Plants and animals on Baikal. Nature of Baikal - relief, climate, natural and plant world

Everyone knows about the uniqueness of Lake Baikal since childhood. But the knowledge of many is limited to the fact that Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world. But if you look deeper, you can see the whole variety of animal worlds inhabiting Baikal. This lake is one of the most endemic places on our planet, that is, there are no such areas on Earth where there would be animals that live in or near the lake.

Amazing animals of Lake Baikal

Taking into account the original appearance of the preserved nature of Lake Baikal, animals here are a symbol of originality and uniqueness. In the fauna of Lake Baikal animal world presented in all its variety. Currently, there are about 53 species of fish here, the most common of which are grayling, omul and whitefish.

Each type of fish is unique in its own way. For example, Baikal omul Today it is a delicious delicacy. Unusual, peculiar aroma and tender meat are praised in recipes all over the world. In addition, the Baikal omul is the main commercial fish Lake Baikal and the object of sports fishing.

The rich natural diversity of Baikal allows a wide range of wildlife to live within the lake and its environs. Among which, the most notable species are:

Elk is one of the largest animals of the Baikal region. An elk can weigh up to 500 kg. hallmark males are huge horns, which annually change to new ones.

Musk deer - or a small deer, no more than 1 meter long. The complete absence of horns is replaced by long fangs.

The golden eagle is the most common in the Baikal region from the family of eagles.

The Imperial Eagle is probably the most beautiful of the birds living in the Baikal region. Sacred bird among local peoples. Strong paws, light head color and dark plumage of the rest of the body are the standard for the whole family of birds.

Find out which animal lives only in Baikal

The Baikal seal is the type of seal that lives only in Baikal, that is, in fresh water. On the this moment their population numbers up to 100 thousand individuals. This is a very curious and intelligent animal that is easy to learn and train. It can weigh up to 140 kilograms and be up to 1.7 meters long.

The Baikal seal is the top of the Baikal food chain. The danger for her is only a person.

You can hunt seals. Its meat is eaten, clothes are made from fur, and flippers are considered a delicacy.

Local residents consider seal fat to be healing and use it for lung disease.

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Baikal is a unique ecosystem that includes more than 2,500 species of animals and plants that are found only in this region. Scientists agree that this place is home to many relic organisms that have not yet been studied. There are several the rarest species animals.

Below is a selection of some representatives of the Baikal fauna, with brief description and photo.

Mammals of Baikal

Siberian lynx

A graceful predator from the cat family, adapted to the conditions of the cold Siberian winter. The body length of the lynx reaches 130 cm, and the males can be up to 70 cm in height. Average weight animal - 25 kg. They have a dense build and a short tail, as well as characteristic tufts at the tips of their ears. Lynxes are distinguished by very large paws - nature has awarded them with them so that it is easier for animals to move through snowdrifts and not fall through. The color of lynxes is smoky or reddish-brown with tan marks.

Brown bear

The largest mammal of Lake Baikal, weighing up to 250 kg. body length brown bear- 150 cm. They feed on berries, fish, roots. In winter, it is difficult to meet a brown beast - it hibernates.

Fox

The most cunning predator of Baikal, which is not at all afraid of people. Foxes often approach tourists and even allow themselves to be stroked. The weight of an adult animal reaches 15 kg, and the length, excluding the tail, is 80 cm. The fox lives up to 18 years in the Baikal region, while in other regions they rarely live to 10. The predator feeds on small game, fish and even worms.

Mustachioed bat

Rare view bat- a medium-sized animal of red color with oblong ears. Settles closer to mountain zone and goes out at night. Night bats live in groups of up to 20 individuals. little animal moves very quickly, and in winter the flocks fly south.

Baikal seal

A true symbol of the legendary lake. Nerpa is found only on Lake Baikal. Due to poachers, the animal is endangered. The fur, meat and fat of this mammal are highly valued, but hunting is not punishable by law. The seal, like seals, loves to swim in the water and get ashore to rest.

Wolverine

A predatory animal from the mustelid class, reaching a length of 100 cm, but not high at the withers. Wolverines love hiking and are often found on different paths. During such a walk, the wolverine looks for future prey. The animal's diet includes rodents, bird eggs, and less often carrion.

moose

Another representative of the largest animals - the weight of the male reaches 500 kg, and the body length is 2 m. Moose most often settle on the coast. They feed on grass and wood bark. The average life expectancy is 30 years. Elk does not like human society, so seeing him is a rarity.

musk deer

Outwardly, the animal resembles an ordinary hornless deer, however, he has one feature - huge fangs! Their presence is associated with the nutrition of the mammal. Musk deer prefer to eat lichens, and for this they need to pry them from trees. The beast is under threat complete disappearance because of the demand for muscle. Musk deer are small in size - only 90 cm in length and 15 kg in weight.

