Animals and plants of the Penza region. Rare animals of the Penza region

Animal world The area is quite diverse. In Penza forests one can find elk, badger, marten, and many species of birds, including waterfowl. Siberian roe deer, wild boar, sika deer, muskrat, raccoon dog, and beaver have taken root well in the region. There are many reserved hunting grounds in the region.

Currently, the region is inhabited by 28 species of rodents belonging to eight families, and 7 species of insectivores from three families, a total of 35 species, 26 of which are considered in this work (Table 1).
Table 1. Species composition of small mammals Penza region.

The species range is located in Central, Southern and Eastern Europe, in the south of Western Siberia, the Caucasus, and Asia Minor.
The subspecies taxonomy of hedgehogs has not yet been developed. Previously, it was believed that hedgehogs of the Penza region, like Russia as a whole, belong to the species Erinaceus europaeus - the common hedgehog (Guryleva, 1968).
However, in the works of recent decades (Zaitsev, 1982; 1984) it is shown that its two subspecies forms are independent species- E. europaeus and E. concolor. The white-breasted hedgehog is common in more southern areas; in the European part of Russia - presumably up to the Volga, common - further north. Therefore, hedgehogs living in the Penza region belong to the species E. concolor, which is confirmed by karyological studies carried out in the vicinity of Penza and in the Zemetchinsky region (Bystrakova, 2000). Karyotyped animals had species-specific White spot on the chest. However, A.A. Medvedev (1932) reported the discovery in the Tambov region, along with the white-breasted common hedgehog. Therefore, the possibility of cohabitation of two species in the area cannot be excluded.
The hedgehog is a common species in the region, inhabiting a variety of landscapes. Animals give preference to forest edges, clearings and bush thickets. On open spaces hedgehogs settle among small bushes, tall grasses and other secluded places; They are often found near human habitation, in gardens and forest belts.

Common mole

The species inhabits lowland forests (except for the northern taiga) and forest-steppe of Europe and Western Siberia.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies T. e. europaea L. (1758).
A common species in the region, its habitat, however, is recorded in only 6 districts. This can be explained by the specifics of catching moles, which, even in places with high numbers, very rarely end up in ditches; To catch a mole, it is necessary to use special mole traps, which is not always possible during expeditionary trips.
The habitat of moles is recorded mainly in the north- and south-west of the region, where they inhabit floodplain broad-leaved and mixed forests with humus-rich and fairly moist soil in which they live earthworms. In steppe areas, moles are practically not found, due to structural features soils and dry climate. Thus, the southern limit of the species’ distribution can be drawn approximately along the border of the Penza and Saratov regions.
In the Zemetchinsky district and the environs of Penza, moles have been observed annually since 1992; in other places, captures were carried out only once.

Lesser shrew

The species' habitat covers forest-steppes, steppes, semi-deserts (including mountains) of Eurasia from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
On the territory of the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies C. s. suaveolens Pallas (1811).
In the Penza region it is located at the northern border of its range. Single encounters of the species in 1929 (Medvedev, 1932), 1958 (Guryleva, 1968) and 1983 (Frolova, 1986) gave reason to consider it extremely rare in the region and occurring sporadically. However, in last years In Penza and beyond, shrews have been repeatedly caught in and near human buildings. Currently, the species is recorded in 8 regions, mainly in the north of the region, in mixed and broad-leaved forests along the floodplains of the Moksha, Atmis, and Uza rivers. Researchers suggest that this synanthropic species, like the house mouse, is rarely recorded in catches due to the fact that work on the study of small mammals is carried out mainly away from populated areas (Bystrakova, 1998).

Little shrew

The species' range covers continental Europe and Siberia east to the Baikal region.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies S. m. minutus L. (1766).
A species previously considered extremely rare in the region (Guryleva, 1968). However, in recent decades, the small shrew has been found in 12 districts, mainly in the southern part of the region. The biotopes inhabited by the small shrew are very diverse, but it prefers relatively moist, but not swampy areas of the outskirts of forests or thickets of bushes, and is also found along the banks of reservoirs. For example, in the southwest of the region (Neverkinsky district), small shrews were caught in the floodplain of the river. Kadada in a deciduous forest with relatively sparse undergrowth; in the central regions (Nizhnelomovsky, Moksha) - in the floodplains of the Atmis and Moksha rivers in deciduous forests with well-developed undergrowth and dense grass cover. In the Luninsky district, the small shrew was caught in the wide meadow floodplain of the river. Surs with small willow bushes.
It should also be noted that in the places where stationary research was carried out (biological station of the Department of Zoology and Ecology in the Zemetchinsky district and the biological station of the Perm State Pedagogical University in the Shemysheysky district), the small shrew has been recorded annually since 1991 and 1992, respectively, and in some years its numbers were comparable to that of the common shrew - one of the most widespread species of small mammals in the region.

