Lithuanian fund for nature - Amphibians. Amphibians are an especially important part of ecosystems, however even the third of their species worldwide are facing extinction.
Amphibians are an especially. It breeds in small shallow water bodies.These nocturnal toads prey on invertebrates. In Lithuania tritons are facing. Lithuania and 5 of them are included in the Red Book of Lithuania. Namely: the great crested triton, European tree frog, fire- bellied toad, green toad, natterjack toad. I’ve picked out Nocturnal Animals for this post & the ratings say it looks like a cracker. Maybe not to everyones taste, but you can’t please all the people all. Lithuanian folklore as a source of Baltic religion: the fire ritual by Inija Trinkuniene. Presented at the First International Gathering and Conference of Elders of. The rising extinction of amphibians is mainly influenced by the lack of proper habitat. In order to guarantee protection of these and other amphibians the Lithuanian Fund for Nature implemented a number of projects for restoration of their habitats. The organisation is involved in protection of the following amphibians: European tree frog (Hyla arborea)The European tree frog is the rarest frog in Lithuania. It is one of the smallest frogs in Europe; it grows up to not more than 3–5 cm length. It has adhesive discs at the end of its fingers, therefore these frogs can climb on a vertical surface. Most often tree frogs are bright green but they can change their colour and become even grey as a consequence of weather conditions and other factors, which are not yet fully understood. Tree frogs breed in the ponds with rich submersed vegetation and shallow zones. The water surface should be not overshaded, allowing it to be heated quickly by the sun. Adult tree frogs spend a lot of time climbing on the vegetation around their aquatic habitat. They hibernate in the burrows, decaying trees, piles of stones and even in cellars. Fire- bellied toad (Bombina bombina)The fire- bellied toad matures to a size of 4 cm. It is perfectly adapted to hide in nature – the skin of the back is bright or dark brown, sometimes green, usually with darker spots. The ventral side is mottled with black- and- white patterns with interfering spots of red and orange colour. When trying to scare predators the toad tries to expose its bright coloured belly. The toad arches its back, raising its front and back legs to display the aposematic coloration of its ventral side. This serves as a warning sign to predators since such bright colours are usually typical to poisonous animals. This species are found in Eastern and Central Europe as well as Eastern and Central Asia. The fire- bellied toads are protected by Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EU Directive on Habitats. This species have been registered in The Red Book of Lithuania since the year 1. Currently the toad falls under the 5th (Rs) category, which covers restored species. The fire- bellied toads typically live in more shallow pools of water if compared to crested tritons. Furthermore, a leafy forest growing close to them is not necessary. Toads spend wintertime in places where temperature remains positive. They establish themselves under the rocks or rock piles, tree roots or in the holes made by other animals. Sometimes in order to spend the wintertime the toads visit people and hide from the cold in their basements. The toads find their winter habitats a few hundred meters away from a water body. Population of fire- bellied toads is declining since there are not enough natural habitats suitable for them. The main reason why the toads are facing extinction is plant coverage of small pools of water and increasing number of fish. Natterjack Toad (Bufo calamita)Bright yellow stripe stretching down the middle of the back helps to distinguish this toad from common toads. Adult toads can be up to 7 cm in length, they feed on ants and other invertebrates that can be found on the ground. They have relatively short legs as compared to other amphibians, thus they tend to run rather than jump and sometimes are referred to as “running toads”. Natterjack toads live in sandy soil habitats, where shallow and sun- heated pools of warm water that are not covered with plants can be found. Therefore, they usually can be found in coastal sites, even though they live in other parts of Lithuania as well. This species falls under the 5th category of the Red Book of Lithuania. More data on its distribution is necessary. They spend wintertime deep in holes, which they usually dig themselves. Yet sometimes they use holes dug by other animals or rodents. These toads can live up to 1. Northern part of natterjack toad distribution goes through Estonia. This species are facing extinction in its all range, the main reason of it being the destruction of their habitats – planting heaths with forests or using it for agriculture, pollution of shallow pools of water, sand deans covered with forests or their exploitation for tourism industry. Green toad (Bufo viridis)The dorsal side of this toad shows a green marbled pattern. It breeds in small shallow water bodies. These nocturnal toads prey on invertebrates in the fields covered with sparse vegetation. In the daytime they seek shelter. Burrows, decaying trees, piles of stones or cellars are used for hibernation. Among amphibians,green toads are the ones most adapted