Muskrat

Semi-aquatic rodent, the average weight of which rarely exceeds 1.5 kg. It is constantly in the water and is impeccably protected from the cold by special fur. Muskrats do not get wet at all, they are distinguished by a light color of the abdomen and darker fur on top. On each limb there are membranes, thanks to which muskrats quickly move under water. Animals also use their tails to swim. special form. Muskrats live up to 8 years and choose areas well covered with vegetation. Muskrats have an amazing natural instinct - they are able to build 2-level dwellings and pantries for storing food.

Reptiles of Baikal

Cotton muzzle

Cotton muzzles are the most common snakes of Lake Baikal. These are medium-sized animals, the length of which reaches 70 cm. They differ from other snakes in their pronounced neck and rounded head. There are 4 subspecies: Ussuri, stony, water and eastern muzzle. All of them are found along the shores of the lake.

Mongolian toad

Another cold-blooded creature is the Mongolian toad, whose body length reaches 8 cm. The color of the toad is white-green, becoming darker with age. Settles in estuaries, in swampy areas. The population of the Mongolian toad is small, so it is quite difficult to meet it.

Birds of Baikal

Many birds live along the shores of the lake, but the most interesting of them are the following:

saker falcon

A unique bird of prey from the falconiformes order, similar in size to crows. The back of the bird is dark brown, and the front is light with circles. It feeds on small game and nests high in trees. The bird is in danger of extinction.

Sandpiper

A small creature from the genus of sandpipers, characterized by a very thin and straight beak, which is shorter than that of other birds. Long legs and their special structure help the sandpiper to move on the ground at incredible speed. The bottom of the bird is painted white, and brown in front.

white-tailed eagle

One of the most beautiful birds living on the shore of the lake. This is the most large predator Baikal, who prefers fish as food.

Many Baikal birds require serious protection and protection from poachers, but the bills have not yet been developed.

The rarest animals of Baikal

Reindeer

In the Red Book you can find reindeer, which is very rare on Baikal. Before reindeer inhabited the entire Irkutsk region, but now their numbers have been greatly reduced. This is the only deer species that even females have antlers.

Red Wolf

Another animal that is rarely found anywhere else is the red wolf. A rare predator rarely makes contact with people and prefers to hide. The red wolf is small in size, but incredibly strong - in a fight with a leopard or leopard, he may well win.

Irbis

The snow leopard, the irbis, is also included in the Red Book. The most cautious and mysterious representative of the Baikal fauna. Snow Leopard differs in amazing hearing - he is able to notice the rustle at a distance of up to several kilometers. According to scientists, no more than 50 snow leopards live on Baikal. The average weight of a male is 50 kg.

The fauna of Baikal attracts attention and delights no less than the beauty of the lake. However most of of the rare species needs serious protection, otherwise their existence on the planet will soon cease.

Scientists agreed that the Baikal fauna is the oldest in the world. It is here that more than 2565 species and subspecies of animals and over 1000 plants have been registered, most of which are endemic and are not found anywhere else. But there are also hundreds of species of bottom microorganisms and practically unexplored viruses and phages.

However, of all the endemic animals of Baikal the only mammal is a seal. These extremely cute seals are the symbol of the lake, and you can see them only here, because nowhere else, except in Baikal, the seal can adapt to life. There have been many attempts to bring Baikal seal to various zoos, but they all ended in failure. The only place where the seal managed to visit is the Baikal Museum in Listvyanka, as well as the sealarium. By the way, the pools and aquariums of these two enterprises receive water directly from the lake and are constantly updated. It was thanks to this seal that they managed to settle in an artificial reservoir for a long time.

But let's not forget that Baikal is still a lake, and its main inhabitant is fish. There are 52 species of fish in Baikal, the most famous of which is the Baikal omul. However, Siberian sturgeon, pike, whitefish, grayling, perch, dace, carp, burbot, taimen, golomyanka are also found here. The latter is an amazing creature, consisting entirely of fat.

Baikal is not only a lake or a reserve, it is amazing, unique world with its unique features, which every person knows from school.

Indeed, many plants and animals that can be found on its shores are not just listed on the pages of a book, they live only in one, the only place on our planet, on the shores of Lake Baikal.

