Wildlife of Azerbaijan
Encyclopedia
Wildlife of Azerbaijan
consists of its flora
and fauna
and their natural habitats.
The symbol of Fauna in Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse (Azeri
: Qarabağ Atı) which is a mountain-steppe
racing and riding horse which can only be found in Azerbaijan
. It is one of the oldest breeds, with ancestry dating to the ancient world. The horse was originally developed in the Karabakh region in the 5th century and is named after it .
The natural habitat of various types of animals is very different within the country. Some species populate special restricted areas (lakes, parts of mountainous areas) while others are spread throughout the country. For example, passerines can be found anywhere in the territory of Azerbaijan. Protozoa
parasites are also registered in all areas of the country, depending on natural habitat of carrier animals (cattle, poultry, etc.). Among mammals, jeyran gazelle
s populate plain areas, Caucasian goat inhabits the major Caucasus areas, most species of birds can be found in forests, some in water basins. Pest insects occupy different agricultural fields, while others populate defined biotopes only.
A number of natural preserves have been created and the hunting rules were brought into effect for protection of fur and hoofed animals in Azerbaijan.
and western slopes of the Greater Caucasus
in Balakan
, Qabala
, Zaqatala and Ismayilli
regions.
Jeyran gazelles
are among the rarest and fastest species in Caucasus they can only be found in Shirvan State Reserve
, Bendovan and Korchay regions of Azerbaijan.
Bat
Lagomorphs
Carnivore
The country's fresh water basins and the Caspian Sea account for 97 species of fish of which eight introduced and seven of these have become widespread and over 15 thousand species of invertebrates in Azerbaijan. Most can be found in the Kur River, surrounding lakes, as well as in the Mingechevir reservoir. Most of fish are anadromous or semi-anadromous (the young grow up in salt water and migrate to fresh water to breed after they reach maturity). The most valuable of anadromous fish are salmon
, sturgeon
, stellate sturgeon and beluga. Aspius
, Chalcalburnus
and eel
are also anadromous fish. Sturgeon meat and caviar
are highly valuable. Beside, the water basins of Azerbaiajn contain such valuable fish species as bream, sazan, rutilus kutum and others. Such fish species as herring are fished in the Caspian Sea. Due to the construction of a number of hydrotechnical plants on the Kur river after 1959, the regulation of the river water flow, as well as the Caspian water pollution led to the significant reduction in the number of valuable fish species. Three hatcheries (Kuragzi, Alibayramli and Kur experimental sturgeon hatchery) for melioration and fish-farming purposes were launched to restore the fish reserves and to increase the number of fish in species. Azerbaijan's fish-farming establishments and hatcheries account for breeding of 20 million sturgeons, 600 thousand salmons, over 800 thousand. A new hatchery with the capacity of 20 million sturgeons was put in commission in Khyly in 2000.
. There are 363 species of birds recorded from about 60 families. Around 40% of the species are settled to Azerbaijan, however 27% of these species over-winter here, and 10% pass through on migration. One of the most inspiring bird species is the Golden Eagle
which inhabits mainly mountainous areas such as Nakhichevan
. The Golden Eagle has been printed on dozens of stamps and cards in Azerbaijan.
and Nakhichevan
. Few are found in other lowlands or mountainous areas.
Azerbaijan has a very rich flora, more than 4,500 species of higher plants have been registed in the country. Due the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the number of species than the flora of the other republics of the South Caucasus. About 67% of the species growing in the whole Caucasus
can be found in Azerbaijan.
The richness of Azerbaijan's flora and the variety of its vegetation results from the variety and richness of its physical-geographic and natural-historic conditions and from its compound history influenced by the remote floristic regions.
), the basket oak (Quercus castaneifolia), the Caucasian persimmon (Diospyros lotus), the evergreen shrub of Ruscus hyrcana, the box tree (Buxus hyrcana), etc. There are 240 endemic species of plants in Azerbaijan.
In the Altyaghach National Park
for which 90.5% covered by broad-leaved forests, the major types of trees are iron trees, Caucasus hornbeam
, oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), and birch
es.
to preserve the fauna
, flora
and their ecosystems:
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
consists of its flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
and their natural habitats.
The symbol of Fauna in Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse (Azeri
Azerbaijani language
Azerbaijani or Azeri or Torki is a language belonging to the Turkic language family, spoken in southwestern Asia by the Azerbaijani people, primarily in Azerbaijan and northwestern Iran...
