Belarus is a country located in Eastern Europe, bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Although it is not located near any major water bodies, it does have a number of rivers and lakes within its borders. It’s also known for its diverse landscape, which includes both deciduous and coniferous forests.
Belarus is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous species of mammals, birds, and fish. Some of the most iconic wild animals found in Belarus include the European bison, the lynx, the wolf, the beaver, and the white stork.
The country is also home to a number of rare and endangered species, such as the aquatic warbler and the greater spotted eagle. Here are the 9 most iconic wild animals in Belarus
1. European Bison
- Scientific name: Bison bonasus
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
The European bison is the national animal of Belarus.
Also known as the wisent, the European bison is a huge, herbivorous mammal that is endemic to Europe. They are the largest terrestrial animal in Europe and can weigh up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and stand up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall at the shoulder.
The European bison has a distinctive appearance with a broad, muscular body and short, curved horns. Their coat is dark brown in color and is covered in thick, shaggy hair, which is lighter in color around their legs and underbelly.
European bison have a large head with a pronounced hump on their shoulders and a short, thick neck.
★ Did you know? European bison were once extinct in the wild, but have been successfully reintroduced to several countries in Europe, including Poland, Belarus, Russia, and others.
2. Admiral Butterfly
- Scientific name: Vanessa atalanta
- Type of animal: Insect
- Where found in the country: In open areas, such as meadows, gardens, and parks.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The Admiral Butterfly, best known as Vanessa atalanta, is a species of butterfly that belongs to the Nymphalidae family. It is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 6-7 cm (2.4 to 2.8 inches). The wings are black with white spots and a red-orange band across the tips of the forewings. The underside of the wings is brown with light-colored spots and markings.
The Admiral Butterfly is found in various habitats, including gardens, meadows, woodlands, and parks. It is known for its strong migratory behavior, with populations in North America and Europe migrating southward during the fall season.
The butterfly feeds on nectar from a variety of flowers, including thistles, milkweeds, and asters. Its caterpillar feeds on nettles, making it a pest in some areas where nettles are considered undesirable.
★ Did you know? The Admiral Butterfly is named after its wing patterns, which resemble the military insignia of certain ranks, including admirals.
3. Eurasian Lynx
- Scientific name: Lynx lynx
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Throughout the forested areas of Belarus, including Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, and the Pripyatsky National Park.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat species native to the boreal and temperate forests of Eurasia. It is one of the largest lynx species, with a head-and-body length of up to 130 cm (51 in), and a shoulder height of up to 70 cm (28 in).
The lynx has a short, thick fur coat that varies in color from reddish-brown to grayish-brown, with black spots on its legs and tail. Its ear tufts are black and its facial ruff is prominent. The lynx has large, padded paws that allow it to move silently through the forest and are adapted for walking on snow
★ Did you know? Eurasian lynx are generally solitary animals. Males and females only come together during the breeding season.
4. White Stork
- Scientific name: Ciconia ciconia
- Type of animal: Bird
- Where found in the country: Wetlands, grasslands, and farmland.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The white stork is a large, long-legged wading bird that is known for its distinctive appearance and migratory behavior. Adults have a wingspan of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and can weigh up to 4 kg (9 pounds). They have a white body with black feathers on their wings and a bright red beak and legs.
White storks are known for their distinctive behavior of nesting on tall structures such as chimneys, poles, and man-made platforms. They build large stick nests that they often return to year after year, and both males and females take turns incubating their eggs and caring for their young.
★ Did you know? White storks are known for their clattering or bill-clapping behavior, which is a unique form of vocalization that is distinct from the songs and calls of most other bird species.
5. Wild Boar
- Scientific name: Sus scrofa
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Forests, marshlands, and agricultural areas. They are very common in the central and eastern parts of the country, where there is more forest cover.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The wild boar is a large, omnivorous mammal that is native to much of Europe and Asia, including Belarus. Adult wild boars can range in size from 50 to 250 kg (110 to 550 pounds) and stand up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) tall at the shoulder.
They have a stocky build, with a broad head and short legs, and are covered in bristly fur that can range in color from dark brown to black.
Wild boars have a distinctive snout that is used for rooting and digging in the ground in search of food, which can include plant roots, tubers, nuts, and insects, and also small animals such as rodents, reptiles, and even the occasional bird. They are also known to eat carrion and garbage, and can sometimes cause damage to crops and property.
★ Did you know? Male wild boars have two pairs of tusks, one on top and one on the bottom, which continue to grow throughout their lives.
6. European Roe Deer
- Scientific name: Capreolus capreolus
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Throughout the country, particularly in forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The European roe deer is a small and graceful deer species that is found throughout much of Europe, including Belarus.
Adults typically weigh between 22 and 30 kg (48 to 66 pounds). They have a reddish-brown coat in summer and a gray-brown coat in winter, with a white rump patch and a black nose.
Male roe deer, known as bucks, have distinctive antlers that are shed and regrown each year. The antlers are typically small and slender, with three points on each branch. Female roe deer, known as does, do not have antlers
★ Did you know? The European roe deer have sharp senses, including excellent hearing and eyesight, which allows them to detect even the slightest movements or sounds.
7. Eurasian Elk
- Scientific name: Alces Alces
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Larger forests of Belarus, such as the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The Eurasian elk is a species of deer that is found in North America and Eurasia. In North America, they are known as “moose”. They are one of the largest species of deer, with adult males (bulls) weighing up to 700 pounds and standing up to five feet tall at the shoulder.
Female elk (cows) are generally smaller, weighing between 400 and 500 pounds. Elk have a reddish-brown coat with a lighter-colored rump patch and a distinctive, shaggy mane on their necks. They also have long, pointed antlers that are shed and regrown each year. Elk are herbivores and feed on a variety of plants, including grasses, shrubs, and tree bark
★ Did you know? Male elk (bulls) shed their antlers every year, usually in the late winter or early spring, and then regrow them over the course of the following months.
8. Red Deer
- Scientific name: Cervus elaphus
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Forested and protected areas, including Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park.
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The red deer, also known as the European deer, is a large mammal that is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are the largest deer species in Europe, with males (known as stags) reaching up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the shoulder and weighing as much as 250 kilograms (550 pounds).
Red deer have a distinctive reddish-brown coat that is thick and woolly in the winter and short and sleek in the summer. They also have a characteristic white rump patch and a light-colored underside.
★ Did you know? Male red deer grow impressive antlers each year, and the size and complexity of their antlers can be a sign of their age and health.
9. Eurasian Badger
- Scientific name: Meles meles
- Type of animal: Mammal
- Where found in the country: Western and central parts of the country, including the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park and the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
The Eurasian badger is a stocky, ground-dwelling mammal that is found across much of Europe and Asia, including parts of Belarus.
They are known for their distinctive black and white striped face, powerful front claws, and bushy tail. Eurasian badgers have a stout and muscular build, with a broad head and a short, pointed snout. Their fur is typically gray or black on their backs, with white or light-colored fur on their faces, bellies, and legs.
The white stripes on their faces extend from the tip of their snout up over their heads and down their necks, giving them a distinctive appearance
★ Did you know? Eurasian badgers are known for their remarkable digging abilities. They have powerful front claws and muscular forearms that enable them to dig complex burrow systems, often with multiple entrances and chambers.