to living close to humans – sometimes these toads are abundant in ponds and gardens, they can be seen in greenhouses. Still, the main reason, why the green toad is endangered, is – like with all other rare amphibians - alteration, destruction and fragmentation of suitable habitats. Common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus)A spadefoot toad has a smooth skin with marbled pattern. Its pupils are vertical like those of cats. Its hind feet are equipped with spadelike welts, used for digging itself into the earth. Spadefoot toads are nocturnal, during the day they hide underground. If they feel threatened, they can burrow themselves quickly, even at night. In spring, during the breeding period, the males call under the water, trying to attract females. Their voices resemble a muffled thumping. Spadefoot toads can be spotted easiest, when they are in their tadpole stage. Among all tadpoles found in Lithuania, they are the biggest – up to 1. Occasionally they come up to take a gulp of air in the open water. Adult spadefoot toads are only 6–8 cm long. Moor Frog (Rana arvalis)Foto: Vilius Pakevi. Two species of such “brown” frogs can be found in Lithuania: the moor and grass frog. To distinguish one from another is not that simple. They can be distinguished by their voice and face, whereas specialists can distinguish them from the scoop on the back leg. They spawn in small still water bodies. The males during the spawn time develop a conspicuous blue colouration. After the spawn these frogs go to the land and can be found in fields, meadows and forests. In general, they are found in places not higher than 1. The moor frogs are facing extinction in Western and Northern Europe. They are still rather common in Lithuania. Pool frog (Rana lessonae)3 species of the so called “green” frogs can be found in Lithuania. One of them is these frogs – small and big pool frogs as well as lake frogs – most of their lives spend in water. The little pool frog, as it can be seen from its name, is the smallest one from the “green” frogs, yet it is hard to tell it apart from other two species when it is seen in the pool. During the spawn time it can be distinguished by its voice and the colour of resonators – little pool frogs have white resonators, whereas other similar species (big pool frogs and lake frogs) have grey ones. There are other not so remarkable features that are difficult to notice for an untrained eye – such as, eyes of the small pool frogs are more yellow than those of the other “green” frogs, moreover its body sides also have more yellow colour. These frogs spawn and live in the sun- warmed pools of water that are covered with flora, perennial pools. Usually they spend wintertime in water as well. Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)2 species of newts are found in Lithuania: the common newts (Triturus vulgaris) and crested newts (T. Among newts living in Lithuania the crested one is the biggest – adults can grow up to 1. The skin of the great crested newt is warty. Looking at it from above darker black spots can be seen on a black or dark brown background and only their undersides are covered with small white dots. Ventral side is bright – yellow or orange with black spots. Asymmetrical spots that are on the belly help easily distinguish the great crested tritons from the common ones, since their ventral spots are symmetrical. During the breeding season males are distinguished by their jagged crest. Typical habitat size of the great crested newt is 2. Tritons can live in slightly bigger slack waters, yet usually they are not capable of withstanding competition of fish living there. Fish eat larvae of tritons and their population cannot be restored. The great crested triton, being a rather large animal, typically lives in water pools deeper than 0. However, shallow, half- a –meter deep waters are no less important since water there is usually warmer and this induces faster development of larvae. There’s a lack of data concerning distribution of the great crested triton in the territory of Lithuania. It is only clear that distribution of this species in our country is uneven and their number is not as big as that of the common triton. Usually crested tritons are found in Southeastern part of Lithuania. Crested tritons were included in the Red Book of Lithuania in 1. Currently they fall under the 4th (I) category. Furthermore, these species are protected by Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EU Directive on Habitats. In Lithuania tritons are facing extinction due to plant coverage of ponds, reduced number of natural meadows, cutting of forests surrounding the ponds. Certain actions of people also have a great negative impact. Usually, fish, which eat larvae of tritons, are placed in ponds. If bats live in a house In this world of bats appeared before 5. Bats and people began to live together since those times, when man lived in caves, but when a man stood up on his feet, started to use tools and fire, bats had to withdraw from their hiding places. But human neighborhood bats completely abandoned and trying Learn to Live with. Often bat colony (which sometimes range from tens to hundreds of individuals) occupied by people in the neighborhood, in particular likes to lofts, attics and roof structures in the cracks. Such places attract these nocturnal producing animals due to the favorable