Biodiversity of Triglav National Park

Biodiversity

34. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

33. Alpine chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

32. Alpine ibex (Capra ibex)

31. Triglav rose (Potentilla nitida)

30. Zois' bellflower (Campanula zoysii)

29. King of the Alps (Eritrichum nanum)

28. Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba)

27. Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

26. Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)

25. Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra)

24. Triglav hawksbeard (Crepis terglouensis)

23. Alpine toadflax (Linaria alpina)

22. Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)

21. Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

20. Clusius' gentian (Gentiana clusii)

19. Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota)

18. Hairy alpenrose (Rhododendron hirsutum)

17. Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

16. Willow tit (Poecile montanus)

15. Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)

14. Common European adder (Vipera berus)

13. Alpine newt (Mesotriton alpestris)

12. Brown bear (Ursus arctos)

11. Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina)

10. Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

9. Edible dormouse (Glis glis)

8. Alpine eryngo (Eryngium alpinum)

7. Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

6. Eurasian pygym owl (Glaucidium passerinum)

5. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

4. Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

3. Caddisfly (Trichoptera)

2. Soča trout (Salmo marmoratus)

1. White- throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus)

Slovenia is one of the hot spots of biodiversity in Europe. Our territory lies at the crossroads of the Alpine, Pannonian, Dinaric, and Mediterranean biogeographical regions. It is characterized by a varied relief, diverse geological substrates, and a range of soil and climatic conditions. The result of such diverse factors is a great variety of ecosystems and plant and animal species.

Scientists have recorded approximately 24,000 species of living organisms in Slovenia to date. Among these, there are about 3,200 species of higher plants and 1,200 species of algae.

1. WHITE- THROATED DIPPER - (Cinclus cinclus)

The white-throated dipper is slightly larger than the sparrow. It has short wings and rather long and strong feet. The dipper lives in areas near clear mountain rivers with many rapids and rocks. It searches for food under the water surface, using its bill to turn over stones in search of aquatic insect larvae and other tiny animals. The dipper's moss-made nest is near the water, built into in a crack or hollow in the rock, on the shore, entangled in tree roots or mounted on the supports of a bridge. White-throated dippers are most commonly found near the Savica Waterfall and the rivers Radovna and Soča. Their population is threatened by regulation of streams and rivers, human disturbance during nesting, and pollution of surface waters.

Interesting fact: 

• The white-throated dipper is the only passerine bird that can dive as well as swim.

2. SOČA TROUT - (Salmo marmoratus)

The Soča trout is a freshwater fish species endemic to the rivers draining to the Adriatic Sea. In Slovenia, it can be found in the Soča and its tributaries, as well as in the Reka and the Rižana rivers. The Soča trout is famous for its relatively large head and a characteristic marbled colour pattern on a grey-white skin. It is among the most threatened species, its population declining because of pollution, destruction of the natural environment and, most importantly, ongoing crossbreeding with the brook trout, which was brought to the Soča trout's natural habitat at the beginning of the 20th century.

Interesting fact: 

• The largest Soča trout caught measured 121 cm and weighed 25 kg.

3. CADDISFLY - (Trichoptera)

The Caddisflies are an order of insects. Mature caddisflies are moth-like animals having two pairs of hairy membranous wings and long, thread-like antennas. They have aquatic larvae that carry protective cases made of small pebbles and other debris. They are an important source of food for fish, aquatic birds and other predators. Most caddisflies species live near springs and in streams, less frequently in standing water bodies. Due to their high sensitivity to pollution, caddisflies play a significant role in bioassessment surveys conducted in streams and other water bodies.

Interesting fact: 

• Caddisflies use silk excreted from salivary glands near their mouths for building their protective cases. They wrap the silk threads around themselves and decorate them with various materials.

