Aspen. Aspens grow on an area of about 25 million hectares, making up about 3% of the country’s forests.
Fir. Various types of fir grow in the south of European Russia, Siberia and the Far East, and their area is estimated at approximately 15 million hectares, which corresponds to 2% of all forests.
Russian forests account for 20% of the world’s total forest area.
The nature of Russia has a rich world of animals. October 4th is International Animal Day.
More than 1.5 thousand species of vertebrate animals live on the territory of Russia. These are 320 species of mammals, 732 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, 29 species of amphibians, 343 species of freshwater fish. In the seas surrounding Russia, there are 1.5 thousand species of marine fish. Our task is to preserve this unique diversity, to save every species of animal. In Russia, animals in nature are protected.
According to statistics from the Zapovedtsentr, almost 95% of mammal species living in Russia, 86% of bird species and 93% of amphibian species live in specially protected natural areas of federal significance.
Top 10 wild animals of Russia that every tourist should see
Red or mountain wolf
A rather large animal with fluffy fur and a long tail, it looks like a wolf, a fox and a jackal at the same time. Adults weigh from 11 to 22 kg and have a length of 55 to 110 cm. Red wolves are social animals that live in groups of 7—16 individuals.
Sea lion (or Pacific eared seal)
The three-meter sea animal weighs about a ton, swims in water all its life and only comes to land to reproduce. A true giant is not afraid of either storms or polar bears. He only gives in to a man with a gun.
Amur (ussuri) tiger. The large wild cat is about 2 m long, not counting the tail, and is not at all afraid of snow and Russian cold. Tigers lead a solitary lifestyle and find a mate only during mating.
Musk deer (kabarga).An unusual antlerless deer can be found in Eastern Siberia and Sakhalin. Thanks to an impressive pair of fangs on the upper jaw, the artiodactyl animal does not particularly resemble its fellow deer.
Przewalski’s horse. A squat, large-headed animal, the coat is colored sandy-red. The body length of horses is 200 cm, height is up to 135—136 cm, and weight is about 250—300 kg. They eat mainly grains. Przewalski’s horses live up to 20—25 years.
Forest dormouse. The tiny rodent weighs only 30—40 g, has a cute appearance and a fluffy tail. The animal has a luxurious skin. For the sake of the fur from which women’s fur coats and hats were made, the dormouse was actively hunted. Now it is a protected species, so the dormouse is no longer exterminated.
Far eastern leopard. This beautiful predator knows how to hunt masterfully, but is considered the most peaceful of all large cats. He never attacks people. There is not a single evidence in the world that the Far Eastern leopard harms humans.
White-faced dolphin. A large dolphin with black sides and fins has a length of 3 m and a weight of 350 kg. In Russia, white-faced dolphins live in the Barents and Baltic seas. Marine mammals can swim at speeds of up to 30 km/h. They live in flocks and love to dive next to boats.
Snow leopard (irbis). A rare big cat can be found in the mountains of Central Asia. The snow leopard hunts mountain goats, ground squirrels and marmots. It is not easy to see it, because the snow leopard is extremely careful and has very good camouflage.
Ussuri sika deer. Sika deer were hunted by people and other predators. Graceful animals were killed for tasty meat, good skin and horns – antlers. Now they are under protection and live in the Primorsky Territory.
Atlantic Walrus. The sea giant has a long body and weighs 800—900 kg. On land, walruses are sedentary and clumsy, but in water they are much more agile. They plow open deposits of benthic vegetation with their huge fangs and feed mainly on mollusks.
Tasks
1. Compile a vocabulary of words on nature, classify them in groups.
2. Make up dialogues on geography and nature of Russia.
3. Think of riddle type questions on animals in Russia.
4. Make up a story (up to 20 sentences) «Travelling across Russia».
§1.6. Выдающиеся русские учёные 1.6. Outstanding Russian scientists
Tasks (use the vocabulary given below the paragraph)
1. What biography catched your interest most?
2. What Russian scientists are new in your acquaintance and what scientists did you know before?
3. Choose a biography that you like most and prolong it by your own exploration. Make up a story.
4. Make up a test on Russian scientists (at least 30 questions of the types-Yes/No; Choose from three statements correct one; Guess the scientist; etc.).
5. How many basic branches of science did you notice in biographies?
6. What Russian scientists got the Nobel Prize? For what inventions?
7. Name outstanding Russian scientists in medicine
– physics
– mechanics
– cosmos exploration
– research for peace
8. What Russian scientists can you add to the list?
Русские учёные внесли огромный вклад в развитие мировой науки. Открытия русских учёных дали инициативу для продвижения важнейших научных технологий и идей. Всего русским, советским, а потом российским, учёным и писателям присуждали Нобелевскую премию 18 раз. Русские учёные прославили свою родину абсолютно во всех научных дисциплинах, начиная от медицины и биологии, и заканчивая разработками в сфере космических технологий. Русские учёные оставили для нас, своих потомков, огромный клад научных знаний, чтобы обеспечить нас колоссальным материалом для создания новых великих открытий.
Russian scientists have made a huge contribution to the development of world science. The discoveries of Russian scientists have given the initiative to promote the most important scientific technologies and ideas. In total, Russian, Soviet, and then Russian, scientists and writers were awarded the Nobel Prize 18 times. Russian scientists glorified their homeland in absolutely all scientific disciplines, from medicine and biology to developments in the field of space technology. Russian scientists left for us, their descendants, a huge treasure of scientific knowledge in order to provide us with colossal material for creating new great discoveries.
Михаил Васильевич Ломоносов (1711—1765)
Русская история знала