Baikal seals

All the inhabitants of this amazing nature reserve calmly relate to the presence of a person to whom they are accustomed due to the developed ecotourism. But the most popular Baikal animals for photo- and video lenses of tourists, these are, of course, seals.

These unique animals, like seals, are on the verge of extinction. In this case, the reason is poachers. Musk deer males are the source of musk, a unique substance of origin, which is the basis for many recipes, both perfumers and physicians.

This is one of the smallest deer in the world. Maximum weight musk deer - 18 kg, and the body length is only a meter. They do not have horns, but the males have charming fangs, with which it is easy to pry lichens from trees - favorite treat musk deer. The rut begins at the end of October, and after 190-200 days, small deer are born.

Wolverine

Clumsy and, at first glance, defenseless, Baikal wolverines are actually dexterous, fast and ruthless predators from the weasel family. Very similar to a miniature bear, on average reaches a meter in length.

This is a hunter and a tireless traveler, during the day he walks without straining in search of prey for 40-50 km. This cutie feeds on rodents, eggs, if it meets a nest, does not disdain carrion and is quite capable of attacking a wounded or dying deer. The local indigenous people have a lot of tales about the cunning, insidious wolverine, easily defeating dull elks.

They do not have a specific time for mating, but females usually give birth in winter, building a lair of tunnels in the snow. Moreover, the fathers somehow find out about what is happening and find themselves nearby, taking care of the family and bringing food to the female and babies.

Wolverine "girls" can bring offspring twice a year, but according to observations conducted since 1969, this happens very rarely. These shaggy handsome men live for 10-15 years, and in the reserve they have only one, but a very serious enemy - the wolf.

Red Wolf

The rarest today, in whose appearance the features seem to be mixed, and once lived in our country throughout Altai, Buryatia, Primorsky Krai. Today, on the territory of the lake shores, this species is restored artificially, using animals imported from Northern China.

These fluffy beauties, the size of German shepherds, have taken root perfectly and at the moment, there are already several small groups in the reserve that. Over time, they will become serious flocks.

The handsome men lead the same way of life as ordinary wolves. They hunt together, for ungulates, however, if they see a wolverine wandering along the path, they forget about everything in the world, immediately starting to chase the predator.

They do not have a specific time for mating, the pregnancy of a she-wolf lasts 60-65 days, and wolf cubs are born from two to ten. Wolves reach puberty by one and a half years, but start mating at two.

Moreover, for this species, as for other wolves, “love for life”, fidelity and constancy are characteristic. Flocks live in caves and grottoes.

These cute predators live from 12 to 15 years, and they once disappeared from the territory of Russia solely because of hunting and poaching. Moreover, red wolves were shot solely for the sake of their incredible tails, from 50 cm long, very similar to foxes.

Bear

Although bears, like moose, live throughout Eurasia, only in the lake reserve are they the real kings of nature. The body length of these beauties living near the waters of Lake Baikal is 2.5-3 meters, the height at the withers is from one and a half meters. The animal is important, sedentary, unhurried. However, if necessary, it will easily pass in search of food up to 300 km, and then return back.

Baikal omnivores, like everyone else, but prefer any other food. Even honey is inferior to fresh fish, for the sake of it bears are able not to leave the water for half a day. Hibernation on the lake shores lasts for six months, bears build dens here much more thoroughly than their European relatives.

They do not have a dedicated time for mating, from one to four babies are born at a time, who spend their first hibernation with the she-bear. Bears live in the reserve for 20-25 years.

Lynx

- this is business card reserve. graceful strong cat, for the sake of meeting with which you will have to try very hard. Moreover, the lynxes themselves perceive tourists quite calmly, not thinking of hiding or running away. They just dwell in the hardest accessible places reserve.

She is a cat, even if this one is a Baikal lynx. This animal is a loner. Lynxes do not breed every season, there are usually 3-5 kittens, and the father does not take care of the family.

The lynx hunts for everything, its diet is hares, deer, foxes. Everything she sees and can catch. It will never pass by a nest with eggs, but often does not eat, but simply knocks over with its paw.

The lynx attacks from an ambush, developing speed instantly and quite high. But now, the prey has a lot of chances to escape, since it runs out of steam already at 70 meters of pursuit.

However, if everything worked out for the lynx, and she immediately jumped on her prey, even the elk has no chance of surviving. The lynx has no respect for everything fauna of Baikal, but, oddly enough, remains completely neutral in relation to wolverines.