4. GREY WAGTAIL- (Motacilla cinerea)

The grey wagtail is found along the shores of forest and mountain streams and small rivers. Its grey upper parts contrast with whitish under parts and yellow vent and tail. The feet are reddish-brown, unlike in other vagrants, which have black feet. Grey wagtails build nests among the roots of shoreline vegetation, in holes in manmade structures near water, and on bridge supports. The nest is made of moss, dry grass blades and small roots, and bedded with animal hairs. The bird feeds mainly on insects and insect larvae.

Interesting fact: 

• As its name suggests, the grey wagtail constantly wags its tail while walking.

5. RED FOX - (Vulpes vulpes)

The red fox adapts very quickly to changes in its environment. It resides in forests, near human settlements, and even in the vicinity of large towns. Red foxes are very agile and fast animals, mostly active at night, when they hunt for prey. They also feed on waste and carrion.Most of the year red foxes lead a solitary life. They either dig their burrows or use the burrows constructed by badgers, and use their urine to mark their territories. Red foxes reproduce once or twice a year, normally in winter. The gestation period lasts 52 days. In spring, the female gives birth to four to eight kits, who stay with their parents for about four months. Vixens help raise the kits. In the wild, red foxes survive an average of three to four years.

Interesting fact: 

• The red fox hunts rodents with the typical fox jump. It leaps, sailing high above its quarry, and then lands on its target, grabbing it with front claws.

6. EURASIAN PYGMY OWL - (Glaucidium passerinum)

The Eurasian pygmy owl is a very small owl, measuring only 15-20 cm. It is found in boreal coniferous forests. Pygmy owls nest in tree cavities. They prey on small mammals and birds. Unlike other owls, the Eurasian pygmy owl is mostly active at dawn, dusk, and even daytime during nesting period. At night the owl rests, and its call can only exceptionally be heard during bright, moonlit nights. When excited, the owl will cock its tail, flicking it from side to side.

Interesting fact:

• The call of the Eurasian pygmy owl sends passerines flying away in fear they might become prey themselves.

7. RED DEER- (Cervus elaphus)

The red deer inhabits forests from lowlands to the tree line. It prefers places where forest edges meet open areas. Generally, red deer are up to 130 cm high. During daytime, they rest in the shadows of the trees, and when the sun sets they start grazing. Red deer are ruminants foraging mostly on grass, herbs, tree sprouts, bark, leaves and arable crops. They live in herds. Unlike females, males grow large, impressive antlers. During the rut, mature stags make their calls and compete for the attention of the hinds.

Interesting fact: 

• In the Triglav National Park, red deer first occurred several decades ago, but today the species is among the most numerous.

8. ALPINE ERYNGO - (Eryngium alpinum)

The Apine eryngo flowers from June to September, normally every second year. It grows in open, sunny and rather humid grasslands, former hay meadows and overgrown gravel patches near the tree line. In the Triglav National Park it is most commonly found in the area of Črna prst. Due to indiscriminate collection this delicate plant was brought nearly to the verge of extinction in certain sites, which led to its early protection in 1922. The Aine eryngo is also known as the ‘queen of the alps’.

Interesting fact: 

• The Alpine eryngo belongs to the Apiaceae family and is a close relative of parsley and caraway.

9. EDIBLE DORMOUSE - (Glis glis)

The edible dormouse is a nocturnal rodent. Its habitat includes beech and oak forests. Dormice are active during night time, and sleep through the day in their dens and tree hollows. They feed mainly on beech mast and acorn. Food supply has a strong influence on the fertility of dormice as well as their hibernation process, which normally lasts from October to March. If food is scarce, dormice will even sleep through summer. In the last decades edible dormice in Central Europe have been waking up from hibernation rather early, a phenomenon closely linked to climate change.

Interesting fact: 

• In Slovenia the tradition of dormice hunting is still alive.

10. CAPERCALLIE- (Tetrao urogallus)

The capercaillie is the largest member of the grouse family. The hen's feathers are protective brown with black and silver barring, while male birds are dark metallic green. The capercaillie reside in mountainous mixed and coniferous forests. The species is renowned for its mating display. In spring the males gather at courting grounds, called leks, posture themselves with raised and fanned tail feathers and sing their typical aria, which sounds like a series of 'clicks' and 'pops'. It is generally known that the capercaillie do not respond to any activity in their surrounding while singing. Otherwise, the bird is very shy.

