15 ANIMALS of RUSSIA - List of Names and Photos

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Russia is the largest country in the world, since it has an area of 17,098,242 km2, and is located between the European and Asian continents. It is a vast region, which contains a multitude of ecosystems and cultures. Given the enormity of the country and the ecosystem variety, there are many animals living in Russia, many of them being unique on the planet. These animals are adapted to the extreme climatic conditions that exist in the country.

At Ecologist Verde we have created a list with 15 animals of Russia that represent only a small and symbolic part of the diversity of the country, we offer you information about them and photos.

Snow tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

The Snow tiger, Siberian or Amur tiger It's one of the wild cats most exceptional in the world. Its unique coat allows each individual to be identified, as each one has a unique stripe pattern. It has a thick coat and is lighter orange in color than other tigers with fewer brown stripes. Its body is well adapted to the cold since it lives in boreal forests and among the taiga, typical vegetation of high latitudes. It stretches across eastern Russia and also into the China region. It is located along the Primorsky Territory, between the Amur River and the Khabarovsk Krai region. Also in the mountains of Sikhote Alin and East Manchuria.

Unfortunately, this species is threatened by man and its population had only 390 individuals in 2005. The greatest threats to this species are poaching and habitat loss. In 2022, Russia began construction work to build a conservation park on a Pacific island off the coast of the city of Vladivostok. So perhaps this is the last hope to get this magnificent feline back.

Find out more about endangered Tigers in this other Green Ecologist post.

The Russian desman (Desmana moschata)

We follow this list of russian animals with a much less known species: the Russian desman. This small mammal belongs to the mole family (Talpidae) but are similar to water shrews. They are distributed along the western border of Russia between the basins of the Don, Ural and Volga rivers (the longest river in Europe). Of this little animal, its long and flexible snout stands out, which, like a trunk, allows it to explore the terrain. This muzzle is highly sensitive due to the large number of nerve endings it has.

This species already lived with the mammoth, but today it is especially threatened by intense hunting, so it could soon follow the same path as the mammoths. It was prized for its skin and scent. The tails of the excesses have glands that secrete substances with a strong smell of musk and in ancient Russia they were used to store clothes. This musk is also used to intensify the aroma of perfumes.

The nerpa or the Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica)

Is endemic species of seal It is only found in Lake Baikal and adjacent rivers. The lake baikal It is a paleolago and it is the deepest in the world. It is located in the interior of the continent, bordering the neighboring country, Mongolia. The explanation of how this seal got to this immense lake, far from the Arctic Ocean where its relative lives is still a mystery. The most plausible hypotheses are that they arrived at this lake traveling by the Enisey and Angará rivers or due to the glaciations of millions of years ago. However, a legend speaks of the existence of an underground channel that would have existed since the ice age and through which these seals or nerpas would have traveled.

This unique seal species is threatened by the destruction and contamination of their habitat (organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, industrial discharges, etc.) and by the indiscriminate hunting of young individuals, especially to get their skin.

The golomianka (Comephorus spp.)

East little transparent fish, without scales and without a swim bladder also lives exclusively in the lake baikal. Since your body is transparent, your spine and blood vessels can be seen. These fish are part of the diet of the previously described Baikal seal or nerpa. This fish was appreciated in ancient times as a source of fat for lamp oil since almost 35% of its body is fat and, in addition, it was used as a medicinal resource by Mongols and Chinese.

Image: Rbth

Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea)

Between the animals of Russia these small birds also stand out. The rosy gull or Ross's gull, in honor of its discoverer James Clark Ross lives in high latitudes near the Arctic. It lives mainly in ice banks, the northern coasts and the tundra tundra. It can be seen in Siberia and Manitoba, nesting in swamps, swampy and wet tundras, and in the tundra of the Arctic range. However, the rest of the year he lives mostly navigating the sea between the ice banks and the Arctic shores. This small gull has a pinkish plumage in some cases and due to its small population it is very difficult to spot it and it is also threatened according to the IUCN (category of vulnerable).

The red-necked goose (Branta ruficollis)

This species of goose is found only on the Yamal and Taimyr peninsula in Siberian tundra forests between the Ob River and the tributaries of the Játanga River. It lives in the dry areas of the valleys, the slopes of the coasts and the ravines. In some cases, these russian animals they can reach the cold waters of countries like Iran and Iraq in winter. However, most spend the winter on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, the largest lake in the world. The red-necked goose they are grouped in small colonies made up of several pairs. They tend to live in isolation from other species of geese.

The giant eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus)

The Giant eagle or Steller's eagle It stretches across north eastern Siberia, between the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Okhotsk Sea coast, the lower Amur River basin and the island of Sakhalin. In addition, it is one of the largest raptors in the world and its origin could go back to the ice age. Although related to the well-known American eagle, physically it is very different. In this case, the black plumage of its head and the white plumage of the tail, the legs and the folds of the wings stand out. In addition, it has a large and strong beak that allows it to hunt salmon or eat the remains of sea lions.

