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Desman
(Desmana moschata)
Distribution
Desman is
distributed in the reservoirs of Volga, Don, Ural, Ob. Lives
in the former river beds.
Description
The animal
is rather large, 16-22 cm. Weight about 520 g. Has a long scaled
tail. Possesses musk glands, musk with a very strong odor.
Hair cover is very thick and soft.
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Behaviour
The most part of
the year desman lives in holes with one exit, which are situated
below water surface.
In period of flood desmans leave holes and save in temporal ones or in the
trees. In summer desman live in pairs, alone or in families; in winter 12-13
animals of both sexes and different ages can live in one hole.
Desman eats little water in habitants. In winter desman lives under ice and
breathes at the expense of air bubbles.
In the period of spring flood desmans begin to breed. Female gives 3-5 young,
blind and do helpless, with weight only 2-3 gr. In November females give second
breed.
Human
impact
River pollution.
Fishing, as desmans can be affected by tackles.
Measures
taken
Put in Red Data
book of the region.
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