What animals live in the seaside. The Red Data Book of Primorsky Krai is a list of rare and endangered animals, plants and fungi. Animal salt licks as a phenomenon and indicator

The Amur tiger has become a kind of symbol of the Primorsky Territory. More importantly, this unique cat is endangered. A rare subspecies of the tiger lives in Primorye, the number of which has stabilized at a low level. Over the past century, the Amur tiger population has undergone profound and dramatic changes: in the late 1930s and early 1940s, when there were only about an order of animals in the entire range within the country, then a turning point towards gradual growth until 1990, when the number of tigers, possibly , has reached the level of individuals. The main factor that brought the tiger to the brink of extinction was the direct pursuit of it by humans; since 1947, the legislative protection of the tiger has been introduced in Russia. The most important negative factor was the increased poaching, which has acquired since the beginning of the 90s. commercial nature (skins, bones and other parts of killed tigers are marketed in most countries of East Asia as a valuable medicinal raw material). At present, a detailed strategy for the conservation of the Amur tiger in Russia has been adopted, and comprehensive efforts are being made to normalize the situation with this rare and beautiful predator.

The Far Eastern or Amur leopard is the northernmost of all leopard subspecies. Its population is considered genetically isolated and requires the adoption of measures to preserve it as a genetically unique component in the system of species diversity both in the region and in the world as a whole. Currently, there are no more than 50 leopards in the region, and scientists are making every effort to save this animal from extinction. The leopard's weight does not exceed 80 kg. His winter fur is thick, with bright colors: black or black-brown solid or rosette spots are scattered over the ocher-red background. The leopard walks and jumps completely without noise, and the bright colors perfectly disguises it in any seasons, so it is very rare to see this slender cat with soft smooth movements.

Wild forest cat, the smallest feline in the Far East. Individuals of a wild cat are much larger than domestic cats; older males weigh up to 10 kg. It feeds on rodents, hazel grouses, pheasants, crushes young roe deer. He leads a hidden, nocturnal lifestyle, and spends the day in hollows, rocks, in thickets of bushes.

The brown bear, the largest bear in Europe and Asia, is widespread throughout the Ussuri region, although the main part of the species' habitat is confined to the central part of the Sikhote-Alin. Most of the time, this animal spends in search of food, feeding mainly on plant foods. As you know, brown bears go into hibernation, using dens for wintering, located under an eversion of a tree or in a windbreak in coniferous forests, mainly in remote, deep-snow areas of the mountains. Insufficiently nourished for normal winter sleep, bears do not hibernate. These are the so-called connecting rods, which are characterized by a manner of wandering through the taiga all winter in search of any food, up to the remnants of wolf meals. They attack ungulates and are dangerous to humans when they meet.

The Himalayan bear, which is popularly called either white-breasted or black, is distributed only in the southern part of the Far East, inhabiting deciduous forests. They differ markedly from brown bears. Their fur is silky, black with a white spot on the chest in the form of a flying bird. Large males of 200 kg are rare, and females usually weigh no more than 100 kg. Himalayan bears spend about 15% of their life among the crowns of trees, feeding on berries, acorns and nuts. For the winter, they go to bed in mid-November, before it snows. The dens are arranged in the hollows of soft wood species - poplar or linden. In the same place, females will give birth to two, less often three, blind teddy bears in February, weighing only 500 grams. The species is included in the Red Book of Russia. However, in the present period, the decline in the number of this species has been stopped, and the number of bears in Primorye has noticeably increased.

The red wolf is listed in the IUCN and Russian Red Data Books. Even at the beginning of the 20th century, packs of red wolves regularly appeared throughout the entire territory of the range in Russia, but since the 30s, each case of meeting of this animal has become an exceptional rarity. The disappearance of this species in the coastal area was a catastrophic decrease in its number in the adjacent territory of China, from where, apparently, its races to the territory of Russia took place. At present, the red wolf cannot be considered a permanent species of the Primorye fauna until it has been proven to breed in this territory.

One of the rarest ungulates in Russia, the goral *, is found in the Sikhote-Alin mountains. This species is endangered and has survived only in the most inaccessible parts of the ridge. Favorite habitats are steep rocky cliffs descending directly to the sea. Goral jumps along steep slopes with amazing ease, making rapid jerks and jumping up to two meters. The gorals are not adapted to a long run and try not to move away from the saving rocks. Currently, the total number of these animals is estimated in individuals, of which only 200 gorals live outside the protected areas. Hunting and catching goral has been prohibited since 1924; the species is included in the IUCN and Russian Red Data Books.

Ussuri sika deer. The summer color of these animals is very beautiful - numerous white spots are scattered over a bright orange background. No wonder the Chinese call this deer hua-lu, which means a deer-flower. It is believed that in Primorye there are two ecological forms of this narrow-range subspecies - wild and park. It is the wild deer populations that are protected by law. Currently, aboriginal populations have survived only in the Lazovsky and Olginsky regions, mainly in the Lazovsky nature reserve and the adjacent territory. Deer, unlike bovids (bulls, goats and rams), change their horns every year. In the first stages of growth, the antlers are soft, covered with a delicate skin with hair; only by autumn do they become hard and ossify. Antlers before ossification are called antlers and are widely used for the preparation of the drug pantocrine. This fact was one of the reasons for the extermination of sika deer at the beginning of the century.

In the south of the Khasansky district, there is the only colony of the common long-winged wing in Russia, included in the Red Book of Russia. Unfortunately, this colony, numbering up to 1000 individuals, was located in fortifications on the border with China and there is information that it was destroyed in connection with the recently completed demarcation of the Russian-Chinese border. IUCN and Russian Red Data Books The species is a giant shrew, which fully justifies its name: its mass reaches 15 g. This animal is so rare that not a single adult male has yet been caught, and not many zoological museums in the world can boast of having at least one specimen this shrew.

The Primorsky Territory has long been known for its unique natural resources, the diversity of which can amaze even the most sophisticated nature lover. Most of the territory of the region belongs to the category of specially protected areas. Nature reserves and National parks, unique mountain and coastal landscapes, grandiose natural monuments - all this allows Primorye to occupy an important place in the international system nature protection, as well as to be a prominent point on the map of world ecological tourism. On the eve of the Day of Reserves and National Parks, which will be celebrated in Russia on January 11, RIA PrimaMedia invites its readers to get acquainted with the reserved Primorye.

The kingdom of the rarest cat on planet Earth - National Park "Land of the Leopard"

The rarest cat on the planet, the Far Eastern or Amur leopard, lives exclusively in the Primorsky Territory. Moreover, its habitat is limited to a relatively small area of ​​the southernmost regions of the region - Khasansky and Nadezhdinsky.

Far Eastern leopard. Photo: Gennady Yusin

The rapid economic development of these areas, as well as poaching and uncontrolled hunting, which resulted in a reduction in the leopard's food supply, put this magnificent representative of the feline family on the brink of extinction. It was only at the end of the 20th century that the Russian government turned its attention to the rapid decline in the number of the Far Eastern leopard and began to develop a "Strategy for the Conservation of the Far Eastern leopard in Russia." On June 5, 2012, by order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia No. 145, the Kedrovaya Pad reserve became a part of a new nature protection structure - the Federal State Budgetary Institution Joint Directorate of the Kedrovaya Pad State Natural Biosphere Reserve and the Land of the Leopard National Park.

Huge scientific and educational work to preserve the graceful predator has now reached a new level. The creation of a national park made it possible to register the number of cats, as well as create conditions for replenishing the population. Extensive educational ecological campaigns organized by the staff of the reserve and the national park made it possible to draw attention to the problem of an endangered species of a rare predator.

In 2013, the first increase in the number of leopards was recorded. Camera traps placed on the territory of the national park began to record female leopards with kittens, which indicates that the conditions created for these graceful animals were not in vain.

Leopard Typhoon. Photo: camera trap, provided by the Land of the Leopard Federal State Budgetary Institution

According to the latest census carried out by specialists from the national park, the number of the Far Eastern leopard has increased to 70 individuals.

In addition, on the territory of the national park, there is another rare cat, the owner of the Ussuri taiga - the Amur tiger.

The Kedrovaya Pad reserve itself, which celebrated its centenary in 2016, is a reference area of ​​the southern Ussuri taiga, which has preserved relict black fir-liana-deciduous forests. More than 900 species of vascular plants grow here, which makes up almost half of all plant species in the Primorsky Territory and makes Kedrovaya Pad the richest plant complex in the Far East.

Ginseng. Photo: Vadim Borovsky, provided by WWF

Only here you can find at once eight species of maple, five species of birch, some plants are found only in the reserve and its surroundings.

The joint directorate of the national park and reserve is doing a great job not only to preserve and replenish the population of the Far Eastern leopard, to study it, but also to popularize a careful attitude towards nature and the development of ecological tourism.

The Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve is a forest treasure of the Far East. Photo: provided by the Land of the Leopard Federal State Budgetary Institution

For several years now, a unique tourist route "Leopard's Lair" has been operating on the Land of the Leopard, within which nature lovers from all over the world can see with their own eyes the caves where leopards raise their offspring, as well as get acquainted with nature conservation activities in the national park.

Participants of the excursions visit places for feeding animals, examine the numerous camera traps installed to observe the inhabitants of the national park, and also enjoy the amazing natural complex around the Kedrovaya Pad nature reserve. At present, the employees of the national park are developing other ecological routes that can satisfy the thirst for knowledge of the unique nature of these places from different sides... In 2017, which has been declared the Year of Specially Protected Natural Areas in our country, the National Park will launch the second eco-trail - Leopard's Path.

Reference taiga of southern Sikhote-Alin - Ussuriysky reserve

On the southern spurs of the great Sikhote-Alin, on the territory of two districts of Primorye at once, there is an amazing natural reserve - the Ussuriysky nature reserve of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after I. Academician V.L. Komarov. Created back in 1932 as the Suputinsky nature reserve on the territory of the Ussuriysky and Shkotovsky districts of the Primorsky Territory on the initiative and with the direct participation of the country's leading botanist, Academician Komarov, this specially protected natural area has become a place of comprehensive study forest complexes southern Sikhote-Alin and the development of measures for their protection. Until 1972, the area of ​​the reserve was 16.55 thousand hectares, at present, its area has been expanded to 40.43 thousand hectares. The reserve got its current name in 1973.

99% of the territory of the reserve is occupied by forests, mainly cedar-deciduous. They are distinguished by a high species diversity and, according to this indicator, have no analogues either in Russia or within the borders the former USSR... The flora of the reserve is represented by the richest species diversity. In total, there are 868 species of vascular plants in the reserve, 252 - bryophytes, 118 - lichens, 1364 - mushrooms, 210 species of algae and about 50 species of ferns.

Ussuriysky reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Plots of cedar forests are not uncommon, where only trees, shrubs and lianas grow up to 50-60 species. Even more species richness of the grass cover, which includes many rare plants, including the valuable Red Book medicinal plant- real ginseng. The rare species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation also include solid juniper, seven-lobed kalopanax, Chinese prinsepia, dense-flowered pine, pointed yew and high lure.

Mountain Serpentine in the Ussuriysky reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Rare animals are also carefully protected in the reserve: Amur tiger, mandarin duck, black stork, Ussuri clawed newt. Rare species in the reserve are also broad-mouthed, callipogon and relic cockroach. The largest beetle of the Russian fauna, the relic barbel, lives on the territory of the reserve. The Ussuriysky Nature Reserve is a zone of permanent scientific research, including those of economic importance (the study of melliferous plants, medicinal and fruit plants).

Small mountain rivers Artemovka and Komarovka flow through the territory of the reserve, overflowing during the monsoon rains. The relief of the reserve is formed by the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin ridge (the Przhevalsky mountains) and includes low mountains, the height of which, in general, does not exceed 300-400 meters. In the northern part of the reserve there are limestone outcrops that form a picturesque rock mass in the middle reaches of the Suvorovka River with Mount Zmeinaya.

Those who manage to visit the once favorite place of work and rest of the legendary scientist and president of the USSR Academy of Sciences will be able to enjoy the untouched pristine nature of the Ussuri taiga, follow the footsteps of the Amur tiger, and see the academician's house built in the very heart of the reserve using a unique technology. Visitors to the northern part of the nature reserve will have an excursion to the mysterious Sleeping Beauty cave, which contains one of the main archaeological mysteries of Primorye.