Interesting fact: 

• Hormonal disturbances may cause capercaillie to become aggressive and lose their fear of humans. Studies show that this phenomenon might result from excessive human intervention into capercaillie habitats.

12. BROWN BEAR - (Ursus arctos)

The brown bear population in Slovenia stands at 400 to 500 with most of the animals residing in the Kočevje forests. In the territory of the Triglav National Park, individual brown bears are occasionally spotted on the Pokljuka plateau, in the Lower Bohinj Mountains, the Trenta Valley and the area of Tolmin. The brown bear sleeps through the cold winter months in its den. During hibernation, its body temperature declines by 2 ˚C and its metabolic functions slow down slightly. The hibernation period is affected by the weather conditions and food deficit. In three or more months in the den, the brown bear loses 30-50% of body weight, which it makes up for in the summer and autumn. Brown bears feed on forest fruits, underground and green parts of plants, fungi, rodents and carrion. As predators, bears are also known to prey on cattle. The brown bear requires a large well-preserved habitat with minimum human impact.

Interesting fact: 

• The brown bear can run very fast (60 km/h), swim and even climb.

13. ALPINE NEWT - (Mesotriton alpestris)

The Alpine newt is a type of amphibian. It is adapted to life in cooler regions. In the Triglav National Park, it lives at altitudes between 1100 and 1600 meters. It is commonly found in puddles, ponds, and marshes in forest clearings. Females grow up to 12 cm, while males are slightly smaller. Its belly is uniformly orange-red, which distinguishes it from other newts. In Alpine newts, incomplete metamorphosis often occurs, meaning that individuals reach sexual maturity but retain some larval characteristics, such as gills. Such specimens have been found in Black Lake and at the Planina near Lake.

Interesting fact: 

• During courtship, males have a light blue, shiny stripe along their sides with distinct dark spots, and a low, continuous crest with black spots grows on their back.

14. COMMON EUROPEAN VIPER - (Vipera berus)

The common European viper is one of the three venomous viper species to be found in Slovenia. Adults grow 60 to 80 cm in length. The oval head widens into a zig-zag patterned, relatively-thick body and short tail. The head usually has a distinctive dark X or V on the back. Adders are particularly common in the mountains, on scree slopes, near mountain trails, meadows, pasturelands and wetlands. In the lowlands, they keep close to places where humidity is high.

Interesting fact: 

• The common adder feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards and amphibians. It paralyses its prey with a bite and then swallows the victim whole.

15. BLACK WOODPECKER - (Dryocopus martius)

The black woodpecker is the largest in the woodpecker family. It can measure up to 46 cm. It lives in nearly all forests where it can find at least a few thick and old trees. The woodpecker makes a hole in a healthy tree and leaves it for a few years to strengthen before using it as a nest. The bird has several forms of voice communication. It uses a special call when it is at home and other calls are used for mating time, time to flee, or danger alert. Black woodpeckers feed on insects found in decaying tree trunks, ants being their favourite food.

Interesting fact: 

• The habitat of the black woodpecker can measure over 100 ha, which accounts for the species’ low population density in forests.

16. WILLOW TIT - (Poecile montanus)

Willow Tit is a passerine bird. It nests in tree trunks, excavating a nesting hole in rotten stumps or in the soft wood of decaying trees.Willow tits live in coniferous and mixed forests at an altitude of 800 to 1500 m, up to the dwarf pine belt. In winter they move from high-altitude forests to lower altitude woods.In autumn the willow tit stashes away the surplus of seeds for winter feeding. When winter starts they move from high-altitude forests to lower altitude woods.

Interesting fact: 

• In Slovenia the willow tit is a relatively common resident bird, with distribution area spanning from the Julian Alps to the Pohorje range.