: Qarabağ Atı) which is a mountain-steppe
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
racing and riding horse which can only be found in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
. It is one of the oldest breeds, with ancestry dating to the ancient world. The horse was originally developed in the Karabakh region in the 5th century and is named after it .
The natural habitat of various types of animals is very different within the country. Some species populate special restricted areas (lakes, parts of mountainous areas) while others are spread throughout the country. For example, passerines can be found anywhere in the territory of Azerbaijan. Protozoa
Protozoa
Protozoa are a diverse group of single-cells eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Throughout history, protozoa have been defined as single-cell protists with animal-like behavior, e.g., movement...
parasites are also registered in all areas of the country, depending on natural habitat of carrier animals (cattle, poultry, etc.). Among mammals, jeyran gazelle
Gazelle
A gazelle is any of many antelope species in the genus Gazella, or formerly considered to belong to it. Six species are included in two genera, Eudorcas and Nanger, which were formerly considered subgenera...
s populate plain areas, Caucasian goat inhabits the major Caucasus areas, most species of birds can be found in forests, some in water basins. Pest insects occupy different agricultural fields, while others populate defined biotopes only.
A number of natural preserves have been created and the hunting rules were brought into effect for protection of fur and hoofed animals in Azerbaijan.
Fauna
The animal kingdom of Azerbaijan is very rich, partly due to diversity of its natural complexes.Mammals
Azerbaijan has the highest amount of mammals in Europe. Some 107 species of mammals have been recorded in Azerbaijan, three of which are unique species. Popular species are Caucasian goats and west-Caucasus moufflons which inhabit NakhichevanNakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
and western slopes of the Greater Caucasus
Greater Caucasus
Greater Caucasus , sometimes translated as "Caucasus Major", "Big Caucasus" or "Large Caucasus") is the major mountain range of the Caucasus Mountains....
in Balakan
Balakan
Balakan is a rayon of northwestern Azerbaijan, located between Georgia and Russia. It borders Georgia to south and Dagestan of Russia to east and north...
, Qabala
Qabala
Qabala is a rayon of Azerbaijan. Its administrative center is the historic town of Qəbələ, which in ancient times was known as the capital of Caucasian Albania....
, Zaqatala and Ismayilli
Ismayilli
İsmayıllı is a city and head town of the Ismailli Rayon of Azerbaijan. Population 14,435 .- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
regions.
Jeyran gazelles
Gazelle
A gazelle is any of many antelope species in the genus Gazella, or formerly considered to belong to it. Six species are included in two genera, Eudorcas and Nanger, which were formerly considered subgenera...
are among the rarest and fastest species in Caucasus they can only be found in Shirvan State Reserve
Shirvan State Reserve
Shirvan State Reserve was established on the area of 177.45 km² of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds. The area of the reserve was expanded to 258 km² in 1982. Water reserves account for 35 km² of the area. The...
, Bendovan and Korchay regions of Azerbaijan.
Insectivores
- Eastern European hedgehogEastern European HedgehogThe Southern White-breasted Hedgehog , sometimes referred to as East European Hedgehog, White-bellied Hedgehog or White-chested Hedgehog, is very similar in lifestyle and appearance to the European Hedgehog, but the former has a white spot on its chest. For a long time these two species were...
Erinaceus concolor - East Central European hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicos
- Long-eared hedgehogLong-eared HedgehogThe Long-eared hedgehog is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asian countries and the Middle East. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or finds and is distinguished by its long ears. It is considered one of the smallest middle eastern hedgehogs . This Hedgehog is...
Hemiechinus auritus - Levantine mole Talpa levantis
- Gueldenstaedt's shrewGueldenstaedt's ShrewThe Gueldenstaedt's Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia , Greece, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.-References:...
Crocidura gueldenstaedti - Bicolored shrewBicolored ShrewThe Bicolored Shrew or Bicoloured White-toothed Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia , Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Liechtenstein,...
Crocidura leucodon - Transcaucasian water shrewTranscaucasian Water ShrewThe Transcaucasian Water Shrew is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia , possibly Iran , and possibly Turkey.-References:...
Neomys schelkovnikovi - White-toothed pygmy shrew Suncus etruscus
- Caspian shrewCaspian ShrewThe Caspian Shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is found along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran and Azerbaijan....
