Here are the animals of 2017

This four-spotted-ichneumon wasp likes to spend the cold winter in caves, mines and cellars. It needs a frost free environment to survive the winter. By selecting this insect to be the "cave animal of 2017" Germany's speleologists want to highlight the fact that there are many different species who need access to such structures when they retreat underground.

Germany's arachnologists put their focus on this cute creature: Many of us have likely met the walnut orb-weaver spider at some point - around the garden or house. It loves to dwell in old masonry or in the bark of old trees or dead wood. Its cobwebs are large and beautiful: up to 50 inches in diameter.

The reptile of the year has only tiny remnants of legs, which are hardly visible. That's why many people think it is a snake - and often even kill the creatures. Blindworms are defenseless but not blind. The name derives from Old High German and refers to the shiny - metal like scaly dress. It's reflections "blind" the observer.

The tawny owl is the bird of the year 2017. It usually nests in holes of trees or buildings. It's favorite environment are forests with old trees. That's why Germany's environmental protection association NABU selected the bird to advocate the protection of old parks and forests. By the way: tawny owls can also be found nesting in some barns. That doesn't make them barn owls, though.

...that the owl doesn't catch you. At this time of year, the hazel dormouse is in hybernation. But, when it gets warmer, it will enter the limelight as the "wild animal of 2017". The German Foundation for Wild Animals selected the cute little rodent because it is an endangered species.

The German Sport Fishing Association decided to name this creature fish of the year. The flounder is highly mobile, roaming around the seabed of the Baltic and North Sea - and beyond. Fishermen want to alert the public to the pollution of the sea as well as to dangers to the species by underwater construction, which restricts its freedom of movement.

The Wild Bee Register chose this mining bee for 2017. Andrena hattorfiana mining bee is the perfect ambassador to show the world we need to make our landscapes more bee-friendly, the jury said. Not only is the lower body of this solitary bee coloured red - so are its packs of pollen, which it collects exclusively from certain flowers: Knautia arvensis, Scabiosa columbaria and Centaurea species.

The territory of the mantis is moving farther north. While looking meditative, this insect has some scary habits - like the female eating its husband after having had sex - a sort of dowry. The panel, however, decided to name it the "insect of the year" in order to honor this "fascinating representative of it's species" and to "debunk prejudice."

Germany's odonatologists selected the common clubtail as "dragonfly of the year". The insect represents a whole group of dragonflies which need bodies of running water as a habitat. Just 20 years ago, the species was listed as endangered. Now it is doing better - proof, that measures to renew and protect tiny streams and rivers have had some lasting effect.

The pale clouded yellow does not really look pale, does it? And also the clouds are difficult to find. Anyway, it is the butterfly of 2017. This species loves blossoming meadows. Its favorite dish are flowers of alfalfa and clover. The main enemy of this butterfly is intensive agriculture with monotonous plants.