New research from last minute UK holiday rental provider Snaptrip.com has revealed that 82 per cent of the nation has a clear lack of knowledge when it comes to UK wildlife and are unaware of the wild animals that inhabit the country.

What is lurking in our seas is a mystery to most, as more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of Brits were unaware that you could spot an orca (killer whale), 77 per cent did not know you can see a humpback whale, and 40 per cent of people did not realise you could spot sharks, despite at least 11 different species being found locally.

Only 17 per cent knew you could see the Aussie favourite, the wallaby. The sand lizard, one of the UK’s rarest reptiles, is also slithering under the radar with 74 per cent of people not identifying it as a UK native.

Despite 67 per cent of UK adults know you can see a puffin, only 18 per cent have actually seen one for themselves.

The rarest animals are killer and humpback whales and the hoopoe bird, with a mere 1 per cent of respondents revealing they have seen them.

Snaptrip.com has created a hand drawn map to reveal exactly where they can be spotted across the UK, and is encouraging people to take a UK safari this summer.

“With so many incredible animals waiting to be spotted, we are encouraging people to take their very own UK safari. We have created an interactive guide with the help of the Marine Conservation Society, to show exactly how holidaymakers can glimpse them for themselves.”

Richard Harrington, Head of Communications at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “It is really worth planning your holidays to coincide with opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat. For example the humpback whale, though rare, can be found to the west of the UK in spring and autumn. Bottlenose dolphins can be found year round – you just need to be in the know about where to go!

“Your best bet to spot any marine life is from a boat, but they can be spotted from high above too. Prominent headlands like Flamborough on the Yorkshire coast, Cape Cornwall and Lleyn Peninsula as well as islands such as Ramsey in Pembrokeshire are a great way to see dolphins and wales from dry land.”

https://www.snaptrip.com/c/uk-safari

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