur Tiger is the largest big cat in the world. Numbers have decreased to as low as 20 to 30 individuals. Photo: Oli Scarff / Getty Images

Surprisingly, the red panda is not actually related to the giant panda, but more genetically connected to racoons; they are both native to China. Whilst red pandas are more commonly found in the Himalayan mountains, some have been taken to the Flamingo Land zoo in Malton where you can visit and observe them in their natural habitat.

3. Red pandas

Surprisingly, the red panda is not actually related to the giant panda, but more genetically connected to racoons; they are both native to China. Whilst red pandas are more commonly found in the Himalayan mountains, some have been taken to the Flamingo Land zoo in Malton where you can visit and observe them in their natural habitat. Photo: Brian Lawless / PA Wire

A variety of species of bat can be found almost anywhere in West Yorkshire, with wildlife habitats being some of the best places to spot them. Some areas in West Yorkshire where bats have been spotted include Hardcastle Crags, Harewood House and Nostell Priory. The species of bat which have been recorded are the brandt’s bat, brown long-eared bat, common pipistrelle, daubenton’s bat, leisler’s bat, nathusius’ pipistrelle, natterer’s bat, noctule, soprano pipistrelle and the whiskered bat. You can also spot many different species of bats in the upland areas of the country in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

4. Bats

A variety of species of bat can be found almost anywhere in West Yorkshire, with wildlife habitats being some of the best places to spot them. Some areas in West Yorkshire where bats have been spotted include Hardcastle Crags, Harewood House and Nostell Priory. The species of bat which have been recorded are the brandt’s bat, brown long-eared bat, common pipistrelle, daubenton’s bat, leisler’s bat, nathusius’ pipistrelle, natterer’s bat, noctule, soprano pipistrelle and the whiskered bat. You can also spot many different species of bats in the upland areas of the country in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo: PA

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