ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The wild boar is a cosmopolitan species, meaning it is one of the most widely distributed mammals in the world. It inhabits nearly every continent and ecosystem except Antarctica. In addition to its natural range, the species has been introduced to certain habitats through human intervention.  

Due to this broad distribution, wild boars have adapted to a wide variety of environments, ranging from swamps, shrublands, and arid forests to subalpine regions and dense broadleaf woodlands.  

Wild boars have a strong affinity for water and frequently engage in mud bathing, which helps regulate their body temperature and protect their skin from parasites. As a result, they tend to favor habitats with nearby water sources.  

Typically, females are smaller than males. One of the most distinctive features of wild boars is their tusks, which are significantly larger in males. These tusks remain visible even when the animal’s mouth is closed.  

Reproduction can occur at any time of the year, with females giving birth to an average of 5–6 piglets per litter. Newborns are characterized by yellowish-white stripes and spots, which provide camouflage during their early stages of development.  

In terms of social behavior, female wild boars form structured groups, while males tend to be solitary.

The moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The moon jellyfish has a bell diameter ranging from 25 to 40 cm. Its diet consists primarily of plankton, small crustaceans, mollusks, and the eggs of various marine organisms.  

A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of four horseshoe-shaped gonads, though some individuals may have three or five. These structures, visible through the translucent bell, serve as the jellyfish’s reproductive organs.  

The coloration of the moon jellyfish varies depending on its diet. It can be transparent, white, pinkish, reddish, or even bluish. This species also possesses four long, frilled oral arms.  

Moon jellyfish are generally solitary creatures. However, some researchers suggest that they may engage in simple forms of chemical communication based on scientific observations.  

Since moon jellyfish prefer coastal waters, they are frequently encountered by humans. Although they are a venomous species, their sting is harmless to humans and poses no threat to health.

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The barrel jellyfish has a bluish, umbrella-shaped body. The edges of its bell are sometimes lined with deep blue or violet, pocket-like structures that contain sensory organs. It typically has eight oval-shaped oral arms instead of long tentacles. The diameter of its bell usually reaches around 40 cm, though individuals as large as 150 cm have been recorded.  

Although the barrel jellyfish is a venomous species, its sting poses no serious threat to human health. Contact with its tentacles may cause a mild burning sensation on the skin, similar to a minor sting or rash.  

Barrel jellyfish mass strandings are common and can be triggered by various environmental factors, such as strong currents, winds, or sudden changes in water temperature.  

These jellyfish are frequently encountered near the water’s surface, particularly during the peak tourist season. Their highest concentrations are observed from May to October when sea conditions most favor their presence.

European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

The European roe deer is the only deer species found in Georgia. It is an even-toed ungulate characterized by a body length of approximately 95–135 cm (excluding the tail) and a weight ranging from 15 to 30 kg, depending on sex and habitat conditions. Only males grow antlers, which they shed annually in October–November.  

The roe deer is widely distributed across Europe, except for some small isolated islands and parts of the Mediterranean. The global population is estimated at around 15 million individuals and is generally increasing. Roe deer prefer habitats with open woodlands, particularly mixed or deciduous forests with well-developed undergrowth, though they can also be found in grasslands and agricultural areas.  

Reproduction and Embryonic Diapause 

The roe deer has a unique reproductive strategy involving embryonic diapause, which allows females to delay embryo development. Mating occurs in July or early August, but instead of immediately implanting in the uterus, the fertilized embryo remains in a suspended state (the blastocyst stage) for about five months. This diapause ensures that active fetal development begins only in late December or January, leading to birth in late May or early June when environmental conditions are most favorable.  

Although the exact trigger for ending diapause is not fully understood, researchers believe it may involve hormonal changes influenced by daylight length or metabolic signals from the embryo itself. Once reactivated, the embryo resumes normal growth, and after a total gestation period of approximately nine months, the female gives birth to one or two fawns.  