Common shrew

The species' range covers Europe, Western and Eastern Siberia, Northern Kazakhstan.
Intraspecific chromosomal variability has been discovered for the common shrew - the existence of about 50 chromosomal races within its range has been proven (Zima et al., 1996). The territory of the Middle Volga region is currently inhabited by 3 chromosome races; in the Penza region, the MologaV race is widespread (Bulatova et al., 2000).
Within the region it is represented by the subspecies S. a. araneus L. (1758).
As noted above, the common shrew is a typical species for the region. It is recorded in 19 regions, where it inhabits mainly broad-leaved (oak, linden, aspen, maple) and mixed forests along the floodplains of the Kadada, Moksha, Nyanga, and Sura rivers. Always adheres to moist habitats, very rarely found in dry pine forests and open spaces.
Largest quantity Findings of the common shrew are concentrated around the city of Penza, as well as throughout the floodplain of the Sura River. This is explained by favorable living conditions: in these areas, as a rule, deciduous forest grows (oak, linden, birch) with a well-developed undergrowth (hazel, rowan, buckthorn, warty euonymus) and a thick litter of tree litter.
IN different years Since 1971, the common shrew has been found in the Belinsky district (floodplain of the Vorona River), Bashmakovsky, Pachelmsky (floodplain of the Vysha River), Serdobsky, Kolyshleysky (floodplain of the Khoper River). Every year, since 1991, it has been celebrated in Zemetchinsky district, since 1992 - in Shemysheysky district. In general, we can say that in fact the common shrew in the Penza region was found in all places where the catches were carried out.

Water cutter

The species' habitat occupies semi-aquatic forest biotopes of Europe, the Caucasus, Western and southern Eastern Siberia, Transbaikalia.
On the territory of the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies N. f. Fodiens Pennant, 1771.
Kutora is a stenobiont species, gravitating towards semi-aquatic habitats; for the region it is common (Guryleva, 1968; Frolova, 1986). Finds of shrubs are known in 12 regions; all of them are confined to the banks of rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and oxbow lakes, densely overgrown with shrubs (willow, bird cherry, alder) or forest (oak, linden, maple, aspen, birch). Similar biotopes are located in the Nizhnelomovsky, Mokshansky, and Shemysheysky districts. In the Neverkinsky and Gorodishchensky districts, shrew is found in the floodplains of the Kadada and Sura rivers with typically meadow vegetation and rare shrubs.
Shrews are caught almost every year at the biological station in the Zemetchinsky district; were repeatedly noted in Shemysheysky and Gorodishchensky (1998-1999) districts; in other points this species was caught only once.

The species' range covers lowland and mountain (up to 2000 m) broad-leaved forests of Europe and the Caucasus; islands of the Mediterranean Sea.
On the territory of the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies G.g. glis L., 1766.
Polchok inhabits mainly watershed and floodplain broad-leaved and coniferous-broad-leaved forests, as well as tracts of walnut and fruit plantations.
In the region, the species was first recorded in the Gorodishchensky and Narovchatsky districts (Fedorovich, 1915), and then in 1997 one specimen was caught in the Shemysheysky district on the shore of the Sursky reservoir, on a cordon in a broad-leaved forest (oak, linden, aspen). There are no other finds of the regiment in the region yet. Apparently, the information provided does not reflect the true picture of the distribution of the species in the Penza region, since catching dormouse requires the use of special, rather labor-intensive techniques, which was not the goal of the expeditionary research.

Hazel Dormouse

Distributed mainly in broad-leaved plain-low-mountain (up to 1300 m) forests of continental Europe; southern Scandinavia and England; northern Turkey.

It prefers broad-leaved forests, especially oak and beech, where it lives in aspen-birch biotopes, mainly with an undergrowth of hazel, linden and maple.
In the Penza region, the hazel dormouse was recorded only once, in the Nizhnelomovsky district (Guryleva, 1968).

Forest Dormouse

The species' range passes through Europe (except for the extreme south and north), as well as the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Western Asia.
The subspecies taxonomy of the forest dormouse is not well developed; in the Penza region it is represented by one of the subspecies of the so-called Central Russian group (D. n. nitedula Pallas, 1779; D. n. obolenskii Ognev, 1923; D. n. carpathicus Brohmer, 1927).
Inhabits mainly broad-leaved and sometimes coniferous-deciduous forests, including floodplain and island forests, as well as shrub thickets along ravines in the forest-steppe zone, gardens, tree nurseries, and shelterbelts. Avoids tall forests without undergrowth everywhere.
In the region, the species was recorded in 4 regions, mainly in the north, in broad-leaved and mixed forests in the floodplains of the Sura, Moksha and Vysha rivers. In the Zemetchinsky district, the forest dormouse has been found periodically since 1995, and in other areas, catches were carried out only in certain years.