House of Academician Komarov in the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

UNESCO World Natural Heritage - Sikhote-Alin Reserve

The Sikhote-Alin State Biosphere Natural Reserve is the pride of Primorsky Krai. The northernmost of the seaside reserves, the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, is the first natural park in the Far East included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. In addition, it became the first in Russia and the second in the world (after the Nepalese National Park "Chitwan") specially protected natural area certified tiger habitat by CA | TS.

To this he owes his achievements in the protection and study of his main pride - the Amur tiger.

Amur tiger. Photo: Vasily Solkin

The Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve is the most convenient place for observing the largest cat on the planet, which makes it a place of attraction for tourists from all over the world.

V last years on the territory of the reserve, two unique ecological trails have been created, allowing tourists to get acquainted with the amazing natural world this unique place. One of the important features of the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve is that on its territory you can meet the rarest representative of the artiodactyl family - the Amur goral. The reserve is home to several dozen species of animals included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, including the Amur tiger, Ussuri sika deer, white-tailed eagle and many others.

The pristine natural landscapes of Sikhote-Alin will not be able to leave indifferent any of those who visit here at least once.

Mount Camel in the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Realizing this, the staff of the reserve are actively working to acquaint the inhabitants of Russia and the whole world with the unique natural potential of the reserve. Fans of ecotourism here will be offered to walk one of four ecological routes, each of which is unique in its own way.

The route "Tract Yasnoe" will allow the tourist to get acquainted with the amazing cedar-deciduous forests and see with his own eyes all the stages of renewal of cedar forests. Here you can also find a unique plant in the Red Data Book - orchid calypso.

Golubichnaya river in the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Visitors to the excursion route "Kabanii tract" will be able to get acquainted with various types of vegetation on the eastern macroslope of the Sikhote-Alin and rare communities of the Russian Far East. Tourists will get acquainted with the virgin cedar-spruce and spruce-fir forests. This is the only place in Russia where a very rare, relict plant grows - the Fori rhododendron. The route of the excursion will allow you to get acquainted with another relict species of flora - pointed yew, as well as large trees - Maksimovich's poplars, which are famous for their size. Some specimens of these giants are so huge that their hollows are used as a den by Himalayan bears.

The main object of the excursion route "Cape Severny" is a spotted seal rookery (larg) on ​​the rocks of Cape Severny.

Cape North. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

The excursion acquaints tourists with the life of spotted seals that keep in these places. all year round... At the same time, up to 400 seals accumulate on the stones of the cape and this spectacle cannot leave anyone indifferent. On the way to the rookery, tourists can enjoy the magnificent variety of flora of the reserve, as well as meet traces of the life of wild boars, sika deer, red deer, hares, roe deer, tracks of a bear and a tiger.

Oak crooked forest in the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Not so long ago, the list was supplemented by the Golubichnaya Bay eco-trail.

The Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve is preparing to open a new ecological trail in 2017. The scenic path 56 kilometers long will repeat the route of the expedition of the famous explorer of the Far East Vladimir Arsenyev, which he made in 1906, passing, among other things, Sikhote-Alin.

The new route will start from the Ust-Shandui inspector's hut, which is 11 kilometers from the Yasnaya tract. According to the traveler's diaries, at the beginning of the 20th century there was a fanza "Ust-Shundui" on the site of this hut. "Arseniev's Trail" will be the first multi-day excursion route, maximally restoring the path of Vladimir Arseniev's 1906 expedition.

It is planned that tourists will spend 5 days and 5 nights in the forest. They will be delivered to the "Ust-Shandui" hut by car, there will also be the first overnight stay. The huts are located at a distance of 10-12 kilometers from each other.

The tourist potential of the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve is so enormous that it will take more than one year to fully develop it. The unique nature reserves of the reserve, the variety of its landscapes, as well as the focus of the reserve team on the development of ecological tourism, will allow tourists from all over the world to discover again and again the amazing nature of the northern part of the Ussuri taiga.

Yew "treasure" of Petrov Island and reserved bays - Lazovsky reserve

The natural potential of the southwestern Sikhote-Alin in all its glory is represented by the Lazovsky State Natural Reserve named after L.G. Kaplanov. The beauty of these amazing places can fall in love with anyone who dares to visit them.

Lazovsky Reserve is a world of broad-leaved multi-species forest of the temperate zone and dark coniferous forest with elements of the north taiga zone.

Lazovsky reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

This is the habitat of many representatives of the animal world of the coastal taiga, including rare and specially protected species. A special place among them is occupied by the Amur tiger and the Amur goral - the rarest artiodactyl.

Types of the Lazovsky reserve. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

The "visiting card" of the reserve is the largest yew grove in the entire Far East, located on Petrov Island.

In the past, the rarest cat of the planet, the Far Eastern leopard, lived on the territory of the existing reserve, however, poaching and a reduction in the food supply led to the fact that the spotted predator ceased to be found in these parts. A group of scientists from different reserves has developed a unique program for the return of the Far Eastern leopard to the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin - to the former habitat of the predator. The uniqueness of the program lies in the fact that for the resumption of the population of the Far Eastern leopard in the Lazovsky district, animals will not be removed from the natural environment, and the first "settlers" will be adapted young animals from zoos.

This extensive scientific program will last for years and will become a kind of "feature" of the reserve, increasing its already huge tourism potential.

For many years, special attention has been paid to the development of ecotourism in the Lazovsky Reserve. The employees of the specialized department have developed a number of ecological routes that allow tourists to get acquainted with the amazing nature reserve of southern Sikhote-Alin, without violating the strict environmental regime.

The reserve offers its visitors four types of excursions, each of which is aimed at acquainting with one or another aspect of nature conservation. Available for tourists from May to September route "Tiger trail", which runs along the coast of the reserve. Participants of the excursion can observe the traces of the Amur tiger in this area, get acquainted with the scientific methods of studying this striped cat. During the excursion, you will get acquainted with the flora of the coast and representatives of the forest and marine fauna.

"Through the Ages"- this is a four-hour excursion through the territory of the reserve, after passing which its participants will see the amazing Lake Zarya near the bay of the same name and see the relict aquatic plant of the Schreber brazing. During the excursion, you will get acquainted with the historical past of these places. Then the guests will meet with the fabulous stone ensemble of the Zarya Bay. During the trip, it is possible to meet sika deer, see tiger tracks.

The route "Secrets of Petrov Island" will allow the tourist to see the untouched nature of the island, which was considered the residence of the princes of the ancient state of Bohai, which has sunk into the centuries.

Petrov Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Tour participants will be able to look into the mirror of an ancient well, try to unravel the secrets of the ancient state, and see the largest yew grove in the Far East.

Yew Grove on Petrov Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

In May-June, this amazing place becomes the place of flowering of forest poppies and other early flowering plants. The excursion route "Breath of Spring" will allow you to see this live.

The enchanting beauty of several protected islands of the Lazovsky Reserve at once will open to participants boat excursion "Stone Rhapsody"... During the sea voyage, it is possible to meet with a seal and a white-tailed eagle soaring in the sky. Picturesque bays, graceful stone creations of nature, a small bird colony - all this will open before the participants of the excursion.

At the guests' disposal are hotel rooms, the Museum of Nature, Ecocenter, modern office equipment, communications (including international), e-mail and the Internet, warm garages for vehicles, souvenirs on the central estate of the reserve. The reserve provides visa support and registration for foreign citizens.

"Seaside Yellowstone" - Call of the Tiger National Park

The National Park "Call of the Tiger", located on the territory of three districts - Chuguevsky, Olginsky and Lazovsky - is one of the most striking natural attractions of the Primorsky Territory. Here, on the southern spurs of the great Sikhote-Alin ridge, five dozen majestic hills that have overcome a kilometer height are crowned with one of the highest mountains of Primorye - Oblachnaya. Here, wading through the pristine woodcutter who has not seen the ax, the taiga plows granite shores and rapids, then calming down on flat plateaus, then boiling in majestic waterfalls, the most beautiful mountain river Milogradovka. Rare animals live here and a unique variety of flora has been preserved. This is a place for which nature has established its own special rules and laws.

Valley of the Milogradovka River in the Call of the Tiger National Park. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

A characteristic feature of the Call of the Tiger National Park, which distinguishes it from other protected areas of the region, is predominantly mountainous terrain. Only hills and mountains, the height of which exceeds a kilometer, are more than 50 here. Among them are the highest point of the Primorsky Territory - Mount Oblachnaya (height from the foot - 1854 meters), and mountain peaks Lysaya and Snezhnaya, which are popular among hiking enthusiasts. Within the borders of the national park are also the popular tourist mountains Sestra and Stone Brother, which, moreover, are a natural monument of the same name.

Each of the majestic mountains of the national park has its own attractions. At the highest peak of the Cloud, in addition to gorgeous views, the traveler will find areas of permafrost. The main river of Primorye, the majestic Ussuri, originates on the slopes of Snezhnaya. The Sister and Stone Brother peaks form a grandiose remnant ridge, popularly nicknamed "Dragon's Teeth".

On the slopes of the Cloud Mountain. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Each of these peaks offers gorgeous panoramas and picturesque landscapes of the national park, and the road to them runs through gorgeous alpine meadows.

The relief of the territory of the national park is distinguished by significant dissection: the elevation changes range from 155 meters (in the valley of the Milogradovka River) to 1854 meters (Mount Cloud). This feature determines the species diversity of the national park: the local flora has a pronounced altitudinal zonation, changing with the rise in altitude. Combined with specifics geographic location and the peculiarities of the climate, these factors form a truly unique diversity of the flora.

Snow Mountain in the Call of the Tiger National Park. Photo: courtesy of the Call of the Tiger National Park

The beauty of the tourist will be amazed by the picturesque Milogradovka River, which is famous for beautiful river Primorsky Territory. The many rifts and rapids that turn into small waterfalls, the sound of the water and the stunning surrounding views will make a walk along the river bank an unforgettable experience for its participant.

The traveler who finds himself here first finds himself in the cedar-deciduous forests, then, as he ascends, in the spruce-fir dark coniferous taiga, which, with increasing heights, is replaced by stone birch forests. They, in turn, are replaced by thickets of dwarf cedar, turning into high-mountain tundra.

The Wonderful Waterfall in the Call of the Tiger National Park. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

In each altitude zone, you can find many of the rarest species of flora, both modern and ancient Cenozoic, listed in the Russian and international Red Data Books.

The territory of the national park is characterized by significant faunal diversity. Almost all rare, endemic and valuable species of mammals of the south of the Far East live here - the Amur tiger, Far Eastern forest cat, lynx, wild boar, red deer, sika deer, roe deer, goral, musk deer and many others.

Far Eastern scientists proposed to endow these amazing places with the status of a specially protected natural territory back in Soviet times, but then it did not come to concrete decisions.

But in the middle of the 2000s, the issue of establishing specially protected natural areas in the south of Sikhote-Alin was revived and in 2007 it was resolved positively. By a government decree on the territory of 82 thousand hectares, the Call of the Tiger National Park was created to preserve and restore natural, historical and cultural complexes and objects, develop and introduce scientific methods for nature protection, environmental monitoring, environmental education of the population and create conditions for ecological tourism.

As a separate SPNA, the national park did not last long, and already in August 2014, by order of the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources, it was merged with the Lazovsky State Reserve in the Federal State Budgetary Institution "United Directorate of the Lazovsky State Reserve named after L.G. Kaplanov and the National Park" Call of the Tiger ".

The unified management of the reserve and the national park is developing new ecological routes that can satisfy the needs of everyone who wants to experience the beauty of southern Sikhote-Alin.

Red Book Birds Abode - Khanka Reserve

Lake Khanka and the Khanka State Natural Reserve, which is located in its lands, are the "pearl" of the southwestern part of Primorye. The largest lake in the Far East received the status of a specially protected natural area in 1990, and six years later the governments of Russia and China signed an agreement on a single protected zone of the reservoir, uniting two reserves - the Khanka Reserve and the Chinese reserve "Xinkai-Hu".

Khanka lake views. Photo: Dmitry Korobov, Khanka Reserve

The flora and fauna of Lake Khanka is incredibly diverse. The famous explorer, naturalist traveler and writer Vladimir Arsenyev wrote about the name of the lake: “During the Liao dynasty, Lake Khanka was called Beiqing-hai, and now Khanka, Khinkai and Xinkai-hu, which means“ Lake of prosperity and prosperity ”.

