Red Book of Crimea. Insects and animals of Crimea Animals of the southern coast of Crimea
Fauna of the peninsula very diverse. We already know that Crimea is divided into steppe and mountain. The peninsula is also washed by the Black Sea. The depths of the sea on this peninsula are home to various species of marine life.
The steppe peninsula is characterized by a wide distribution of various species of rodents. These include various species of hamsters and gophers, as well as mice. These inhabitants cause great damage to grain crops. The enemies of these inhabitants are the fox, ferret and weasel, which also live in the steppe zone. The common hare is also found here.
The steppe Crimea is very densely populated with birds, especially a lot of waterfowl, this is due to the presence of abundant food in the area. In the Karkinitsky Bay area there is a bird sanctuary that is of international importance. In total, about 230 species of birds live here, or about 85 species nest. There are also various types of swans and herons. Several species of cranes live in the steppes.
Tit photo: alona779
Among birds of prey, the steppe eagle is very rare, which destroys a huge number of rodents. Starlings, titmice, finches, and goldfinches live in the forests.
Of the reptiles in the steppe zone, the steppe viper is found, which is poisonous. Of the lizards, the yellow-bellied lizard and the Crimean lizard are found.
Steppe viper photo: Giacomo Radi
In the mountainous Crimea the fauna is much more diverse than in the steppe. However, many years of human activity have led to the disappearance of many animal species forever.
The permanent inhabitants of the Crimean forests are deer and roe deer, wild boar and foxes. Rodents include squirrels and various types of mice. Some subspecies of badgers and martens have also survived.
More than sixty years ago the last wolf was exterminated. Currently, wolves are not found in Crimea. Birds include tits, black grouse jays, and black vultures.
Black vulture photo: sharadagrawal931978
In the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea there are a variety of marine inhabitants, including dolphins, who try not to swim to the shore and stay at a decent distance from it. Only sometimes in the distance you can see a school of dolphins swimming by. Jellyfish, which can often be seen near the shore. Touching it can cause unpleasant sensations in the form of a burning sensation on the skin.
Various types of mollusks live off the coast of Crimea. Small crabs and seahorses are among the inhabitants of the sea in Crimea.
Among the fish that live here are herring, flounder, sea bass, gobies, mullet and red mullet.
Every year the number of marine inhabitants decreases due to human activity.
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Crimea can rightfully be called “little Australia”. Firstly, on this unique peninsula there are three climatic zones: the temperate continental climate of the steppes, the mountain belt and the subtropics of the southern coast. Secondly, a huge number of endemic plants grow here and many endemic animals live here. Thirdly, in a relatively small area (just over 26 thousand sq. km) there are about 50 salt lakes and 257 rivers.
The high Crimean mountains, the proximity of two seas at once - the Black and Azov, ancient cities - all this determined the uniqueness of the nature of Crimea.
Flora of Crimea
The flora of the Crimean peninsula is very unusual and unique. Its diversity is amazing. Thus, there are over 2,500 plant species on the peninsula. For comparison: only 1,500 species of vegetation grow in the European part of Russia. In addition to endemics, there are many relict plants here - those that have not been modified for many millennia. And the main feature of the Crimean flora is that it changes significantly from north to south.
In the north of Crimea, where the Kerch Peninsula is located, there is a kingdom of hilly steppes. Most of them are plowed under agricultural land. Only areas unsuitable for growing grain remained uncultivated: salt marshes, ravines, ravines, rocky plains. In this part of Crimea, cultivated plantings and grain crops predominate.
If we move south from here, we will find ourselves in the foothills zone, where the steppe gives way to forest-steppe. Linden trees, ash trees, mackerel trees, hornbeams, a lot of juniper, pears, and hawthorn are more common here.
Even further south, the forest-steppe gradually develops into a strip of oak forests. Dubnyak, by the way, occupies more than 60% of the peninsula’s territory. Among the varieties, the most popular are sessile, downy, pedunculate oaks. The oak forests in Crimea are very light, sparse, with luxurious undergrowth and tall grass.