Irbis

The legendary beast, almost fabulous - the snow leopard, the snowy Baikal. This beast is not just among animals of the Red Book of Baikal, he has a special status - he is untouchable under any circumstances, including the threat of life.

If a leopard attacks, the tourist can only use darts with sleeping pills, according to the accepted on federal level regulation on the protection of the rarest species of fauna.

In general, throughout the history of the reserve. Since 1969, there have been no recorded cases of leopard attacks on people. These predators live throughout the entire reserve, hunt ungulates and, in general, resemble very big cats. Each such animal is microchipped. Today, 49 snow leopards live in the reserve.

The weight of these beauties ranges from 55 to 65 kg, the length of a strong body filled with steel muscles is from 1.05 to 1.1 meters. Leopards like to mate from January to the end of March, and after 100 days from two to four snow-white kittens are born.

In hunting, snow leopards always start with ungulates, however, since the leopard lies for a long time, not moving in ambush, it often slips nearby. In this case, a stupid hare is overtaken by a paw strike, which is so fast that a person simply does not notice it.

The hunt ends here, the leopard calmly eats the carcass of the hare, and if at this moment a deer appears or - nothing threatens them at all, until the snow leopard gets hungry again. At one time, this big cat needs from 3 to 5 kg of meat.

Hare

When talking about Baikal animals, first of all, they remember predators, their rare and endangered species, forgetting about. Belyak is a small animal, without which many of the "predatory and beautiful" simply would simply starve to death. Bunnies live throughout the reserve and serve as food for almost all predators.

The whites themselves are large animals. They weigh from 2.5 to 5 kg, and can reach a length of 50 cm. It is generally accepted that hares are active in the evening and at night, but hares are always active on Baikal.

They dig deep minks, from 8-9 m, this is due to the fact that hares still prefer not to become prey to the hungry inhabitants of the "book". White squirrels feed on absolutely all plants, moreover, both leaves, fruits and flowers, and roots. In winter, they eat bark and branches.

Bunnies love to breed, in a year a hare brings 3-4 litters of 2-6 bunnies. Hares live on the territory of the reserve in large "families", moreover, they are quite social and often "help out" each other.

Fox

Living all over the globe, on the shores of the lake reserve, oddly enough, are unique. Only here, red foxes treat people absolutely calmly, and when they see a group of ecotourists, they not only don’t leave, but begin to “pose”, smiling with their whole charming muzzle.

It should be noted that this tactic has borne fruit and the popularity of the red cunning among tourists bypassed the rarest manuls, and lynxes, and even snow leopards.

At the same time, the foxes themselves, of course, don’t care about their own demand, it’s just that tourists always leave something tasty, for example, cookies, which the foxes eat with great pleasure. Guides turn a blind eye to such things, because the rave reviews "talked" with the foxes attract new tourists to the reserve.

- a graceful animal. Individuals living along the shores of the lake are slightly different from those who live in European forests. The weight of the local chanterelle fluctuates around 10-15 kg, and the length reaches 80-90 cm, excluding the tail. The tail is from 60 cm, and foxes do not grow it for human fur coats, but as a “stabilizer” while running.

42-tooth red-haired beauties are usually nocturnal, but not on Baikal. It is not clear whether this is due to tourists or to the round-the-clock activity of the main fox food - hares.

Chanterelles live all over the world from 3 to 10 years, but in the reserve their life is longer, according to statistics collected with the help of rangers, local foxes begin to die at 15-17 years.

Fox burrows are used only for shelter from danger or bad weather and for breeding foxes. If the weather is good, there are no enemies around and the fox is not going to give birth - she will just lie down to sleep under a bush, curled up.

Foxes are excellent hunters, but on Baikal they are also excellent fishermen and lovers of feasting on worms and larvae. What also distinguishes the local "redheads" from all the rest.

They don’t have a specific time for “marital relations”, but they prefer to give birth in early spring. Cases have been recorded when the female drove away the male in a cruel form, while if the fox had succeeded, the cubs would have appeared in the “winter”.

Both parents are involved in the upbringing of children. What does the family of foxes - for life, just like the wolves. Each family has its own territory. However, if there is enough food, foxes are calm about the "guests".

Generally, animals of Lake Baikal, just like birds and fish - all together they created their own unique, special world. All of them are closely interconnected, both with each other and with the lake itself.

This can be seen at first sight, not without reason, despite the high price of the tour, the number of ecotourists is constantly increasing, and those who have already been, be sure to come to the reserve again.

