Donskoy Krai is a territory of the most picturesque nature, where many animals live, including quite rare ones. The Rostov region is located in the south of the European part of Russia. The area of the region is more than 100 thousand square meters. km. This article is about animals that are listed in the Red Book of the Rostov Region.
The purpose of the Red Book
Once upon a time, the flora and fauna of the Rostov region was very rich. But the long-term spontaneous use of natural resources, as well as human activity (building cities, farming, etc.) led to the fact that natural conditions began to change, which were very favorable. This, in turn, was the reason that the number of some animals began to decrease until their complete disappearance.
Disappeared such wild animals of Russia as:
- Lynx.
- Bear.
- Jackal.
- Tarpan.
The following species have become much less common in the expanses of the Rostov region:
- Saiga.
- Roe deer.
- Eagle.
- Kite and others
Rostov region occupies quite a large territory. The map shows that it borders on the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Voronezh, Donetsk and other regions. The region is rich in rivers, steppes, forest plantations and other favorable factors for the life and development of many animal populations. But still, there are no more representatives of rare species.
In order to preserve endangered animals and plants, they are listed in the Red Book, after which they are under state protection. If no more than 1000 individuals of this species remain on the territory of the region, then it replenishes the list of the Red Book of the Rostov Region. Everyone can get acquainted with rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, as well as contribute to the preservation of the environment.
Main causes of extinction of animals
As mentioned above, the main reason that wild animals in Russia are disappearing is human activity, but not only. The animal world is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to the following activities:
- Plowing up virgin and fallow lands.
- Reducing the natural food supply.
- Using pesticides.
- Overgrazing.
- Irrigation of the steppes.
- Household waste pollution.
- Poaching.
- Negative attitude towards someanimal species such as bats, for example.
- Displacement of one animal species by another from their usual habitats.
Due to the fact that a person cuts down forests, pollutes water and soil, drains swamps, animals find themselves in unusual and sometimes difficult situations, and therefore many simply die out, as they do not have time to adapt to new living conditions.
Red Book of the Rostov region
Rostov region is a land of unique nature. The creation of the Red Book is a step towards the formation and restoration of the biological diversity of the region. The Red Book of the Rostov Region is a regional version of the Red Book of Russia. After all, not only the animal and plant world of our country must be protected. The nature of the Rostov region also needs protection. Now rare, endangered animals and plants of this region will be protected by law. The Red Data Book of the Rostov Region was published in August 2003 in two volumes:
- I Volume - Animals.
- II volume - "Plants".
Biologists, zoologists, specialists of the Committee for Environmental Protection worked on its creation. It includes 579 biological species. Of these, 252 are animals listed in the Red Book of the Rostov Region, that is, exactly those that live on the territory of the Don Territory. The destruction of plants and animals, and especially from the Red Book, is prosecuted by the law of the Russian Federation, both by the Administrative Code and the Criminal Code. Several copies of such books were handed over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The only oneThe disadvantage of this important manual is its small circulation: only 500 pieces.
Rare animal species
During the painstaking work of scientists, it turned out that rare animals of the Rostov region live in the amount of 200 species. Now the entire list is listed in the Red Book, it will be under state protection. Here are the main types of rare animals of the Rostov region:
- Black stork.
- Saker Falcon.
- Steppe viper.
- River otter.
- Forest cat.
What is the Rostov region?
Rostov region on the map is mostly a steppe zone. Only the edge of the southeast is a transitional strip between the steppe and the semi-desert. Among the endless steppes loom the silhouettes of sand mounds. Forest and shrub plantations occupy only about 6% of the territory of the Rostov region. Along the Don River, floodplain forests grow with chalk mounds often cut by gullies. Hawthorn bushes and rare trees of wild apple and pear trees grow on them.
What is the nature of the Rostov region? These are the steppe expanses, the floodplain of the Don River, the coast of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov. All this is a haven for a large number of animals, including birds and fish.
What needs to be done to save the animal world?
It is necessary to protect nature and its representatives, otherwise humanity simply will not survive. For the protection and preservation of such representativesfauna, which are animals listed in the Red Book of the Rostov region, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are being created. These are unique areas of nature where rare and valuable plants and animals are preserved and protected.
In protected areas it is forbidden to conduct any economic activity, such as grazing. Animal hunting is also prohibited. The natural reserve fund of the Rostov region includes:
- Reserve "Rostovsky".
- Tsimlyansky State Steppe Reserve.
- Donskoy Natural Park.
- 70 natural monuments.
- Wetlands of international importance – Veselovskoye reservoir and Lake Manych-Gudilovo.
Rostovsky State Nature Reserve
The protected area of nature - the reserve "Rostovsky" - was established in 1995. It is located in the southeast of the region. This is the only steppe zone that has the status of a protected area. Here, in "Rostovsky", there are most of all birds - about 217 species. In this unique place you can meet such birds, to which the Red Book of the Rostov Region is dedicated. The birds that are protected and protected in the reserve are:
- Bustard.
- Spoonbill.
- Black-headed Gull.
- Flamingo.
- Filin.
- Pink and curly pelican.
- Beauty.
Who lives in the Rostov region?
On the territory of the Rostov region dominated by the so-called steppe animals that love a dry and warm climate. Butsince the Don region is rich in various water bodies, the aquatic fauna of the Rostov region is also quite rich.
