Featured Animals
The Nerpa
The Nerpa is the only seal in the whole world that can live and thrive in freshwater. Lake Baikal is also the only home for the Nerpa. The Nerpa is considered endangered because of over hunting nearly a century ago. Only around 100,000 of these seals are living in the lake today. Females can only produce one cub (2 are extremely rarely) each mating season.
The Nerpa is the only seal in the whole world that can live and thrive in freshwater. Lake Baikal is also the only home for the Nerpa. The Nerpa is considered endangered because of over hunting nearly a century ago. Only around 100,000 of these seals are living in the lake today. Females can only produce one cub (2 are extremely rarely) each mating season.
Baby Nerpa
Newborn Nerpas are really fuzzy and cute. They are pearly white in their first stages of growth, but slowly adapt the a silky grey color as they mature.
Newborn Nerpas are really fuzzy and cute. They are pearly white in their first stages of growth, but slowly adapt the a silky grey color as they mature.
Golomyanka
The Golomyanka only inhabit Lake Baikal, same as the Nerpa. Another unique thing about them is that they have scales on their bodies and are transparent. They are tiny little fish lacking a swim bladder, have porous bones, and high lipid content make it possible for the fish to survive in extreme pressure.
The Golomyanka only inhabit Lake Baikal, same as the Nerpa. Another unique thing about them is that they have scales on their bodies and are transparent. They are tiny little fish lacking a swim bladder, have porous bones, and high lipid content make it possible for the fish to survive in extreme pressure.
Other Animals
Ciliary Worms
I had decided not to show a picture of these worms because they aren't exactly something you would want to see through your peripheral vision as you read the caption about it. So, while I was on my vacation I noticed a flat worm near the shore. It was slightly bloated, as if it had recently swallowed something its own size or bigger. After researching these fascinating worms I learned that they can reach sizes up to 30 cm. They usually live around the Frolikha Hot Springs, but can spread out and survive alone in the Baikal. They also hunt along the lake bed, they paralyze their prey, cover them in mucus and slowly eat them. Serve as medical orderlies or doctors feeding on the sick and weakened.
I had decided not to show a picture of these worms because they aren't exactly something you would want to see through your peripheral vision as you read the caption about it. So, while I was on my vacation I noticed a flat worm near the shore. It was slightly bloated, as if it had recently swallowed something its own size or bigger. After researching these fascinating worms I learned that they can reach sizes up to 30 cm. They usually live around the Frolikha Hot Springs, but can spread out and survive alone in the Baikal. They also hunt along the lake bed, they paralyze their prey, cover them in mucus and slowly eat them. Serve as medical orderlies or doctors feeding on the sick and weakened.
Bullhead
Bullheads in Lake Baikal have preserved eyesight allowing them to live at any depth in this lake. They are the most abyssal freshwater fish in the whole world
Bullheads in Lake Baikal have preserved eyesight allowing them to live at any depth in this lake. They are the most abyssal freshwater fish in the whole world
Omul
The Baikal Omul is a migratory fish that swims back up on of the rivers flowing into the lake to lay their eggs there. They feed on zooplankton and smaller fish.
The Baikal Omul is a migratory fish that swims back up on of the rivers flowing into the lake to lay their eggs there. They feed on zooplankton and smaller fish.
Sturgeon
The Baikal Sturgeon lives towards the Northern end of the lake and migrates up the Selenga River to lay eggs, although this fish is considered endangered and is not seen very often.
The Baikal Sturgeon lives towards the Northern end of the lake and migrates up the Selenga River to lay eggs, although this fish is considered endangered and is not seen very often.
Mollusks
Mollusks live in sandy or silt-like areas and are scarcely found in areas within 20 to 30 meters. Only one species is found around depths of 100 to 150 meters. This species is small and has thin shells due to the low amount of calcium salts and cold pressure.
Mollusks live in sandy or silt-like areas and are scarcely found in areas within 20 to 30 meters. Only one species is found around depths of 100 to 150 meters. This species is small and has thin shells due to the low amount of calcium salts and cold pressure.