A little higher in the mountains there are rich beech forests. These mighty trees grow at an altitude of 700 to 1200 m above sea level. Beech forests amaze with their grandeur and silence. They are thick, dark, without undergrowth or grass, only a sea of fallen leaves envelops the roots of the trees. And only on the very peaks of the Crimean Mountains are beech trees small and gnarled. And here they are often interspersed with hornbeams.
In rocky, damp places, thickets of yew berries have been preserved - a relict tree that has been preserved since the Tertiary period.
However, the very peaks of the Crimean Mountains are usually called yayla. Yayla is a chain of unique table-like flat peaks connected by deep passes. Once upon a time there were beautiful pastures with lush grass and meadow plants. Most of the Crimean endemics grow on yailas.
And further to the south the descent to the sea begins, and the flora in these places is simply amazing with its bright greenery and diversity. On the southern slopes of the mountains, beech forests are replaced by pine forests. Even further south begins the shibliak belt (sparse tree-shrub forests), where fluffy oaks, junipers, pistachios, strawberries, Pontic larch, dense thickets of dogwood and thorny trees are found.
But it should be noted that on the southern coast of Crimea shiblyak has been preserved in its original form only in some places: in Laspi Bay, on capes Martyan, Aya. Basically, this part of the peninsula has undergone significant changes due to human activity. It is here that all the health resorts and resorts of Crimea are located, and 80% of the plants in this part of the peninsula are imported. But many have been growing here for centuries. For example, birch is an extremely atypical tree for Crimea. It was brought here from Russia only some 200-250 years ago.
In total, the area of Crimean parks stretches over 2 thousand hectares. Here you can already find exotic plants brought to the peninsula from all over the world: cypresses, figs, crocuses, almonds, over 20 thousand species of orchids, ferns, tulips and cyclamens.
Animal world of Crimea
The unique geographical location of the peninsula also determined the uniqueness of the fauna. There are many endemic animals in Crimea, but at the same time the fauna is much poorer than, for example, even in neighboring regions of Russia and Ukraine.
Research has shown that ostriches and giraffes once lived in Crimea. Then, with climate change, reindeer and arctic foxes moved to the peninsula. Thus, the fauna of the peninsula is an amazing conglomerate of a wide variety of species, many of which have adapted to local living conditions.
The ichthyofauna is richly represented: there are over 200 species of marine fish, many live permanently, more than 50 species are in “transit”, traveling along the coast of Crimea to the Bosphorus. In the fresh waters of lakes and rivers, zoologists have counted 46 species of fish, 14 of which are “native”. The rest, such as carp, pike perch, perch, crucian carp, silver carp, grass carp, were brought and perfectly acclimatized in the Crimea.
The most common amphibians are lake and tree frogs, toads and newts. And of the 14 species of Crimean reptiles, only the steppe viper is poisonous. Lots of snakes, copperheads, yellow-bellied snakes, four-striped snakes and leopard snakes. Only one species of turtle lives in Crimea - marsh turtles. They inhabit mainly mountain reservoirs. But there are 6 species of lizards at once, among which the most common are Crimean, rock and sand lizards.
There are more than 200 species of birds in Crimea. More than 60% of them nest on the peninsula, about 17 species fly to the peninsula for the winter. Large birds of prey have chosen mountainous areas for their habitat. These are eagles, ospreys, imperial eagle, golden eagles, vultures, black vultures, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, eagle owls, saker falcons, and griffon vultures. In the floodplains of river valleys there are waders, larks, and quails, and in the steppe - bustards and little bustards. On the coast of Crimea you can see pelicans. But mainly seabirds live here: gulls, terns, ducks, geese, gray herons, cormorants. And on the swan islands you can see a huge number of species of swans.
As for mammals, there are about 60 species in Crimea. They live mainly in nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and mountainous areas. Their predators include weasels, foxes, badgers, and martens. Hares and ferrets live in the steppes and forests. Red deer and wild boar live in the mountainous areas and foothills. Fallow deer and mouflons were introduced recently; attempts are being made to revive the population of these animals, but so far to no avail. Once upon a time, wolves also lived in Crimea, but the last of the wolf tribe disappeared at the beginning of the last century.