Newborn roe deer have a spotted coat that provides camouflage, and like other deer species, fawns remain hidden in vegetation for the first few weeks of life. Male roe deer use their antlers for ritualized fights during the mating season to compete for females.  

People sometimes mistake roe deer for young red deer (*Cervus elaphus*), but they are distinct species. The term “fawn” applies to the offspring of both species.  

This specialized reproductive adaptation enables roe deer to synchronize births with optimal environmental conditions, increasing the chances of survival for their young.

Common Scoter

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: NT (Near Threatened)

The common scoter is a diving duck belonging to the Anatidae family. Adult males are larger than females and have entirely black plumage, except for a white wing patch. A white spot below the eye is also characteristic. Females are brownish-gray.   

The diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates and their larvae, and occasionally small fish.
Nests are built on the ground, usually in vegetation-rich habitats. In June, females lay 7-9 eggs, which hatch after 28 days.

The population of common scoters in the Caucasus has declined significantly, likely due to the degradation or destruction of nesting habitats caused by anthropogenic or climatic factors. In Georgia, the only remaining breeding population is located on Tabatskuri Lake in Javakheti.

Despite conservation efforts, which have led to an increase in the breeding population on Tabatskuri Lake from 6 pairs to 39 in 2017 (Paposhvili et al. 2023), the species still faces numerous threats. 

Scoters often get entangled in fishing nets and drown, and they are also vulnerable to predation, poaching, and disturbance of their nesting sites.

To conserve the common scoter population, several measures are necessary, such as eliminating or minimizing threats to the breeding population on Tabatskuri Lake, creating artificial nesting islands for ducks on the lake, and collecting more data on the species' biology.

Caspian snowcock

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogallus campus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: VU (Vulnerable)

This species is widely distributed in the mountains of the Middle East and Central Asia. In Georgia, it is found in the southwestern part of the country, in the Lesser Caucasus. The species has been recorded in the Meskheti, Shavsheti, and Erusheti ranges.

The Caspian snowcock inhabits alpine and subalpine zones at altitudes of 1800-3000 meters above sea level. They prefer deep valleys and rocky areas, occasionally visiting rhododendron thickets.   

It is the largest pheasant species in Georgia. Males weigh about 2.5 kg and females 1.8-2.3 kg. There is no pronounced dimorphism, and both sexes have a similar gray coloration.

Mating begins in April, and females lay eggs in late April or May. Nests are built on alpine or subalpine cliffs, and incubation lasts 28-29 days. The average clutch size is 5-9 eggs.

Like other pheasants, the Caspian snowcock is negatively affected by poaching and habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure projects in mountain resorts. Given that the Caspian snowcock inhabits high-mountain regions, climate change and extreme weather conditions have a significant impact on the species.

Grey Partridge

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Grey Partridge (Francolinus francolinus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: NT (Near Threatened)

A medium-sized bird of the pheasant family, weighing 220-570 grams. Sexual dimorphism is present. Mating begins in April and nesting starts in mid-May. Nests are built on the ground, containing an average of 7-12 eggs. Chicks hatch after 18-20 days and reach sexual maturity at one year of age.

The species has a limited distribution, found in the eastern Mediterranean, Western Asia, and the eastern part of the Transcaucasus. In Georgia, the Iveri lowlands represent the only habitat for the grey partridge. This species is also polyphyletic, with only one subspecies, Francolinus francolinus francolinus, found in Georgia (slam, K. 2020).

Grey partridges inhabit riverine floodplains, dry subtropical areas with little snow, and sparse grassy scrublands with patches of reeds and sedges.

Like other pheasants, the grey partridge faces numerous threats, including poaching, habitat fragmentation, and predation.

Colchian Pheasant

შეტანილია წითელ ნუსხაში

Colchian Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)
National Status: LC (Least Concern)

The Colchian pheasant is a large pheasant species.