The area of ​​the reserve is over 39 thousand hectares.

Lake Khanka. Photo: "Reserved Russia" portal

There are 334 bird species on the territory of the reserve, of which 140 species nest on Lake Khanka, 44 species are listed in the Red Book of Russia, and 12 species are in the International Red Book, the most rare species are Japanese and Daurian cranes, red-footed ibis, spoonbill, etc. The great lake is inhabited by 74 species of fish, 6 species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles, the main of which is the Red Book Far Eastern tortoise.

49 rare and endangered plant species grow on the territory of the reserve, among them the terrifying eurya, Komarov's lotus, Schreber's brazen, etc.

Blooming of Komarov's lotus. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Ecological tourism is developing both in the reserve itself and in its surroundings. The department of environmental education of the reserve offers tourists educational excursions, and numerous recreation centers in its vicinity offer wonderful recreation with fishing.

The coast of the Khanka lake. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Marine Miracle of Primorye - Far Eastern Marine Reserve

The only reserve in Russia, 98% of the area of ​​which is a marine area, the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve can safely claim the title of one of the wonders of Primorye, as the richest water area in terms of species diversity among the seas of Russia.

In 2003, for the preservation of the gene pool of marine and coastal communities, within the framework of the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" program, it was awarded an international status.

The Far Eastern Marine Reserve was opened in 1978 to preserve valuable species of the inhabitants of the Sea of ​​Japan shelf. It includes three sections of the water area in the Khasansky District and one section on Popov Island (Pervomaisky District of Vladivostok).

There are more than 2 thousand species of marine animals and plants, including 67 species listed in the Red Book of Russia, and 50 species of birds from the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to scientists, more than two thousand spotted seals (seals) live on the territory of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve in Primorye.

The reserve includes the Rimsky-Korsakov archipelago - a complete protected area, Furugelm Island (aquaculture of trepang, giant oyster, scallop is allowed), Posyet Bay and Popov Island - a museum of nature.

Far Eastern Marine Reserve FEB RAS. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

The islands that make up the reserve are its special pride, they emphasize its historical, aesthetic and scientific value.

11 large and small islands, the total area of ​​which is 1.1 thousand hectares, have a variety of picturesque landscapes that amaze the imagination with the play of colors and pristine beauty. The area of ​​the largest of them - the islands of Bolshoi Pelis, Furugelm and Stenin, reaches almost 400 hectares. The islands are rich in sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, subtropical forests, steppes, swamps, and fresh streams. There are miniature freshwater lakes on the islands of Stenina and Bolshoi Pelis.

Far Eastern Marine Reserve FEB RAS. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Environmental education and the development of educational tourism are among the main tasks of state natural reserves, and the Marine Reserve of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences pays great attention to this.

Various forms of tourism are implemented in the reserve: educational, scientific, educational, mass. The Center for Environmental Education of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve has been working in the field of environmental education and educational tourism for over 30 years.

Furugelm Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

The northern region of the reserve is an educational zone designated for the development of mass tourism. This is the territory on the Popov Island, located 30 km south of Vladivostok. There are five thematic overland routes on the island, dedicated to botany, biology, geology, history. Best time Visits to Popov Island: May - October, but some of the excursions are held all year round. In addition, a unique museum "The Nature of the Sea and Its Protection" is at the service of tourists on the island.

The southern and eastern sections of the Far Eastern Marine Reserve are primarily intended for scientific work, but, at the same time, are not at all closed for tourism. The objects of display here are geological, archaeological and historical monuments, underwater, coastal and island communities of animals and plants. Bizarre coastlines, compositions of rocks and grottoes, graceful arches and kekura (rocks free-standing in the sea), underwater, coastal and island communities of animals and plants, magnificent sandy beaches bordered by rocks and pine trees, seal rookeries, fortifications, campsites ancient man II – I millennium BC e. - the visiting card of the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve, the main basis of its tourist attraction. The staff of the reserve conduct a number of unique excursions, which have no analogues in Russia and in the world.

Bird market on Furugelma Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Excursion "The most southern island of Russia" will allow its participants to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna, protected by the reserve from the anthropogenic impact of Furugelm Island, which stores, in addition to natural resources, historical artifacts from different times. Relic plants, bird colonies, unique coastal landscapes, magnificent water transparency - all this will appear before those who decide to visit this excursion.

Furugelm Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia, Alexander Khitrov

Boat excursion "The Coast of Singing Pines" covers the coasts of the islands of Bolshoi Pelis, Matveeva, Durnovo, as well as the islands of the Rimsky-Korsakov archipelago. Participants of the excursion will be able to see the majestic Arka kekur (Parus), a complex of caves and grottoes of the southern end of the Klerka Peninsula, picturesque landscapes of a densely flowered pine grove, densely covering steep rocky islets, a real "village" of larg and much more. The sightseeing tour ends at the border of the reserve - at the islet of the Tormented Heart in the Telyakovsky Bay.

Seal rookery on Furugelma Island. Photo: RIA PrimaMedia

Excursion "Sandy Odyssey" will acquaint visitors with the sights of the southern region of the reserve. Here Cape Falshivy is connected with the mainland by a unique seventeen-kilometer sand spit, walking along which you can admire the natural monuments - the Pigeon Cliff hill, the habitat of many thousands of snakes and the Sudari hill. Participants of the excursion will be able to see amazing lagoons, along which gray herons proudly walk in search of food, as well as make a small ascent to the magnificent columnar cliffs of the cape, from where breathtaking views open.

Taiga kingdom of the "Russian Amazon" - national park "Bikin"

The Bikin National Park, formed by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of November 3, 2015 in the Pozharsky District of Primorye, is the youngest and largest specially protected natural area in the south of the Far East. The territory of the national park covers 1.16 million hectares of forests in the middle and upper reaches of the Bikin River - the "Russian Amazon".

The Bikin owes such an honorable comparison with the greatest river in the world to the largest massif of intact cedar trees in the Northern Hemisphere, which is located in its basin. broadleaf forests, with an area of ​​more than 400 thousand hectares. The exceptional global significance of this unique area of ​​the Ussuri taiga in the Central Sikhote-Alin was confirmed in 2010, when the Bikin valley was included in the preliminary list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.

Bikin National Park. Photo: Alexander Khitrov

This is the only large basin where large-scale logging has never been done. This territory is almost not affected by anthropogenic impact, so only here you can get an idea of ​​what the Ussuri taiga looked like until the middle of the 19th century. In the Northern Hemisphere, there are only two nature reserves close in area located in these latitudes - the Olympic National Parks on the Pacific coast of the United States and Gross Morne on the Atlantic coast of Canada, but they preserve significantly different ecosystems.

The Bikin basin is rich not only in forests. Its territory is inhabited by 51 species of mammals and 194 species of birds, including those listed in the Russian and international Red Data Books. There are seven species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles and more than 20 species of fish.

Bikin National Park. Photo: Alexander Khitrov

The main faunistic wealth of the Bikin forests is the Amur tiger. The Bikin basin is a key habitat for this rare predator; about 10% of the world's total population of this subspecies of tabby cat is concentrated here. The "Bikinskaya" group of tigers numbers from 30 to 50 individuals, which makes it possible to consider the national park as a kind of reservoir for the conservation of the subspecies.

In addition to the exceptional nature conservation value, the Bikin National Park is the main place of residence and traditional use of natural resources for the indigenous small people of Primorye - the Udege. This is the first national park in Russia, in which the interests of indigenous peoples are fully taken into account. Hunters living on its territory are endowed with special privileges regarding their tradition

Ungulates in the south of the Far East are very widespread, and the following species belong to the commercial group: reindeer, elk, red deer, roe deer, musk deer and wild boar.

Reindeer, red deer and musk deer are of lesser importance. Rare species prohibited from hunting include sika deer, goral and bighorn sheep. The hunting of ungulates is of great importance in the hunting economy of the Far East. Below is a description of the state of the resources and hunting of certain species of ungulates.

Wild reindeer... The range of reindeer includes ten districts in the Khabarovsk Territory: Khabarovsk, Verkhnebureinsky, Komsomolsky, Sovetsko-Gavansky, Nikolaevsky, named after Polina Osipenko, Tuguro-Chumikansky, Ulchsky, Okhotsky, Ayano-Maisky. The population density of wild reindeer is from 0.5 to 2, and on average - 0.6 heads per 1000 ha. The total area of ​​the range of this deer in the region is 3400 thousand hectares. In the southern part of the region, a limit is introduced on the shooting of wild reindeer.

In total, the number of wild deer in the Khabarovsk Territory is approximately 10-11 thousand. Of these, about 1 thousand heads can be hunted annually.

Reindeer in the Amur region is widespread in Dzheltulaksky, Zeysky and Selemdzhinsky districts. Previously, he permanently lived in the upper reaches of the Kur, Urmi rivers, in the Tumnin river basin, in the upper reaches of the Khor, Anyui and Kopni rivers. Here it was mined by local residents (Evenks, Yakuts, Evens, Orochi). In some places, the restoration of the reindeer population has begun, although forest fires and massive logging in the Bureya and Amgun river basins, as well as the development of domestic reindeer husbandry (northern regions), strongly hinder this. To date, the total number of reindeer here is estimated at 25-30 thousand heads.

Reindeer in the Far East is harvested in small quantities. The annual shooting is only 600 individuals, or 0.6% of the population. It is impossible to count on an increase in the harvesting of reindeer, due to the inaccessibility of hunting grounds. In the future, obviously, it is necessary to limit the hunting of wild reindeer. There is a prospect for the development of northern reindeer husbandry in certain areas of the Amur Region, Khabarovsk Territory and partly Primorye.

Elk is widespread in the Far East, except for the south of Primorye. Its number in 1975 was determined at 34 thousand heads. The number of elk has significantly decreased only in the Primorsky Territory (from 4 to 1.9 thousand individuals). Elk are most abundant in the low-lying wetlands of the Amur Valley. So, for example, on the Amgun River in the Polina Osipenko area of ​​the Khabarovsk Territory, at least 400 animals were shot annually, or about 13-15% of the entire population.

In the summer, the moose concentrates at sea ​​coast, in the floodplains of rivers and lowlands. V best locations habitat density of moose is 15-20 individuals in summer and 8-12 - in winter per 1000 hectares. The average population density of elk is much lower: in the Amur Region and in Primorye it is 0.4-0.6, in the Khabarovsk Priamurye 0.8-1.0 individuals per 1000 hectares. At present, the total number of elk in the Far East is 34.5 thousand heads, including 16.5 thousand in the Khabarovsk Territory, 15.5 thousand in the Amur Region and 2.5 thousand in Primorye. In recent years, 700-800 elk have been mined per season under licenses in the Amur Region, 800-900 in the Khabarovsk Territory, and 60-80 moose in Primorye. A large number of moose are shot illegally. All this leads to a decrease in the number of elk in the Far East.

Elk in the Far Eastern Territory is an important object not only for sports, but also for commercial hunting. Elk hunting here should be strictly rationed in accordance with the terms and rules of hunting.

Red deer very widespread in the south of the Far East. This is due not only to the nature of the vegetation in these places, but also to the depth of the snow cover. The highest density of red deer (5-8 individuals per 1000 ha) is observed in floodplain broad-leaved and cedar-broad-leaved forests, where the depth of snow reaches 30-40 cm, and the animal is not pursued by humans.

In the past, in the Far East, red deer fishing was often practiced for antlers, which were harvested in large quantities. So, for example, in 1924 2435 pairs of antlers were obtained. The total number of red deer is now estimated at 38-40 thousand heads, of which 3.1 thousand live in the Amur Region, 15.5 thousand in the Khabarovsk Territory and 19.6 thousand in Primorye.

In the Khabarovsk Territory, in the northern part of its range, red deer has a density of 1.0-2.5, and in the southern - 19-47 heads per 100 km 2. Red deer stocks in this region are mastered only by 25%. It is possible to shoot up to 700 heads, but in fact it is only 260 individuals.

In the mountainous regions of Primorye, red deer prevails over elk in number. In the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve, the number of red deer in the past reached 10 thousand heads. Recently, in the best lands of Primorye in the south of Sikhote-Alin, the number of reindeer was 60-80, and sometimes it reached 150-200 heads per 100 km 2. In places where animals were concentrated, the density reached 20-30 heads near salt licks, and 15-20 heads per 1000 hectares along river valleys. The highest density of red deer habitat is noted in the basins of the Khor, Vikin, Bolshaya Ussurka rivers and in other regions of Primorye.