If you like this type of bird, we recommend this other article by Green Ecologist that collects 112 birds of prey or raptors: types, names and spectacular photos of all of them.

Snow sheep (Ovis nivicola)

The snow sheep It inhabits the northern regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka, some of the greatest natural treasures. East Siberian inhabitant he chooses to move between inaccessible rocks and steep, steep hills and slopes. In this ovine species, both males and females have antlers, although that of the females is smaller and only about 30 centimeters. Unfortunately, their populations have been undermined by the intense hunting of "trophies", such as his head or antlers.

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

This is another of russian animals most emblematic. The Amur leopard or Far Eastern leopard It stretches from the Amur River basin in eastern Siberia to the coast of the Sea of Japan. It is one of the rarer leopard subspecies of the world and is in extreme danger of extinction according to the IUCN. Only between 25 and 34 specimens are known in freedom.

The situation of danger of extinction of this species has been since it began and is being led by poaching to get its skin and meat, the destruction of its habitat and in the last case by inbreeding. The consanguinity of the species has led to genetic diseases and the genetic diversity of the individuals has decreased.

The Amur leopard stands out, above all, for its long, dense coat that allows you to survive the low temperatures in your area. The color of its fur is between orange and gold, although in winter it pales so as not to stand out so much in the snow. Thanks to its strong and long legs it can reach 55 km / h and walk through thick snow.

Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus)

It inhabits mainly in Russia, in the south of Western Siberia, in Yakutia, in the Arkhangelsk region, in the Komi Republic and the Yamalia-Nenetsia Autonomous District. Although, and since these birds are capable of flying great distances, up to 6000 km, some of them decide to spend the winters in areas of India, Iran and China.

Siberian cranes are in danger of extinction, especially the westernmost population, of which only about 20 specimens remain in the wild. However, measures have been taken to conserve this species, such as the creation of incubators that allow the chicks to be raised and then reintroduced into the natural environment.

Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus)

We continue with this list of russian animals and we stopped to observe a curious deer. This species of deer ranges from the Eastern Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau to the easternmost Siberia, Korea and Sakhalin, and the Amur and Primorye regions.

It is a different deer from the ones we know, because instead of the males growing an antler, they grow some long curved fangs below the upper lip. In addition, it has very long hind legs that make it an extraordinary jumper, allowing it to make 90º turns when running at maximum speed. It is also a being extraordinarily intelligent it is capable of altering its tracks to mislead hunters and predators.

Image: Natureplprints

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

The snow leopard or irbis It is also known as "the ghost of the mountains"Or"the snow ghost”. This nickname reveals the elusive nature of this feline that prefers to roam remote mountains. In Russia, this species occurs in Siberia, mainly in the mountains of Sayán and Altai. This leopard is characterized by its long, fluffy tail and dense, spotted fur that protects them during severe Siberian frosts.

Unfortunately, this imposing feline is in Danger of extinction and its population does not exceed 4,000 individuals in the wild. The main threats to which it is exposed are poaching, the reduction of its habitat and climate change that is melting the snow and ice where it moves. In this other post you will find all the information related to Why the snow leopard is in danger of extinction and here you will see a video on this topic.

Orlov's Trotter (Equus ferus caballus)

Continuing with this list of animals originating in Russia, we stop to discover a breed of horse. It is the oldest and best known breed of russia horses. The breeding of this horse became popular from 1770, beginning thanks to the Russian count Alexei Orlov who raised them on his farm near Moscow, the capital of the country. The Orlov's trotter It is characterized by its stained gray coat, but there are specimens of other colors such as light gray or dark brown. It is a species of horse that is tall and light as well as elegant, with a noble bearing and an abundant and dense mane. In addition, he is very fast and cheerful and friendly.

Image: Galloptodiscover

The Samoyed Guard Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The samoyeds dogs they are loyal and charming dogs. Historically and for thousands of years they were the companions of the indigenous samoyed population, which spans the region of the extreme north of Russia. This breed of dog inherited from its ancestor related to the wolf, a great robustness, which made it perfect for hunting, shooting, guarding and protection and was even used as a sheepdog. The natives also used them to care for and watch over their children and to sleep with them because of their soft and warm fur. Is it so adapted very well to cold and they are very energetic. The Samoyed dog is considered one of the animals originating in Russia and also one of the oldest purebreds of dog due to the fact that it developed in very remote areas and did not cross again with the wolf.

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

To finish this list of russian animals, could not miss the arctic fox. It is a typical mammal of the tundra that is characterized by its white hair cloak and soft, which allows it to camouflage itself in the snow. However, in summer, the arctic fox's fur stops being white and turns brown to blend in with the landscape of the new station. The fox must endure really cold and long winters, the scarcity of food, as well as living with large predators. However, the human species is the main threat that this animal faces, as its skin is traded.

If you want to read more articles similar to 15 animals of Russia, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.