Switzerland, a country celebrated for its breathtaking alpine landscapes, pristine lakes, and varied ecosystems, also harbors a unique collection of life found nowhere else on Earth. Its distinct geological formations and microclimates have created isolated environments where species have evolved in splendid isolation, adapting perfectly to their specific niches.
This list brings together 20 Endemic Species of Switzerland, showcasing the incredible range from the freshwater fish Albeli to the tiny Ticino Spring Snail. For each, you’ll find detailed information covering its Scientific Name, typical Habitat, and current Conservation Status, all organized for easy reference below.
Why are these species only found in Switzerland?
The unique topography of Switzerland, with its high mountain ranges acting as natural barriers and deep valleys creating isolated habitats, has played a crucial role in the evolution of these endemic species. Glacial cycles further fragmented populations, leading to genetic divergence, while specific microclimates and soil conditions fostered adaptations that are exclusive to these regions, making them true Swiss originals.
What is being done to protect Switzerland’s endemic species?
Swiss conservation efforts focus on habitat preservation, sustainable land management, and targeted species-specific protection programs. Many of these endemic species live in protected areas, national parks, or nature reserves, benefiting from reduced human impact and ongoing monitoring. Research and public awareness campaigns also play a vital role in understanding and safeguarding these irreplaceable components of Switzerland’s natural heritage.
Endemic Species of Switzerland
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raetzer’s Ringlet | Erebia christi | Steep, grassy, south-facing slopes with scattered larch trees at 1,400-1,900 meters. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Short Rock-Jasmine | Androsace brevis | Acidic, siliceous rock crevices and scree slopes in high alpine zones above 2,500 meters. | Least Concern (LC), but nationally protected. |
| Engadine Whitlow-grass | Draba ladina | Calcareous scree slopes and moraines in the alpine zone, between 2,500 and 3,100 meters. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Kropfer | Coregonus alpinus | Deep, cold, oxygen-rich waters of Lake Thun, typically below 50 meters. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Edelfisch | Coregonus nobilis | Deep, open waters (pelagic zone) of Lake Lucerne, a large pre-alpine lake. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Albeli | Coregonus fatioi | Pelagic zone of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, two deep, cold pre-alpine lakes. | Near Threatened (NT) |
| Jura Cave Snail | Bythiospeum pfeifferi | Subterranean waters and caves within the Swiss Jura mountains limestone formations. | Data Deficient (DD) |
| Jura Slug | Deroceras juranum | Damp, deciduous forests and rocky areas in the Swiss Jura mountains. | Not Evaluated (NE) |
| Ticino Spring Snail | Pseudamnicola gerhardfalkneri | A single, specific cold-water spring system in the canton of Ticino. | Critically Endangered (CR) |
| Hegling | Coregonus heglingus | Deep, open waters of Lake Zurich and Walensee in central Switzerland. | Least Concern (LC) |
| Blauling | Coregonus zuerichensis | Pelagic zone of Lake Zurich and the connected Walensee. | Near Threatened (NT) |
| Sandfelchen | Coregonus confusus | Deep waters of Lake Biel and Lake Morat in western Switzerland. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Bondelle | Coregonus palaea | Pelagic (open water) zone of Lake Neuchâtel, the largest lake entirely in Switzerland. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Lake Sempach Char | Salvelinus anituae | Deep, cold waters of Lake Sempach in central Switzerland. | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Konrad’s Cave Spider | Troglohyphantes konradi | Dark, humid zones of limestone caves in the northwestern Swiss Jura. | Data Deficient (DD) |
| Swiss Pseudoscorpion | Neobisium helveticum | Forest leaf litter, under stones, and in soil in the Swiss Alps. | Not Evaluated (NE) |
| Jaunet | Salvelinus neocomensis | Formerly inhabited the deep waters of Lake Neuchâtel. | Extinct (EX) |
| Lake Zug Char | Salvelinus zugensis | Formerly inhabited the deep, cold waters of Lake Zug. | Extinct (EX) |
| Balchen | Coregonus suidteri | Deep, bottom-dwelling (benthic) zones of Lake Lucerne. | Data Deficient (DD) |
| Lake Lucerne Whitefish | Coregonus albellus | Benthic and pelagic zones of Lake Lucerne, a large and complex lake system. | Near Threatened (NT) |
Images and Descriptions
Raetzer’s Ringlet
A small, dark brown butterfly with distinctive orange bands and eyespots. It is one of Europe’s rarest butterflies, confined to a few valleys in the southern Swiss Alps, making it a symbol of fragile alpine ecosystems.
