What unique animal exists only in Lake Baikal?
What unique animal exists only in Lake Baikal? The Baikal seal is endemic to Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is rich in biodiversity.
Why is Lake Baikal a wonder?
Only 20 lakes, worldwide, are ancient: more than 1 million years old. Lake Baikal is not only Earth's oldest lake, at 25–30 million years of age, but also the largest, and the one with the most potential for revealing new discoveries at the frontiers of astroparticle physics.
Can you swim in Lake Baikal?
Not only is Lake Baikal safe to swim in, but it also boasts some of the purest water in the world. The only drawback is the temperature - even during the warmer months, a dip in the lake is pretty invigorating.
Is Lake Baikal drinkable?
Baikal is one of the few lakes on the planet in which, according to the standards, it is allowed to take water for drinking from open reservoirs. Water is extracted from special layers of the lake, which were on the surface of the lake hundreds of years ago, from a depth of 400m.
What rare species are in Lake Baikal?
Lake Baikal is home to several endangered species, including the Baikal seal, the world's only freshwater seal, and the omul fish, which is an important food source for the local population. In 1996, Lake Baikal was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional value and importance for conservation.
What are two facts that make Lake Baikal unique?
Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve.
What is the largest animal in Lake Baikal?
The largest species is the Siberian sturgeon, which sometimes measures more than 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) long. The only mammal is the Baikal seal. The first hydrothermal vents, or hot-water springs, ever discovered in a freshwater lake were found at the bottom of Lake Baikal in 1990.