20 Incredible Animals of the Andes

The Animals of the Andes mountain range Are the puma, the llama, the Andean cat, the condor and some curious insect like the spider unicorn, among others.

The fauna of the Andes mountains In the South American continent is characterized by its abundance and diversity. At present there are about 1000 species, of which about two thirds are considered as endemic to the region.

The diversity of animals is high with about 600 species of mammals, more than 1700 species of birds, more than 600 species of reptiles and almost 400 species of fish.

The ability of species to live in the Andes depends on the altitude factor. However, the existence of plant communities is also affected by variables such as climate, humidity and floor .

The existence of animal life is determined by the abundance of resources in the area. The perpetual snow line is established as the upper limit to where the fauna can reach. Some species are able to live at any altitude, while others can only live at a certain range.

You may also like to know What is the relief of the Andean region , To better understand where these species live. In addition, you can see other lists of animals such as 22 most fascinating wild animals .

List of 20 animals of the mountain range of the Andes

Mammals

1- Puma

The puma, panther or mountain lion ( Puma concolor ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Felidae . These animals are distributed throughout the Americas from Alaska to southern Argentina and Chile.

They can occupy a wide variety of habitats such as mountain forests, grasslands, swamps or any other area with a good availability of prey. They have a length of 86 to 154 cm with a weight of 29 to 120 kg. The coat varies from a yellow brown to a grayish brown on the back and white on the chest and belly.

2- Short-tailed Chinchilla

Short-tailed chinchilla, Chilean chinchilla, highland chinchilla or chinchilla ( Chinchilla chinchilla ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the order of rodents.

This animal can be found in the Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, northeastern Argentina and northern Chile. They prefer a habitat of shrubland and grassland at elevations between 3000 and 4500 m.s.n.m. They have a length of about 30 cm with a 15 cm tail. Their coat may be blue, pearl or gray with black tips.

3- Andean Tapir

The Andean tapir or mountain tapir ( Tapirus pinchaque ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the order of the perisodactyls. This animal can be found in the mountains of the Andes in the northwestern part of the continent.

Prefers mountain forest habitats between 2000 and 4000 m.s.n.m. The lips and nose of this species are stored in a prosaic proboscis. They can measure up to 180 cm in length with a shoulder height of 80 cm and a weight of around 150 kg.

4- Vicuña

The vicuña ( Vicugna vicugna ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Camelidae. This animal can be found in the area of ​​the Andean plateau that includes northern Argentina, western Bolivia, northeastern Chile and some areas of Peru.

Vicunas prefer pasture habitats at altitudes of 3500 to 5750 m.s.n.m. They have a body length of 1.2 to 1.9 meters with a height of 70 cm to 1.1 m. The coloration of its coat is reddish brown in the head, neck of certain yellow and whitish flanks.

5- Guanaco

The Guanaco ( Lama guanicoe ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Camelidae. This animal can be found along the Andes mountain range from northern Peru, through Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.

These animals are adapted to a variety of climates such as the Atacama Desert or the cold climates of Tierra del Fuego. They have an approximate height of 1.60 meters with a weight of around 91 Kg. Their coat is of a reddish brown color in the back with a white belly.

6- Call

The flame ( Lama glama ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Camelidae. This animal can be found in the highland region of the Andes, from Ecuador, through Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina and Chile.

The plateaus where the llama dwells are habitats of grasslands covered with some shrubs at elevations of 2300 to 4000 m.s.n.m. These animals have a length ranging from 92 cm to 1.6 m with a height of 1.2 m and an average weight of 140 kg. Their long coat varies a lot in color, but the most common is reddish brown with white or yellow patches.

7- Andean Cat

The Andean cat, chinchay or lynx cat ( Leopardus jacobita ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Felidae . This animal can be found in the Andes mountain range from central Peru to northern Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

It prefers dry habitats of rocky type with little vegetation. It has a length of 60 to 80 cm with a tail of 35 cm and an average weight of 4 kg. Its coat is gray ash with dark marks extending from the back and at its extremities.

8- Andean Quirquincho

The Andean armillillo and Andean armadillo ( Chaetophractus nationi ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Dasypodidae. This animal can be found in the highland region of the Andes range from southern Peru, Bolivia and northern Argentina and Chile.

Its habitat is that of altitude prairies at elevations up to 3500 m.s.n.m. It has a length of 22 to 40 cm with a tail of about 15 cm. It has 18 burnt yellow or light brown dorsal bands with hair growing between the joints.

9- Huemul

The Huemul, güemul or Andean South Deer ( Hippocamelus bisulcus ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Cervidae . This animal is the deer that inhabits the southern most of the planet. It is located on the mountain range of the Andes between Chile and Argentina.

Prefers forested habitats or open areas with shrub cover. They have a length that varies from 140 to 175 cm, with a height of 80 to 90 cm and a weight of 40 to 100 kg. Their coat is thick and brown. Males have horns that grow up to 35 cm.

10- Eyeglass Bear

The spectacled bear, Andean bear, South American bear or front-end bear ( Tremarctos ornatus ) Is a species of mammal belonging to the family Ursidae .

This animal can be found throughout the mountainous regions of the Andes from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and in certain parts of Argentina and Panama.

It is commonly found in fog forests, where there is abundance of food and shelter at elevations from 475 to 3658 m.s.n.m. They have a length of 1.3 to 2 meters in height and a weight of 60 to 200 kg. Their coat is uniform black with white marches that create rings around the eyes.