On the coast of Crimea there are 4 representatives of marine animals: monk seals and three species of dolphins.
Climate in Crimea
The ridge of the Crimean mountains protects the peninsula from air masses coming from the continent, and therefore the southern coast retains a tropical climate with warm summers, hot sun, plenty of greenery and warm sea water.
Spring in Crimea is incredibly beautiful and varied. Heavy rains and fogs are often replaced by clear, sunny days. The swimming season already opens in May. Summer is not hot, as sea breezes significantly cool the air. The temperature “ceiling” is observed at the height of July, when the air warms up to +36°C +38°C.
Until mid-October, warm autumn reigns on the coast - sunny, velvety. And only at the end of December winter sets in - not cold, often with above-zero temperatures, rain and very rare snowfalls. But in the mountains, winter reigns with might and main, sweeping up tall snowdrifts. In the mountainous regions of Crimea, winter lasts 100-120 days.
Today there are 58 species of land mammals in Crimea.
Fox
Lives in the mountains of Crimea mountain fox, and in the steppe its subspecies - steppe fox. The main fox food is mice, gophers, hamsters, hedgehogs, bird eggs, and if you're lucky, the birds themselves, hares and wild rabbits. And without any pleasure at all, from hunger, he eats insects, frogs, lizards, and even carrion. Need will force you!
Neither a fox, nor even a wolf (which is believed to have been gone for a long time in Crimea) can match the bloodthirstiness of a tiny, cute and very funny, at first glance, caress. By the way, it can be tamed if you raise it in the house, and the weasel will sleep on a pillow near the owner’s head, make friends with cats and dogs, and bring fun to the family with its playfulness and tireless curiosity. The house where the tamed weasel lives will be absolutely clean from rodents and insects. It is a pity that in captivity this animal rarely lives to be five years old. This animal is a real robber...! Who does he attack? These can be mice and moles, hares and rabbits, chickens and partridges, as well as a host of other animals - all this becomes the prey of a miniature predator.
During mating fox games, suitors vying for the attention of females walk in front of their chosen one on their hind legs, performing a unique and very amusing dance. People noticed it, then they themselves learned this dance, giving it the name foxtrot (“fox step”).
Belodushka
Belodushka We call it a stone marten with white fur on the throat and chest. An elegant, graceful, white-haired beauty is a brave, gluttonous and incredibly active predator, who, however, is not averse to vegetarian food. In summer and autumn, the marten is supplemented with thorns, hawthorn, pears and grapes. Unlike the common marten, the white marten does not climb trees, but if it climbs into a domestic chicken coop (usually in the middle of the night), then playfully, in a few minutes, it will strangle the entire bird family there, restless in horror.
Badger- a peaceful representative of the bloodthirsty family of mustelids, which includes such indomitable predators as mink, otter, sable, wolverine, ermine, and from the Crimean - ferret, weasel and marten. The “family” energy and courage of the omnivorous badger are manifested not in bloody robberies, but in tireless useful work. He digs holes several stories high, similar to caves; the total length of the underground “halls” and “galleries” can reach twenty meters.
Each hole has its own purpose, and the floor is always lined with fragrant herbs for disinfection. The burrow is cleaned daily; Twice a year badgers completely change their bedding. The hole is constantly expanding, deepening, improving and, surrounded by the holes of neighbors, over time it becomes part of a large badger town. The animal eats mushrooms, nuts, acorns, wild berries, root vegetables, and eats snails, mice, and gophers. A badger climbs into the nests of wild bees for honey. They sting him, but he endures it because he loves sweets very much.
The badger is a peaceful animal, but a rare hunting dog, which has driven out foxes many times before being shot, will dare to venture into the badger “town.” She knows and feels that the owner will not leave his home and family, that he will fight, and one of the opponents will have to die in this dungeon.
It is believed that the last Crimean was killed in 1922 wolf, however, the road is open for them. Perekop is narrow, and the gray robbers cannot cross it in a large flock to again settle in the fertile land.