17. BLACK GROUSE - (Tetrao tetrix)

The black grouse belongs to the grouse family. The female is greyish brown. The cock’s plumage is metallic black, apart form a red comb above the eyes, a white wingbar and white feathers on the lower side of the lyre-shaped white tail which appears forked during mating. They make dove-like calls. Black grouse live near the tree line, in particular in the dwarf pine stands.Their diet consists of blueberries, cranberries, juniper berries, and small invertebrates found in the soil.

Interesting fact: 

• During nesting and caring for the young, black grouse are highly sensitive to cold and rainy weather, which can devastate complete nests, thereby affecting local black grouse populations.

18. HAIRY ALPENROSE- (Rhododendron hirsutum)

The hairy alpenrose (Rhododendron hirsutum) is a compact low shrub. The inflorescence is terminal with flowered clusters. Normally rose-pink, the corolla is tubular with five spreading lobes. The leaves are evergreen; the leaf margin has a small scalloped edge with long bristly hairs projecting outward. It thrives on rocky carbonate soils and is commonly found amidst dwarf pines and larch trees at the tree line.

Interesting fact: 

• The hairy alpenrose is similar in appearance to the rusty-leaved alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), which grows on non-carbonate (acid) soils in the area of the Mangrtsko sedlo pass.

19. ALPINE MARMOT - (Marmota marmota)

During the Ice Age, the alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) was quite common and widely spread in the territory of present-day Slovenia, but it became extinct at the end of that period. It was reintroduced to the area at the end of the 20th century. Today it inhabits mountain meadows and screes. Marmots are herbivores and spend most of their awake time collecting preserves for the winter. Excellent diggers, alpine marmots use their sharp forepaws to dig burrow tunnels which provide shelter from predators and the elements. Marmots sleep through winter in winter dens that may be up to five metres deep. During hibernation their body temperature drops and their heart rate and breathing slow down. They survive on stored fat supplies collected over the summer months. Marmots wake up when snow starts to melt away.

Interesting fact: 

• During hibernation, the body temperature of marmots will drop to almost the same as the air around them. The marmot wakes up if the temperature falls below zero; otherwise, it would freeze to death.

20. CLUSIUS' GENTIAN- (Gentiana clusii)

Gentiana clusii is one of the typical plants whose blossoms adorn the limestone mountain pastures and rocky meadows in spring months. This perennial is in bloom from early spring to July. Large flowers are singular and dark blue. Lower leaves form a rosetta but the stem leaves are smaller and lower in number. Clusius' Gentian is named after botanist Carolus Clusius who was the first to describe it.

Interesting fact: 

• A close relative of Clusius' gentian is Gentiana acaulis, which grows on acidic soil.

21. EDELWEISS - (Leontopodium alpinum)

The edelweiss is a perennial that grows to a height of up to 20 cm. Each bloom consists of five to six small yellow clustered spikelet-florets surrounded by fuzzy white petals (bracts) that have given the plant its name (Edelweiss is German for 'noble-white'). The plant blooms between July and September. It is pollinated by flies and beetles. Leaves and flowers are covered with white hairs which protect the plant that grows on extremely dry and windy sites from temperature loss and excessive evaporation. The edelweiss prefers rocky grasslands, rock crevices and gravel.

Interesting fact: 

• The edelweiss was the first protected plant species in Slovenia.

22. ROCK PTARMIGAN - (Lagopus muta)

The rock ptarmigan is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. The bird inhabits grassy slopes strewn with rocks and small shrubs, just above the tree line. Rock ptarmigans are seasonally camouflaged: their feathers moult from white in winter to greyish brown in summer. They have white feathers covering their legs and feet up to toes. In winter the males can be distinguished from the females by a dark stripe that extends from behind each eye to the bill. Both males and females have a red comb above their eyes. The bird nests in mid-June. It lays 6-15 eggs into a shallow pit and incubates them for approximately 24 days. It feeds on seeds, fruits, sprouts, buds, leaves, and adds insects and other animals to its diet in the summer.

