Taiga is located in a temperate humid geographical zone. This area is characterized by the presence of a large number of swamps and coniferous trees. This is the largest binome in the world. The total area of the taiga is about 15 million square kilometers. In Russia, it occupies the largest part of the landscape zone, and in Europe - almost the entire territory of Finland and the Scandinavian Peninsula.
The taiga is conditionally divided into three parts:
- South (rather diverse vegetation).
- Medium (blueberry spruce forests predominate).
- Northern (mostly with stunted coniferous vegetation).
The extreme southern point of the climatic zone is located on the 42nd parallel (this is the north of Japan, the island of Hokkaido), and the extreme northern point is on Taimyr (the 72nd parallel).
Flora
The flora and fauna of the taiga is quite scarce. Due to the small number of sunny days per year, there is very little undergrowth in the forest, so shrubs and moss cover predominate. Most Common Shrubs:
- Cowberry.
- Juniper.
- Currant.
- Honeysuckle and others.
There are also few herbs in the taiga. The most common are wintergreen and sour. Spruces are common in the European part of this climatic zone, while light coniferous species and pines predominate in the Urals. In Alaska and Canada, they mostly ate with larch. And in the Far East and Siberia - sparse larch forests, there are also cedars.
Fauna
Plants and animals of the taiga, as in other binomials, are inextricably linked. Due to the scarcity of vegetation in this zone, there is not such a huge variety of fauna as in the same subtropical zone. However, there are many more animals in the taiga than in the tundra.
There are no conditions for the reproduction and existence of cold-blooded representatives of the fauna in the taiga, so they are practically absent. In the European and Asian parts of the binomial, there are three types:
- Garter snake.
- Common viper.
- Viviparous lizard.
Several species of amphibians live here: frogs, toads and salamanders.
There are plenty of insects in the tundra, only in Canada there are about 32 thousand species. Almost all amphibians and cold-blooded animals represented in this zone fall into anabiosis, or hibernation, in winter. And in those animals that are awake in the winter season, there is a decrease in activity. There are many birds in the binomial - about 300 species.
In the taiga, flora and fauna are much richer in the forest than in the forest-tundra. In the forests, animals lead a sedentary lifestyle. Most of these representatives of the fauna are classified as fur species. In the tundra you can meet wolverine, bear,sable, lynx, hare and others.
Musk deer
These animals have a fairly large habitat - from Eastern Siberia, Sakhalin to the Himalayas, Korea and Tibet. They prefer high terrain, most often they can be found at an altitude of 600 to 900 meters above sea level. However, in Tibet and the Himalayas, the musk deer lives at an altitude of 3,000 meters or more above sea level. Musk deer usually choose the northern slopes of the mountains, where there are many lichens and no snow crust. In summer, it gets closer to mountain rivers, where there is a lot of fresh and juicy vegetation in the meadows. In winter, he chooses slopes with pine and cedar groves.
This animal of the taiga is essentially a deer, but without horns. Its height is 70 centimeters, body length - from 85 to 110 centimeters. The musk deer does not weigh much - from 10 to 17 kilograms. The animal has short front and longer hind legs. The back of the body is powerful, and the front is narrow. Color - brown or brown. A distinctive feature of the animal is the presence of saber-shaped upper fangs in males, which grow throughout life. In females, these fangs are vestigial.
The commercial value of musk deer is low. Her fur is of little value, and the skins can be used as a last resort for the manufacture of suede products. However, the animal has glands in the back of its torso that secrete natural musk. It is used in the perfume industry and medicine.
Bear
Surely no one would like to meet this taiga animal. Although it is the bear that evokes associations with Russia inresidents of other countries. Our latitudes are characterized by a very large species - a brown bear, which can weigh about 750 kilograms and reach 2.5 meters in length. It is omnivorous and only outwardly clumsy.
In fact, the bear runs, swims and jumps well. An interesting feature of all bears is that they run uphill much faster than along the plain. Despite its large size, its steps are almost inaudible.
Wolverine
This is a taiga animal from the weasel family. From Norwegian, the name "wolverine" is translated as "mountain whale", and from Latin - "glutton". The animal is small in size, the body length of the largest individual does not exceed 86 centimeters, the tail length is from 18 to 23 centimeters. The largest wolverines reach a weight of 30 kilograms.