Crocidura caspica
BatBatBats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
s
- European free-tailed batEuropean Free-tailed BatThe European Free-tailed Bat. is a species of free-tailed bat found across the Old World. An adult European Free-tailed Bat has a body length of 8.4-9.4 cm, a tail of 4.8-5.6 cm, and a wing length of 5.7-6.5 cm...
Tadarida teniotis - Common pipistrelleCommon PipistrelleThe Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus is a small pipistrelle bat whose very large range extends across most of Europe, North Africa, southwestern Asia, and possibly into Korea. It is one of the most common bat species in the British Isles....
Pipistrellus pipistrellus - Kuhl's pipistrelleKuhl's PipistrelleKuhl's Pipistrelle is a species of vesper bat.It can be found in the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, France, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia,...
Pipistrellus kuhlii - Lesser mouse-eared batLesser Mouse-eared BatThe Lesser Mouse-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family. Syn.: Myotis oxygnathus Monticelli, 1885.- Habitat :...
Myotis blythii - Whiskered batWhiskered batThe whiskered bats Myotis mystacinus and related species, are small European bats with long fur. Although uncommon, M. mystacinus is often found around human habitation and around water; it is similar to Brandt's bat Myotis brandtii, from which it was distinguished as a separate species only in...
Myotis mystacinus - Serotine batSerotine batThe serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus is a fairly large European bat with quite large ears. It has a wingspan of around 370mm and often hunts in woodland. It sometimes roosts in buildings, hanging upside down, in small groups or individually...
Eptesicus serotinus - Lesser horseshoe batLesser horseshoe batThe Lesser Horseshoe Bat , is a type of European bat related to but smaller than its cousin, the Greater Horseshoe Bat...
Rhinolophus hipposideros - Greater horseshoe batGreater Horseshoe BatThe Greater Horseshoe Bat is a European bat of the Rhinolophus genus. Its distribution covers Europe, Africa, South Asia and Australia. It is the largest of the European Horseshoe Bats and is thus easily distinguished from other species...
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum - Botta's serotine bat Eptesicus bottae
- Mehely's horseshoe batMehely's Horseshoe BatMehely's Horseshoe Bat is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family found in eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East.-Physical Appearance:...
Rhinolophus mehelyi - Geoffroy's batGeoffroy's BatGeoffroy's Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel,...
Myotis emarginatus - Brown long-eared batBrown long-eared batThe brown long-eared bat or common long-eared bat is a fairly large European bat. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold...
Plecotus auritus - Noctule bat Nyctalus noctula
- Savi's pipistrelleSavi's PipistrelleSavi's Pipistrelle, Hypsugo savii is a species of vesper bat found across Eurasia. Its summer habitat is not known, but in winter it favors caves, old buildings, and rock crevices. The Hypsugo savii and the Pipistrellus kuhlii have a share of similarities...
Hypsugo savii - Nathusius's pipistrelleNathusius's PipistrelleNathusius' Pipistrelle is a small bat in the pipistrelle genus. It is very similar to the Common Pipistrelle and has been overlooked in many areas until recently but it is widely distributed across Europe.-Description:...
Pipistrellus nathusii - Parti-coloured batParti-coloured batThe Parti-coloured Bat or Rearmouse is a species of bats in the family of Vesper bats. It is a medium sized bat.- Description :...
Vespertilio murinus - Bent-wing bat Miniopterus schreibersii
- Mediterranean horseshoe batMediterranean Horseshoe BatThe Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat is a species of bat in the Rhinolophidae family. It is found in the Mediterranean region and balkan peninsula, as well as parts of Italy.-Physical characteristics:...
Rhinolophus euryale - Blasius' horseshoe bat Rhinolophus blasii
- Natterer's batNatterer's batNatterer's bat is a European bat with pale wings. It has brown fur, also seen on the leg wing membrane, tending to white on its underside...
Myotis nattereri - Eastern barbastelle bat Barbastella leucomelas
- Western barbastelle batBarbastelleThe Barbastelle , also known as the Western Barbastelle, is a European bat. It has a short nose, small eyes and wide ears.It is rare throughout its range...
Barbastella barbastellus - Bechstein's batBechstein's BatBechstein's Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in the following countries: Austria, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Republic of Macedonia,...
Myotis bechsteinii - Grey long-eared batGrey long-eared batThe grey long-eared bat is a fairly large European bat. It has distinctive ears, long and with a distinctive fold. It hunts above woodland, often by day, and mostly for moths. It is extremely similar to the more common brown long-eared bat, and was only distinguished in the 1960s, but has a...