Interesting fact: 

• In spring females moult earlier than males. This way, the female incubating its eggs is still safely camouflaged, while the male's white winter plumage distracts predators away from the nest. 

23. ALPINE TOADFLAX - (Linaria alpina)

The alpine toadflax is a sprawling or scrambling alpine plant of high-altitude scree slopes. The long and extensive root system helps the plant to root in the unstable bedrock. The leaves are shiny green and the flowers a combination of purple and yellow. Pollination is rather demanding as the nectar is stored in the long spur. Because of its complex flower, the alpine toadflax can only be pollinated by insects with a long proboscis, e.g. bumblebees. It flowers from July to September.

Interesting fact: 

• Torrential waters may move the alpine toadflax to lower-lying areas where it continues to grow.

24. TRIGLAV HAWKSBEARD - (Crepis terglouensis)

The Triglav hawksbeard is a low perennial plant which slightly resembles a dandelion. It belongs to the aster family. The flowers consist of hundreds of tiny tongue-shaped petals forming an inflorescence. Fruits are dry and covered in hairs. The entire plant contains bitter principles. It flowers from August to September. It thrives on scree, in particular in clay and humid sites.

Interesting fact: 

• In the Triglav National Park, the Triglav hawksbeard grows best on the southern slopes of Triglav and above the Velo polje alp.

25. ALPINE SALAMADER - (Salamandra atra)

The Alpine salamander spends most of its time in hiding places in rock crevices, cracks, and holes, as well as under decaying wood. It only leaves these shelters early in the morning or at night, when air humidity is highest. After rain, it may also be active during the day, but it avoids high temperatures and wind. It lives in mixed forests, and above the tree line, it can be found on meadows and rocky pastures. It has adapted very well to life at higher altitudes and in the dry karst environment. Because it is completely black, it quickly warms up in the sun in the cold mountain world. Unlike other amphibians, it does not require water for reproduction. It gives birth to live young, which resemble adult individuals and are capable of living on land. This phenomenon is called viviparity.

Interesting fact: 

• The Alpine salamander has toxic glands on its head and along both sides of its body that repel predators.

   

26. WALLCREEPER - (Tichodroma muraria)

The wallcreeper is a colourful bird. They prefer rocks with patches of vegetation. Their diet primarily consists of insects and various invertebrates. During nesting wallcreepers reside in shady and humid precipitous rock faces, building a cup nest into rocks hollows or on a pile of rocks. In warmer parts of the Alps, the wallcreeper starts nesting at the end of April, but most birds will nest between May and June. Outside the nesting period, wallcreepers reside in rocky sites at lower altitudes.

Interesting fact: 

• Its extraordinary crimson wings are similar to a butterfly's.

27. CHAMOIS - (Rupicapra rupicapra)

The chamois is the most typical animal species inhabiting the alpine territory. In summer months the chamois prefers open rocky terrains above the tree line, and in winter it resides in forests. If the winter is very harsh, it will even move to the valleys. In summer chamois are active in the morning and evening, and in winter their activity is spread out throughout the day. Chamois are social animals, but old bucks are usually solitary. The natural predators of chamois are the wolf and lynx, and the mountain eagle who preys on chamois young. Common causes of mortality include jumps from rock cliffs, avalanches, and diseases.

Interestig fact: 

• In 1909, when an avalanche swept away the Aljažev dom lodge in the Vrata Valley, a total of about 400 chamois were killed by avalanches in the three Triglav valleys of Kot, Krma and Vrata.

28. ALPINE SWIFT- (Tachymarptis melba)

 The Alpine swift is at home in rocky mountains. Swifts have very short legs which make it hard for them to walk. With all four toes facing forward, the swift lands on vertical rock faces rather than on flat surfaces. The Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba) is at home in rocky mountains. Swifts have very short legs which make it hard for them to walk. With all four toes facing forward, the swift lands on vertical rock faces rather than on flat surfaces.

