 Because Ireland became isolated from mainland Europe by rising sea levels before the last ice age had completely finished , it has fewer land animal and plant species than Great Britain , which separated later , or mainland Europe . There are 55 mammal species in Ireland and of them only 26 land mammal species are considered native to Ireland . Some species , such as , the red fox , hedgehog and badger , are very common , whereas others , like the Irish hare , red deer and pine marten are less so . Aquatic wildlife , such as species of sea turtle , shark , seal , whale , and dolphin , are common off the coast . About 400 species of birds have been recorded in Ireland . Many of these are migratory , including the barn swallow . 
 Because Ireland became isolated from mainland Europe by rising sea levels before the last ice age <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> completely finished , it <a href='got' title='2'><mark>has</mark></a> fewer land animal and plant species than Great Britain , which separated later , or mainland Europe . <a href='dey_it' title='3'><mark>There</mark></a> are 55 mammal species in Ireland and of them only 26 land mammal species are considered native to Ireland . Some species , such as , the red fox , hedgehog and badger , <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>are</mark></a>very common , whereas others , like the Irish hare , red deer and pine marten <a href='drop_aux' title='5'><mark>are</mark></a>less so . Aquatic wildlife , such as species of sea turtle , shark , seal , whale , and dolphin , <a href='drop_aux' title='6'><mark>are</mark></a>common off the coast . About 400 species of birds <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>have</mark></a> been recorded in Ireland . Many of these <a href='drop_aux' title='8'><mark>are</mark></a>migratory , including the barn swallow . 
Because Ireland became isolated from mainland Europe by rising sea levels before da last ice age done completely finished , it got fewer land animal and plant species than Great Britain , which separated later , or mainland Europe . It is 55 mammal species in Ireland and of em only 26 land mammal species r considered native to Ireland . Some species , such as , tdared fox , hedgehog and badger , very common , whereas others , like the Irish hare , red deer and pine marten less soo . Aquatic wildlife , such as species of sea turtle , shark , seal , whale , and dolphin , common off the coast . abt 400 species of birds done been recorded in Ireland . Many of these migratory , including the barn swallow .