Voronezh region is located on the border of the steppe and forest-steppe zones. The nature of this region is rich and varied. Several large rivers, a large number of forests and picturesque meadows provide excellent conditions for the life of a wide variety of animals. Reserves on the territory of the region have allowed to preserve several rare and endangered species. Animals of the Voronezh region are its we alth. The amazing world of flora and fauna attracts the attention of not only the inhabitants of the region, but also tourists.
Features of the nature of the Voronezh region
This is a unique corner of the Central Russian Upland. The rivers Don, Voronezh, Khoper, Usmanka and Bityug make the nature of the region uniquely picturesque. Basically, animals and plants of the Voronezh region are also common in other regions, but there are also unique species. Almost 10% of the territory is occupied by forests. In addition to small groves and oak forests, there are also large ones, such as Tellermanovsky and Shipov forests, Usmansky forest. Wild forbs remained on the unplowed lands, inwhere many animals feel at ease: gophers, mice, hares and others.
Some plants have been preserved since ancient times, such as chilim or Don Potentilla.
Animals of the Voronezh region
Description of the nature of the region is very interesting. More than 400 species of animals are found in this area. Many of them are both ubiquitous and rare. And they all deserve respect and protection. Animals of the Voronezh region feel comfortable in floodplain meadows, in dense forests, and even near human habitation. What species are the most common here?
- In the steppe zones and in the fields live hare, ground squirrels, field mice and ferrets. From birds - partridges, steppe eagle and larks. Closer to the south there are bobak, bustard and osprey.
- Forests inhabit the largest animals of the region: elk, red deer, roe deer. There are also squirrels, wild boars, badgers and a wide variety of birds.
- Beavers, minks like to settle along the banks of water bodies, in some places there is a muskrat.
- The reservoirs themselves are inhabited by many fish and amphibians: catfish, sterlet, pike perch and pike are valuable commercial species, and sometimes the marsh turtle is very rare.
- In any place in the Voronezh region - both in the forests and in the field - you can find ubiquitous foxes, wolves, weasels and raccoons.
Rare animals of the Voronezh region
Photos of endangered species can be found in the Red Book. More than 300 species of animals, birds and insects belong to this category. Animals are listed in the Red Book of the Voronezh Region, the population of which has been greatly reduced under the influence of human economic activity. They need protection.
- Mainly these are insects, for example: blue-winged hermit, common praying mantis, steppe cicada, bear, silkworm and others.
- Several species of fish are also endangered due to severe pollution and shallowing of rivers. These are sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, brown trout, pike perch and other fish valuable for commercial purposes.
- Birds are also affected by atmospheric pollution and human activities. Grouse, Roller, Middle Woodpecker, Osprey, White-tailed Eagle and Black-fronted Shrike are protected.
Some animals are so rare that they are listed in the Red Book of Russia. These are desman, bison, black stork, bustard and some others.
Protection of the nature of the Voronezh Territory by man
Both flora and fauna of the region suffer from human activities. Many species have disappeared completely or are on the verge of extinction. Therefore, nature requires careful attitude to itself and protection. For this purpose, the Voronezh Biosphere Reserve was created in the 20s of the 20th century. The river beaver, which has been protected and bred there for many years, has now spread throughout the country. A lot of hares, squirrels, moose and muskrats live there. It is prohibited on the territory of the reserveto be people, so the animals of the Voronezh region feel at ease. Foxes, wolves, martens, ferrets, minks and raccoons are common there. Another reserve, Khopersky, breeds a very rare animal - the muskrat.
This amazing animal has lived on Earth for many thousands of years and is now almost nowhere to be found. Bison and spotted deer have also taken root well there, white-tailed eagles and golden eagles are common. Animals of the Voronezh region - both rare and quite famous - are under protection, their number is gradually increasing.