Wood mouse

Inhabits lowland and low-mountain forests of Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, Northern Kazakhstan and the south of Western Siberia, the Baikal region.
At the end of the 80s, it was established that under the species name “Wood mouse” there are 2 forms with different numbers of chromosomes - 2n = 32 and 2n = 44, which were given the status of species (Sokolov et al., 1989). Therefore, at present, in order to accurately establish the species identity of mice, it is necessary to study their chromosome sets. On the territory of the Penza region, mice were karyotyped in 2 districts - in Zemetchinsky and in Kolyshleysky. It has been established that mice from the Zemetchinsky district have 32 chromosomes in their karyotype, i.e. belong to the wood mouse species; the animal from the Kolyshleysky district has 2n = 44, and it belongs to another species - the Strand mouse mouse (Bystrakova et al., 1999).
The wood mouse is most common in deciduous and mixed forests, especially with a predominance of aspen and well-developed undergrowth and grass. Avoids swampy meadows and swamps of various types.
On the territory of the region, mice were caught without karyotyping, and one can only assume that wood mice also live in these areas (Luninsky and Nizhnelomovsky), because the animals were captured in biotopes more typical for this species than for the Strand mouse (floodplains of the Sura, Moksha, Vysha rivers, overgrown with young oak or pine forest).
In the indicated areas, the wood mouse was recorded only once, while in the Zemetchinsky district it has been found annually since 1995.

Mouse Strand

Distributed in the south of Eastern Europe, in the Ciscaucasia, presumably in Central Europe.
It is a geographically replacing species-twin of the wood mouse, with 44 chromosomes in the karyotype. In the Penza region, it has so far been found only in the Kolyshleysky district, on the territory of the Privolzhskaya forest-steppe reserve (Ostrovtsovskaya forest-steppe). This area is characterized by steppe territories in the floodplain of the river. Khoper, in some places overgrown with bushes and completely covered with last year’s grasses.
Thus, through the territory of the Penza region, along the watershed of the Sura and Khopra river basins, there runs a line delimiting the habitats of two twin species of mouse mice - the forest mouse and the Strand.
Obviously, further research into the distribution of these species in the Penza region is necessary. However, some features of their biology do not allow these studies to be carried out as quickly as is possible in the case of other rodents.

Gray hamster

The species' range includes southern and southeastern Europe, Asia Minor and Western Asia, within which it inhabits forest-steppe, semi-desert and desert areas, up to the highlands (in the Pamirs up to 4300 m above sea level).
In the Penza region, two subspecies are possible: C. m. bellicosus Charlemagn, 1915 (known in the central regions of European Russia) and C. m. phaeus Pall., 1779 (steppe Don region, Lower Volga region).
The gray hamster was recorded in the southern regions of the region - in Tamalinsky, Bekovsky and Maloserdobinsky (Guryleva, 1968); Apparently, the distribution of the species to the north is limited by forests, so its northern border passes either through the Penza region or near its borders. The hamster is confined to open spaces, often to agrocenoses (in Kamensky district it was caught in corn crops), but it was also observed in human buildings (in Shemysheysky district it was caught in a school building). In all other areas where surveys were carried out, the species was not encountered.
It should be noted that valuable information on the distribution of relatively rare steppe species, such as the gray hamster, can be obtained by analyzing the contents of pellets birds of prey. Thus, we found 9 skulls of this species in eagle owl pellets from the Shemyshey district.

Steppe pied

The species' range extends across the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia from the Dnieper River to Tuva, and south to the Tien Shan.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies L. l. agressus Serebrennikov, 1929.
The steppe moth everywhere inhabits steppes, semi-deserts and southern part forest-steppe, but avoids forb steppes and bushes; prefers grass-forb, feather grass-fescue and white wormwood steppes. Willingly settles on arable lands, fallow lands, pastures, along the edges of roads and embankments of railway tracks. Within the study area, the species was found in 4 areas in the south and southwest of the region, in open spaces, including fields.
In the Penza region, the steppe moth is located on the northern border of its range; in addition, it does not fit well into crushers - a traditional tool for catching small mammals. Therefore, data on finds of this species are scarce. Let us note that in the eagle owl pellets from the Shemysheysky district, in which the skulls of gray hamsters were found, we also found the skull of a steppe pied, and for the Penza region this is the northernmost point of discovery of the species.