Red deer in the south of the Far East is an important prey for ungulates. In Primorye, the official average annual hunting is only a fraction of the total deer production. In this region, hunters annually harvest about 1.5-2 thousand red deer. In the basin of the Bolshaya Ussurka River, these animals are shot 3-4 times more than permits are issued. If 10% of shooting is allowed, then 3.5-4 thousand deer can be hunted annually.

In total, 600-800 animals are currently hunted, including 100-200 antlers. In the future, it is planned to bring the annual extraction of red deer to 3.5-4.5 thousand, from which they will receive up to 1000 pairs of antlers and 3-4 thousand centners of meat. However, such big size prey can undermine the natural resources of this species of fauna.

Roe widespread in the south of the Far East, where it is kept mainly in forest-steppe regions and in the zone of deciduous forests. In the past, the roe deer in the Amur region was the most mass appearance fauna. So, in 1883, a roe deer move from the north to the southwest was described, when 150 thousand heads were caught in one year.

In 1974, the total stock of roe deer in this region was determined at 57 thousand heads, of which 42.5 thousand lived in the Amur Region, 9.0 in the Khabarovsk Territory and 5.5 thousand in Primorye. In the Far East, with a total roe deer shooting limit of 5-6 thousand heads, the actual catch has reached 15-25 thousand animals.

In the Amur Region, roe deer are usually found in taiga and forest-steppe regions. The average density of its habitat here is 2.5 individuals per 1000 hectares. In the Middle Amur region, roe deer are the most numerous species of deer, but their number and range are sharply reduced. For example, in the northwestern regions, roe deer have disappeared almost everywhere.

In the Khabarovsk Territory, in the basin of the Amgun and Tugur rivers, roe deer inhabits the lands of the Nimsleno-Chukcharig lowland, where larch forests with thickets of shrubs and areas of steppes prevail. Roe deer are practically absent on mountain slopes covered with dark coniferous taiga and in winter with high snow cover (60-90 cm).

In order to restore the number of roe deer as quickly as possible, it is proposed to completely ban hunting for 4-5 years. In the Khabarovsk Territory, the density of roe deer was 10-40 animals per 100 km 2. Only in some places of mass gathering of animals, for example, in Birobidzhan, their number reached 250 heads per 100 km 2. The annual limit for the shooting of roe deer in the Khabarovsk Territory is 2.2-3 thousand heads.

In the coastal part of Primorsky Krai, the density of roe deer does not exceed 1.8 individuals per 1000 ha with an average herd rate of 2 individuals. In the central regions of Primorye, among the mountain spurs of the Sikhote-Alin with a predominance of coniferous-deciduous forests, there are 0.2 individuals per 1000 hectares. In the vast Ussuri-Khanka lowland with a forest-steppe landscape, the population density reaches 5.3-8.7 roe deer per 1000 hectares with an average herd rate of 2.4 individuals. In the Primorsky Territory, the distribution of roe deer is characterized by the following figures: in coniferous-deciduous forests - 4.5%, broad-leaved forests - 23.4, in sparse mixed forests - 43.1%. These data can be used in planning the fishery for roe deer and protecting this species.

According to new data (Kucherenko, Shvets, 1977), the distribution and stocks of roe deer in the Amur-Ussuriysk Territory are characterized as follows: the best areas are located in the mouths of the Amur and Ussuri rivers, on the Zeisko-Bureinskaya, Sredne-Amurskaya and Ussuriysko-Khankaiskaya plains, as well as in the south of Primorye. In the best habitats, the population density of roe deer reaches 60-80 individuals per 1000 ha, in bridges the concentration of animals is up to 130-150, and in the most typical habitats - 20-30 heads. In terms of the average density, this is 5-10 individuals per 1000 ha. Due to a sharp decrease in the number of roe deer hunting is prohibited in the Amur Region in 1972, in the Khabarovsk Territory - in 1974. In Primorye, the limit on hunting these animals has been reduced.

It is necessary to conduct a general registration of the number of roe deer in all its habitats, and completely ban hunting for two or three years. While reducing poaching and a large number predators, the number of roe deer can be restored (an increase of 20-25%), since this species of fauna is well tolerated with the cultivated landscape and can be an important object of commercial and sports hunting.

Musk deer in the Far East, it is distributed mainly in the northern part, where it keeps along mountain ranges in coniferous (taiga type) forests.

In the Amur Region, musk deer is found in mountain taiga forests and along the valleys of the Lopcha, Larba, Selemdzha, Sugadan, Kharga, and other rivers. The population density of musk deer in various regions of this region ranges from 0.5 to 6 individuals per 1000 hectares.

Musk deer are quite numerous in the Khabarovsk Territory. The total number of this species is 4 thousand individuals, and the average annual shooting reaches only 150-300 animals (6.7% of the population). However, in our opinion, the production of musk deer can be increased up to 1600 pieces per year.

In Primorye, musk deer is found mainly in the northern and middle parts of the region. So, in the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve, it is taken into account from the Golubichny ridge to the Sea of ​​Japan. The highest density of musk deer habitat was noted in dark coniferous forests, where in March 1974 there were up to 20 tracks per 1 km of the route. In cedar plantations, the number of musk deer is less, and it rarely descends into wide valleys to the foot of the ridges. In summer, these animals move more widely: sometimes they were seen 5-8 km from the nearest coniferous forest. The increase in the density of musk deer is restrained by the lack of basic forage - lichens and the persecution of the harza (Astafiev and Zaitsev, 1975).

The musk deer fishing is often predatory. It is often obtained only for the sake of musk, leaving the skin and meat at the hunting ground. In the hunting farms of the Far East, musk deer is used poorly: no more than 300 individuals are harvested per year, although the size of the livestock makes it possible to increase its production. Shooting of musk deer should be limited so as not to deplete the reserves of this species of fauna.

Boar widespread in the Far East in the southern taiga, in cedar-deciduous forests. It is common in the south of Primorye and in the middle of the Sikhote-Alin. The total number of wild boars in the good lands of Primorye is 40-60, reaching in some places 200 animals per 100 km 2.

The number of wild boars in the Far East has stabilized by now. The average density of wild boars in the region reaches 2-4 individuals per 1000 hectares of cedar-deciduous forests. In years big harvest cedar in some forage lands creates a density of up to 40 heads per 1000 hectares.

Wild boar in the Far East is the main object of prey for ungulates. For 1966-1971 on average, up to 1000 heads were shot here per season. Primorsky Krai takes a leading place in the shooting of wild boar, which makes up half of the production of all ungulates. During the winter of 1972/73, 1,455 wild boars were killed in Primorye, which is 80% of the total seasonal production of this animal in the Far East. The second place is occupied by the Khabarovsk Territory, where 200-300 wild boars are hunted. The third place belongs to the Amur Region, where only 100-120 heads are shot. Despite the licensed system of wild boar hunting, it is harvested 3-4 times more annually than permits are issued. In fact, 3-4 thousand wild boars are hunted here annually, or 10-15% of its livestock. In addition, large predators kill about 10 thousand wild boars a year. In this regard, the number of wild boars in the Far East has decreased, and is now slowly recovering.

The above sketch of the resources of the fauna of the Far East gives only a general idea of ​​the state of fishing in this region. Thus, the regulated harvest of the above-mentioned fur and ungulate animals in the south of the Far East will contribute to the restoration of the number and expansion of their habitat.

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The Ussuri taiga is a unique wonder of the world. More than 400 species of trees grow here, including exotic: Mongolian oak, Korean cedar, Manchurian walnut, Amur velvet. This area has a unique collection of endemic plants that are not found anywhere else in the world. Among such a variety of plants, there are no less rare and unique animals of the Russian Far East.

Animals living in the Far East will be discussed in this article.

General information

The animals, which are typical inhabitants of the jungle, have perfectly adapted to life in the harsh climate conditions of the Far East. Air temperature in winter time here it can reach up to -45 ° С, and the thickness of the snow cover is 2 meters. Among these animals are the Amur tiger ("master of the Ussuri taiga"), leopard, white-breasted bear, sika deer, goral and kharza.

Some animals of the Far East of our territory, representing the object of hunting, were settled and acclimatized over the vast expanses of Russia and the world. These include, first of all, the sika deer and the raccoon dog. But some species of animals were also brought here, for example, the muskrat and the European hare.

Briefly about nature

Before we present information about what animals live in the Far East, we will consider some features of the nature of the region. The Far East has a unique ecosystem that combines a tundra zone and a forest. The territories of the region are located in different natural areas:

• tundra;
• arctic deserts;
• coniferous forests (light coniferous, dark coniferous, coniferous-birch);
• forest-steppe;
• coniferous-deciduous forests.

In such natural zones and climatic conditions are different, and therefore the world of fauna and flora is different.

About animals of the Far East

In the most remote region of Russia with a harsh climate, a total of 80 terrestrial species of mammals live, of which only 24 species are objects of hunting. More than half of the animal species are very rare species listed in the Red Book of Russia and the IUCN. In the coastal waters of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and Japan, there are 21 species of marine mammals.

The largest animals in the Far East are tigers (Amur and Ussuri), bears (Himalayan and brown). More information about them below in the article.

The animals of this region are unique and interesting.

Ussurian tiger

This is the largest cat in the world - a powerful and strong beast. An adult male reaches a weight of up to 300 kg, but such a mass does not at all prevent him from easily and silently moving along the reeds, without attracting attention to himself, and being an excellent hunter. The wild cat hunts wild boars, elks, deer and hares. There are cases of attacks on a bear.

The female gives birth, as a rule, 2-3 cubs, remaining up to three years next to her, gradually learning the basics of the hunting art.

Amur leopard

Speaking about the animals of the Far East, it is impossible not to mention the Amur leopard, which is recognized as the rarest cat in the wild. This species, currently on the verge of extinction, is extraordinarily beautiful. In total, there are now only about 30 Amur leopards at large, and there are about a hundred of them in zoos.

In Korea, these amazingly beautiful leopards have been completely exterminated, in China there are single specimens, perhaps these are individuals coming to them from the territory of Russia. These animals are threatened by forest fires, poachers and lack of food.

Himalayan bear

Among the animals of the Far East, there is also a predator - the Himalayan bear. It is much smaller in size than its brown relative. The Himalayan bear is extraordinarily beautiful - its black coat shimmers in the sun, and there is a white spot on its chest. He loves to feast on nuts, acorns and roots. In winter, it hibernates inside a large hollow of pine, cedar or oak. Sleep continues for five months. The female gives birth to cubs usually in February, and the cubs stay with her until the next fall.

What other animals live?

The Far East is very rich in fauna. Typical Siberian taiga species:

• squirrel;
• sable;
• chipmunk;
• hazel grouse and others.

Animals of Chinese and Indo-Malay origin (except those presented above):

• Red Wolf;
• forest cat;
• mole mogger;
• Manchu hare.

Unfortunately, the barbaric attitude towards the unique nature of the Far East threatened the complete survival of some of its inhabitants. Serious work is underway to improve this situation.

GOU VPO Pacific State University of Economics (UF)

ANIMAL WORLD OF THE PRIMORSKY REGION

Ussuriysk 2010

1. Introduction

2) Species diversity

3) General characteristics of biodiversity

- Birds of Primorsky Territory

Bird migration through the territory of Primorye

- Representatives of the squad of insectivores

- Bats, or the bats

- Rodents

- Wild artiodactyl animals

- Representatives of the squad of predators

- Study of land mammals

a) Animal salt licks as a phenomenon and indicator. Adaptation of animals to the conditions of the mountain taiga Sikhote-Alin

4) Problems of wildlife protection

5) Conclusion

6) References

INTRODUCTION

In Primorye, there are 82 species of land mammals belonging to six orders. A distinctive feature of the richest fauna of the region is the presence of a large number of endemic species, some of which are endangered and listed in the Red Data Books of various levels, and some are simply rare and require special protection measures.

The fauna of the Primorsky Territory is distinguished by a unique combination of northern and southern species. The richest and most peculiar animal world cedar-deciduous forests. Typical mammals that add color to the Ussuri forests are predators: Amur tiger, Far Eastern leopard, Amur forest cat, Himalayan bear; ungulates: sika deer, red deer. Wolverine, wild boar, lynx, sable, otter, as well as shrews and rodents are common.

