Odval dolu Vítek
Vertebrates
31 bird species were spotted on the pit tip and in the surrounding area – a number that is relatively high. Most of the bird species also nest on the pit tip, e.g. skylark, ring-necked pheasant, specially protected and highly endangered common quail, red-backed shrike, blackcap or dunnock.
Mammals are represented by European hare, wild boar and roe deer. From the reptile group, sand lizard was spotted in the area.
Endangered and specially protected vertebrates
Sand lizard is the most widespread species of lizards in the Czech Republic.
It is protected by law. Sand lizard grows up to 25 cm in length. Sexual
dimorphism is quite evident in this species: the male tends to show green
shades, while the female is discreet, brown. Short feet feature 5 fingers with
small claws enabling safe movement cross stones and various surfaces. The tail
is long – 2/3 of the entire length. When attacked, the lizard can detach its
tail from the body – the detached tail then writhes and diverts the
predator’s attention, while the lizard can escape. The tail then
regenerates. The lizard can use this strategy once in a lifetime. The second
tail is no longer separable. The lizard lives dry, sunny locations. It favours
stony areas where it can bask in the sun and find numerous hiding places. 
Common quail is the smallest European representative of the
Galliformes order and the Phasianidae family. At the same time, it is the only
truly migratory galliformes bird in Europe. It is a tiny, unnoticeable bird –
it is light brown with lighter belly. Common quail nests in an open agricultural
landscape. In the Czech Republic, the species nests primarily in lower
altitudes.
Autor: Raniero Massoli Novelli