Bank vole

Distributed in various forests of Europe, northern Asia Minor east to the Yenisei, Baikal region.
In the Penza region, two subspecies are possible: C. g. glareolus Schreber, 1780 (distributed from Belarus and Smolensk region to Tatarstan) and C. g. istericus Miller, 1909 (recorded in Voronezh, Saratov, Samara regions).
The bank vole is one of the most typical and mass species in the Penza region, whose habitat is noted in 20 districts. The largest number of finds of the species are concentrated along the floodplain of the Sura and its tributaries (Kuznetsky, Gorodishchensky, Shemysheysky, Penza, Luninsky districts), in Zasurye, as well as along the floodplains of the Moksha, Vysha and Vorona rivers (Moksha, Pachelmsky, Zemetchinsky districts). Everywhere, the bank vole is confined to woody vegetation - to broad-leaved and mixed forests (oak, aspen, birch, linden, pine), but everywhere avoids forests with a closed tree stand, inhabiting cleared habitats along the edges, especially overgrown with bushes or open forests; common in floodplain forests. Often found in forest shelterbelts, as well as residential and outbuildings, especially in winter time(in winter it is also common in stacks and stacks). In places where permanent surveys are carried out, the bank vole is caught annually.

Water vole

The species' habitat occupies lowland and mountainous (up to 3200 m) semi-aquatic biotopes of the northern part of Eurasia.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies A. t. terrestris L., 1758.
Inhabits river floodplains, the banks of various types of lakes, irrigation canals and other natural and artificial reservoirs, raised and floodplain swamps. Settles in rafting areas, meadows, among bushes and in swampy small forests along the banks of forest streams, in fields and vegetable gardens; sometimes found in buildings. Avoids the banks of clogged or polluted bodies of water.
On the territory of the region it was found in 5 districts along the floodplains of the Moksha and Sura rivers, overgrown with shrubs (willow, bird cherry, alder) and grass (sedge, reeds). In the Zemetchinsky district, the water vole has been observed almost every year since 1995, in the floodplain of a forest stream overgrown with broad-leaved species and various shrubs.

Subterranean vole

The habitat is located in the forest zone of plains and mountains (up to 2200 m) of Western and Central Europe, from the Atlantic coast to the Balkans and Ukraine; there is an isolate in the center of the European part of Russia.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies M. s. transvolgensis Schaposchnikov et Schanev, 1958.
It reaches its highest numbers in deciduous forests, as well as in the island forests of the forest-steppe; sometimes found in secondary deforested areas among mixed and coniferous forests with well-developed grass cover, as well as in meadow and shrub areas in floodplains.
The habitat of the underground vole in the Penza region was established recently, in the late 90s. Previously, the westernmost point of its capture was the village. Desired Ryazan region. (Zagorodnyuk, 1992), located approximately 25 km from the northwestern border of the Penza region, and since 1996 it has been recorded almost every year at a biological station in the Zemetchinsky district (in a mixed forest; in a meadow with high grass; in the floodplain of a stream at the edge forests). It should be noted that in most cases the animals were caught using a trap, and only once - in a crusher. The infrequent use of grooves when capturing small mammals, as well as some difficulty in identifying the species (reliable - only from the skull), may be the reasons why the underground vole is considered very rare species, the distribution of which is far from sufficiently studied.

Housekeeper vole

The species' range includes humid habitats in the tundra and taiga zones (in mountains up to 2500 m) of Eurasia and Alaska.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies M. oe. stimmingi Nehring, 1899.
It inhabits mainly the forest zone, where it is most numerous in wet open meadow-type habitats along the banks of rivers and lakes, the edges of sedge and moss swamps, in floodplains overgrown with bushes and river valleys.
In the Penza region, a housekeeper can be considered as normal look, whose numbers, however, are low everywhere due to the distance from the main range.
The southern border of its distribution runs through the south of the Saratov region. In all seven districts of the region where the housekeeper's habitat has been established, it is confined to wet areas (floodplains of the Khopra, Sura, Kolyshleya rivers). At the biological station in the Zemetchinsky district it is observed constantly, but sometimes at fairly large intervals of 3-4 years.

Dark or arable vole

Distributed mainly in sparse forests and bush thickets of plains - middle mountains (up to 2000 m) in Europe, Western Siberia, and the Baikal region.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies M. a. gregarius L., 1766.
Mainly adheres to open, well-moistened biotopes, avoids dry coniferous forests; habitats and lifestyle are similar to the housekeeper.
The species was first recorded in 1950 in Penza (Ognev, 1950); Since then, the dark vole has been found in 6 more districts of the region. Despite the fact that the southern border of the dark vole’s range apparently coincides with the border between Penza and Saratov regions(Shlyakhtin et al., 2001), i.e. is located much closer to our territory than the housekeeper; at the biological station in the Zemetchinsky district, the dark field vole is recorded annually, and, as a rule, in several copies, unlike the housekeeper. To date, the southernmost point of detection of the species in the region is the village. Sosnovka, Kondolsky district.