There are 360 ​​bird species in Primorye. Among them there are many endemic species of the Sino-Himalayan type of fauna or those wearing a tropical appearance and wintering in the Philippines and the Sunda Islands, India and Indochina. In the forests of Primorye, the most widespread insectivores are: the tropical flycatcher, the Chinese oriole; the poison dart frogs: woodpeckers and nuthatches; herbivores: Yankovsky's bunting, black-headed grosbeak; chicken: hazel grouse, pheasant. In river valleys and on lakes, the scaly merganser and the variegated mandarin duck live. The Far Eastern stork, spoonbill, sukhonos, and Daurian crane are rare.

In the water bodies of the region, there are up to 100 species of fish: crucian carp, Amur pike, skygazer, snakehead, chebak, grayling, rudd, taimen. From the Sea of ​​Japan they enter rivers for spawning of pink salmon, chum salmon, sima.

SPECIES VARIETY

Birds	Insectivores	Bats, or bats	Rodents	Wild artiodactyl animals	Predators
Red bellied woodpecker	Ussuri Moguera	Pipenose	Long-tailed mouse
Fish owl	Amur hedgehog	Brown long-eared bat		Amur goral
Mandarin duck	Manchu squirrel	Wild sika deer
Black crane	Manchu hare		Wild cat
Red-footed ibis	Far Eastern vole		Brown bear
Far Eastern stork	Daurian hamster		Himalayan bear
Crested sheath
Scaled merganser	Little mouse
Japanese crane

GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC OF BIODIVERSITY

BIRDS OF PRIMORYE

Red bellied woodpecker

Among the birds of the Ussuri region there is a mysterious red-bellied woodpecker - the status of which is still not clear, and not only in Russia, but throughout its nesting range, which includes some part (which one - there is no consensus among Chinese ornithologists) of the province Heilongjiang in China.
Of our woodpeckers, it is the only truly migratory one; D. hyperythrus subrufinus wintering grounds are located in the extreme southeast of China and North Vietnam and are adjacent to the ranges of its three southern subspecies.
Its close relationship with the birds of the tropics is evidenced by its bright coloration and some details of its behavior. The woodpecker has a bright red chest and belly and a white ring around the eye against the background of the red plumage of the sides of the head, otherwise the color of the plumage resembles the color of other variegated woodpeckers of the genus Dendrocopos. Unfortunately, we still have not been able to photograph birds in nature. These woodpeckers often fly high above the forest canopy and almost always scream in flight. The cry of the red-bellied woodpecker is a long modulating trill, amplified by vibration. The drumbeat, on the contrary, is very short, the shortest of the fractions of all other woodpeckers of the genus Dendrocopos, but it is quite sonorous and can be heard from a distance of more than 100 m.
The red-bellied woodpecker was introduced into the fauna of Russia in 1966 by G.Sh. Lafer and Yu.N. Nazarov, when several migratory birds were found on the islands of the Peter the Great Bay. In the 70s, meetings of the species in the extreme south of Primorye became regular, but all attempts to find it here on the nesting site have so far been unsuccessful.
A complete surprise was the discovery of the first nesting site of the red-bellied woodpecker in Russia almost 20 years after the first meeting. In 1985, it was discovered by O.P. Valchuk much to the north, 60 km north-east of Khabarovsk. Since that time, the red-bellied woodpecker has been recorded here almost every year, and the geography of spring encounters of the species in Primorye and in the northeast of Heilongjiang province is also expanding. And finally, in 1997, A.A. Nazarenko managed to find a new, second in Russia and first in Primorye, nesting place of the species - on the Strelnikov ridge in the Ussuri river basin.
As in northeastern China in the Russian Far East, the red-bellied woodpecker lives in the secondary mixed-broad-leaved forests of low mountains and foothills with a predominance of oak and a large share of aspen in the stand. Probably, the species does not develop secondary clarified forests immediately after felling, but when the aspen stands reach a mature age. It was not discovered on the territory of the Ussuriysk Territory until 1966, although many experienced researchers and collectors worked here, starting with N.M. Przhevalsky. Most likely, the red-bellied woodpecker appeared in the Far East of Russia from northeastern China in the 60s, when the existing secondary forests were formed everywhere in the border zone in the basins of the Ussuri and Amur rivers. The process of settling (or resettlement) of the species, apparently continues, because in China, due to the intensifying anthropogenic pressure, the area of ​​suitable habitats is steadily decreasing, while in Russia, on the contrary, it is increasing. We believe that the next nesting place of the red-bellied woodpecker in Russia may be the Maly Khingan Ridge in the Jewish Autonomous Region, covered with similar forests.
The biology of the red-bellied woodpecker is still poorly understood, but it does not fundamentally differ from the biology of other woodpeckers, with the exception of details determined by the migration of the species.
At the working meeting of the Bird Life Internetionel coordinating committee on the project of the Red Book of Birds of Asia / Khabarovsk, 1996 / it was decided to add the species to the lists of candidates for inclusion in this book. At present, it is included in the new edition of the Red Book of Russia as a small, sporadically widespread and poorly studied species / Valchuk, in press /. Perhaps, as special measures for the protection of the species, it is advisable to create a wildlife reserve in the first nesting area. The collection of material on the biology of the species and the study of the current state of its population in the south of the Russian Far East continues.

Fish owl

An even rarer fish owl is found in the Ussuri region. It is also found on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, in Primorye, Sakhalin and the Kuriles. We can say that this is the most unusual owl in our country. First, the fish owl is a long-standing representative of the Red Book. Secondly, unlike other owls, it feeds almost exclusively on fish.

In size, this owl is almost equal to that of an ordinary owl, its color is low-contrast, monotonous, and besides, its toes are naked, without plumage.

The fish owl spends almost all the time in one section of the river floodplain, overgrown with tall elms and poplars. Not every place suits him - birds choose rivers rich in fish, as well as those that do not completely freeze in winter or have holes. There, owls feed during the harsh season. They sit by the open water on the shore and watch their prey. Some wormwoods and gullies can gather five to six birds.

In summer, fish owls usually look for fish from a coastal rock, from a high section of the coast, or from a tree trunk tilted over the water. As soon as the predator notices a fish, it immediately breaks down from the observation post and on the fly grabs a lenok or grayling that has risen to the surface of the water. At night, he wanders along the shallow rifts and snatches out the fish swimming by. To keep slippery prey, the owl uses strong legs, armed with very sharp hook-shaped claws. The inner surface of the paws is covered with small spines. Sometimes the fish owl changes hunting grounds, moving from one section of the river to another. I happened to see whole paths that these birds stamped, wandering along the coast.

The fish owl is notable for its unusual fidelity - pairs of this species persist, apparently, for several years. In February, when there is snow everywhere in Primorye, owls begin the mating season, and the valley forests are filled with the spring cries of these birds. The birds do not interfere with "singing" to each other: their voices sound at strictly defined intervals. Usually the male starts, but after his first syllable, the female inserts her “song” into the “song” of the male, and both birds “sing” in a duet. Unlike the common eagle owl, the fish one never “laughs”. Often fish owls "sing" at the nest, sitting on one branch. Their duet spreads far away in the morning or evening dawn - it can be heard at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers from the current couple.

At the nest, adult birds often whistle.

Fish eagle owls build nests in hollows at a height of 6 to 18 m. Usually there are two, less often - three chicks in the nest. After two months, they leave the hollow, but stay nearby while they learn to fly. However, for a long time, until the fall, adult birds continue to feed the young. It happens that the next year, almost adult young eagle owls fly to the new nest of their parents and with a demanding whistle beg for food from them.

The number of this rare species owls are steadily declining today. Economic development of floodplain areas, cutting down old hollow trees, accidental death in traps, development of water tourism, pollution of rivers and depletion of fish stocks - all this reduces the number of these unusual birds.

Mandarin duck
Mandarin duck is the most beautiful duck on earth. Of course, we are talking about a drake. The duck is also graceful and graceful, but modestly colored. This is understandable: she should not attract the attention of predators, since all the worries about the offspring are on her shoulders.

This is a small duck, also called a Japanese duck and a duplovka. The average weight of a drake is about 620, and a duck is about 500 grams.

The flight of the mandarin duck is fast and very maneuverable: from the ground and from the water, they rise freely, almost vertically.

Usually the mandarin duck is a very silent duck, it squeaks, whistles, but in the spring, during breeding, it continually quacks, and its voice, with its melodiousness, differs significantly from the voices of other ducks.

Mandarin duck nests, as a rule, in hollows. Acorns make up a significant part of the diet. There are usually 6-7 eggs in the nest, often 8-10 eggs. The female incubates them for 28-30 days.

A rare species, the number of which tends to decline. Inhabits along the Amur, in the Sikhote-Alin mountain system, the Ussuri valley and South Primorye. The species nests in the south of Sakhalin and on about. Kunashir.

Mandarin duck hibernates in Japan and southern China.
The tangerine has no commercial value. In China and Japan, it was domesticated and bred as an ornamental bird.
The main nesting area of ​​the mandarin duck is located on the Japanese islands and on the island of Taiwan.
Mandarin ducks arrive in Primorye early, when there is still snow in some places, and the first gullies are just appearing on the rivers. They arrive in pairs and flocks and immediately begin their courtship; sometimes up to three males look after one female. Fights are not complete, but these fights are more reminiscent of the ritual of competitions.

Mandarin ducklings arrive when the spring concerts and the spawning period of the Far Eastern frogs begin. Frogs, like acorns, are a favorite delicacy of tangerines. Of course, there is also a lot of “dishes” made from seeds of plants, fish, salamanders, etc. is included in the diet of these ducks, but the first two are the main ones. To feast on acorns, tangerines sit on oak trees, collect them on the slopes of hills or in the water.

Mandarin chicks nest in tree holes sometimes at a height of up to 20 meters, and one has to wonder how chicks, falling from such a height, do not break. And then there are all sorts of predators, crows.

All summer, the female mandarin duck is spent on raising offspring. In June, males shed their mating outfit and become almost indistinguishable from females. Mandarin duck live on deaf taiga rivers, along windbreaks littered with windbreaks, oxbows, and therefore have survived in sufficient numbers. And although they are listed in the Red Book of Russia, they are not yet threatened with extinction. It is difficult to imagine the Far Eastern rivers without the beauties of the mandarin. Its close relative, the Caroline duck, lives in America, but in beauty it is noticeably inferior to the mandarin duck, and there are almost no forests left there like ours. Both species belong to forest tree ducks and in treeless places are found only during migration.

In the fall, tangerines fly south late. Some males, who stay until November, have time to “put on” a mating outfit again ...

Black crane(lat. Grus monacha) is a bird of the crane family, nesting mainly on the territory Russian Federation... For a long time it was considered an unexplored species, the first nest was discovered by the Russian ornithologist Yu. B. Pukinsky only in 1974. It is listed in the International Red Book as an endangered species. The total number of black cranes is estimated by ornithologists at 9400-9600 individuals.

One of the smallest species of cranes, its height is about 100 cm and weight 3.75 kg. The plumage of most of the body is bluish-gray. Flight feathers of the first and second orders of the wings, as well as tail coverts, are black. The head and most of the neck are white. On the crown of the head, feathers are almost absent, with the exception of many black setae; the skin in this place in adult birds is colored bright red. The bill is greenish, slightly pinkish at the base and yellow-green at the top. Legs are black-brown. Sexual dimorphism (visible differences between male and female) is not pronounced, although males look somewhat larger. In young birds in the first year of life, the crown is covered with black and white feathers, and the plumage of the body has a reddish tint.

During the breeding season, the black crane feeds and nests in hard-to-reach areas of the raised sphagnum bogs of the taiga with oppressed tree vegetation, mainly consisting of larch or rare shrubs. Avoids both large open spaces and dense vegetation. In areas of winter migration, it stops near rice or grain fields and in wetlands, where they flock into large flocks, often together with gray and Daurian cranes.

The diet does not differ from that of the common crane and includes both plant and animal foods. It feeds on parts of aquatic plants, berries, grains, insects, frogs, salamanders and other small animals. In the Japanese nursery, it is fed with seeds of rice, corn, wheat and other grain crops.