Baikal is the most endemic body of water on the planet. Its many animals and plants are found nowhere else in the world. In total, more than 2600 species of inhabitants can be counted. We will find out what the flora of Baikal is, as well as its fauna.

Vegetable world

In Baikal itself, special corals grow, which the locals call the sea sponge. They are soft in water and harden in air. In the middle of summer, slimy and fibrous representatives of the fauna are shown in shallow water. The coastal zone boasts a wide variety of vegetation. These are relic firs, stilted trees with exposed roots, healing cedars, bizarre shapes, various lichens, mosses and much more.

Mainly covered with thick coniferous forest. It is represented by cedars, larches, spruces, pines, firs and birches. Currant bushes, balsamic poplars, Siberian wild rosemary and low alder grow in the lowlands.

It should be noted that the local vegetation is very diverse. But let us briefly consider the flora of Baikal, which is of the greatest interest.

Siberian cedar

Growing on Baikal, this is a fairly powerful tree. In diameter, it reaches up to 1.8 meters, and in height - about 40 meters. The cedar lives up to half a century, and after six decades it begins to produce a rich harvest of nuts. For this, the locals called it the Siberian bread tree. More than ten kilograms of nuts can be collected from one trunk. But not every year, because the cones mature only 14-15 months.

Previously, milk, sour cream, halva and butter (instead of sunflower) were made from nuts. But now these crafts are undeservedly forgotten. Today, only the nuts themselves are of interest as fruits and wood of the cedar. It has a mild but persistent odor that can repel moths for decades.

Rhododendrons

A unique representative of the flora of Baikal is rosemary, or, as it is also called, Daurian rhododendron. It is considered a harbinger of the Baikal spring, because it blooms the very first when there is no greenery in the area. At this time, wild rosemary beautifully colors the coastal zone in pink shades the petals of their flowers. Most often, this plant forms thickets throughout Eastern Siberia.

Following the wild rosemary, sagaan-dali, the Adams rhododendron, begins to bloom. It is popularly known as the "white wing" or longevity herb. This plant is used to tone and stimulate the kidneys, heart and brain. Adams' rhododendron is also famous for its anti-hangover effect. No more than five flower leaves are added to a glass of tea. The drink is obtained with a strong but pleasant aroma.

You can see the flowering of rhododendron, a representative of the Baikal flora, in the photo above. It is easy to imagine what beauty opens up if you see the flowering of entire thickets of this plant.

Thyme

This plant is also called Bogorodskaya grass. It grows in steppe meadows, rocky slopes and open sandy areas. Distributed in Transbaikalia and the Baikal region. All summer long it pleases the eye with beautiful pink flowers, which are perfectly visible on the sandy hills.

Thyme contains about one percent essential oils. Therefore, it is enough to crush the twig a little in your hands to feel the characteristic and persistent smell.

Decoctions and infusions from the Bogorodsk herb are widely used for medicinal purposes, to strengthen immune system, elimination of insomnia, nervous diseases and in general to prolong life. For cooking medicinal product usually take one or two tablespoons of dried grass and one hundred milliliters of boiling water. Shamans, who successfully use the flora of Baikal, throw only a pinch of thyme into the fire for the rite of purification.

Cheremsha

Ramson grows in almost all areas of Baikal. In some places it forms very large thickets.

They begin to collect and sell this representative of the flora in May-June. At this time, the leaves and stems are not yet strong and therefore juicy and soft. Ramson has wide application in cooking. It is used instead of green onions, although it smells like garlic. Also, grass is added to salads, meat dishes, fillings for pies and salted like sauerkraut.

Rhodiola rosea

Perhaps all local residents know which representative of the flora of Lake Baikal has the properties of ginseng. This is Rhodiola rosea, or golden root, as it is also called. Blooms in June-July almost throughout Baikal on rocky slopes, rocks and in mountain crevices.

The plant perfectly relieves fatigue and stimulates all body processes. For medicinal purposes, only rhizomes are used, which are harvested during the flowering period. The largest specimens are dug up, cleaned, cut and dried in the shade. After that, a liquid extract is prepared on alcohol. It is noteworthy that the digging of the roots of the golden root in the same place can only be done once every ten years.

Cowberry

Baikal is very rich in useful and medicinal flora. Another popular home remedy is lingonberries. She grows in Siberian forests, often forming a continuous carpet of dense thickets. With a good harvest, you can collect a full bucket of berries in a few hours. They ripen in August-September.

