Nikolai Severtzov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nikolai Severtzov
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 5 November 1827 |
| Died | 8 February 1885 (aged 57) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | naturalist |
Nikolai Alekseevich Severtzov (born November 5, 1827 – died February 8, 1885) was a famous Russian explorer and naturalist. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, including plants and animals. Severtzov was known for his exciting journeys and his work in discovering new species.
Contents
About Nikolai Severtzov
Nikolai Severtzov was a Russian scientist who loved exploring. He spent much of his life traveling through Central Asia. He studied the animals and plants he found there. His work helped us learn a lot about the wildlife in those regions.
Early Life and Explorations
Severtzov studied at Moscow University. When he was just eighteen, he met another explorer, Grigory Karelin. This meeting sparked his interest in Central Asia. This huge area includes countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan today.
In 1857, Severtzov joined an important trip to the Syr Darya river. During this journey, he was captured by bandits. Luckily, he was set free after about a month. This experience did not stop him from exploring.
Discovering New Places
From 1865 to 1868, Severtzov explored the amazing Tian Shan mountains. He also visited the beautiful Lake Issyk Kul. These places are known for their stunning natural beauty.
Later, in 1877 and 1878, he explored the Pamir Mountains. He followed a path similar to what is now the Pamir Highway. He traveled as far as Lake Yashil Kul. This lake is located on the Ghunt River.
His Scientific Work
Severtzov wrote an important book called Vertical and Horizontal Distribution of Turkestan Wildlife. This book was published in 1873. It was special because it described many animals for the first time.
One animal he described was a type of wild sheep called an argali. This subspecies was later named after him: Ovis ammon severtzovi. He also found and described many new kinds of birds. The Spotted Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus severtzovi) is one bird named in his honor.
His Legacy
Nikolai Severtzov started collecting birds at his family's estate, Petrovskoe. He passed away on February 8, 1885. He was returning home in a carriage when it broke through the ice on the Ikorts river. Everyone tried to get to safety. Severtzov delayed to find his important papers and then collapsed.
Today, the Institute of Ecology and Evolution in Moscow is named after his son, Alexey Severtzov. This institute continues the study of nature, just like Nikolai Severtzov did.
See also
In Spanish: Nikolái Sévertsov para niños