Common vole

The range covers meadows and agrocenoses of mainland Europe (except for the far north and south) to the east to the Dnieper-Kirov line.
Subspecies taxonomy has not been developed.
30 years ago, when studying the chromosome sets of voles from different regions, it was found that within the polytypic species common vole there are 5 twin species with different karyotypes, all of which were given species status (Meyer et al., 1972, Malygin, 1983). In the Penza region, as well as in the territory of the European part of Russia, two of them live - the common (2n = 46) and the Eastern European (2n = 54) voles, the ranges of which basically coincide. The habitat of both named species is confirmed by karyotype studies (Stoiko, 1997; Bystrakova, 2000). The 46-chromosomal vole was recorded in Zemetchinsky, Nizhnelomovsky, Luninsky, Kondolsky and Shemysheysky districts. The remaining locations of findings on the map of the species distribution are marked “conditionally” and can indicate the locations of findings of both the common and Eastern European voles, since the animals were not karyotyped.
It reaches its highest numbers in open habitats of the steppe and forest-steppe zones, including cultivated lands. In the forest zone of the Russian Plain, favorite habitats are clearings, forest edges, and thickets of bushes in river valleys. The species is also common on the outskirts of large cities, in parks, wastelands and cemeteries, and in garden plots. In the Penza region, finds of common voles are confined to the floodplains of the Sura, Moksha, Khopra and Vorona rivers.

Eastern European vole

Distributed in Eastern Europe, but found somewhat further north and does not go far to the south.
It is a sister species to the common vole. Subspecies taxonomy has not been developed.
Species affiliation is determined by karyotype, so little is known about where voles were found in the region. It was first discovered in the study area in 1973 (Belyanin et al., 1973) in the Lopatinsky district (floodplain of the Uza River), then in 1987 two specimens were caught in the Belinsky district (Stoiko, 1987), and in 1999 - in Kondolsky and Gorodishchensky districts (Bystrakova, 1999). The habitats of twin species are similar.

Little mouse

The range covers the temperate zone of Eurasia to the north to 65 N latitude, to the south - to the Ciscaucasia, northern Mongolia, southern China and Assam, the British Isles, Japan, Taiwan.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies M. m. minutus Pallas, 1771.
Within the study area, it was found in 9 districts, mainly in the center and north-west of the region. For the first time in the region, a baby mouse was found within the city of Penza (Fedorovich, 1915; 1926), then it was noted in Gorodishchensky and Sosnovoborsky districts in 1953 and 1960 (Guryleva, 1968), the rest of the finds were made in 80-90 -e years
In some areas, the species prefers wooded areas (Nizhnelomovsky, Kondolsky, Serdobsky districts), but in most cases it occupies typical biotopes - floodplain tall grass meadows, various agrocenoses, haystacks and sweeps. In all areas marked on the map, the baby mouse was caught once, with the exception of the Zemetchinsky district, where this happens sporadically, after several years.

Harvest mouse

Distributed in Europe, eastern Kazakhstan, southern Western Siberia to Lake Baikal.
In the Penza region, two subspecies are possible: the northern (A. a. karelicus Ehrstrom, 1914), distributed south to the Kyiv - Voronezh - Saratov line, and the nominative (A. a. agrarius Pall., 1771).
The field mouse is a common species for the Penza region, recorded in 17 districts of the region, most of the finds are concentrated in the floodplains of the main large rivers (Sura, Moksha, Vyshi, Vorony); inhabits various, mostly well-moistened habitats. Avoids continuous forest plantations everywhere, adhering to shrubby and open biotopes, including meadows and grain fields. Found within the city limits. According to observations at the biological station in the Zemetchinsky district, the number sometimes increases significantly, and in some years, on the contrary, it decreases, more noticeably than in our other typical mouse-like rodents (bank vole, yellow-throated mouse).

Lesser wood mouse

Distributed in the forest-steppe zone of Eurasia to the west to the Baltic States, to the north to the Vologda and Arkhangelsk regions, to the south to the Azov and Black Sea regions.
In the Penza region, the subspecies affiliation has not been clarified due to the lack of development of subspecies taxonomy.
The small wood mouse is a common species in the region, found in 15 districts. The largest number of catching sites is concentrated in the floodplain of the Sura River (Penza, Shemysheysky, Gorodishchensky, Luninsky districts), as well as in the floodplains of the Vyshi, Atmis, and Vorony rivers. Almost everywhere, the species was caught in the same type of biotopes: usually it is a floodplain broad-leaved (oak, aspen, linden, birch) or mixed (pine and broad-leaved species) forest with a developed undergrowth (hazel, rowan, buckthorn, warty euonymus). Often settles in forest belts, sometimes found in sweeps and stacks.
However, according to observations at biological stations, in places where they live together with the yellow-throated mouse, which requires similar environmental conditions, the small wood mouse, as a rule, cannot compete with the latter and is replaced by it, appearing only in years of decline in the number of yellow-throated mice.