A completed pair of black cranes mark their connection by joint characteristic singing, which is usually issued with the head thrown back and the beak raised vertically, and is a series of complex lingering melodic sounds. In this case, the male always spreads his wings, and the female keeps them folded. The male begins to scream first, and the female responds with two to each of his calls. Courtship is accompanied by characteristic crane dances, which can include bouncing, dashing, flapping wings, tossing tufts of grass, and bending over. Although dancing is most associated with mating season Bird watchers believe that they are common behavior in cranes and can act as a calming factor in aggression, relieving tension, or enhancing marital bonding.

The place for the nest is chosen in hard-to-reach places in the middle of mossy swamps of the middle and southern taiga with rare oppressed vegetation. Pieces of wet moss, peat, sedge stems and leaves, branches of larch and birch are used as material for the nest. Clutch of eggs occurs in late April-early May, the female usually lays two eggs with an average size of 9.34x5.84 cm and a weight of 159.4 g (according to other sources, the size of eggs is 10.24x6.16 cm). Incubation period is 27-30 days, both parents are involved in incubation. Chicks become winged after about 75 days.

CURRENT STATE OF SOME RED BOOKED BIRD SPECIES

Red-footed ibis

In the 19th century, it nested in Primorye (Przhevalsky, 1870). After 1917, it was no longer found breeding in Russia. N.M. Przhevalsky (1870) counted two to three dozen birds during the spring migration and no more than 20 during the breeding season. Over the past 60 years, three single birds have been encountered in Primorye (Spangenberg, 1965; Labzyuk, 1981, 1985). In the 80s of the twentieth century. in the territory of Primorye, a special search for the red-footed ibis was undertaken. The questionnaires were produced by the Wild Bird Society of Japan. Searches have not yielded positive results. The local population is considered extinct.

Far Eastern stork

A significant part of the species population lives in Primorye. The main nesting area is the Ussuri-Khanka lowland. In 1974-75. about 140 pairs nested in Primorye. During these years, there were on average 1.6 chicks per family of storks (Shibaev et al., 1976; Shibaev, 1989). In recent decades, the number of this bird has been declining. Unlike the white stork (Ciconia ciconia), the Far Eastern stork (Ciconia boyciana) gravitates less towards humans. Although it lives mainly in the anthropogenic landscape, nests in the villages are practically not found.

Crested sheath

The species, the existence of which was known from old Chinese and Japanese drawings, as well as from several museum specimens. The crested sheath was believed to have disappeared. However, bird encounters in 1964 in South Primorye (Labzyuk, 1972) and in 1971 in North Korea(Sok, 1984) allow us to hope that birds are still preserved in nature. However, a questionnaire survey conducted in the early 1980s in East Asia, including Primorye, did not give positive results (Nowak, 1983).

Scaled merganser

More than 90% of the world population of this duck nests (reproduces) in the Russian Far East. (Only a very small number also nest in s.-w. China.) In Primorye, the scaly merganser is found on many mountain rivers in the Sikhote-Alin ridge system. The state of the population does not inspire any particular concern.

Japanese crane

The nesting sites of the Japanese crane in Primorye are associated with the Khanka lowland, as well as with the lower reaches of large tributaries of the river. Ussuri. The maximum number of birds was recorded in 1980 (116 ind.) And in 1986 (123 ind.). Successfully nesting pairs (families) were 18-19 and 20, respectively. Habitats (nesting biotope) - vast grassy bogs with reeds in combination with lakes and small rivers. Birds from Lake Khanka fly to the Korean Peninsula for the winter. The state of the population is quite stable.

Reed sutora

This bird with an extravagant appearance was discovered in Primorye in the late 60s of the XX century. The main area of ​​its nesting is the Khanka lowland. Estimated 1977/79 no more than 400 nesting pairs lived there. The nesting biotope of the reed suture is reed thickets. In the same thickets, birds spend the winter feeding on insects hibernating in reed stalks. This extreme specialization makes the species very vulnerable. The grass fires that regularly occur in the Khanka lowland are especially dangerous for the species. In the Chinese part of the range, industrial harvesting of reed is practiced.
The creation in 1990 of the Khankaysky Nature Reserve somewhat reduced the severity of the threat to the existence of the species. However, it did not remove the threat at all. It is necessary to expand the territory of the reserve and fight fires.
In recent years, reed sutora has been found in small numbers in other regions of Primorye.

BIRDS MIGRATION THROUGH THE TERRITORY OF PRIMORYE

The confinement of Primorsky Krai to middle latitudes and to the contact area of ​​the Asian land and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the fact that the valley of the largest river in the region - r. Ussuri and the territory of the wetlands of the lake. Khanka and lacustrine plains r. The Tumangan region crosses the region in the meridional direction, all this leads to the fact that in spring and autumn the Primorsky Territory falls into the zone of action of the great "Eastern Trans-Asian migratory flow of migratory birds". Tens and hundreds of thousands of birds - waterfowl, waders, land passerines and others - in the spring from their wintering grounds in East and Southeast Asia and Australia on their way to their nests in North and North-East Asia (and in the fall - in the opposite direction) visit Primorye stopping here for rest and to replenish energy resources. It is noteworthy that out of the total list of 460 bird species recorded in Primorye, over 200 species cross the territory of Primorye during their seasonal migrations.
2 main migration flows pass through the territory of the region. One is along the sea coast. Most of the waders, sea gulls, loons and other "sea" birds follow it. Another is confined to the valley of the river. Ussuri and wetlands of the Khanka lowland and the lake plain of the river. Tumangan. B? Most of the waterfowl and the overwhelming majority of land birds cross Primorye just this way. In the extreme south of the region, on the Tumangan wetlands, these streams merge.
The first description of the spring migration of birds on the lake. Khanka belongs to N.M. Przhevalsky, who carried out his observations here in 1868 and 1869. Subsequently, many ornithologists, professionals and amateurs, were engaged in visual observations of the flight of birds in Primorye in different years of the current century. As a result, the timing of migration for most of the bird species and the estimated number of migrants, primarily waterfowl, are well known to date. Unfortunately, in recent decades, there has been a steady downward trend in numbers for most of the waterfowl. Thus, the population of the Kloktun has fallen catastrophically.
Ringing of birds as a method of studying their migrations has not become widespread in Primorye. In 1962-1970. on the lake. Khanka under the leadership of V.M. Polivanov, over 5.5 thousand chicks of gray and red herons were ringed. Returns of rings, in the amount of 2.6 and 1.5%, respectively, made it possible to find out the areas of flight of young birds (including far to the north) and to clarify the areas of migration and wintering of these herons. In the same years, in the colonies of seabirds in the Peter the Great Bay, under the leadership of N.M. Litvinenko, over 23,000 black-tailed gull chicks were ringed. This made it possible to find out the picture of the movement of birds. of different ages and in different seasons of the year within the entire Sea of ​​Japan. In incomparably smaller numbers, some other seabirds, including the Japanese cormorant, waders and some passerines, were ringing.
In the 80s, in the framework of international cooperation between The International Foundation for the protection of cranes (USA), the Wild Bird Society of Japan and the Laboratory of Ornithology of the BPI FEB RAS for monitoring the population of the Japanese crane (see below) marked the chicks of this crane with colored rings. The project did not bring any scientific surprises.
In the fall of 1998, the Amuro-Ussuriysk Center for the Study of Biodiversity of Birds began a project for long-term ringing of birds in the Primorsky Territory. The project is carried out on the initiative and with the financial support of the Department of Social and Ecological environment Toyama Prefecture, Japan and with the assistance of the Committee on Protection and Sustainable Use natural resources Administration of the Primorsky Territory. The main goal of the project is to create a service for monitoring the state of the populations of certain groups of birds with an emphasis on passerines by capturing and tagging them during the migration period.

INSECTS

Ussuri Moguera

The Ussuriyskaya Moguera lives in deciduous forests (mostly preferring the valleys of mountain rivers) with loose soil. Leads an underground lifestyle. The passages of the Ussuriysk moguera are usually located at a depth of up to 10 cm, only in areas with dense soil they dig deeper passages with the release of earth to the surface and the formation of mole holes. It feeds on earthworms, larvae and adult insects.

Live animals emit a characteristic garlic smell. Lives in Primorye and in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory in deciduous and mixed forests. On occasion, catches mice and shrews. It builds passages with a diameter of 7-9 cm at a depth of up to 20 cm. Krotovin does not, but the soil rolls above the passages are usually noticeable. The skins are of a much higher quality than that of other moles, but due to the limited area of ​​distribution, the mogger remains a secondary commercial species.

Amur hedgehog

Amur hedgehog(lat. Erinaceus amurensis) is a mammal of the genus forest urchins; the closest relative of the common hedgehog. It is found in northern China, on the Korean Peninsula and in Russia - in the Primorsky Territory, in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory and in the Amur Region (in the floodplains of the Amur and Ussuri rivers).
The Amur hedgehog is very similar to the common hedgehog, but has a lighter color. Up to a third of its needles are devoid of pigment; therefore, the general tone of the needle cover is light brown. The fur on the belly is brown, hard, bristly. On the back and back of the body, needles up to 24 mm long. The length of its body is 18-26 cm, the length of the tail is 16-28 mm. Weight, depending on the season, ranges from 234 to 1092 grams.

The Amur hedgehog inhabits a wide variety of biotopes, avoiding only high mountains, vast swamps and large arable areas. The optimal habitats for it are river valleys and the lower parts of the slopes, covered with coniferous-deciduous forest, with rich undergrowth and grass stand. Prefers to settle on the border of the forest and open spaces. Spends the day in the nest, but on cool rainy days it can hunt around the clock. Its food is based on earthworms and other soil invertebrates, less often small terrestrial vertebrates, and even less often fruits of plants. The breeding season runs from late March to early April. There are 3-8 cubs in the litter. Sexual maturity occurs at 2 years of age.

Common view for the Russian Far East.

PEDESTERS OR BATS

Bats, or bats, are represented in the Primorsky Territory by 15 species - of which the long-toed, long-tailed and Ikonnikova * bat, leather-like and eastern bats and eastern leather are very few in number, and there is a clear tendency towards a further reduction in the number of these species and subspecies. The reason for this is the destruction of animals in natural underground cavities - karst caves and a decrease in the places used for brood colonies - old buildings, since the roofs of new buildings are completely unsuitable for the formation of colonial clusters. The oldest, to date, extinct group of bats are the pipe-noses, whose rare finds are scattered over the vast territory of South and Central Asia. Only in the south of Primorye is a representative of this group inhabited - the Ussuriysky small pipe-nosed *. In the south of the Khasansky district, there is the only colony of the common long-winged wing in Russia, included in the Red Book of Russia. Unfortunately, this colony, numbering up to 1000 individuals, was located in fortifications on the border with China and there is information that it was destroyed in connection with the recently completed demarcation of the Russian-Chinese border. The most numerous wintering species is the brown long-eared bat *.

Rodents

Belyak

Large hare: body length of adult animals is from 44 to 65 cm, sometimes reaching 74 cm; body weight 1.6-4.5 kg.

The ears are long (7.5-10 cm), but noticeably shorter than those of the hare. The tail is usually completely white; relatively short and rounded, 5-10.8 cm long. Paws are relatively wide; the feet, including the pads of the toes, are covered with a thick brush of hair. The load per 1 cm² of the sole area of ​​the hare is only 8.5-12 g, which makes it easy for him to move even on loose snow. (For comparison, in a fox, it is 40-43 g, in a wolf - 90-103 g, and in a hound dog - 90-110 g).

In coloration, there is a clearly expressed seasonal dimorphism: in winter the white hare is pure white, with the exception of the black tips of the ears; the color of summer fur in different parts of the range is from reddish-gray to slate-gray with brown striation. The head is usually colored somewhat darker than the back; the sides are lighter. The belly is white. Only in areas where there is no stable snow cover, hares do not turn white for the winter. Male white hare females are on average larger than males and do not differ in color. There are 48 chromosomes in the karyotype of the white hare.

Zokora

The Manchurian zokor (subspecies epsilanus) inhabited most of the Khanka lowland at the beginning of the last century. However, by the 70s - 80s, it survived only in Primorsky Krai on 3-4 small isolated areas with sparse settlements in the western part of the lowland, in the Ussuriysky, Oktyabrsky, Pogranichny and Khankaysky districts. The range of this species continues to decline. Outside of Russia, the Manchu zokor is widespread in Mongolia (in the east) and in China.

