Nature of Georgia: Photo Galleries

Gallery 1: Arid and semi-arid Mediterranean-like landscapes
Click on thumbs to view larger images

Those are concentrated mainly in the south-east of the country, although are sporadically found throughout the entire eastern Georgia . This group of landscapes includes semi-deserts, steppes, hills covered with shrub, rocks, and savannah-like grasslands. Summer here is hot, winter mild. Most of the species found here are typical for Mediterranean region, however some of that are very rare in European Mediterranean countries and more typical for the western Asia . Moreover, there are species and genera not found in the Mediterranean, which colonized the Caucasus from Central Asia . High diversity of reptiles is observed, including over fifteen species of snakes (of that only venomous one is a large Levantine viper) and various lizards. Mammal fauna includes gerbiles, hamsters, long-eared hedgehogs and other species typical for dry habitats. Wolfs and jackals are common. There are still little populations of striped hyenas and porcupines. Vegetation includes various species of junipers, Pistachio, cork elm, various herbs. Floodplain forests harbor francoline, pheasant, aquatic turtles, and wild boars.


Agriope bruennichi

Badland near Gremi

Ants

Arid shrubs in Georgia

Ascalaphus macaronius

Calliptamus turanicus

David Gareji badland

Coluber najadum

Elaphe hohenackeri

Elaphe quatuorlineata sauromates

Emberiza melanocephala

Eryx jaculus

Gremi

Manta religiosa

Manta sp.

Mesobuthus eupeus

Mylabria sp.

Paliurus spina christi

Palpares libeluloides

Polyphaga sp.

Saturnia pyri

Steppe in SE Georgia

Sturnus roseus

Tamarix hohencackeri

Testudo graeca

Thomisus onustus j.

Typhlops vermicularis

Vipera lebetina