Yellow-necked mouse

Distributed primarily in the forests of Europe (including England and southern Scandinavia), from the Baltic states through central Russia to the southern Urals.
In the Penza region, two subspecies are possible: A. f. flavicollis Melchior., 1834 (typical for the northern regions of Russia) and A. f. samariensis Ognev, 1922 (distributed in the southern regions).
A common species in the area. In the study area, it was found in 19 districts, mainly in the eastern part of the region, which is explained by the presence of large forests in these places (Penza, Shemyshey, Gorodishchensky, Luninsky districts). It is often found in the northeast of the region in deciduous forests along the floodplains of the Vyshi, Atmis, Lomovka, Moksha rivers (Nizhnelomovsky, Pachelmsky, Bashmakovsky, Zemetchinsky districts). In the south of the region it occupies suitable habitats in island forests in the floodplains of the Khoper and Uza rivers.
When conducting long-term studies in certain places, it is caught annually.

House mouse

Distributed throughout the world in human settlements. They inhabit various natural biotopes of the southern temperate, subtropical and tropical zones. Outside human habitations, it avoids the open arctic and subarctic landscapes of the north and central parts of deserts, as well as continuous forests of the taiga type.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies M. m. musculus Linnaeus, 1758.
In the study area it was found in 11 areas, where it inhabits a wide variety of biotopes: from residential and commercial premises to various types of forest plantations; in natural habitats it is observed much less frequently than in human buildings. The house mouse is a typical synanthropic species, so it can be found almost everywhere near a person, in connection with this we should talk about the widespread distribution of this species in the region.

Gray rat

Distributed in southeastern Siberia, Primorye, northeastern China and throughout the world in human settlements or near them.
In the Penza region it is represented by the subspecies R. n. norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769.
It is found in vegetable gardens, vacant lots, gardens and parks, in greenhouse buildings, in urban areas (including large cities), in grain fields and stacks; in all cases prerequisite is the proximity of water.
In the region it is recorded in 5 districts. No special catches of rats were carried out in the region, so almost all data on the presence of this species was obtained from oral reports or as a result of random catches.

Slide 2

Stag beetle

STAGE BEETLE (Lucanuscervus) is the largest stag beetle of our fauna and one of our largest beetles. It is black, the upper jaws and elytra are chestnut-brown in the male and black in the female. The length of the female is 28-45 mm, the length of the male is without upper jaws 30-55 mm, and with them up to 75 mm. He lives in the south of the forest zone and in the forest-steppe, mostly in oak forests. In July and August, these beetles fly around the tops of oak trees with a loud buzz, and during the day they can be found on the sap flowing from wounds on oak trunks. Several dozen beetles sometimes accumulate near such wounds, pushing and often fighting among themselves. At the same time, males fight not only over a place on a sap-covered area, but also over females. They rise high on their front and middle legs, almost rearing up, open their jaws wide and rush at each other with such ferocity that they often maim each other. The female lays large (up to 2.2 mm) oval eggs in hollows, in rotten stumps or in the soil at the foot of trees, the rotten wood of which the larvae feed on. Larval development lasts about 5 years; an adult larva reaches a length of 13.5 cm and a thickness of a thumb.

Slide 3

Steppe viper

STEPPE VIPER (Virepaursini) is smaller than ordinary, and the length of its body with head does not exceed 57 cm, usually no more than 45-48 cm. Females are somewhat larger than males. Unlike the common viper, the steppe viper has the lateral edges of the muzzle pointed and slightly raised above its upper part, and the nostrils cut through the lower parts of the nasal shields. On top it is brownish-gray in color with a dark zigzag stripe along the ridge, sometimes broken into separate parts or spots. The sides of the body are covered with dark, blurred spots. Black ones are very rare steppe vipers. Distributed from the steppes Western Europe(France, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Albania, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria), through the steppe and southern part of the forest-steppe zone of our country up to Eastern Kazakhstan and Northwestern China. Lives in Crimea, in the steppe regions of the Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey, Iran. It rises into the mountains to 2500-2700 m above sea level. Inhabits Various types steppes, sea ​​coasts, shrubs, rocky mountain slopes, meadow floodplains, riverine forests, ravines, cereal-hodgepodge semi-deserts and weakly consolidated sands.

