Fauna

PITOMA POLjANA

The brown bear (Ursus arctos)

An animal from the bear family, is widespread across Eurasia and Northern America. It is the most uncoordinated and the heaviest animal in Europe. Their movements might seem clumsier than they are. With their immense strength and strong claws that ease walking, they can climb a rock or even a tree. Bears are not afraid of water and often swim to cool down. They are more oriented towards plants than meat for food. However, they can eat (devour) all that is edible. Despite their reputation, bears are timid animals that avoid contact with people. An exception is when the female bear is with her cubs or when the bear is frightened when the person should not alert the animal as it could become dangerous. Therefore, in the area where the bear’s presence was confirmed (in the woods), it is advised to make noise. Compared to its surface area, Han Pijesak has one of the largest bear populations, and signs of bears are often noticed (clues, scraped tree trunks, excrement).

The European badger (Meles meles)

Is an animal from the mustelid family. They mostly live in underground chambers connected to the surface by corridors. A badger weighs up to 25 kg, and its length ranges between 90 cm and 110 cm. Usually, they are nocturnal animals, but can be seen during the day and are considered omnivores. During winter, badgers hibernate and do not feed, thus decreasing their metabolism at the count of lowering body temperature. Their fur is gray on the back, black on the lower extremities, and with either black or white stripes on the head. Even though considered fearful, a cornered badger can become exceptionally aggressive. Badgers are common roadkill vistims.

The raven (Corvus corax)

Is a large black bird from a family of corvids (Corvidae). They inhabit the four continents of the Northern Hemisphere. Ravens are omnivorous, adaptable birds. They are exceptionally intelligent. Ravens are commonly black birds with feathers that give off a metallic shine. They grow up to 64 cm in length, weigh 1 – 1,5 kg, and have a wingspan of around 1,2 m. Ravens have a distinct wedge-shaped tail and a strong beak that slightly bends downwards. They prefer forest habitats with either open areas or ones close to shores. Ravens communicate with recognizable sounds and indicate a high air quality.

DOLOVI

The Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Is a widespread animal in Central Europe and Asia. A male is called a roe deer, a female is called a doe, and a baby deer is called a fawn. Roe deer have a harmonious, slender, light and very mobile body. Their legs are slender and long, and their hooves are black. However, roe deer are not hardy runners. They have short and barely visible tails. The length from muzzle to tail is about 130-140 cm. Weight depends on the area they inhabit, food, seasons, physiological state, and gender (females are 5-10% lighter than males). The weight is usually around 25 kg, but can reach 40 kg. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced – males have horns, females do not. In Han Pijesak, the deer game is very numerous and can be seen often.

The fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Is a mammal of small or medium size and belongs to the dog family (Lat. Canidae). It has a flat skull, erect triangular ears, a pointed, slightly turned muzzle, and a long, bushy tail. The fox is 40 to 50 cm tall, and its length is about 110 cm; only the tail is around 40 cm. Its weight is usually between 8 and 10 kg. It hunts, depending on the circumstances: roots, insects, reptiles, birds, and smaller mammals. Sexual dimorphism is not expressed. Distinguishing a male from a female is dificult. Foxes are also common animals in our municipality.

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Is a bird from the genus Ciconiidae, with a long, strong, red beak, a long neck, and long, thin, red, and bare legs. Its body is covered in white feathers, except for the long flight feathers on its wings, which are black. Males and females are the same color. Its body length reaches 1 meter, and its wingspan is over 2 meters. Once a year, in April or May, it builds a large nest in the crown of a tall tree, but very often also in settlements on the roofs of houses or other prominent places. Sometimes it repairs old nests. It feeds on a wide variety of foods, including frogs, snakes, lizards, and fish, which it kills with its beak. It also catches mice, rabbits, and even small birds. People consider it a useful animal. It is a migratory bird, that mostly winters in tropical Africa and India. You can meet storks and their nests in Han Pijesak in Vikend naselje (next to the path, on one of the lampposts) and in Han Kram. These are old, long-standing nests whose inhabitants regularly return every summer.