Raccoon dog- a Far Eastern predator of little use for fishing - was acclimatized in Crimea twice. The first time these animals did not take root, but after the second resettlement they colonized the lowland areas, including Belogorsky and Leninsky. The animal is omnivorous, but is more prone to animal food.
Wild boar
Wild boar lived in Crimea for a long time, but by the 19th century it was completely exterminated by hunters. To renew the population in 1957, one wild boar was brought here from the Chernigov region, and 34 wild pigs were brought here from the Primorye Territory.
Boars are omnivores. The basis of the diet is roots, acorns, mushrooms, all kinds of fruits and nuts. In addition there are insects, their larvae, rodents, bird eggs, and when it’s really hungry, the wild boar does not disdain carrion.
In November-December, single adult males join herds of wild pigs with young animals. Fierce fights break out between the cleavers. The front part of the boar’s body is protected by “kalkan” - a thick layer of fat and connective tissue; not every bullet pierces this natural shell. The stomach, however, is not protected, so for a weaker opponent the fight can end in death.
But the winner collects a small “harem” - and already in early spring becomes the father of the family. The female feeds, warms the piglets, and, if necessary, hides them away by covering them with leaves. At this time she is extremely dangerous.
Having seen or sensed a person, a wild boar wisely leaves. But he does not forget insults and knows no fear.
Roe
Once upon a time they lived in the forests and steppe part of the peninsula roe deer. People pushed them into mountainous forest areas, and now most roe deer live on the slopes of the Main Mountain Range. Meeting this gentle, graceful animal in the forest is not such a rarity. Seeing a person, the animal freezes, and realizing that it has been discovered, it runs off into the depths of the forest.
Belonging to the same family, roe deer are very similar to deer. Both feed on herbaceous plants, woody shoots, buds, leaves and bark. Like deer, male roe deer wear branched antlers, hold mating tournaments in August-September, and then lose their weapons so that in the spring, in preparation for the next season, they begin to grow new ones. Roe deer in Crimea are attacked by foxes and martens, but their most terrible enemy is, of course, the poacher.
Roe deer have excellent hearing. An alarm signal given by one roe deer is received by all animals within a radius of three kilometers.
Crimean red deer
The biggest of our animals Crimean red deer found in mountain forests. There are males weighing up to 260 kilograms and height at the withers up to 140 centimeters. The deer is light-footed, slender, has a proud head carriage and wide, branched antlers. It is to this noble article that he owes his name. The age of the Crimean deer is 60-70 years. The age of young males, as a rule, corresponds to the number of processes on the horns. The age of older animals is determined by the chewing surface of their teeth.
Antlers are the weapon of a deer. In Crimea he has no enemies (except for hunters), so the horns are used only for tournament fights during the September mating season. At this time, usually before sunrise, the forest is filled with the inviting roar of males.
The number of deer in the Crimean forests was constantly changing, and at the beginning of the twentieth century they were almost completely exterminated. Since 1923, with the formation of a hunting reserve, shooting decreased, and by 1941 there were more than two thousand deer in the forests of Crimea. Today, as rangers say, the number of deer is “regulated” by the poachers themselves.
The flora of Crimea is very rich and diverse; it includes more than 2.5 thousand plant species. The species composition of Crimean vegetation is striking not only in its abundance, but also in its quality. Common to the south of Ukraine, here are no more than a third of steppe plants and plants of the temperate climate zone of Europe common to the mountains and foothills, but more than 50% of vegetation species are of Mediterranean origin and are representatives of the Mediterranean area.
In addition, there are at least 10% of species here, so-called endemic plants, that is, those that can be found only in one place on the planet - on the Crimean Peninsula. Such an abundance of endemics allows us to consider the nature of Crimea unique. High juniper, folded snowdrop, and small-fruited strawberry growing in the mountainous part of the peninsula are characteristic of the Tertiary period, which was almost two million years ago. But, for example, taiga wintergreen and stoneweed are not at all characteristic of southern latitudes, but are more typical of the taiga and northern broad-leaved forests. These are relict plants of the Ice Age, from which they remained in the southern latitudes of Crimea due to its unique geographical location.
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