The year of creation of the Opuksky reserve is 1998. This unique natural zone in the territory of Crimea was created to study and subsequently preserve the flora, fauna and archaeological sites of the peninsula. In the reserve you can see rare animals, admire the ancient ruins and many other attractions.
Location
Where is the Opuk reserve? It is located in Crimea, on the southern side of the Kerch Peninsula. Mount Opuk is part of the reserve. It was in her honor that he was named. Also, the territory of the reserve captures Lake Koyashskoye and the rocks of Elken Kaya.
Short description
The area of the Russian Opuksky reserve is 1592.3 hectares. Of these, 62 hectares are part of the Black Sea, including the Rocks-Ships, located four kilometers from the coast. The mountain is like a large hill surrounded by steep ledges and deep tectonic cracks. This divides Opuk into separate blocks, forming a generally amazing landscape.
Due to climatic and orographic features, unique floristic, faunistic and landscape complexes were formed on the territory of the reserve. And in the whole Crimea they have no analogues.
Flora
The Russian Opuksky Nature Reserve has 766 plant species. 452 of them are higher vascular, 176 are algae, 113 are diverse lichens and 16 are bryophytes. The endemic core consists of 48 species. Many plants are very rare and are listed in the Red Book. For instance:
- Crimean saffron;
- Schrenk tulips;
- Katran Mithridates and many others.
Fauna
In the Russian Opuksky reserve, a very diverse fauna consisting of more than a thousand species. Most are spineless animals. 30 species of mammals, 411 fish, 205 - feathered and 9 - reptiles. Many are very rare and are listed in the Red Book, 8 are on the European List and 87 are protected by the Berne Convention.
Of the crustaceans, the permanent inhabitants of the reserve are marble, hairy and stone crabs. There are large populations of rare reptiles: yellowforks, runners, steppe viper and others.
The Opuksky nature reserve has more than two hundred species of birds on its territory. Of these, 54 nests make their nests, 33 winter, 112 fly overwinter. Among the birds 32 rare species found in the Red Book. For instance:
- pastor;
- black-headed oatmeal;
- bustard;
- cinder;
- Saker Falcon and many others.
From mammals live hares, foxes. Of the rare:
- large jerboa;
- steppe ferret;
- Mediterranean bat;
- horseshoes big.
The Black Sea is home to many rare species, some of which are also listed in the Red Book:
- Black Sea Seahorse;
- gray squeaky;
- gurnard;
- Black Sea salmon;
- dolphins azovka and bottlenose dolphins;
- Mediterranean monk seal.
Opuksky Nature Reserve: Historical and Cultural Monuments
On the northern slope is the ancient settlement of Kimmerik. On the eastern edge of Mount Opuk is the Citadel. There are several ancient settlements located in different areas of the reserve. Thanks to the work of archaeologists, they have survived to this day. Each of them is unique and has its own “highlight”. On the western slope of Mount Opuk, a Monument to military topographers V. Mospan and D. Vizulla is installed.
