Flora and fauna of the Russian Far EastDo you travel around your country? Russia is so big that people living in the European part usually never visit the Far East. Today we will tell you about the fascinating nature, animals, and plants of this charming region, "the other" part of Russia with many countries and cultures in it. Geographically some parts of the Russian Far East are connected to the United States (Alaska), China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, and also fairly close to South Korea and Japan. This unique position determines the biodiversity of the region.
FaunaHere are a few species that call the Russian Far East home – some of them are endangered and on the brink of extinction.
- Amur tigers live in the southern part of the Russian Far East, although deforestation and the destruction of their natural habitat have forced them to move closer to the cities. There have been reports of tigers attacking dogs as they search for food in the urban areas. The dangers would occasionally hunt black bears (moon bears), which are native to Asia and can be found in the Russian Far East.
- Amur leopards are the most endangered big cat in the world. This gracious animal is also known under the following names: Дальневосто́чный леопа́рд, или аму́рский леопа́рд, или аму́рский барс. There is a national park called the Land of the Leopard where the majority of the wild cats live. They can also be found in China (the territories that share the border with Russia, and very likely, North Korea).
- Mandarin ducks (they are close relatives of the wood ducks of North America) another rare species that call the Far East home.