This is a relatively large zokor, the color of the fur can vary from dark gray to light, grayish ocher. The upper part of the nose and forehead are lighter and grayer. The chin and mouth circumference are whitish. In dark-colored individuals, there is often a pale-whitish spot on the back of the head. The tail is almost naked, with very sparse grayish hairs. Body weight can reach 456 g (average - 297 g), body length is about 209 mm (minimum - 190mm, maximum - 238 mm), tail - 34-50.5 mm (average - 40.7 mm), feet - 32.7 (30-35.5). The length of the claw on the third toe is 14–18 mm.

The Manchu zokor leads an underground lifestyle. Each animal digs its own complex two-tier system of passages; the area of ​​the hole can be judged by the volume of earth thrown onto the surface in cone-shaped heaps. The foraging passages pass at a depth of 12–20 cm. The diameter of the burrows of underyearlings is 4–5 cm, of adults - 8–12 cm. The average diameter of the burrows is 20–50 cm, the height is 10–30 cm. when laying the passages, a part of the earth is hammered into the old autumn passages. When digging out the roots, the zokor constantly makes new passages in the upper tier, clogs old ones with earthen plugs. The lower tier of the burrow system is located at a depth of 40–110 cm and is connected to the feed passage system by several vertical ridges. The length of the lower tier passages is limited and changes little. There are pantries, latrines and a nesting chamber here. The length of the surface passages reaches 150 m. The Manchurian zokor is active all year round. During the day, the peaks of activity are confined to the morning and evening twilight hours. The greatest seasonal activity of this species is observed in May and early June and is explained by the dispersal of young animals. By the middle of summer, the intensity of the zokor's digging activity decreases. In autumn (August-October), there is again a slight increase in burrowing activity, which is associated with the need to create stocks of feed. In the conditions of a winter with little snow, when the soil freezes, the activity of the zokor in the surface passages is not observed.

Manchu squirrel

The decoration of forests is the Manchu squirrel, which is a special large subspecies of the common squirrel. Short black hair, characteristic of squirrels in summer, by October is replaced by winter dark gray. An interesting feature of the ecology of squirrels is the phenomenon of mass migrations: in years of lack of forage, animals begin to make grandiose transitions to fertile places. At this time, they can be seen in the most unsuitable stations for them - among fields, mowing, in villages, on rocks moving in a certain direction.

In appearance, it is somewhat reminiscent of a flying squirrel, the most characteristic feature of which is a fold of skin covered with hair, stretched in the form of a webbing on the sides of the body between the front and hind legs. This animal rarely jumps through trees like a squirrel, and more often, having climbed the trunk to the top, it rushes down, spreading its limbs to the side. In this case, the expanded membrane serves as a kind of glider wings or a parachute. During a gliding descent, the flying squirrel can make quick and sharp turns, and in a straight line, descending, fly up to 100 m.

Manchurian hare

The shrub hare (Lepus mandshuricus) is a mammal of the genus of hares of the order Lagomorphs. Previously, it was often combined with the Japanese bush hare (Lepus brachiurus) or isolated as a separate genus Caprolagus.

A species of the genus of hares. Previously, it was often included in the Japanese bush hare (L. brachiurus) or in the genus Caprolagus. Body weight 1.3-2.3 kg, body length 430-490 mm, tail length GO-95 mm, foot length 110-130 mm, ear length 75-90 mm.

The ears are very short; the tail is relatively long, gray below, black above. The coloration of the back and top of the head is ocher-brown or ocher-gray with dark streakiness; whitish spots on the sides of the head, a dark stripe under the eye; the sides of the body and legs are pale yellow, the belly is off-white. There are individuals black with a fawn throat and a white belly, or almost white. Winter fur is slightly lighter than summer fur. Like the hare, it is a typical forest dweller, preferring broad-leaved forests with dense shrub undergrowth. Prefers areas with thickets of hazel and young oak, aspen and birch forests. The most typical biotopes for it are small overgrown ridges along rivers and springs. It prefers to swim in low watersheds with rocks and stony obstructions, in river floodplains, on islands overgrown with bushes. In winter, it prefers the steep southern slopes of the hills, where little snow accumulates. Readily inhabits overgrown burnt-out areas and felling areas. Avoids coniferous plantings. He also does not like old, closed plantings and settles only on their outskirts; avoids open spaces. Like all hares, it is active at night. He arranges daytime lying in a dense bush, under deadwood and creases, stones; sometimes it occupies the hollows of fallen trees, root voids and old burrows (for example, badgers). Like many hares, when lying down, it keeps very "tightly", letting a person go 2-3 m. In winter, especially with heavy snowfalls, it buries itself in the snow. In inclement weather, it does not come to the surface at all, but feeds under the snow, laying tunnels in its thickness. Vaults are used multiple times. The individual plot of the Manchu hare, apparently, does not exceed several hundred square meters. The Manchu hare, frightened by a man, quickly runs away, but only until it disappears from the field of vision. Unlike other hares, he does not confuse his tracks at all, does not make estimates, but try to get away from pursuit "directly" and hide. It feeds on aerial parts of various herbaceous, woody and shrub plants. It was noted that its range coincides with the range of Lespedetsa bicolor and does not go beyond the boundaries of its growth. In winter, like a white hare, it switches to feeding on young shoots and bark, mainly poplar and aspen. It feeds on berries, fruits, algae.

Daurian hamster

The Daurian hamster is a small (somewhat larger than a mouse) animal with a short tail. Body length 82-126 mm, tail 20-33 mm. The muzzle is noticeably pointed, the ears are relatively large (up to 17 mm), rounded, the foot is bare, the tail is covered with soft short (sometimes longer and coarser) hair, there are no transverse rings on it.

The coloration of the top is light brown with ocher and rusty tones; along the ridge runs a black stripe, sometimes strongly blurred, and in the most light-colored races in winter fur, it persists only in the form of darkening in the nape. The border between the color of the top and sides is even. The soles are comparatively densely pubescent. Corns are not reduced, but in animals in winter fur they are hidden in wool. In the karyotype, 2n = 20.

Skull with a relatively long and narrow nasal region. The upper line of its profile, like that of the gray hamster, is uniformly convex. The nasal processes of the intermaxillary bones barely extend beyond the frontal edges of the nasal bones. The longitudinal depression along the midline of the skull is relatively weak, especially its part that extends over the frontal bones. The length of the inter-parietal bone is more than three times within its width. The upper incisors are noticeably weaker than in the previous species; their free sections are slightly deviated back, and the alveolar ones limit only weakly expressed depressions on the lateral surfaces of the intermaxillary bones.

No reliable fossil remains are known. Some signs of similarity with specimens of the modern species are present in the extinct forms of gray hamsters in the European part of the former USSR. They are even more pronounced in small hamsters from the ancient Pleistocene of Transbaikalia, the late Pleistocene-Holocene of Primorye, as well as Yuzhn. China (Choukoudian) The first are brought together with C. barabensis, the second - with C. griseus Milne-Edw.

Mouse baby

The smallest of rodents and one of the smallest mammals on Earth (only the shrew is smaller than it - the tiny shrew). Body length 5.5-7 cm, tail - up to 6.5 cm; weighs 7-10 g. The tail is very mobile, grasping, able to twine around stems and thin twigs; hind legs tenacious. The coloration is noticeably brighter than that of the house mouse. The coloration of the back is monochromatic, brownish-buffy or reddish, sharply delimited from the white or light gray abdomen. Unlike other mice, the muzzle of the baby mouse is blunt, shortened, and the ears are small. The northern and western subspecies are darker and redder colored.

The baby mouse inhabits the southern part of the forest and forest-steppe zone, penetrating along river valleys almost to the Arctic Circle. In the mountains it rises up to 2200 m above sea level (the central part of the Greater Caucasus Range). Prefers open and semi-open habitats with high grass cover. It is most abundant on high-grass meadows, including floodplains, on subalpine and alpine meadows, on rafts, among rare shrub thickets, weed vegetation in wastelands, on fallow lands, hayfields and border areas. In Italy and East Asia, it is found in rice fields.

Activity is round-the-clock, intermittent with alternating periods of feeding and sleeping. The baby mouse is sensitive to overheating and avoids direct sunlight. A characteristic behavioral feature of a baby mouse is movement along plant stems in search of food, as well as the location of a summer nest. The mouse builds round nests with a diameter of 6-13 cm on grassy plants (sedge, reed) and undersized shrubs. The nest is located at a height of 40-100 cm. It is intended for breeding and consists of two layers. The outer layer consists of the leaves of the same plant to which the nest is attached; the inner one is made of softer material. Conventional residential nests are simpler. In autumn and winter, baby mice often move into simple holes, into haystacks and haystacks, sometimes into human buildings; laying sub-snow trenches. However, unlike other mice, baby mice do not reproduce under such conditions, producing offspring only in summer in aerial nests. They do not hibernate.

Baby mice are weakly social, meeting in pairs only during the breeding season or in large groups (up to 5,000 individuals) in winter, when rodents accumulate in haystacks, granaries. With the onset of warmth, adults become aggressive towards each other; males in captivity fight violently.

WILD ANIMALS

Red deer

The size of the males is 220-255 cm long; height at the shoulders 146-165; head length 52.5-56. Total weight - 170-250 kg. Sizes of females (cm): 185-216; 120-135; 34-48: weight 140-180 kg.

In an adult red deer, both horns have 10-12, less often 14 and, as an exception, 16 processes.

The length of the red deer horns is 87 cm, the span is 82 cm, the length of the largest processes is 32.5 cm and the circumference of the base of the horn is 20

The summer red deer fur consists of short hairs close to the body with a thin base, about 15 mm long, with a light yellowish lower part and a red top. There is no undercoat. General type the skin is bright red or yellowish-red, in the region of the neck and shoulders there is a dark stripe 3-4 cm wide along the ridge, the mirror does not stand out from the coloration of the back, also reddish-red, but delimited below by a black stripe. The head is covered with very short grayish hair, the legs are brownish. The skin that wears velvet antlers is covered with velvety brown or grayish wool.

Winter fur. The space from the end of the nose to the ears and base of the horns is deep brown, with some lightening around the eyes, and the hair that dresses it is dense and short, 4-5 mm long. The neck is covered with up to 60 mm long, gray-brown hair, forming a kind of mane in winter and still darkening. The back and sides are clad in very short (5 mm) light gray fur with a sandy tint in the shoulder region on the ridge and with a brownish coating on the back of the back formed by dark hair ends. The mirror is yellow-red in color, sharply delimited from the sides by a black stripe 3.5 cm wide.

Juveniles are distinguished by a reddish coloration of a shorter and thinner mane in the area between the ears. The juvenile coloration of young, like all deer of the genus Cervus, is red with several rows of white spots.

The caudal vertebrae of the red deer are covered with a thin layer of tendons and muscles, dressed with glandular dark brown granular tissue, weighing about 300 g. This gland consists of two lobes lying on the sides of the tail and joined together above and below, also extending into the base of the tail. Together with this gland and the skin covering it, the tail looks like a fleshy, bluntly-rounded cylinder, (5-6 cm in diameter and 15 cm long) slightly thinning towards the end. Red deer, as well as all other representatives of the genus Cervus, have lacrimal fossae, emitting a resinous yellowish "sulfur". On the metatarsus of the red deer, on the outer side, in the upper third, there is an oval area with thickened skin and bristly, reddish-yellow hair, several times longer than the surrounding dark brown wool.

Red deer hoof is short and wide. Its dimensions in a bull are as follows: the front leg is 11 cm long, the compressed width is 9 cm, the height along the front edge is 7 cm; the hind leg is 11 cm long, 8.3 cm wide, 7.5 cm high. In the female, it is relatively more elongated. Like all artiodactyls, each half of the hoof is slightly asymmetrical, the inner half is somewhat narrower. In summer, the hoof is dense with a rounded, evenly worn edge that does not protrude beyond the sole (which is observed in elk, which lives more on soft moss), but forms one plane with the latter. The angle formed by the connection of the hoof with the headstock and the angles formed by the joints of the individual parts of the limbs are close to 180њ. The hoof is very strong, rather bluntly ending, and the structure of the limbs as a whole corresponds to the load placed on them by the weight of the overweight animal and the manner of its movement.

