Fauna

Diversity of landscapes in the Altai territory favours fauna species variety. The largest animal group in the territory is invertebrates and among them – insect group (over 400 species). It is these animals that first take the influence of human’s activity. Due to the man-made impact on environment there are 39 threatened insect species in the Altai territory.

The amphibian group is presented with six species, including threatened species – eft and salamander. The salamander is a rare endemic in Siberia, the eft disappears due to people’s household use of water – swamp biotypes.

Half of the seven species of vermigrade class is in the Alatai territory Red data book: steppe adder, sunwatcher, racerunner.

The Altai territory avifauna has over 320 species of birds, 220 – 290 of them nest in the territory. On the account of decreasing nest places, serpent eagle, little bustard and bustard almost disappeared. 46 species of 96 threatened ones relate to water – swamp lands. A positive factor in increasing food reserves for waterfowl was planting Canada rice in water-meadow lakes situated on the right bank of Ob last year.

Mammal are represented with 90 species. The most important animals are wild hoofed mammals and fur game. Hunting these animals brings meet, fur, leather and medicinal raw. Last years there was a reduction in the number of moose deer, brown bear, squirrel, marmot, musk deer and otter. A small decrease in the number of wolf and beaver has been noted. There is a tendency of increase in the number of several animals, especially the ones licensed for hunt – maral, roe deer, sable, wild boar.

Ploughing up large areas of plain forest-steppes and steppes brought to specific anthropogenic field habitats with specific fauna. The northern forest – field area the dominant position has been taken by field mouse. The fields of southern forest – field area are full of steppe fauna species - ground squirrel and hamster. The dominant position here is of red-cheekedground squirrel that lives in tilled lands.

Information source: The State committee of environment protection of the Altai territory and the Institute of water and environmental problems.