Outwardly, the animal is very reminiscent of a small bear cub or a badger. The wolverine has longer hind legs and a squat and clumsy body. Color - from light to dark brown. The beast hunts at night, and often changes places for daytime sleep, but does not go beyond its territory, which can reach 2 thousand square kilometers.
Wolverines can even attack an ungulate animal, but only if it is sick, they eat up after wolves and bears. Their diet is exclusively of animal origin. However, in the summer they are not averse to taking honey from wasps or eating berries. They are excellent at catching fish, encroaching even on birds. Wolverine is bypassed even by a bear because of the aggressive natureanimal.
Moose
What animals are in the taiga? Of course, it is hard to imagine the edge of the forest without moose. This artiodactyl is much more dangerous than a bear, especially during the mating season. The behavior and condition of the animal at this time can be described as inadequate. An elk perceives any individual as a rival and immediately attacks. If a person is in front of the animal, then, most likely, a blow with the front hooves will be fatal. The impact force can reach 650 kilograms. Females prefer moose with large antlers. This is due to the fact that such individuals are able to get more food, therefore, they will be able to raise offspring.
Animals eat exclusively plant foods: lichens, branches and leaves of shrubs and trees, moss and mushrooms. Moose are very fond of s alt, sometimes they even go to the tracks and lick it off there. Rangers make special s alt lick feeders for them.
Wolf
Another animal that lives in the taiga is the wolf. They always gather in flocks. In the taiga, no one has ever met a lone wolf. After all, it is very difficult to survive alone here. The pack has a well-organized hierarchical structure. Even if there is an outcast, he will still not leave, as he will not be able to survive on his own.
These animals are dangerous for humans in winter, when food is in limited quantities. Black wolves should be the most feared. To kill this animal, you do not need a ticket, the huntsmen will even be grateful for such a service. If the population of animals increases too much in a particular region, thenspecial raids for destruction are carried out. Everyone can take part in such an event.
Lynx
Today, these are one of the rarest animals in the taiga. They lead a solitary life. Settle in dark coniferous forests. They feed on hares, birds, rodents and other small fur-bearing animals. If necessary, they can attack large artiodactyl animals. The taiga lynx acts like a cat, ambushing its prey. The animal is not a runner, after 85 meters of running it stops chasing. The lynx has excellent eyesight, unlike most other animals. If there is enough food, then she will live settled, but if not, then the “cat” goes in search of other, better places, she can walk up to 30 kilometers in a day.
Interesting fact: a lynx can be tamed at any age and become practically a pet.
Animals of the taiga of Russia
So, we continue to study the fauna of this region. The fauna of the Russian taiga is also represented by the following species:
- Deer. In our country, it is most often found in Altai. Eats exclusively vegetable food, mushrooms and berries, needles of evergreen trees. Like moose, deer love s alt. All this is due to the fact that the diet of animals lacks minerals. Well bred in captivity.
- Roe deer. The animal is also assigned to the deer genus. Two species live in Russia: European and Siberian roe deer. They live mainly in those places where the snow cover does not last long. If the snow reaches 50 centimeters, then forroe deer is a critical mark. Prefers mixed forests.
- Boar. Another animal of the taiga living in Russia. Individuals living in cold regions are distinguished by great strength and aggressiveness. In some cases, a meeting with a wild boar can cost a person their life. In the taiga, this animal can grow up to 4 meters in length. The boar, like the bear, eats everything. Prefers to live near small ponds and meadows, where it is easy to get food. The boar is an excellent swimmer and runs well.
- Fox. This is the most cunning taiga animal. He has good hearing, so even in winter, under a layer of snow, he can hear where the mouse is moving. The fox dives into the snow and catches its prey. Lives mainly in open areas, where it is easier for her to get food. Several species live in the expanses of Russia: silver fox, arctic fox and others.
In conclusion
Despite the fact that the taiga until the mid-90s of the XIX century was considered almost unexplored, every day urbanization comes to this region. Therefore, animals require protection and conservation of habitat. After all, this is a real northern paradise on earth, where there is clear water in rivers and lakes, dense forests and clean air. If nothing is done in the near future, the climate on the planet will change at a catastrophic rate, which will inevitably lead to the death of plants and animals.
