The Influence of Natural and Climatic Factors on the Number of Saiga (Saiga tatarica Pall.) (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) between the Volga and Ural Rivers

Abstract

The features of Uralian saiga habitats are discussed. Periods of high and low abundance of the animals, which alternate depending on the productivity of vegetation communities and territorial humidity (the number of watering places) due to climate changes, are shown. After periodic cases of the mass death of saiga, their population is quickly restored to its previous level, which is likely to be facilitated by the existing feed and water resources.