The Great Cormorant is found at altitudes up to 800 meters above sea level and inhabits temperate mixed forests with a warm summer and an abundance of oaks, birches, and maples, as well as flooded meadows with a large amount of grass; the species prefers shallow waters near the shore where crabs live, and taiga with cold winters and coniferous trees such as spruce and pine. The habitat includes freshwater, freshwater banks and backwaters, lakes and ponds, swamps and marshes, marine environments, and coastal waters. The climate in the habitats can vary: from a cold sea with potential ice formation in winter and a mild summer, to a cool summer with a temperature of +15...+20 °C, and a very hot summer when the temperature rises above +25...+30 °C. A characteristic feature is constant humidity due to frequent rains, as well as a moderate sea with cool or warm water.