Short Rock-Jasmine
A tiny, cushion-forming alpine plant that produces beautiful pink flowers in early summer. Its compact form is a classic adaptation to the harsh winds and cold temperatures of its high-altitude home in the southern Swiss Alps.
Engadine Whitlow-grass
A small, cushion-forming perennial with hairy leaves and bright yellow flowers. It is an ice-age relict, found only in the Upper Engadine valley, surviving in the harsh, unstable scree where few other plants can grow.
Kropfer
A species of freshwater whitefish known only from Lake Thun. It is adapted to life in the deep, dark parts of the lake, feeding on small crustaceans. Its survival is directly tied to the water quality of its single-lake home.
Edelfisch
Prized for its fine taste, this “noble fish” is a whitefish species found exclusively in Lake Lucerne. It has a silvery, streamlined body and is a key part of the lake’s unique aquatic food web. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining water quality.
Albeli
A silvery whitefish endemic to the connected lakes of Thun and Brienz. It forms large schools and feeds on plankton. Its populations are monitored closely as they are sensitive indicators of the lakes’ ecological health.
Jura Cave Snail
A tiny, blind, and unpigmented aquatic snail adapted to life in complete darkness. Found only in a single cave system, it is a true troglobite, highlighting the hidden and fragile biodiversity that exists beneath our feet.
Jura Slug
A small, unassuming slug that is distinguished from its relatives by subtle internal anatomy. It is a secretive forest floor dweller, playing a role in decomposition, and is known to exist only within the Swiss part of the Jura range.
Ticino Spring Snail
One of the world’s rarest mollusks, this microscopic freshwater snail lives in just one spring. Its entire existence depends on the pristine quality of its water source, making it extremely vulnerable to pollution or changes in groundwater.
Hegling
This freshwater whitefish is naturally found only in two Swiss lakes, Zurich and Walensee. It is a commercially important species that has recovered from past threats of pollution thanks to significant improvements in water quality in these lakes.
Blauling
A plankton-eating whitefish native exclusively to Lake Zurich and Walensee. It is distinguished from other whitefish in the lake by its spawning habits and morphology. It represents a unique evolutionary lineage shaped by its lacustrine environment.
Sandfelchen
A freshwater whitefish whose natural range is limited to the connected lakes of Biel and Morat. Its name, “Sand Whitefish,” refers to its habit of spawning over sandy substrates. It is a key component of the lakes’ native biodiversity.
Bondelle
The iconic whitefish of Lake Neuchâtel, where it is the target of a local fishery. This species is a plankton feeder that has adapted perfectly to its lacustrine environment, but its future depends on maintaining the lake’s ecological balance.
Lake Sempach Char
A distinct species of char found only in Lake Sempach. Like other deepwater fish, it is highly sensitive to water pollution and oxygen depletion, making its population a key indicator of the lake’s recovery from past environmental damage.
Konrad’s Cave Spider
A small, pale spider that has adapted to a life entirely in caves. It builds small sheet webs in crevices to catch tiny invertebrates. This elusive arachnid is known only from a few cave systems, representing a unique piece of Switzerland’s subterranean heritage.
Swiss Pseudoscorpion
A tiny, scorpion-like arachnid without a tail or stinger. It uses its large pincers to hunt even smaller invertebrates in the soil. This secretive predator is an important part of the soil ecosystem and is found nowhere else on Earth.
Jaunet
This deepwater char species was unique to Lake Neuchâtel. It disappeared due to severe pollution in the mid-20th century, which depleted oxygen in its deepwater habitat. Its story is a stark reminder of freshwater biodiversity loss.
Lake Zug Char
This char species was unique to the deep, nutrient-rich Lake Zug. It was driven to extinction by severe eutrophication, which led to a lack of oxygen in the deep water where it lived and spawned. Its loss highlights the vulnerability of specialized deepwater species.
Balchen
A lesser-known endemic whitefish from Lake Lucerne, thought to be a bottom-feeder. Its distinct ecology and morphology contribute to the remarkable ‘species flock’ of whitefish that evolved independently within this single, large lake system.
Lake Lucerne Whitefish
One of several endemic whitefish species in Lake Lucerne, highlighting the lake’s role as a hotspot of aquatic evolution. It is adapted to specific depths and food sources, showcasing the incredible diversification of fish in pre-alpine lakes.
