AdministratorIs Desman a mole?
Despite its outward similarity to muskrats (a rodent), the Russian desman is actually part of the mole family Talpidae in the order Eulipotyphla. Like other moles, it is functionally blind and obtains much of its sensory input from the touch-sensitive Eimer’s organs at the end of its long, bilobed snout.
Why is the Russian desman endangered?
The Russian desman is primarily threatened by the widespread use of fixed fishing nets, the low cost and high durability of modern nets means that poachers often leave them in the water for days or even months. A desman dies within 5-10 minutes of being trapped in a net.
How big is a desman?
It has a cylindrical tail, flat near its tip and fringed with stiff hairs. The Russian desman resembles a muskrat, weighing 100–220 grams (3.5–7.8 ounces), with a body about 20 cm (8 inches) long and a tail of about the same length.
Where do Pyrenean desman live?
The species occurs in north and central parts of Spain and Portugal, French Pyrenees, and Andorra, but severe range contractions have been documented across its geographic distribution.
What do Russian Desman eat?
Russian desmans eat aquatic organisms including fish, mollusks, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects.
Do moles live in Russia?
moles. The largest is the Russian desman (Desmana moschata) of central Eurasia, which weighs 100 to 220 grams (3.53 to 7.76 ounces) and has a body 18 to 22 cm (7 to 9 inches) long and a tail nearly as long.
What do Pyrenean Desman eat?
Pyrenean desmans are carnivores (insectivores). Their diet consists of aquatic insect larvae and nymphs, crustaceans, and sometimes fish.
What’s a Russian sable?
The sable (Martes zibellina) is a species of marten, a small omnivorous mammal primarily inhabiting the forest environments of Russia, from the Ural Mountains throughout Siberia, and northern Mongolia.
Are there muskrats in Russia?
muskrat, (Ondatra zibethicus), a large amphibious rodent indigenous to North America but found also in Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Siberia, adjacent areas of China and Mongolia, and Honshu Island in Japan. The muskrat is a robust vole weighing up to 1.8 kg (4 pounds).
Are gorillas in Russia?
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums estimates there are currently around 125,000 western lowland gorillas, with 550 of them living in zoos. Mother Kira and father Vizuri are both settled in Moscow, having come from the British Krefeld Zoo and Switzerland’s Basel zoo.
What is a Russian desman?
Russian desman is a type of small, aquatic mammal that belongs to the family Talpidae (its closest relatives are moles). It can be found in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Russian desman inhabits slow moving rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, and occasionally brackish water.
Habitat destruction and pollution of aquatic ecosystems negatively affect survival of Russian desman today. Scientists estimate that current population of Russian desmans consists of around 30.000 animals. Russian desman is listed as vulnerable species, which means that it can become endangered in the near future.
How did the Kuskov River get its name?
The river takes its current name from Russian Ivan Kuskov of the Russian-American Company, who explored the river in the early 19th century and established the Fort Ross colony 10 mi (16 km) northwest of its mouth. The Russians called it the Slavyanka River, meaning ” Slav River”.
What is the difference between the Russian River and Navarro River?
The Navarro River drained from the Cobb Mountain area, while the Russian River drained from the Mt. St. Helena area. Being at a lower elevation, the Russian River began cutting north into the drainage area of the Navarro River. Eroding up a fault line in Alexander Valley, the Russian River intersected the Navarro River just north of Cloverdale.