KUSAČE

The wolf (Canis lupus)

Also known as the gray wolf, is a species of the genus Canis that lives in the wild and remote areas of Eurasia and North America. It is the largest existing member of its family, with an average weight of 40 kg for males and 35.5-37.7 kg for females. And often, they weigh significantly more. In Bosnia, the gray wolf is also known as KURJAK, and specimens of wolves from this area are some of the largest in the world. Like all land mammals that are pack hunters, the wolf feeds predominantly on herbivorous mammals. The wolf specializes in hunting vulnerable individuals (large prey). A large number of individuals are constantly present in the area of Han Pijesak. However, due to their great caution and heightened senses, it is very difficult to notice them. The gray wolf very often causes considerable damage to rural households, but the people have always had a deep-rooted awe of this animal.

The rabbit (Lepus europaeus)

Is a species of mammal from the rabbit family (Leporidae). The rabbit’s anatomy is built to allow it to run very fast. Its eyes are set high on the sides of its head, its ears are long, and its neck is flexible. Its teeth grow continuously throughout its life. Rabbits reproduce quickly, and when there are no predators, their numbers become so large, which causes considerable damage to agriculture and forestry. There are also years when rabbits are almost completely absent due to the abundance of predators or the appearance of a certain disease.

The common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus)

Is the largest European pigeon species. It is a wild game and inhabits forests. This pigeon mainly feeds on plants. It usually nests twice a year, in April and June, although eggs can also be found in July. The nest is made exclusively on trees, where the female lays two white eggs and lies on them, and the male replaces her only in exceptional cases. You can almost always see a flock of these pigeons on the road at the entrance to the hamlet of Kreštalicе.

MIRONjA

The wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Is a species from a suid genus (Sus). They are closely related to the domesticated pig (Sus scrofa domestica) and live in rainy forests surrounded by drifts. It is a large game, usually prey to hunters due to abundance. The increase in numbers is due to many young in the litter and lack of natural predators. Despite the fact that they are not aggressive, boars can be dangerous due to their tusks and speed. Males weigh around 175 kg, even growing over 200 kg, whereas females weigh up to 140 kg. Adult boars reach 90 – 100 cm in height and 120 –160 cm in length. The position of the fangs is so that the upper (cutters) and lower (grinders) overlap, remaining sharp.

The boar’s fur is brow, hence camouflaged with the background. Young have characteristic transversal stripes that last for 2 months after birth. They usually remain on the forest slopes close to a watercourse. They prefer to roll in the mud to refresh and remove skin parasites. They are considered omnivores, so they eat plants and animals that are able to catch, as well as carrion.

The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

Is a species of arboreal squirrel from the genus Sciurus. European squirrels are omnivorous rodents that inhabit almost the entirety of Eurasia. They are 19 – 23 cm in length, whereas the tail reaches 15 – 20 cm. Bodies can weigh 250 – 340 g. Sexual dimorphism is absent, so males and females are the same weight. Fur colors vary from black to red. The abdomen is cream. They ched twice a year – during summer their fur is lighter, but in winter it is heavier and darker. Between August and November, this squirrel species acquires recognizable tufts on the tops of the ears that separate them from other squirrels. European squirrels live in evergreen forests and make nests with sticks, leaves, bark, and moss around 25 – 30 cm in diameter. Also, they can use hollow trees and woodpecker’s nests as their own. European squirrels primarily feed on pine cone seeds, but can also eat fungi, bird’s eggs, berries, and sprouts. They often remove the bark of the tree in order to get to the sap. They can cause significant damage in forestry. Predators of squirrels are smaller mammals such as the European pine marten, The European wildcat, and the stoat. When it comes to predatory birds, they usually are owls and goshawks. Red foxes, dogs, and cats also hunt squirrels on the ground.

The Eurasian goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)

Is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is an average size bird that inhabits the Northern Hemisphere. They are sedentary birds. Their wings are characteristically short and wide, and the tail is long, which allows them to maneuver forest flight. Males are bluish-gray with gray stripes, 49 – 52 cm long, and 93 – 105 cm wingspan. Females are much larger and gray, with 58 – 64 cm in legth and a wingspan of 108 – 127 cm. Males weigh around 630 g, whereas females weigh 2 kg. This species hunts smaller birds and mammals in the forest, relying on the ability of fast flight through thick branches. Their most common prey is average size (crows, pigeons, thrushes, starlings, squirrels), but can also be as big as a grouse. Sometimes, they can hunt waterfowl birds as ducks. Their prey is usually smaller than a hawk, but goshawks are able to hunt large animals like rabbits. Despite the damage they occasionally cause to rural households, their role in nature is enormous.