The fauna of northern Italy is very lush. Due to the diversity of flora and terrain, the areas of Friuli and Venezia Giulia are rich in many different animal species. We often hear that a species of animal is at risk of extinction. But what exactly does this statement mean?An endangered species is one that is represented by a small number of organisms worldwide, usually less than 10,000. The main reasons are habitat loss and degradation, but also, among others, environmental pollution, climate change and invasive alien species.
In northern Italy, endangered species are:
COMMON WHALE
(Balaenoptera physalus) Despite living in the water, whales breathe air. And like humans, they are warm-blooded mammals who nurse their young. A thick layer of fat called blubber insulates them from cold ocean waters.
Their typical sleeping position is to float upright. The brains of some whales weigh up to 10 kg.
TUBBER
(Neophron percnopterus) His length of life is30-37 years. These cute animals weight is oscillating from 1.5 to 2kg. Tubbers are quite long for birds, because their length is from 58 to 70 cm.
The bill is narrow with a black tip. In flight, the deep-fingered black flight feathers contrasting with white inner feathers may recall White Stork, but the tail is wedge shaped. Juveniles are dirty brown with bare gray faces. An inhabitant of open or semiopen areas, nesting on cliffs and less frequently in trees.
They can crack an ostrich egg with stones.
MEDITERRANEAN MONKAN
(Monachus monachus) Their life is about 35 years long. They weigh 240 to 400 kg. They aren’t as long as common whale. Their length is 2.5meters.
Pups have a black woolly coat and a white or yellow patch on the belly. They molt at about 4-6 weeks and their black woolly coat is replaced by a silvery gray coat that can darken over time.
Over the years it has managed to adapt to the cold climate and in some parts of the world its population has grown so much that it has started to be considered a pest.
ORDINARY RANG
(Falco cherrug) The length of their life is
10 to 25 years. They are the lightest on this list, cause these beings weigh to 1kg. Their body is 47 to 55cm long.
As the underwing is usually pale, it has a translucent appearance when contrasted against the dark axillaries and primary tips. Saker females are markedly larger than males.
The bird is the official bird of Hungary.
