Lake Baikal Aquatic Wildlife
It is therefore no surprise that this is a wildlife lover s dream both in and out of the water.
Lake baikal aquatic wildlife. Lake baikal is home to more than 2 000 species of plants and animals two thirds of which can be found nowhere else in the world including the baikal omul fish and baikal oil fish as well as the nerpa one of the world s only freshwater species of seal. Incredibly of its 2 500 animal and plant species two thirds are endemic so they are only found here. Ringed seal is the main endemic of lake baikal baikal s relict and symbol. On the narrow baikal shore fascinating and peculiar life forms are found.
In addition the siberian taiga which hugs its northern end has 22 of the world s trees. Bears elk lynx and other wildlife abound in the surrounding forests and mountains. Thanks to the ringed seals they receive valuable skin fat and meat. Throughout its history both baikal itself and the organisms inhabiting its world have undergone a complicated evolution.
Lake baikal ecosystem according to the unesco world heritage commission lake baikal is sometimes called the galapagos of russia because of its exceptional biodiversity and importance to. Some of them live on land but feed in water others spend the greater part of the time in water but breed and end their lifetime ashore. Lake baikal is a surprising and unique natural laboratory where one can study the life in abyssal fresh waters. The baikal shore is a unique ecological niche the inhabitants of which are connected with both dryland and water.
See reviews and photos of nature wildlife tours in lake baikal russia on tripadvisor. Baikal ringed seals have been hunted since antiquity until present time because it is an integral part of local culture for the indigenous population. Due to its unique.