This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. Males are larger (65-89 cm), with more colorful plumage and a longer tail (over 35 cm). Females are smaller (53-70 cm), with shorter tails (20-40 cm) and a more subdued coloration. Both sexes are fast runners and can fly short distances. During breeding season, males are territorial and form harems with several females. Nests are built on the ground, usually containing 8-15 eggs. Incubation lasts 23-28 days. Chicks remain with their mother for 70-80 days after hatching. They reach sexual maturity at one year of age. The species is polygamous, with one male mating with 2-3 females. Nesting occurs in May, with a clutch size of 8-12 eggs, sometimes up to 18. Only the female incubates the eggs.

The natural range of the Colchian pheasant includes areas with little or no snow and a mild climate in the southern part of the Palearctic. This includes lowlands in the Caucasus, the Black Sea coast of the Middle East from Anatolia to Iran, Central Asia, and Afghanistan; and then Central and Southeast Asia: Mongolia, China, Burma, Korea, and Japan. It has also been widely introduced to Europe and the Americas. In Georgia, it is found in the Colchis lowlands, the lower reaches of the Kura, Iori, and Alazani rivers, and the southern part of the Iveri Plateau.

The Colchian pheasant is a polyphyletic species. Of the 30 described subspecies, only one, Phasianus colchicus colchicus, is found in Georgia (Giudice, J. H., J. T. Ratti, and S. G. Mlodinow 2022). The Colchian pheasant is one of 31 subspecies of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and historically inhabited the territory of Georgia and the Kura and Iori river valleys in Azerbaijan (Kayvanfar, 2017). Today, the Colchian pheasant population has significantly declined. The remaining populations are found in small numbers in the Vashlovani and Chachuna protected areas, as well as in the Colchis lowlands.

The habitat of the Colchian pheasant consists of lowlands covered with dense vegetation, wide river valleys with floodplain forests, dry meadows with shrubby cover, and open, dry mountain foothills. It is found up to an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level.
The Colchian pheasant faces several threats that hinder population stability and negatively impact the species. These threats include:

Poaching: low law enforcement, the need for proper hunting management, and the need to raise awareness among hunters.

Degradation and fragmentation of Colchian pheasant habitats: improper grazing management, wildfires in agricultural lands, and climate change.

Other threats: predation, diseases, and isolation of individual populations.

Reintroduction of the Colchian pheasant requires captive breeding and subsequent release into its historical habitat. Breeding pheasants in captivity is not difficult, and therefore, in addition to in-situ conservation (combating poaching, raising public awareness, etc.), ex-situ conservation of the species is necessary.

Grey Partridge

არ არის შეტანილი წითელ ნუსხაში

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)

International Status: LC (Least Concern)

National Status: LC (Least Concern)

The grey partridge is a medium-sized bird with slight sexual dimorphism. They are monogamous. Adults typically measure 30-33 cm in length and weigh between 300 and 600 grams. Males can be distinguished from females by a larger chest patch. Mating begins in early March, and nesting occurs in May-June. Nests are built on the ground, and the average clutch size is 20 eggs. Incubation lasts 21-26 days, carried out by the female. Chicks can fly from around 14 days of age and reach sexual maturity at one year. Grey partridges are widely distributed in the western Palearctic, from the Atlantic coast to Mongolia.

In Georgia, they are found in the Lesser Caucasus, the Javakheti and Samsari ranges, the Tsalka and Dmanisi plateaus, the Greater Caucasus, the Kvernaki Range, and the Kartli Plateau. This species is polyphyletic, with 7 described subspecies. The taxonomy is still being revised, and subspecies distribution in Georgia has not been thoroughly studied. According to the literature, Perdix perdix lucida is found in the Greater Caucasus, while Perdix perdix canescens is found in other regions (Carroll, J. P., P. J. K. McGowan, and G. M. Kirwan 2020).

Grey partridges inhabit fields, meadows, steppes, and cultivated lands, as well as the slopes of low mountains and hills with sparse shrubs, tall grasses, and dry, low-snow valleys. Their decline would lead to a decrease in biodiversity. The species faces threats from unsustainable hunting practices, grazing, predation, and other natural and anthropogenic factors, making it a vulnerable species.