Permanent exhibitions “Birds and mammals of the Rijeka region” and “Amphibians and reptiles of the Rijeka region” present the fauna of tetrapod vertebrates of the Rijeka region. The fauna is presented by most frequent habitats of the littoral and continental area in this region. Dermoplastic preparations and models of certain animal species are exhibited in the stylised setting of the display cases. In eleven cases we present birds and mammals of beech and fir –tree forests, sub-Mediterranean forest, rocky pastures, seaside and the sea, and amphibians and reptiles of land habitats on the coast and islands, fresh-water habitats on the coast and islands, land habitats in the mountainous region, fresh-water habitats in the mountainous region, subterranean habitats and the sea. The actual appearance of these habitats is illustrated by a photograph above each of the circular show cases. Legends in the bottom of the cases provide brief information on given species and habitats. A more detailed data on the exhibited species and other species of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of the Rijeka region, can be found on computers which support the exhibition, organised into three multimedia presentations “Amphibians and reptiles of the Rijeka region”, “Birds of the Rijeka region” and “Mammals of the Rijeka region”. They offer information on basic characteristics of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and depict the species ranging in the Rijeka region. Hypertext and links provide a better overview and coherent information. General features of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals along with some specific species of the Rijeka region are presented by texts, photographs, drawings, animation, video recordings and actual animal voicing. The complete material is available in Croatian and English.

Marcelo Kovačić

Birds are warm blooded vertebrates whose body is covered with feathers. Their most distinctive ability is flight. Their bodies are remarkably adapted to flying, which enabled them to inhabitant almost all regions and habitats on Earth: from the poles to the equatorial forests, deserts, steppes, volcanic islands lost in the oceans, highest mountains and even metropolis. More than 9.000 described species of birds represent the most numerous group of terrestrial vertebrates. There are all together 375 bird species registered in Croatia , out of which 233 nest in Croatia , 142 of these species in the Rijeka region (Gorski kotar and Kvarner). The permanent exhibition of the Natural History Museum Rijeka features samples of some of the most common or most fascinating bird species that inhabit the Rijeka region and other parts of Croatia .

Jelena Kralj

Mammals are a diverse animal group: they inhabit most contrasting habitats, from arid deserts to aquatic eco-systems; they can be exclusively herbivorous or exclusively carnivorous or anything in between. They are distinguished from other animals by three distinct characteristics, these being hair, lactation from mammary glands and three tiny bones in middle ear (malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) stapes (stirrup)). They are also characterised by warm blood, highly differentiated teeth and internal insemination. These features resulted from adaptations necessary to support their survival in different environments. It has been estimated that there are about 4.500 mammal species in the world. There are about 80 indigenous mammal species in Croatia , and together with domestic species, occasional and introduced species there are 105 of them. Natural History Museum Rijeka permanently houses specimens of a part of some sixty mammal species that occur in the wider Rijeka region.

Marijana Vuković

Amphibians and reptiles fall into the category of vertebrates. Their body temperature varies, i.e. neither of the two groups is equipped with an internal bodily mechanism that would regulate their body temperature. Regardless of this “handicap” compared to the “warm blooded” groups of vertebrates which evolved later, they conquered almost all terrestrial parts of the Earth, from chilly taiga regions to arid desert landscapes. Even brackish and sea waters are inhabited by a smaller number of species. According to the available data, in the wider Rijeka region we can find 16 of 22 amphibian species and 32 of 38 reptile species registered in Croatia . The fact that a relatively small space (6,3% of Croatian surface) is inhabited by almost 85% of Croatian hepterophauna, is a significant indicator of extraordinary bio-diversity and natural resources of this region, which obliges us to a wise and scientifically supported protection. Natural History Museum Rijeka permanently houses specimens or models of all species of amphibians and reptiles that inhabit the wider Rijeka region.

Eduard Kletečki

Host: Natural History Museum Rijeka

Publisher: Natural History Museum Rijeka

For the publisher: Milvana Arko Pijevac

Author of the permanent exhibition: Marcelo Kovačić, Ph.D.

Experts: Jelena Kralj, Ph.D., Eduard Kletečki M.Sc., Marijana Vuković

Artistic design of the habitats: Damir Šegota, Stjepan Buković

Interior design: Boris Cimaš

CD ROMs: Igor Pavić

Multimedia material: Borut Kružić, Lado Bartoniček

Photographs (habitats): Želimir Gržančić

Language editting: Branka Hreljanović

Translation: Sanja Padavić

Print:

Permanent exhibitions of “Birds and mammals of the Rijeka region” and “Amphibians and reptiles of the Rijeka region” is supported by

Primorsko-goranska County

Ministry of Culture

City of Rijeka