Lingonberry is good as an antipyretic and diaphoretic. But it is also a great addition to hot meat or tea in the form of jam. The berry is perfectly stored in sugar, water and in the freezer.

Fauna of Baikal

The diversity and beauty of the flora and fauna of the lake leaves no one indifferent. It is enough to look at the photo of the flora and fauna of Baikal, although the living inhabitants are even more shocking.

A unique sponge lives in the lake itself, which scientists recently attributed to the class of animals. It is thanks to the activity of this creature that the water remains crystal clear. Such conditions have a great effect on the diversity of fish. Cod, sturgeon, salmon, catfish and carp species, as well as omul, golomyanka, grayling, perch, pike and whitefish are found in Baikal. But the most famous and popular endemic of the lake can be called the seal.

In the forests live such as bears, wolves, foxes, hares and sables. Also, tourists on their way can meet a ferret, a wolverine, an ermine, a marmot, a squirrel, an elk, a tarbagan, a wild boar, a deer and a wild goat.

There are many different animals on Baikal, but we will consider only the most interesting representatives fauna.

Omul

Omul is one of the many commercial species Baikal. This fish is not the largest (weighing up to five kilograms and up to fifty centimeters in length). But a subspecies lives in the lake, which is endemic. There are four populations in total: Severobaikalsky, Selenga, Posolsky and Chivirkuysky omul.

Today in Baikal, the flora and fauna of which is very diverse, experts count about thirty thousand heads of these fish. Compared to previous years, their population is growing slightly. Omul lives no more than a quarter of a century. It feeds on benthic invertebrates, crustaceans and young growth of other fish. The Baikal subspecies is valued because of its unique salty and delicate taste.

Golomyanka

The golomyanka can rightly be called the most numerous. Her total biomass and twice as many as other species. It is interesting that the golomyanka gives birth to live fry, and does not spawn, like others. A similar method of breeding offspring is no longer found in any of the known fish in the world.

The body of the golomyanka also attracts attention. It is half fat and therefore translucent. Through the tail of a large specimen, you can even read the text written in large letters.

Golomyanka lives at all depths: both at the bottom and on the surface. Therefore, it is equally dispersed throughout the water column. This fish is the main food source for the seal, which is just as interesting as other endemic representatives of the flora and fauna of Lake Baikal.

Seal

The Baikal seal is the only seal in the world that lives in fresh water. It is distributed throughout the lake, but especially in its middle and northern parts. To date, experts have about one hundred thousand heads of seals. They weigh 50-130 kilograms, and the body of the largest individual reaches almost two meters in length. These seals live for 55 years, feed on golomyanka and Baikal gobies.

This is a very friendly, curious and easily trained animal. Seals often swim up to drifting ships and stay nearby for a very long time. It is amazing that these seals have learned to breathe under the ice through the air. With their front paws, they tear a hole with a diameter of one to two meters. Moreover, the animal periodically removes frost from it in order to maintain its size. But this is the main air, and smaller additional holes are scattered around.

The seal is the top of the food chain of the Baikal ecosystem. The only danger for her is only a person. Poachers exterminate more cubs with white fur, which is highly valued in their circles.

Barguzinsky sable

This legendary animal is found not only on Lake Baikal, but also throughout the taiga of Russia. Sable is called soft gold, because it has a beautiful, durable, and therefore expensive fur. And the Barguzin species, due to the darkest skin, was generally considered a find at auctions. Because of this, the animal almost died out during the Soviet era, when they began to exterminate unique flora and fauna of Baikal.

Sable is not the largest animal, the body reaches about half a meter in length. But he has a twenty-centimeter fluffy and beautiful tail. It prefers to live in cedar forests, in the upper reaches of mountain rivers, thickets and among stone placers. The sable shows high activity in the evening and in the morning, during hunting.

Birds of Baikal

Ordinary forest birds live in the vicinity of Lake Baikal, and the lake itself attracts sea fishermen due to the abundance of food. Most often there are various ducks that like to gather on the water in large flocks. The rocky islands are densely populated by gulls, and black cormorants soar over open areas. On the shores you can rarely see screaming swans, geese, and gray herons.

Special respect from local residents eagles use. There are seven species of them on Baikal. These are long-tailed eagles, white-tailed eagles, steppe eagles, pygmy eagles, greater spotted eagles, golden eagles and imperial eagles. There is no such diversity anywhere in Asia.

So, the flora and fauna of Baikal was briefly considered. Now you know what animals and plants are found in this amazing place.