Lynx

Lynx is the most northern species of the cat family. In Scandinavia, it is found even beyond the Arctic Circle. It was once very common throughout Europe, but by the middle of the 20th century it was exterminated in most countries of Central and Western Europe. Successful attempts have now been made to revive the lynx population.

in Ukraine: about 400 individuals in the Carpathians and 90 – in the Ukrainian Polesie (including the Chernobyl exclusion zone).

by Yelyzaveta Matsak

                    The Florida panther

Is a North American cougar population found in South Florida. The habitat of this cougar is the forests and swamps of South Florida (USA), mainly they occupy the area of ​​the Big Cypress Reserve. According to estimates in 2017, their number is 230 individuals. In 1970 there were only about 20 cougars in the wild. The reason for its extinction was mainly the drainage of swamps, sport hunting, poisoning and the scarcity of genetic material, leading to inbreeding. The only subspecies of cougar listed in the IUCN Red List of Critically Endangered Status.                                                          

                                                         by Gubin Daniil

The brown bear

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America. In North America, the populations of brown bears are called grizzly bears, while the subspecies that inhabits the Kodiak Islands of Alaska is known as the Kodiak bear. It is one of the largest living terrestrial members of the order Carnivora, rivaled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on average. The brown bear’s range includes parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States, Hokkaido, Scandinavia, the Balkans, the Picos de Europa and the Carpathian region (especially Romania and Bulgaria), Iran, Anatolia, and the Caucaus. The brown bear is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but its abundance varies from population to population. According to rough estimates, there are now about 200,000 brown bears in the world. Most of them live in Russia – 120,000, the USA – 32,500 (95% live in Alaska) and Canda – 21,750. About 14,000 individuals have survived in Europa

By Stanislav Pasichnui

Dolphins
Taxonomic affiliation: Class – Mammals (Mammalia), row – Cetaceans (Cetacea), family – Dolphins (Delphinidae). In the Black Sea, it is represented by the endemic subspecies T. t. ponticus Barabasch, 1940. Conservation status of the species: Rare. The area of the species and its distribution in Ukraine: The species is distributed in the coastal areas of temperate and warm waters with. and y. hemispheres. During the year, it is found throughout the entire Black Sea, including the territorial waters of Ukraine. In coastal zones and in shallow waters, the occurrence is relatively higher, especially in spring and autumn. In summer, the largest concentrations are observed on the border of Central and Vost. districts of the sea, in the South. coast.
Abundance and reasons for its change Species with a stable abundance. In the Black Sea, it has been downgraded as a result of fishing. The number in the territorial waters of Ukraine has not been established due to the shortcomings of the method for determining it. Reasons for the change in abundance: there is reason to believe that after the cessation of active fishing in 1966, the stock of the species increased. In the territorial waters of Ukraine, it is probably 5-10 thousand individuals.
Features of biology and scientific significance: It keeps to the coastal strip, although it is found in the open sea, it carries out seasonal movements. Enters rivers for a considerable distance. Dives to a depth of 150 m. It is kept in a few schools. With a high concentration of fish, it forms clusters of up to hundreds of individuals. It feeds on both pelagic and benthic fish, as well as crustaceans and molluscs. Sexual maturity is reached at 5-10 years of age. Mates during the warm season. Pregnancy lasts about a year. The duration of milk feeding is from six months to 2 years. A 2-3 year breeding cycle is expected. Inhabits coastal areas and shallow waters, especially in spring and autumn.

By Vitalik Kozakov

The red wolf

The red wolf, or Asian wild dog, is a relative of the hyena dog. He is smaller and squat. This type of wolf is represented by rather large individuals. His height is no more than 55 cm, the weight of males is only 15-20 kg., And females – 10-13 kg. In length, the body can reach 75-110cm (not including the length of the tail 45-50cm). The appearance of red wolves is a combination of jackal, fox and wolf. The red wolf is distinguished from the usual one primarily by its color; also, red wolves have a fluffier coat and a long tail. This wolf species has a shorter and sharper muzzle with relatively large ears.The color of these wolves has a reddish tone. Cubs up to three months are completely dark brown. The end of the tail is black and very fluffy, like that of foxes. The coat properties of red wolves change with the seasons. In summer it is shorter, coarser and darker, and in winter it is tall, thick and soft. Also, red wolves have fewer molars and more nipples than other types of wolves.

By Danilo Tkachenko

                   River otter

The river otter is a species of carnivorous mammals that are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. They lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Their weight is 7-12 kilograms, and their length is 57 – 95 centimeters. Basically, otters are active faithfully and at night. They live in holes with two entrances on the banks of rivers and lakes.

   It feeds on crayfish and small fish. The number of otters is decreasing due to global warming and hunting for. 

By Maryna Kondratova.

The forest cat

The forest cat is a species of carnivorous mammal in the genus Cat.  In Ukraine, a rare mammal subject to protection.

It lives in the Carpathians, Volyn and Sumy regions. Forest cats usually live in the mountains and forests.

There are very few such cats in Ukraine. There are 400 cats in the Carpathians, and several dozen in Podillya. And in all of Ukraine about 500 wild cats. They die due to deforestation. 

Now such cats often live in reserves.

And if people do not stop cutting down forests, wild cats will disappear forever.

By Amina Rasulova

Eared hedgehog

Hedgehog long (head and body) 120–270 mm, tail 10–50 mm, weight ≈ 340 g, ears longer than half the length of the head.

the presence of enemies – foxes, ferrets, martens, owls, buzzards.

Habitats – steppe areas – slopes, Cretaceous outcrops, ravines. Occurs on sandy pine terraces.

Leads a nocturnal lifestyle. Lives in burrows; uses temporary holes in the ground, gaps between stones, etc. as temporary hiding places. As the temperature decreases, the air becomes sedentary, and after snowfall it goes into hibernation (5-6 months).

It feeds on insects, lizards, snakes, rodents, and birds’ eggs, sometimes plants.

By Veronika Hohosha