Armenian rock lizard

The wildlife of Armenia includes, in addition to plants, wild boars, porcupines, various lizards, snakes and numerous species of birds. Endangered species living in Armenia are the Caucasian bear, Caucasian bearded goat, the Armenian mouflon (sheep) and the leopard.

Fauna

The mouflon, ancestor of domesticated sheep
Armenian gull

Fauna in Armenia is diverse given the country's relatively small size, owing to the varied habitats created by the area's mountainous terrain. Armenia is an important area for migratory animals, about 350 different bird species were recorded in the country. Many of the world's domesticated animals originated in or near Armenia, and the mouflon, the ancestor of domesticated sheep, is present there. Research suggests that about a quarter of the animal species in Armenia are internationally endangered. The mouflon is suffering a great population decline due to poaching and habitat loss, and the Sevan trout, which once made up thirty percent of the fish in Lake Sevan, have virtually disappeared.

Southern and south-western Armenia remains the last stronghold of the Persian leopard in the Caucasus, in part due to the region being connected with the leopard population in Iran. The total population in Armenia is thought to number 10 to 20 individuals, including adults, sub-adults and cubs.[1]

Common

Flora

An Armenian oak leaf

See also

References

  1. ↑ Khorozyan, I. (2003). "The Persian leopard in Armenia: research and conservation". Proceedings of Regional Scientific Conference Wildlife Research and Conservation in South Caucasus, 7–8 October 2003, Yerevan, Armenia: 161–163.

Additional sources

  • "Krasnaya kniga Armyanskoi SSR, zhivotnye". 1987. Yerevan, Hayastan.
  • Kurkjian, R. (1999). Out of Stone. Armenia. Artsakh. Stone Garden Productions, Washington, DC.
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