Besides, some representatives of the fauna love to sleep in the winter, rather severe time. The record for winter sleep is set by rodents. Some of their species can be in the realm of Morpheus up to eight months a year. The main types of rodents in the Rostov region, including those listed in the Red Book:
- Vole.
- Steppe mouse.
- Hamster.
- Mole rat.
- Steppe pied.
- Tarbaganchik.
- Jerboa and others
A large number of animals are nocturnal (example - eared hedgehog), many take shelter from the heat and from predators, and for some, the night becomes a time for hunting.
List of animals
This section presents a list of representatives of the fauna living in the territory of the Don region, including some animals listed in the Red Book of the Rostov region. Here are the main ones:
- Deer.
- Water snake.
- Marsh turtle.
- Lake frog.
- Snakes - Viper, Yellowbelly, etc.
- Gopher.
- Beaver.
- Squirrel.
- Moose.
- Shrew.
- Shrew.
- Otter.
- Weasel.
- Eared hedgehog.
- Mink and others
An animal with a funny name - the Russian muskrat - is also listed in the Red Book. We'll talk about his habitat a little later.
Poisonous representatives of the animal world of the Rostov region
This region is located intemperate climate zone. Severe frosts or excessive heat are quite rare here. The abundance of greenery, hills and plains, reservoirs are a great place for fish, reptiles, insects, birds, mammals, etc.
There are also poisonous animals in the Rostov region - this is the spider karakurt. The female is 1-2 cm long, while the male is 4-7 mm. Their body is black, on the abdomen there are red spots with a white border. Mature individuals have a pure black color with a sheen. Previously, they lived in Central Asia and in the Crimea. Now they have chosen the Don region.
The number of bites to humans and animals increases during the female migration period in June and July. For karakurts, the ideal habitat is hot summers and warm autumns in wastelands, on the banks of streams, and on the slopes of ravines. At the time of the bite, an instant burning pain is felt, spreading throughout the body within half an hour. In this case, urgent medical care is needed, with timely action everything will be fine, otherwise death is possible. Cattle suffer greatly from karakurt.
In the Don steppes you can meet other spiders, such as:
- Tarantula.
- Cross.
- Eresus.
- Solpuga and others
In addition to spiders, some snakes are also dangerous to humans, for example, the steppe viper. Its bite is not fatal to humans, but it is very painful. Yellowbelly is a non-venomous, but very aggressive snake. At the moment of danger, it can pounce on a person and bite him.
In general, the snakes of the Rostov region are either not poisonous or their venom is not fatal to humans. But if dirt gets into the bite wound, then the treatmentmay drag on for a long time.
Eared hedgehog
Let's consider some examples of rare animals of the Don region. Animals listed in the Red Book of the Rostov region are not known to everyone, for example, an eared hedgehog. This is a declining animal species. It is also called the desert hedgehog. These are nocturnal animals that can walk up to 9 km per night in search of food. They are mobile and able to run fast. They often hibernate in summer, less often in winter. They lead a solitary lifestyle, sleeping curled up in their own holes.
The diet of the eared hedgehog includes:
- Insects.
- Invertebrates.
- Eggs.
- Carrion.
- Fruits.
- Seeds.
The animal is able to stay without water and food for a long time - up to 10 weeks. Body length - from 12 to 27 cm, weight - from 300 to 700 g. The needles have a color from dark brown to black. Belly and chest are white. The ears are flexible and very long, hence the name of the hedgehog - eared. He has an exceptional sense of smell and sense of smell. Prefers dry steppes and semi-deserts, adheres to water bodies, irrigated lands, overgrazed pastures, etc.
Russian Desman
Russian muskrat is an animal from the mole family of the insectivorous order. The approximate number of this animal is about 1000 individuals in the Rostov region. For its excellent ability to swim well and dig long passages underground, the Russian muskrat has another name - the water mole.
This animal rarely comes to land. On the ground it moves rather slowly. Therefore, it can become an easy prey for predators. But sometimesthe sharp musky scent of the muskrat makes them rethink attacking it. She has an unusual appearance - an elongated muzzle and webbed clawed feet.
It mainly lives in the river habitats of the Don, favorite places are oxbow lakes or small lakes with sandy shores and nearby growing forest. The water mole is perfectly adapted to the lifestyle of the same name. He has small eyes and ears. The body is elongated and streamlined, with a waterproof and dense coat. On the front and hind legs - swimming membranes. The animal is small, reaches a length of 45 cm, including the tail. Its weight is 500-550 g, the back of the animal is colored dark brown, and the abdomen is silver-gray. The tail of the Russian desman is not covered with hair. On it are small horny plates. A strip of coarse hair runs along the top, forming a kind of keel.
The muskrat's eyesight is rather weak, but its sense of touch and smell are excellent. Animals live alone or in families in burrows. Sometimes in winter, the number of desmans of different sex and age can be more than ten in one hole. The entrance to the hole must be under water. The water mole feeds on leeches, mollusks, caddisflies, insects, etc. Sometimes the weight of the food eaten per day exceeds the weight of the animal itself.
Once the muskrat was considered a valuable game animal because of the fur and glands that were used in the perfume industry. Now this species of animals is protected by the state and is listed in the Red Book. Unfortunately, this species is declining. We must protect nature, otherwise humanity will becomeendangered species on planet Earth.