Plecotus austriacus - Leisler's bat Nyctalus leisleri
- Northern batNorthern BatThe Northern Bat is a species of bat. An adult Northern Bat has a body length of 4.9-6.6 cm, a tail of 3.2-5.1 cm, and a wing length of 4.1-5.1 cm. The species is found across Europe and Asia, from England to Hokkaidō and south to northern India.-References: 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened...
Eptesicus nilssonii - Soprano pipistrelleSoprano PipistrelleThe Soprano Pipistrelle is a small bat that was only formally separated from the Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus in 1999....
Pipistrellus pygmaeus
LagomorphsLagomorphaThe lagomorphs are the members of the taxonomic order Lagomorpha, of which there are two living families, the Leporidae , and the Ochotonidae...
- European hareEuropean HareThe European hare , also known as the brown hare, Eastern Jackrabbit and Eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central, and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate open country. It is related to the similarly appearing rabbit, which is in the...
Lepus europaeus - European rabbitEuropean RabbitThe European Rabbit or Common Rabbit is a species of rabbit native to south west Europe and north west Africa . It has been widely introduced elsewhere often with devastating effects on local biodiversity...
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rodents
- House mouseHouse mouseThe house mouse is a small rodent, a mouse, one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus.As a wild animal the house mouse mainly lives associated with humans, causing damage to crops and stored food....
Mus musculus - Brown ratBrown RatThe brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats....
Rattus norvegicus - Pigmy field mouse Apodemus uralensis
- Yellow-breasted mouse Apodemus fulvipectus
- Grey hamster Cricetulus migratorius
- Water vole Arvicola terrestris
- Social voleSocial VoleThe Social Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It is found in China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Syria, Turkey, and Ukraine.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
Microtus socialis - Small five-toed jerboaSmall Five-toed JerboaThe Small Five-toed Jerboa is a species of rodent in the Dipodidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.-References:...
Allactaga elater - Euphrates jerboaEuphrates JerboaThe Euphrates Jerboa is a species of rodent in the Dipodidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey....
Allactaga euphratica - Libyan jirdLibyan JirdThe Libyan Jird is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found in Afghanistan, Algeria, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan....
Meriones libycus - Tristram's jirdTristram's JirdTristram's Jird is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
Meriones tristami - Persian jirdPersian JirdThe Persian jird is a species of rodent in the family Muridae found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan....
Meriones persicus - Vinogradov's jirdVinogradov's JirdVinogradov's Jird is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
Meriones vinogradovi - Midday gerbil Meriones meridianus
- Turkish hamsterTurkish HamsterThe Turkish hamster , also referred to as Brandt’s Hamster, The Azerbaijani Hamster,or Avurtlak, is a species of hamster native to Turkey, Armenia and other surrounding nations...
Mesocricetus brandti - Azerbaijani mouse-like hamster Calomyscus urartensis
- Mole vole Ellobius lutescens
- Abbott's mouse Mus abbotti
- Fat dormouse Glis glis
- Forest dormouseForest DormouseThe Forest Dormouse is a species of rodent in the Gliridae family found in eastern Europe, the Balkans and parts of western Central Asia...
Dryomys nitedula - Common voleCommon VoleThe Common Vole, Microtus arvalis, is a European mammal.- Distribution and habitat :The common vole is hardly restricted in means of distribution and habitat and inhabits large areas of Eurasia. As Microtus arvalis followed human civilisation, primary and secondary habitats can be distinguished...
Microtus arvalis - Snow vole Chionomys nivalis
- Caucasian snow voleCaucasian Snow VoleThe Caucasian Snow Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It is found in Georgia, Russian Federation, and Turkey.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate grassland.-References:...
Chionomys gud - Robert's snow voleRobert's Snow VoleRobert's Snow Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It is found in Georgia, Russian Federation, and Turkey.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate grassland.-References:...
Chionomys roberti - Black Sea field mouseBlack Sea Field MouseThe Black Sea Field Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, possibly Iran , Iraq, Russian Federation, and Turkey.-References:...
Apodemus ponticus - Striped field mouseStriped Field MouseThe Striped Field Mouse is a rodent in the family Muridae. The range of this species stretches from Eastern Europe to Japan, including Taiwan and Siberia....
Apodemus agrarius - Harvest mouse Micromys minutus
- Schelkovnikov's pine voleSchelkovnikov's Pine VoleSchelkovnikov's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Azerbaijan and Iran. It has recently been considered the sole species in the subgenus Hyrcanicola.-References:...
