Mammals
Alpine Shrew (Sorex Alpinus)- A small, secretive, mouse-like species, the Alpine Shrew is slender-bodied and short-legged, with conspicuous whiskers and a characteristically long, pointed snout. Slightly larger than the common shrew, the alpine shrew has the longest tail of all European shrew species, measuring almost the same size as the length of the head and body combined. An active, opportunistic species, the alpine shrew consumes a large amount of food given its small size. It feeds on a variety of small insects, arthropods and mollusks, which it captures as it forages on the ground in leaf litter and under vegetation.
Anatolian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus Xanthoprymnus)- This is a relatively small mammal which spends much of its life in extensive burrow systems. The Anatolian ground squirrel is light brown or reddish-brown with a yellowish tone on the upperparts, while the underside is typically yellow with grey and white speckling. The Anatolian ground squirrel inhabits an extensive underground network of burrows, which are constructed in flat or gently sloping areas of steppe, or less commonly in rocky areas on mountainsides.
Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus Hemionus)- The Asiatic wild ass is the most horse-like of all the species of ass. The general color of its coat varies with the seasons, appearing light brown over the cold winter and reddish brown during the hot summer. The Asiatic wild ass eats grasses when available, but will browse on shrubs and trees at other times or in drier habitats.
Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella Frontalis)- The Atlantic spotted dolphin is said to be an intermediate in appearance between the bottlenose dolphin and pantropical spotted dolphin. As the name suggests, many individuals are patterned with spots, although not all. They travel in pods of up to 100 dolphins.
Badger (Meles Meles)- With its striking black and white striped head, the Badger is one of our most instantly recognizable mammals. The rest of the stocky body appears grey, and the legs, throat, neck, chest and belly are black. During the day badgers are inactive, and rest in their setts, complex systems of underground tunnels with nests of dry grass, straw and dead leaves.
Baikal Seal (Pusa Sibirica)- The dense fur of adult Baikal seals is dark silvery-grey on the upperparts, blending into lighter yellowish-grey on the underside, while pups are born with long, white hair. Under the seal’s fur and skin is a thick layer of blubber, which not only provides vital insulation in its icy habitat, but also aids buoyancy, protects the internal organs, and acts as an energy store. During winter, when the lake is largely covered with ice, seals can be found throughout the lake, particularly in the deep water in the centre (1), utilizing holes in the ice to breathe.
Bechstein's Bat (Myotis Bechsteinii)- The rare tree-dwelling Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) has long, broad ears which are excellent for hearing. This bat emerges after nightfall and sets off in pursuit of prey; favourite items include moths, mosquitoes, and beetles. When hunting, Bechstein's bat flies low and picks prey from the ground or from twigs.