Interesting fact: 

• The Alpine swift can fly at a speed of up to 200km/h.

29. KING OF THE ALPS- (Eritrichum nanum)

The King of the Alps is a cushion plant with pale blue flowers. It grows well on grasslands with gravel and in rock crevices high in the mountains. With its low growth, strong roots and hairy surface the plant is well adapted to harsh winds and low temperatures. It is similar to the alpine forget-me-not, which thrives in similar sites but has larger leaves and never grows as a spreading mat.

Interesting fact: 

• The King of the Alps is one of the four plants named after Slovenia's highest mountain, Triglav.

30. ZOIS' BELLFLOWER- (Campanula zoysii)

Zois' bellflower is among the most typical plants of Slovenia's mountains. Its flowers are unique in the genus in that they are pinched together and puckered at the mouth forming a start shaped ruff at the tips. It grows tightly wedged in limestone crevices. The Zois' bellflower is endemic, which means that it grows in the limited geographical area of the South-eastern Alps. The plant is named in honor of its discoverer, botanist Karl von Zois. It was studied, described and named by a known botanist Franz Xaver von Wulfen.

Interesting fact: 

• The mouth on a Zois' bellflower is too narrow for insects to enter. They have to make a hole in the corolla in order to pollinate the plant.

31. TRIGLAV ROSE- (Potentilla nitida)

The Triglav rose  or the pink cinquefoil likes sunny slopes. It grows on gravel, rocky glasslands and in crevices. The sivery grey cushion plant produces pink-red blossoms in mid-summer. The leaves are three-lobed and hairy on both sides. Potentilla nitida was first found on the slopes below Triglav by Balthasar Hacquet. Thinking he found a new, not yet described species, he named the plant after the mountain near the site.

Interestig fact: 

• The Triglav rose is one of the symbols of the Triglav National Park. It is closely connected with the legend of the gold-horned goat, Zlatorog, from whose shed blood the flower grew. When Zlatorog nibbled at the magical flower petals, its health was restored.

32. ALPINE IBEX - (Capra ibex)

The Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is a strong, thickset and shapely wild goat with greyish hair. It lives in mountain grasslands above the tree line, and in winter it moves to the tree line. The animals are very agile and can achieve a standing jump of 2 m and a running jump of 4 m. Males have large, backwards-curving horns. which were believed to have medicinal properties, leading to the species near extinction in the 16th century. They have only survived in the area of Gran Paradiso, Italy. All present-day ibexes in Europe are descendants of the Gran Paradiso population. In the Triglav National Park the reintroduction of the alpine ibex started in 1964, first in the Zadnjica Valley in Trenta.

Interesting fact: 

• Cross-breeds between the Alpine ibex and the domestic goat are quite common.

33. ALPINE CHOUGH - (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

The Alpine chough is a sociable, black raven of high mountains. Its glossy black plumage contracts with the yellow bill and red legs. It inhabits steep mountains sloped above the tree line, and in winter it descends to the valley settlements. It subsides on a diet of invertebrates, carrion, fruit and seeds. Near mountain lodges and on summits it will readily feed on food waste, and often persuade hikers and skiers to give them a treat form their backpacks.

Interesting fact: 

• The Alpine chough is swift and acrobatic in flight. It can fly in strong wind, loosely beating its wings.

34. GOLDEN EAGLE - (Aquilla chrysaetos)

The golden eagle used to inhabit lowland forests. Hunted by humans, it withdrew to higher, more inaccessible places which are now its habitat. It is a predator, able to snatch up large animals, e.g. hares, capercaillie, marmots or foxes, and even chamois kits. It is not uncommon that the prey will exceed the eagle's body size and will need lots of energy to be taken away. Golden eagles nest in inaccessible and hidden rock shelves, rock crevices, and an occasional tree. The female lays two eggs. After about 40 days, the young will hatch, but only a quarter of them will ever reach maturity.

Interesting fact: 

• Boasting a wing span of 2 m, the golden eagle is the largest eagle in Slovenia.