conditions for them to settle down - darkness, proper temperature and low interference. Natural places to settle in colonies (for example., large receiver) the degree of, because bats often stays close to human, where the summer leads and produce offspring. Known high output pups colonies, are formed and lives for decades in the old manor, churches, old rural homesteads. But lately accelerated in old houses, Churches, Manors Renovation. Often the work is being done regardless of bats living in them, and renovated buildings often become unusable for bats to live. So before planning or carrying out the renovation of buildings is advisable to contact with bat conservation in Lithuania Society, experts to verify that the latter, bats living in a building, assess the need to protect and to propose solutions. However, the higher the bearing colony may cause some inconvenience: riot, cyps. If the colony is very large and bats live in the same place for many years, formed a number of fecal. This problem can be easily solved after the bats hanging in places, t. It is your attic floor is not damaged, smell not to acquire, and nitrogen- rich guano (bat droppings) also ideal garden fertilizer. In many countries,, as: Czech Republic, UK, Such houses are very valuable. Most of our land animals is very difficult to see, the more they watch, and the bats really great object of observation. Especially interesting in the evening to wait for their departing from their hiding places, watch, the change in the number of, when they start to fly chicks, As every year, this number changes, etc. If you want to, your home to settle bats, homeowner can . Bats attic definitely not going home, if it is tight and it is impossible to get. You would need to install a small departure cavities, for example., House panel installed in a small attic opening. How much more interesting way - the use of special tiles to bat Landers. Usually bats settle in home spaces, ertm. They can be fixed without attic wooden panels or individual boards. Only important, that the gap between the boards and the roof structure (or between two boards) would be about 2 cm. If the gap is large, Bats will feel insecure and are unlikely to, or use this container. Be to, attics and on the outer wall of the house can also be hung usual nesting boxes for bats. Can be installed in shelters and on the exterior walls of the building. This is a very simple - it's enough to the wall of the house on the intermediate attached wooden board or panel. It is important to, that the gap between the boards and the wall is 2 cm, and the same construction is sealed, the ingress of water through the top. This hideout can be a wonderful home decoration, because the front wall from the outside can be painted or interesting Carve. The species is also possible to adapt the winter bats. On the basement walls can be attached boards and leaving 2 centimeters prim. In this way, a wide variety of cavity, where bats can hibernate quietly. Realistically, that the species can not be too tight, It should be a small vent cavity, that bats can fly out even in the winter. If the landlord bat neighborhood inappropriate, they have to choose the right, humani. So drastic attempt to get rid of . So, if you really made a decision, that bats are undesirable neighbors and want them to get rid, contact with bats Protection Society of Lithuania and we'll both building owners, bats and advantageous way. There you have heard about their own tests to get rid of bats, most of which ended in failure. It is important to remember, that no attempt should be made prior to the use of poison. Chemical affect bats will be lost in the environment, suffering from, die. Second, ANNEX poison bats can cause a lot of trouble, when faced with people or other animals. Such contact may affect children or pets. Be to, Chemistry - it's just a temporary measure, because usually bats after a while returning. So, This method is simply inhumane, since the destruction of pregnant females or helpless chicks. One of the safer ways of removing a bat colony is a direct hole, through which these animals fall into the building, Patching bats departed – no way to do that then, when bats are inside the building. However, this hole can be more than one, therefore should be carefully monitored during which bats fly away and come back. And as a compensatory measure to the house it is advisable to put up a special nesting boxes for bats, especially multilocular, which these animals will continue to breed and keep at rest home owners peace. There are other variants. Bats do not like light and noise, so in the spring during the day often visit the attic, triuk. All these steps must be done by spring. If you did not notice, and the bat, however, settled in your attic, should suffer, and enable them to live those years in your home, as of June until the end of July to interfere with and harm these animals in any way be. Females in the lead and raise cubs, this is a very vulnerable period of the mammalian life cycle. Need to let them stay there. In a rapidly, August, pups will grow up and leave the colony of bats leaving the lofts. Bat female per year brings only one, in rare cases, two, cubs, it is therefore important to protect the breeding colony from destruction and thus contribute to these beneficial mammals survival.
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