Red deer live in the mountains on steep, often rocky slopes; in the valleys, extensive areas of gravel along the banks of rivers are also common, that is, almost always there is a hard substrate under the feet of red deer. Normally, animals move at a pace, not avoiding the steepest and most rocky places, and even walk along placers, and in case of alarm they move with strong high jumps, vigorously pushing off the soil. Red deer run at a trot a little and move from jumping to a step. The behavior of bulls and females is slightly different. Females predominantly jump, bending the spine more strongly and energetically, while bulls tend to trot more often.

Amur goral

One of the rarest ungulates in Russia, the goral, is found in the Sikhote-Alin mountains. This species is endangered and has survived only in the most inaccessible parts of the ridge. Favorite habitats are steep rocky cliffs descending directly to the sea. Goral jumps along steep slopes with amazing ease, making rapid jerks and jumping up to two meters. The gorals are not adapted to a long run and try not to move away from the saving rocks. Currently, the total number of these animals is estimated at 500-700 individuals, of which only 200 gorals live outside the protected areas. Hunting and catching goral has been prohibited since 1924; the species is included in the IUCN and Russian Red Data Books.

Ussuri sika deer

An endemic species of ungulates listed in the Red Book of Russia is the Ussuri sika deer. The summer color of these animals is very beautiful - numerous white spots are scattered over the bright orange background. No wonder the Chinese call this deer “hua-lu”, which means “deer-flower”. It is believed that in Primorye there are two ecological forms of this narrow-range subspecies - wild and park. It is the wild deer populations that are protected by law. Currently, aboriginal populations have survived only in the Lazovsky and Olginsky regions, mainly in the Lazovsky nature reserve and the adjacent territory. Deer, unlike bovids (bulls, goats and rams), change their horns every year. In the first stages of growth, the antlers are soft, covered with a delicate skin with hair; only by autumn do they become hard and ossify. Antlers before ossification are called antlers and are widely used for the preparation of the drug pantocrine. This fact was one of the reasons for the extermination of sika deer at the beginning of the century.

Musk deer

The original small musk deer weighs only up to 10 kg. Unlike other sika deer and red deer, male musk deer are hornless, but they have sharp fangs 6-8 cm in length in the upper jaw. The hind legs of the musk deer are much longer than the front ones, which allows it to easily make jumps up to 7 m. With a calm step, it walks “hunched over”, and if it is necessary to get its usual winter food (lichens) from the trees, it stands on its hind legs, resting the forelegs against the trunk. Males have a kind of gland on their belly, the so-called "musk deer stream", which is a bag the size of a hen's egg, filled with a mushy brown mass with the smell of sulfur ether - musk, which is widely used, for example, in perfumery to fix perfume odors.

Boar

Speaking about the ungulates of Primorye, one cannot fail to mention the Ussuri subspecies of the wild boar, which differs well from the other four subspecies in its large body size. Outwardly, the wild boar looks little like a domestic pig. It is a massive animal with strong legs, with a strongly developed front girdle, a very thick and short neck and a powerful head, which makes up about a third of the entire body length. There are also old male boars weighing up to 300 kg, although the average weight of wild boars, taking into account young ones, is much less, about 70 kg. From the end of November, wild boars start rutting, accompanied by fierce fights among the males. And young piglets are born at the end of March - April, when there is still snow. Piglets, leaving the specially constructed nest "gaino", from the fifth day on their own search for food under the protection of their mother, who continues to walk with them until the spring of next year

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORDER OF PREDATIVES

Amur tiger

A rare subspecies of the tiger lives in Primorye, the number of which has stabilized at a low level. Over the past century, the population of the Amur tiger has gone through profound and dramatic changes: from a relatively high number at the beginning of the century to a deep decline in the late 30s and early 40s, when about 20-30 animals remained throughout the entire range within the country, then - a turning point to gradual growth until 1990, when the number of tigers may have reached the level of 300 - 350 individuals. The main factor that brought the tiger to the brink of extinction was the direct pursuit of it by humans, and the turning point in its fate was the introduction in Russia since 1947 of the legislative protection of the tiger. While there is no immediate threat of extinction for this subspecies, its future continues to be of serious concern. In most areas of the region, there is a clear imbalance in the population density of the main species of potential prey of the predator and the predator itself. The most important negative factor was the increased poaching, which has acquired since the beginning of the 90s. commercial nature (skins, bones and other parts of killed tigers are marketed in most countries of East Asia as a valuable medicinal raw material). At present, a detailed “Strategy for the Conservation of the Amur Tiger in Russia” has been adopted and comprehensive efforts are being made to normalize the situation with this rare and beautiful predator.

Far Eastern leopard

Another endangered predator is the Far Eastern, or Amur, leopard *, which is the northernmost of all leopard subspecies. Its population is considered genetically isolated and requires the adoption of measures to preserve it as a genetically unique component in the system of species diversity both in the region and in the world as a whole. Currently, there are no more than 50 leopards in the region, and scientists are making every effort to save this animal from extinction. The leopard's weight does not exceed 80 kg. His winter fur is thick, with bright colors: black or black-brown solid or rosette spots are scattered over the ocher-red background. The leopard walks and jumps completely without noise, and the bright colors perfectly disguises it in any seasons, so it is very rare to see this slender cat with soft smooth movements.

Red Wolf

It is a rather large animal with a body length of 76-110 cm, a tail of 45-50 cm and a weight of 17-21 kg. In his appearance, the features of a wolf, a fox and a jackal are combined. The red wolf differs from the usual wolf in color, fluffy hair and a longer tail, almost reaching the ground. A short, pointed muzzle is characteristic. The ears are large, erect, with rounded tops, set high on the head.

The general color tone is red, highly variable in individual individuals and in different parts of the range. The end of the tail is black. Cubs up to 3 months are dark brown. The coat in winter is very high, thick and soft; noticeably shorter, rougher and darker in summer. The tail is fluffy, like a fox. Based on the variability of color, fur density and body size, 10 subspecies of the red wolf have been described, 2 of them are found on the territory of Russia.

The red wolf differs from other representatives of the canine family in a reduced number of molars (2 in each half of the jaw) and a large number of nipples (6-7 pairs).

The red wolf is a typical inhabitant of the mountains, rising up to 4000 m above sea level. For most of the year, it stays in the subalpine and alpine belts, in the south of the range - in the low and medium mountains. rainforest, and in the northeastern regions - in the mountain taiga, but everywhere his stay is confined to rocky places and gorges. It does not settle on open plains, but in search of food it makes long seasonal migrations, sometimes appearing in unusual landscapes - forest-steppe, steppe and even deserts. With the establishment of a high snow cover in the mountains, the predator, following wild artiodactyls - argali, mountain goats, roe deer, and maral - descends to the foothills or moves to the southern slopes of the sun and other areas with little snow. Pets are rarely attacked. In summer, he regularly eats plant foods.

The red wolf lives and hunts in packs of 5-12 individuals (sometimes more), apparently uniting animals of several generations. The relationships within the pack are usually non-aggressive. He hunts mainly during the day, chasing the victim for a long time. The prey ranges from rodents and lizards to deer (sambar, axis) and antelopes (nilgau, garna). A large flock can cope with a gaur bull, leopard and tiger. Unlike many canines, red wolves kill game, not grabbing by the throat, but attacking from behind. Two or three red wolves can kill a 50 kg deer in less than 2 minutes.

Rocks, caves and niches in slopes usually serve as refuge for red wolves; they do not dig holes. They have a developed hearing, swim well and jump well - they are able to cover a distance of up to 6 m in length. Red wolves avoid people; breed in captivity, but are not tamed.

Amur wild forest cat

The wild forest cat, the smallest representative of the feline in the Far East, is common, but not numerous in the forests of Primorye.

The animal weighs 4-6 kilograms, and especially large individuals - fat males in the fall - up to 8-10 kilograms. The length of their strong flexible body is from 60 to 85 centimeters, for the "champions" - up to a meter.

Thick reddish-fawn winter coat is covered with many dark rusty spots, merging into stripes in places.

Two white arrows stand out on the forehead, vague rings are visible on the tail, the abdomen is off-white with a yellowish tinge. Unlike domestic cats, wild forest cats from time immemorial wear "fur coats" of the same color, the same pattern, the same density.

Like all representatives of the feline family, the wild cat has sharp teeth and claws, a keen hearing and excellent eyesight... He is a great tree frog.

Quite long legs allow him to make big jumps and rapid throws, from which not only a mouse or a hare, but also a bird rarely dodges.

There is enough strength to lift a young roe deer. But he is not capable of a long chase: there is no wolf or harzina endurance.

However, like all felines, the wild cat is lazy and prefers rest to everything. It walks only when necessary, slowly, carefully, usually not on the ground, but on deadwood and trees.

The forest cat leads a twilight-nocturnal lifestyle, although sometimes it is awake during the day - in case of extreme need. He usually arranges a nest in the hollows of standing and fallen trees, in small caves or among stones, sheltered from precipitation and winds, occasionally in dry holes between the roots of trees and under deadwood. During the day he sleeps with pleasure, goes hunting at sunset.

Gastronomic addictions of a cat are mice, voles, chipmunks, Manchurian hares, squirrels, birds no larger than a pheasant and a duck. Sometimes it attacks a column and a mink, which it easily copes with, or even roe deer, even piglets. Unlike domestic cats, it is not afraid of water, swims well, recklessly catches fish, frogs and other aquatic animals, on occasion it will not fail to grab a gaping sandpiper or muskrat.

In summer and early autumn, when the food is plentiful, the cat becomes very fat, but in winter, especially when deep snow falls, it is difficult for him: he does not know how to catch mice and field voles under the snow, chipmunks and frogs sleep, and a hare or a bird for him , sinking deep in the snow, it is very difficult to catch.

The forest cat is a close relative of the common domestic cat, they even give a common offspring. Beautiful and slender, children are more like wild parents both in appearance and in liking. But what is strange: being relatives of our cute and obedient murkas and vaska, forest cats are very difficult to tame and train.

Only caught by very small blind kittens and raised in tireless care and affection, they become completely tame, friendly and do not seek, in any case, to demonstrate the strength of their claws and teeth. At the first opportunity, these freedom-loving animals run away into the forest, but soon return to the person who raised them.

Some fifty years ago, the northern border of the Amur forest cat's range passed along the left-bank Priamurye - through the middle parts of the Zeya, Bureya, Urmi and Kura, down the Amur, going beyond Komsomolsk. Now it has shifted far to the south, covering only the southern part of Primorsky Krai.

In the 30s, when the preparation of the skins of this animal reached 2 thousand pieces, its livestock was estimated, obviously, 8-10 thousand individuals, of which about 80% lived in Primorye. By the beginning of the 70s, the former cat population had decreased to 2 thousand, and all of them were concentrated in the Primorsky Territory, and now there are 2 times less of them - no more than 1 thousand for the entire region.

Brown bear

The brown bear, the largest bear in Europe and Asia, is widespread throughout the Ussuri region, although the main part of the species' habitat is confined to the central part of the Sikhote-Alin. Most of the time, this animal spends in search of food, feeding mainly on plant foods. As you know, brown bears go into hibernation, using dens for wintering, located under an eversion of a tree or in a windbreak in coniferous forests, mainly in remote, deep-snow areas of the mountains. Insufficiently nourished for normal winter sleep, bears do not hibernate. These are the so-called "cranks", which are characterized by a manner of wandering through the taiga all winter in search of any food, up to the remnants of wolf "meals". They attack ungulates and are dangerous to humans when they meet.

Himalayan bear

The Himalayan bear, which is popularly called either white-breasted or black, is distributed only in the southern part of the Far East, inhabiting deciduous forests. They differ markedly from brown bears. Their fur is silky, black with a white spot on the chest in the form of a flying bird. Large males of 200 kg are rare, and females usually weigh no more than 100 kg. Himalayan bears spend about 15% of their life among the crowns of trees, feeding on berries, acorns and nuts. For the winter, they go to bed in mid-November, before it snows. The dens are arranged in the hollows of soft wood species - poplar or linden. In the same place, females will give birth to two, less often three, blind teddy bears in February, weighing only 500 grams. The species is included in the Red Book of Russia. However, in the present period, the decline in the number of this species has been stopped, and the number of bears in Primorye has noticeably increased.

STUDY OF LAND MAMMALS