Slide 4

Garlic

GARLIC (Pelobatesfuscus) is best known. Its back is yellow-brown or light gray with large and small brown and black spots with red dots. The skin is smooth and at times emits a strong odor reminiscent of garlic. The forehead between the eyes is convex. Very characteristic of spadefoot spadefoots is a large spade-shaped internal calcaneal tubercle, which develops in connection with their burrowing activity. Males have an oval gland on their shoulders. Body length up to 80 mm. Distributed from Central Europe to the Aral Sea and southern Western Siberia; in the south to Crimea, North Caucasus, and in the north - to the Leningrad - Kazan line. Spadefoots come to water bodies only during the breeding season, spending the rest of the time on land. They dig well and spend the day buried in the ground, leaving the shelter in the evening.

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Triton

NEWT (Triturus vulgaris) is one of the smallest and most common newts, its total length reaches 11 cm, usually about 8 cm, about half of which is the tail. The skin is smooth or fine-grained. The color of the upper side of the body is olive-brown, the lower side is yellowish with small dark spots. There are longitudinal dark stripes on the head, of which the stripe passing through the eye is always noticeable. Coloring of males in mating season becomes brighter and a scalloped crest grows from the back of the head to the end of the tail, usually with an orange border and a blue stripe with a pearlescent sheen. This fin fold is not interrupted at the base of the tail. Lobate edges form on the hind toes. The female has no breeding coloration or dorsal crest, but the color becomes brighter. The crest of the male newt is an additional respiratory organ and is especially rich in capillary vessels. Distributed from France, England and Southern Sweden to Western Siberia inclusive.

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Ermine

ERMINA (Mustelaerminea) is generally similar to the weasel, but larger and clearly distinguished by the black tip of its tail. Body length ranges from 16 to 38 cm, tail from 6 to 12 cm, weight up to 260 g, but usually less. Like the weasel, the ermine turns white in winter and only the tip of the tail remains black. The animal is distributed from the Pyrenees, the Alps, Ireland and further throughout Europe, with the exception of most of Yugoslavia, as well as Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. It is found almost everywhere in Russia. In Asia, it lives in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Northeast China, Northern Japan and, probably, in the north of the Korean Peninsula. Finally, the ermine is found in Greenland and is distributed almost to the very south North America. The ermine is one of the most common predators. It reaches its greatest numbers in the forest-steppe regions of Western Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan.

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Boar

BOAR (Susscorfa) or wild pig is the most widespread species. Inhabits all of Europe north to the Scandinavian Peninsula. In Asia it lives everywhere up to Southern Siberia, Transbaikalia and Far East to North. It also inhabits the tropical regions of the mainland, as well as the islands of Sulawesi, Java, Sumatra, New Guinea, etc. It was found in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and other countries), but was exterminated in most areas. Acclimatized in several places in North and Central America, as well as in Argentina. Unusually variable in size, body proportions and color.

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Big jerboa

LARGE JERBAI (Allactagamajor) or earth hare- the largest of all species of the family. The length of its body is 19-26 cm, the tail is up to 30 cm; at the end of the tail there is a bright and wide “banner” combed on both sides with a black base and a white top. The large jerboa is colored brownish-gray or pale sandy-gray above, and white below. The great jerboa is not only the largest, but also the most northern of all jerboas. It is common in semi-deserts, steppes and even forest-steppes of South-Eastern Europe, Kazakhstan and southern Siberia.

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Mole rat

The mole rat (Spalaxmicrophtalmus) has been studied somewhat more fully than the others. Its dimensions are a little larger. The color of the fur does not differ from the small mole rat. Distributed in forest-field and steppe landscapes from the western regions. Its highest population density is found in virgin areas and adjacent crops of perennial grasses (up to 20 animals per 1 hectare); on grain crops, no more than 1-3 mole rats are found per 1 hectare, and then only in the vicinity of ravines, shelter belts and forest edges. Mole rat burrows are located in 2 tiers: a complex system of horizontal passages is laid at a depth of 10-25 cm. These are feeding passages.

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Bustard

Bustard (Otistarda) is one of the largest birds of the bustard order: depending on gender and season, its weight ranges from 4 to 11 and even 16 kg. The bustard can be easily distinguished from other birds by its large size, powerful unfeathered legs, variegated plumage, which combines red and white colors, as well as by the mustache extending from the chin - tufts of elongated thread-like feathers. The bustard is a silent and cautious bird, especially in flocks. Thanks to well-developed vision, birds grazing in the steppe notice the approach of danger from afar and fly away. The bustard takes off with a running start, heavily raising and lowering its huge wings, but, having risen, it flies relatively easily and quickly, making uniform and deep strokes. Solitary birds, especially in the hot season, sometimes skillfully hide, which is facilitated by a well-defined protective coloration.