Microtus schelkovnikovi - Caucasus field mouseCaucasus Field MouseThe Caucasus Field Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found only in Azerbaijan.-References:* Tchabovsky, A. 1996. . Downloaded on 9 July 2007....
Apodemus hyrcanicus - Daghestan pine voleDaghestan Pine VoleThe Daghestan Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It is found in Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
Microtus daghestanicus - Major's pine voleMajor's Pine VoleMajor's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae found in Turkey....
Microtus majori - Nasarov's vole Microtus nasarovi
- Persian squirrel Sciurus anomalus
- Red squirrelRed SquirrelThe red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia...
Sciurus vulgaris - Indian porcupineIndian PorcupineThe Indian Crested Porcupine , or Indian Porcupine, is a member of the Old World porcupines. It is quite an adaptable rodent, found throughout southern Asia and the Middle East. It is tolerant of several different habitats: mountains, tropical and subtropical grasslands, scrublands, and forests...
Hystrix leucura - Roof rat Rattus rattus
- CoypuCoypuThe coypu , , also known as the river rat, and nutria, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent and the only member of the family Myocastoridae. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by...
Myocastor coypus
CarnivoreCarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
s
- RaccoonRaccoonProcyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
Procyon lotor - Caspian tigerCaspian TigerThe Caspian tiger, also known as the Turan tiger and Hyrcanian tiger, is an extinct tiger subspecies that has been recorded in the wild until the early 1970s, and used to inhabit the sparse forest habitats and riverine corridors west and south of the Caspian Sea, from Turkey, Iran and west through...
Panthera tigris virgata (probably extinct) - Grey wolf Canis lupus
- Golden jackalGolden JackalThe golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
Canis aureus - Red foxRed FoxThe red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
Vulpes vulpes - Beech martenBeech MartenThe beech marten , also known as the stone marten or white breasted marten, is a species of marten native to much of Europe and Central Asia, though it has established a feral population in North America. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN on account of its wide distribution, its large...
Martes foina - Eurasian badgerEurasian BadgerThe European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population....
Meles meles - Least weaselLeast WeaselThe least weasel is the smallest member of the Mustelidae , native to Eurasia, North America and North Africa, though it has been introduced elsewhere. It is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and presumably large population...
Mustela nivalis - European otterEuropean OtterThe European Otter , also known as the Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters....
Lutra lutra - Eurasian lynxEurasian LynxThe Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized cat native to European and Siberian forests, South Asia and East Asia. It is also known as the European lynx, common lynx, the northern lynx, and the Siberian or Russian lynx...
Lynx lynx - Brown bearBrown BearThe brown bear is a large bear distributed across much of northern Eurasia and North America. It can weigh from and its largest subspecies, the Kodiak Bear, rivals the polar bear as the largest member of the bear family and as the largest land-based predator.There are several recognized...
Ursus arctos - Striped hyenaStriped HyenaThe Striped Hyena is a species of true hyena native to North and East Africa, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Middle and Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent...
Hyaena hyaena - Pine martenPine MartenThe European Pine Marten , known most commonly as the pine marten in Anglophone Europe, and less commonly also known as Pineten, baum marten, or sweet marten, is an animal native to Northern Europe belonging to the mustelid family, which also includes mink, otter, badger, wolverine and weasel. It...
Martes martes - Wild catWild catThe wildcat is a small cat with several subspecies and a very broad distribution, found throughout most of Africa, Europe, and southwest and central Asia into India, China, and Mongolia. It is a hunter of small mammals, birds, and other creatures of a similar or smaller size. Sometimes included is...
Felis silvestris - Marbled polecatMarbled polecatThe marbled polecat is a small mammal belonging to the monotypic genus Vormela within the Mustelinae subfamily. Vormela is from the German word Würmlein, which means "little Worm". The term peregusna comes from pereguznya, which is Ukrainian for polecat...
Vormela peregusna - African wild cat Felis libyca
- Pallas's cat Otocolobus manul
- Jungle catJungle CatThe jungle cat is a medium-sized cat and considered the largest remaining species of the wild cat genus Felis. The species is also called the swamp lynx but is not closely related to the lynxes....
Felis chaus - Persian leopardPersian LeopardThe Persian leopard , also called Caucasian leopard, is the largest leopard subspecies, and is native to eastern Turkey, the Caucasus mountains, northern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and parts of western Afghanistan...
