Wildlife
Damavand rivers and slopes are famous for the beautiful Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Red Sheep (Ovis orientalis), Wild Goats (Capra aegagrus), and many singing native and migratory birds. Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) live in this region. Some smaller mammals are Snow Vole (Chionomys nivalis), Mouse-like Hamster (Calomyscus bailwardi) and Rufesent Pika (Ochoton rufescens). The very attractive and unreachable Caspian Snowcock (Tetragallus caspius) lives in high altitudes. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) breeds in this are. Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) are common. Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) has a high population and nests between stone and shrubs. Gold-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus), Linnet (Carduelis cannabina), Snow finch (Montifringilla nivalis), Rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) and Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) are native; in winter they come to the lower hill sides. In each spring Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), and Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) come from Africa for breeding. Grey-necked Bunting (Emberiza buchanani), Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) and Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) come from India. Lots of Marsh Frogs (Rana ridibunda) lives in Lar riversides. Meadow Viper (vipera ursinii), Blunt-nosed viper (Macrovipera lebetina), Iranian Valley Viper (Vipera latifii) and Caucasian Agama (‘’Laudakia caucasia’’) are among the reptiles of this mountainous region. In the southern slope of Damavand, there are remnants of Wild Pistachia Tree (Pistacia atlantica) ; In its riversides different kind of Salix trees like Willow (Salix acomphylla) and Oleaster (Ellaegnus angustifoilia) are found . Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa) is common all over the higher altitudes. In Northern slopes, because of higher humidity there are wild oak, beech and hazel trees like: Persian Oak (Quercus macranthera), Eastern Hornbean (Carpinus orientalis), and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis). There are also many beautiful wild flowers like: Mountain Tulip (Tulipa Montana) and Stone cress (Aethionema grandiflorum). In higher altitudes, shrubs tend to be sphere and cushion like, examples are : Astragalus species (like Astragalus microcephalus), Mountain Sainfoin (Onobrychis cornuta) and Prickly (Acantholimon erinaceum) ; Different kind of grasses between them, complete this alpine scene .
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