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Capercaillie

Capercaillie (Tetraourogallus) is one of the most major representatives chicken, almost as tall as a turkey. The weight of males ranges from 3.5 to 6.5 kg, females - from 1.7 to 2.3 kg. This is a large, clumsy and timid bird. Its gait is fast; when searching for food, it often runs on the ground. The capercaillie rises heavily from the ground, loudly flapping its wings and making a lot of noise. The flight is heavy, noisy, almost straight and short unless absolutely necessary. The capercaillie usually flies just above the forest or at the height of half a tree; Only in the fall, making more significant movements, does it stay high above the forest. The capercaillie has pronounced sexual dimorphism. The male capercaillie is much larger than the female and differs sharply from her in plumage color.

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The fauna of the region is quite diverse. In Penza forests one can find elk, badger, marten, and many species of birds, including waterfowl. Siberian roe deer, wild boar, sika deer, muskrat, raccoon dog, and beaver have taken root well in the region. There are many reserved hunting grounds in the region.

In connection with the reconstruction of the hunting and commercial mammal fauna of the country, 7 species of animals were acclimatized in our region, including: American mink, muskrat, raccoon dog, wild boar, Siberian roe deer, red and sika deer. At the same time, work was carried out on the reacclimatization of the steppe marmot, beaver and muskrat.The beaver population has now been completely restored. Muskrat and American mink are widely distributed in the region's water bodies.In order to protect valuable species of animals, 5 reserves have been created in the region, and several dozen hunting grounds have been created for amateur hunting.

There are about 50 species of fish in the reservoirs of the Penza region. The largest, the Penza Reservoir, has about 30 species. The main commercial species of the reservoir include: bream, pike perch, silver bream, ide, catfish. In the rivers and small reservoirs of the region there are roach, perch, crucian carp, carp, and pike. The most valuable fish that lives in natural reservoirs is sterlet. It is found sporadically and is listed in the Red Book of the Penza Region.

In total, 10 species of fish are listed in the region’s Red Book.

Penza region is one of the central regions of the Volga region. The nature of the Penza land became a source of inspiration for Lermontov M.Yu., Kuprin A.I. and other poets and writers. The region is freely spread out on the Volga Upland. The flowering of the steppes in the south of the region smoothly flows into the shade of deciduous and pine forests in the northern part of the region.

Wide plains are intersected by hills and separated by small and large ravines. Many rivers with picturesque banks and floodplains create a wide water web of the region. And all this rich natural space is filled with many species of animals and plants.

Flora of the Penza region

The meadow-forest landscape of the north and northeast turns into meadow-steppe and steppe in the south. The main place in the forests is occupied by pine. It is this species that forms a third of the region’s forests. Conifers periodically move into mixed and deciduous forests. There the pines are already replaced by oaks. There are also beautiful birch groves, aspen, ash, maple, linden, rowan and elm trees grow in mixed forests. Hazel reigns among the bushes. More than 120 species of mushrooms and more than a hundred varieties of mosses and lichens grow under the canopy of the forests.

A significant part of the natural steppe is used in agriculture. Small untouched areas have been preserved (Poperechenskaya, Kuncherovskaya, Ostrovtsovskaya protected steppes). They became part of specially protected natural areas Nature Reserve "Privolzhskaya Forest-Steppe". Such unique remains of a natural zonal steppe have not been preserved anywhere else in Europe. The steppe is dominated by perennial herbs and flowers: daisies, buttercups, cornflowers, and the beautiful and feathery feather grass.

Fauna of the Penza region

The fauna of the region is represented by more than 600 species. The most common forest inhabitants are hedgehog, fox, hare, ferret, badger, squirrel, marten. In addition, you can meet wild boar, roe deer, elk and even wolves and bears on the forest path. Don’t be alarmed if you hear the hooting of a tawny owl; owls are very common in the Penza forests. Among the birds, the most numerous forest inhabitants are considered to be woodpeckers, nightingales, wagtails, tits and buntings.

The steppe is inhabited by marmots, steppe ferrets, ground squirrels, hazel grouse, gray partridges and larks. You need to walk through the forest and steppe carefully: in addition to harmless snakes, you may encounter a poisonous common viper. Swamp turtles live in a few swamps. In the region it is possible to meet the rare gray crane or egret.

More than 50 species of fish are found in numerous reservoirs of the region. Bream, pike perch, ide, and catfish feel comfortable. The rivers and lakes are home to roach, perch, crucian carp, carp and pike. The most valuable fish that lives in the natural environment is sterlet. This species is listed in the Red Book of the Penza region, as it is very rare.

Seasons in the Penza region

This region is characterized by a temperate continental climate.

Winter is quite mild average temperature January fluctuates around -11...-13 degrees. The first snow usually falls between November and December, and snow cover persists until the end of March. In winter its thickness is about 50 cm.

Summers are warm, the average temperature in July is about 20 degrees. The weather is mostly sunny from May to September. IN summer period There are frequent short periods of rain. Autumn finally arrives at the end of September, when the average daily temperature drops below 10 degrees. Approximately 600 mm of precipitation falls in the region annually.