Panthera pardus saxicolor - Caspian Sea WolfCaspian Sea WolfThe Steppe Wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf native to the pri-Caspian steppes, the steppe regions of the Caucasus, the lower Volga region, southern Kazakhstan north to the middle of the Emba, the northern pri-Urals, and the steppe regions of the lower European part of the former Soviet Union...
Canis Lupus Cubanensis
Even-toed ungulates
- Wild boar Sus scrofa
- Roe deerRoe DeerThe European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
Capreolus capreolus - Red deerRed DeerThe red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
Cervus elaphus - Goitered gazelleGoitered GazelleThe Goitered, Black-tailed or Persian gazelle is a gazelle found in the north part of Azerbaijan, in a large area of central Asia, including part of Iran and southern west Pakistan in the western end of the range, as well as the Gobi desert...
Gazella subgutturosa - ChamoisChamoisThe chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
Rupicapra rupicapra - Wild goatWild GoatThe wild goat is a widespread species of goat, with a distribution ranging from Europe and Asia Minor to central Asia and the Middle East. It is the ancestor of the domestic goat.-Social structure:...
Capra aegagrus - Asiatic mouflon Ovis orientalis
- East Caucasian turEast Caucasian TurThe East Caucasian tur is a mountain dwelling goat antelope found only in the eastern half of the Caucasus Mountains....
Capra cylindricornis
Fishes
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
, sturgeon
Sturgeon
Sturgeon is the common name used for some 26 species of fish in the family Acipenseridae, including the genera Acipenser, Huso, Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus. The term includes over 20 species commonly referred to as sturgeon and several closely related species that have distinct common...
, stellate sturgeon and beluga. Aspius
Aspius
Aspius is a genus of Eurasian cyprinid fish. There are currently two recognized species in the genus.-Species:* Aspius aspius * Aspius vorax Heckel, 1843...
, Chalcalburnus
Chalcalburnus
Chalcalburnus is a genus of ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. Most of the species of this genus are moved to the genus Alburnus....
and eel
Eel
Eels are an order of fish, which consists of four suborders, 20 families, 111 genera and approximately 800 species. Most eels are predators...
are also anadromous fish. Sturgeon meat and caviar
Caviar
Caviar, sometimes called black caviar, is a luxury delicacy, consisting of processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe. The roe can be "fresh" or pasteurized, the latter having much less culinary and economic value....
are highly valuable. Beside, the water basins of Azerbaiajn contain such valuable fish species as bream, sazan, rutilus kutum and others. Such fish species as herring are fished in the Caspian Sea. Due to the construction of a number of hydrotechnical plants on the Kur river after 1959, the regulation of the river water flow, as well as the Caspian water pollution led to the significant reduction in the number of valuable fish species. Three hatcheries (Kuragzi, Alibayramli and Kur experimental sturgeon hatchery) for melioration and fish-farming purposes were launched to restore the fish reserves and to increase the number of fish in species. Azerbaijan's fish-farming establishments and hatcheries account for breeding of 20 million sturgeons, 600 thousand salmons, over 800 thousand. A new hatchery with the capacity of 20 million sturgeons was put in commission in Khyly in 2000.
Avifauna
Azerbaijan is incredible rich in avifaunaBird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
. There are 363 species of birds recorded from about 60 families. Around 40% of the species are settled to Azerbaijan, however 27% of these species over-winter here, and 10% pass through on migration. One of the most inspiring bird species is the Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
which inhabits mainly mountainous areas such as Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
. The Golden Eagle has been printed on dozens of stamps and cards in Azerbaijan.
Other
Ten species of amphibians from five families are recorded in Azerbaijan. There are 52 species of reptiles found in Azerbaijan. Most of these species are found in semi-desert areas in ShamakhiShamakhi
Shamakhi or Shamakhy is a rayon of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and a town in the rayon. It is the historical center of the region of Shirvan.The town is west of Baku. It has more than 20,000 inhabitants, among them Azerbaijanis and Russians...
and Nakhichevan
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
. Few are found in other lowlands or mountainous areas.
Flora
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
can be found in Azerbaijan.
The richness of Azerbaijan's flora and the variety of its vegetation results from the variety and richness of its physical-geographic and natural-historic conditions and from its compound history influenced by the remote floristic regions.
