Mongolia, a landlocked nation nestled between China and Russia, encompasses a vast territory characterized by an extreme continental climate. Its considerable land area, averaging 1580 meters above sea level, contributes to significant temperature fluctuations between seasons and even within a single day. This unique environment, with long, cold winters and short, warm summers, fosters a range of distinct ecosystems that support a wide array of animal life.
Mongolia’s Diverse Habitats
Mongolia’s extensive landscape features distinct ecological zones. The Gobi Desert, a cold desert in the south, covers a significant portion of the country and is defined by extreme temperatures and minimal precipitation. Central and eastern Mongolia are dominated by expansive steppes and grasslands, characterized by vast, treeless plains and rolling hills. To the north and west, particularly in the Altai Mountains, lie mountainous and forested areas, including parts of the Siberian Taiga, providing habitats for species adapted to colder climates and higher elevations.
Wildlife of the Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert supports unique animal species adapted to its arid conditions. The Gobi Bear, known as Mazaalai in Mongolian, is a subspecies of brown bear uniquely suited to desert life, primarily consuming roots and plants. These bears are smaller than other brown bear subspecies and are the only bears to inhabit such extreme hot desert climates.
The Wild Bactrian Camel, a critically endangered species, thrives in the Gobi with adaptations like long, shaggy fur for warmth, which sheds in summer, and wide hooves for sandy terrain. They can consume thorny vegetation and store fat in their two humps for energy during food scarcity.
The Mongolian Wild Ass, or Khulan, represents the largest wild ass population globally, with approximately 80% residing in Mongolia. These animals are known as “Gobi engineers” for digging water holes in dry riverbeds, providing water access for other species. Khulans undertake some of the longest terrestrial mammal migrations, covering over 70,000 square kilometers annually in search of forage.
The Gobi Ibex, a distinct subspecies of Siberian Ibex, is found in the rocky mountains of the southern Altai range within the Gobi. Their split hooves provide excellent grip for navigating steep terrains, and their digestive systems extract maximum moisture from dry desert plants. Desert rodents and reptiles also inhabit the Gobi.
Wildlife of the Steppes and Grasslands
Mongolia’s vast steppes and grasslands are home to species suited for open environments. The Mongolian Gazelle, or dzeren, roams these semi-arid regions in large herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands. These gazelles are capable of remarkable speed, reaching up to 60-65 km/hr, and possess keen eyesight to detect predators across the open plains.
Their nomadic movements are influenced by food availability, with herds often gathering in areas of high plant productivity. The Saiga Antelope, another inhabitant of these grasslands, is recognizable by its distinctive, oversized nose, which filters dust in summer and warms cold air in winter.
Marmots, particularly the Siberian marmot, are common in the steppe, creating extensive burrow systems that provide shelter from extreme temperatures and predators. These social rodents play a role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling. Birds of prey, such as various eagles and falcons, including the Steppe Eagle, soar above the grasslands, hunting smaller mammals and birds.
The Grey Wolf, a widespread predator, inhabits various Mongolian ecosystems, including the steppe, mountains, and semi-desert. Mongolian wolves have thick, silvery-grey coats that provide insulation against harsh winters and camouflage. Their diet primarily consists of wild ungulates in less disturbed areas, helping maintain ecosystem balance.
Wildlife of the Altai Mountains and Forests
The Altai Mountains and northern forests of Mongolia support a distinct community of wildlife adapted to colder climates and high altitudes. The Snow Leopard, an elusive predator, inhabits the rocky, high-altitude terrain of the Altai range. These big cats possess thick, spotted fur for camouflage and insulation, and a long, heavy tail that aids balance on steep slopes.
Argali Sheep, the world’s largest wild sheep, also reside in the Altai Mountains. These powerful animals have impressive curling horns and are suited to extreme mountain climates, often found on open, high-altitude plateaus and barren slopes. They move to areas with less snow cover in winter to access forage.
The Siberian Ibex, a large wild goat, navigates the steep slopes and rocky scree of the Altai Mountains. They typically live above the tree line in summer, descending to lower, sometimes sparsely forested, slopes during winter in search of food. Their diet consists primarily of alpine grasses and herbs.
The Eurasian Lynx, a solitary feline predator, inhabits the forested areas, including the northern taiga regions. These agile hunters are known for their tufted ears and short tails, preying on small to medium-sized mammals and birds. Red Deer are also found in the mountainous and forested regions, as are various forest birds, including species of owls and woodpeckers, thriving in the coniferous and mixed forests.
Conservation Efforts and Unique Mongolian Species
Mongolia’s wildlife faces several challenges, including habitat fragmentation, climate change impacts, and illegal hunting. Competition with increasing domestic livestock for pasture and water also pressures wild ungulate populations.
Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard Mongolia’s biodiversity. The country has expanded its protected area network, with a goal to place 30% of its land under national protection by 2030. As of 2020, approximately 37% of Mongolia’s land, totaling 143.9 million acres, was under some form of protection.
Initiatives like the Great Gobi Six, launched by WWF-Mongolia, focus on protecting flagship species such as the Wild Bactrian Camel, Gobi Bear, and Mongolian Khulan, which indicate the health of the Gobi ecosystem. These programs address threats through monitoring, community engagement, and combating illegal wildlife trade.
The Mongolian government has also implemented supplemental feeding programs for the Gobi Bear to aid its survival during harsh winters. These efforts aim to preserve the country’s natural heritage and ensure the long-term survival of its animal species.