10 animals found only in Russia! (PHOTOS)

1. Medny Arctic Fox

This small animal (weighing 4-8.8 kg) lives on Medny Island in the Commander Archipelago. It sports a smoky grayish-brown coat year-round. The Medny Arctic fox is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the Far North: In winter, its paw pads become covered in fur, so it can better walk on the snow. It typically lives in families and feeds on birds, marine fish and mammals. This animal is also incredibly vocal and can produce a wide variety of sounds. The Medny Arctic fox is considered an endangered species: due to ear mites that affect puppies, its population currently numbers no more than 50 individuals.

2. Black-capped Marmot

The black-capped marmot, which lives in the northern Baikal region, the Verkhoyansk and Kolyma highlands and Kamchatka, gets its name from the dark cap-shaped spot on its head. When fully grown, the marmot's weight can reach up to 8 kg and typically lives on mountain slopes. When threatened, it whistles shrilly to warn its relatives. By late August or early September, the animal hibernates, returning only in April or May.

3. Novaya Zemlya Reindeer

The Yuzhny and Severny Islands of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago are home to endemic deer. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, commercial hunting took place there and the population was quite large: researchers described how huge herds of local deer would migrate from one island to another. Over time, their numbers began to decline, due to a meager diet. Domestic deer were then introduced to the islands. Reindeer herding failed, but the animals interbred, eventually forming a distinct subspecies. Today, Novaya Zemlya deer are listed in the Red Book of Threatened Species.

4. Russian Desman

This animal, a member of the mole family, is very ancient: the desman has outlived mammoths! It’s an excellent swimmer and, due to its ability to dig burrows, it’s also known as the ‘water mole’. This small insectivore boasts an impressive scaly tail (its length is comparable to that of the desman's body – 20 cm), webbed feet and a protruding, elongated snout. The desman is a keen eater, preferring snails and mollusks. It inhabits the Volga, Don, Ural and Dnieper river basins. This relict species is also endangered and listed in the Red Book.

5. Siberian Crane

The people of Yakutia revere the Siberian crane as a sacred bird, symbolizing the sky and the sun and serving as a mediator between earthly and celestial forces. Seeing a Siberian crane “dance” brings good luck.

It inhabits Arkhangelsk Region, Yakutia, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug and Komi Republic. The bird population numbers approximately 3,000 individuals. The Siberian crane differs from other cranes with its longer beak, which it uses to catch food. It also has a unique, high-pitched, clear "voice".

6. Baikal Seal

This freshwater seal is the only mammal living in the waters of this great lake. Its "doll-like" appearance is deceptive: In fact, the Baikal seal is a predator and feeds on fish. It’s born white, but, by two to three months, its fur turns silvery-gray and then brownish-brown. It lives in special "houses" it builds in the snow or where ice floes form natural "caves", secluded spots with shelter. Today, its population numbers approximately 130,000 individuals.

7. Relict Viper

This viper is magnificent! After all, that's exactly what it's called: ‘Relict’ or ‘Magnificent’. It inhabits a small area in Krasnodar Krai and Adygea. Thanks to its black-brown coloring, this venomous snake is virtually invisible among oak forests and easily disappears into the grass. It’s small – no more than 50 cm in length –  feeds on lizards and rodents and is also considered an endangered species.

8. Kamchatka Shrew

It looks like a cute plush toy, but it’s actually a species of shrew native to Kamchatka. This tiny gray-brown creature (it’s literally only 6 cm long and weighs about 5 grams!) with a long tail typically feeds on insects. It does not hibernate in winter, but rather appears to "shrivel up", returning to its normal size in the spring.

9. Putorana Snow Sheep

This species is called ‘Ovis nivicola’ in Latin, meaning "snow-dwelling sheep". Its subspecies, the Putorana leopard, as you might guess, also lives on the Putorana Plateau. Rams have large, coiled horns on their heads, while ewes have smaller, arched horns. Its fur is brownish-yellowish-white, becoming thicker and denser in winter, providing protection from the elements. This large animal inhabits rocky slopes and, like a seasoned mountain climber, navigates the mountain ledges daily. It feeds exclusively on plants, mosses and lichens. The current total population of Putorana sheep does not exceed 1,500.

10. Barguzin Sable

This incredibly beautiful representative of the mustelid family inhabits the eastern shores of Lake Baikal, particularly in the area of ​​the Barguzin Range and the Barguzin River. This small animal is truly renowned worldwide for its luxurious, thick and soft fur. It comes in a variety of shades, from dark brown to sand, but always has a silky sheen, earning it the nickname ‘soft gold’.