Trees and plants
Relict genera of the tertiary period can be frequently found in all the zones of Azerbaijan, especially in Lenkeran (Talysh regions). They are the iron tree (Parrotia persica), the Lenkoran acacia (Albizia julibrissinAlbizia julibrissin
Albizia julibrissin is a species of legume in the genus Albizia, native to southwestern and eastern Asia, from Persia east to China and Korea...
), the basket oak (Quercus castaneifolia), the Caucasian persimmon (Diospyros lotus), the evergreen shrub of Ruscus hyrcana, the box tree (Buxus hyrcana), etc. There are 240 endemic species of plants in Azerbaijan.
In the Altyaghach National Park
Altyaghach National Park
Altyaghach National Park — is a national park of Azerbaijan. It was established by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, on an area of in the Khizi Rayon and Siazan Rayon administrative districts on August 31, 2004.-Flora:...
for which 90.5% covered by broad-leaved forests, the major types of trees are iron trees, Caucasus hornbeam
Hornbeam
Hornbeams are relatively small hardwood trees in the genus Carpinus . Though some botanists grouped them with the hazels and hop-hornbeams in a segregate family, Corylaceae, modern botanists place the hornbeams in the birch subfamily Coryloideae...
, oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), and birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
es.
Reserves
Several reserves have been established in AzerbaijanAzerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
to preserve the fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
, flora
Flora of Azerbaijan
Flora of Azerbaijan or Vegetation of Azerbaijan refers to the plants, trees, flowers which can be found in Azerbaijan.Azerbaijan has a very rich flora, more than 4,500 species of higher plants have been registed in the country. Due the unique climate in Azerbaijan, the flora is much richer in the...
and their ecosystems:
- Goy-Gol State Reserve
- Gyzylaghadj State Reserve
- Zagatala State ReserveZagatala State ReserveZagatala State Reserve was established on the area of 252 km² on of Zagatala and Balakan districts in the central part of southern slopes of the Caucasus; in Azerbaijan....
- Turyanchay State Reserve
- Pirgulu State ReservePirgulu State ReservePirgulu State Reserve was established on the area of 15.21 km² in 1968 for protecting mountain forests, herbage of different kinds, fertile soil, expanding forest areas, preventing air pollution that has a negative impact on astroclimate. The flora of the reserve includes over 60 species...
- Shirvan State ReserveShirvan State ReserveShirvan State Reserve was established on the area of 177.45 km² of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds. The area of the reserve was expanded to 258 km² in 1982. Water reserves account for 35 km² of the area. The...
- Besitchay State Reserve
- Qarayazy State Reserve
- Ismayilly State Reserve
- Qaragol State Reserve
- Ilisu State ReserveIlisu State ReserveIlisu State Reserve was established on the area of 93 km² in 1987. It aims to protect natural complexes of southern slopes of Major Caucasus, to preserve rare and endangered flora and fauna, to restore forests and prevent erosion of soil and flood. The reserve accounts for 500 plant species with...
- Shahbuz State ReserveShahbuz State ReserveShakhbuz State Reserve was created on the area of 31.39 km² of Shakhbuz administrative district of Nakhchivan by a decree of President of Azerbaijan on June 16, 2003. The area of Batabat lake is mainly surrounded by grassland. Medicinal herbs, oak trees etc. dominate the flora of the area...
- Eldar pine-tree State Reserve
See also
- List of Azerbaijani mammals
- Nature of AzerbaijanNature of AzerbaijanThe environment of Azerbaijan includes a wide diversity of climates, animals, plants, and habitats.-National protection:Due to the tapping of oil reserves in the early 20th century, Azerbaijan has had sufficient resources to develop an industrial sector, which in turn led to a significant increase...
- KarabakhKarabakhThe Karabakh horse , also known as Karabakh, is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse. It is named after the geographic region where the horse was originally developed, Karabakh in the Southern Caucasus, an area that is de jure part of Azerbaijan but the highland part of which is currently...
- National Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of AzerbaijanNational Parks of Azerbaijan refers to the situation and the listing of national parks in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The national parks of Azerbaijan are run by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The first national park that was established in Azerbaijan, is the Zangezur National Park...
- State Reserves of AzerbaijanState Reserves of AzerbaijanState Reserves of Azerbaijan refers to the state reserves in Azerbaijan, which preserve the fauna, flora and their ecosystems.State Reserves bear the status of governmental establishments aimed at environmental protection and scientific researches. They are particularly designed for the protection...