Birds

11- Cauquén

The cauquén, huallata or huachua ( Chloephaga melanoptera ) Is a species of bird belonging to the family Anatidae . This animal can be found from the central region of Peru in the Andes mountain range to the central part between Argentina and Chile.

Prefers valley habitats at elevations of 3000 m.s.n.m. They have a length that varies between 75 to 80 cm and a weight of around Kg. Their plumage is white with a dark purple scar band and the beak and legs are red.

12- Torrent Duck

The torrent duck or torrent duck ( Merganetta armata ) Is a species of bird belonging to the family Anatidae . This animal can be found throughout the entire Andes range from Venezuela to the extreme south of Argentina and Chile.

It prefers crystalline currents at elevations ranging from 1500 to 4500 m.s.n.m. It presents a very evident sexual dimorfismo, with males and females presenting schemes of different colors. They have a length of 38 to 46 cm.

13- Andean Flamenco

Parihuana, parina grande, tococo, jututu or Andean flamenco ( Phoenicoparrus andinus ) Is a species of bird belonging to the family Phoenicopteridae . This animal can be found from northern Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and southern Peru.

Prefers wetland habitats or saline deserts. It has a length that varies between 102 and 110 cm. Her body is pale pink with a lighter belly. Its long beak is yellow and black.

14- Darwin's Ñandú

Darwin's ñandú, Andean ñandú, ñandú of the heights, suri or choique ( Rhea pennata) Is a species of bird belonging to the family Rheidae . This animal can be found in the mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.

Prefers grassland and shrubland habitat at elevations of around 3000 m.s.n.m. These animals have a length varying between 92 and 100 cm with a weight of 15 to 25 kg. The feathers are long and have a grayish-brown coloration.

15- Condor of the Andes

The Andean Condor or Andean Condor ( Vultur gryphus ) Is a species of bird belonging to the family Cathartidae .

This species is found across the Andes range from Venezuela and Colombia, through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Prefers open grassland habitats and alpine areas at elevations up to 5000 m.s.n.m.

This bird has a wingspan of 270 to 320 cm with a length of 100 to 130 cm. The weight varies between 11 to 15 kg in males and between 8 and 11 kg in females. Its plumage is uniform black with the exception of a white feather collar that surrounds the base of the neck. The head and neck are red and with few feathers.

Fishes

16

The Andean catfish ( Astroblepus ubidiai ) Is a species of fish belonging to the family Astroblepidae. This animal is endemic to the highlands of the Andes of Ecuador where it inhabits streams of waters of the Imbakucha basin.

His body is grayish brown and has no scales. It can reach a length of 15 cm. It has chins around the mouth that serve as a sensory organ.

17- Puppies

Orestias Is a genus of fish known as puppies and belonging to the family Cyprinodontidae . They are animals that can be found in the lakes, rivers and births of the highlands of the Andes. The largest of the species can reach 27 cm in length.

Amphibians

18- Rana Sabanera

The Andean frog or frog ( Dendropsophus labialis) Is a species of amphibian belonging to the family Hylidae . This animal can be found in the eastern portion of the Andes mountain range in Colombia.

Its habitat is that of wetlands, marshes and lagoons at an altitude of between 2400 and 3200 m.s.n.m. Its coloration is variable but the most common is green with brown spots. It can measure up to 4 cm in length.

Insects and Spiders

19- Morpho helenor

Morpho helenor Is a species of butterfly belonging to the order Lepidoptera. This insect can be found from central america across most of the South American continent.

These insects are characterized by a blue color on their wings combined with black borders and white spots. Many subspecies have been described within this group.

20- Unicorn Spiders

Unicorn spiders correspond to the genus Unicorn And are a species found in South America. Specifically it can be found in semi-desert regions of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina at high altitudes. They have a length that varies between 2 and 3 mm. They have a characteristic projection between the eyes that gives them their name.

References

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3. Chinchilla chinchilla. [Online] 2000. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] animaldiversity.org.
4. Wildscreen Arkive. Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from arkive.org.
5. Animal Diversity Web. Http://animaldiversity.org/. [Online] 1999. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from animaldiversity.org.
6. -. Lama guanicoe. [Online] 2014. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from animaldiversity.org.
7. -. Lama glama. [Online] 2004. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from animaldiversity.org.
8. Wildscreen Arkive. Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita). [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from arkive.org.
9. Animal Diversity Web. Chaetophractus nationi. [Online] 2002. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from animaldiversity.org.
10. Wildscreen Arkive. Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus). [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from arkive.org.
11. Animal Diversity Web. Tremarctos ornatus. [Online] 2012. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from animaldiversity.org.
12. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Chloephaga melanoptera. [Online] 2010. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from neotropical.birds.cornell.edu.
13. Merganetta armata. [Online] 2010. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from neotropical.birds.cornell.edu.
14. Wildscreen Arkive. Andean Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus). [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from arkive.org.
15. Lesser rhea (Rhea pennata). [Online] [Cited: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from arkive.org.
16. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Vultur gryphus. [Online] 2010. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from neotropical.birds.cornell.edu.
17. Fishbase. Astroblepus ubidiai (Pellegrin, 1931). [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from fishbase.org.
18. Fish Identification: Genus: Orestias. [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from fishbase.org.
19. Batrachia. Dendropsophus labialis (Peters, 1863). [Online] November 29, 2013. [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from batrachia.com.
20. Learn about Butterflies. Common Blue Morpho. [Online] [Quoted: March 18, 2017.] Retrieved from learnaboutbutterflies.com.
21. On Unicorn, the New Genus of the Spider Family Oonopidae. PLATNICK, NORMAN I. 1995, AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, p. 12.