The Peruvian highlands, also known as the high Andean region, is a mountainous area that forms part of the Andes Mountains, the latter crossing several South American countries. The mountain range extends throughout Peru, from north to south, and is made up of a variety of ecosystems with a climate that varies from temperate to cold depending on the altitude, which can reach close to 7,000 meters above sea level. In this way, this important region is the place of a vast biodiversity and, in this article on our site, we want to introduce you to 20 animals of the Peruvian highlands, so don't stop reading it.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus)
The Andean condor, native to several South American countries, is undoubtedly one of the typical animals of the Peruvian highlands. It is a bird of prey, belonging to the Catártidas, which is a family of vultures, and is a cultural and mythological symbol of the Andean area and, therefore, of Peru.
It has dimensions ranging from 1 to 1.3 meters, with a wingspan of around 0.8 meters and an approximate weight of 12 kg. It lives in open grasslands, mountainous areas up to about 5,000 meters high, cloudy montane forests and can descend to the lowlands of the country. It is classified as vulnerable
We tell you more about Birds of Prey or Raptors: types, characteristics, names and examples, here.
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus)
This beautiful bird is also a typical animal of the Peruvian highlands and is native to several other countries in the region. It presents an obvious sexual dimorphism, because the females are reddish brown, with some grayish color on the wings, while the males have a large scarlet or orange crest that It goes down to almost the middle of the body, with black and gray the rest of the plumage. It mainly inhabits cloudy forest, up to about 2,400 meters above sea level. It is rated least concern
Discover more about Sexual Dimorphism: definition, curiosities and examples below.
Guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
The guanaco is a type of camelid, native to some South American countries and is a common animal in the Peruvian highlands. It measures one meter or a little more in height, with a length of around 2 meters and a weight range between 90 to 140 kg.
Color can be light brown or a dark tan. In Peru inhabits several protected areas that correspond to national reserves, and grows up to 5,000 meters above sea level, in grasslands, thickets and wooded areas, even in snowy areas. It is included in the category of least concern
Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna)
The vicuña is the other type of camelid typical of southern America, developed in several countries in the east of the region and, in the case of Peru, in another animal native to the Peruvian highlands. It is smaller than the guanaco, measuring up to 0.8 meters in height, an average length of 1.5 meters and with maximum weights around 65 kg.
Inhabits areas from 3,000 to 5,000 meters high, with cold, dry climates and mainly xerophytic vegetation. It ranks in the category of least concern.
Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus)
The culpeo is also called the Andean fox, although it is not a true fox, as it is more related to wolves and jackals It weighs around 12 kilos, in the case of males, since females are less massive, with lengths from 0.9 to 1.3 meters approximately.
The coloration is a combination between very light reddish and greyish. Depending on the area, it can inhabit arid spaces, thickets and temperate forests, being in the Peruvian mountains up to about 4,000 meters above sea level. Its conservation status is least concern
Don't hesitate to take a look at the following complete file on our site about the Zorro culpeo.
Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
Also called Andean bear, it is the only species of bear native to the Andean region, so it is another typical animal of the Peruvian highlands. It is medium in size, with a mainly dark coloration, generally with light tones on the face that form the pattern that gives it its common name.
The males can weigh up to 200 kg, while the females are over 100 kg, with heights close to one meter. It has a wide extension in the Andes, so it can occupy various types of forests and thickets. It is classified in the vulnerable category
We tell you more about the Spectacled Bear, here.
Andean wildcat (Leopardus jacobita)
This is a type of wild feline, native to the Andean Cordillera, which is why it also occupies the Peruvian highlands, although its Distribution is patchy and somewhat restricted. Its coloration is gray, with dark stripes; with a height of about 35 cm and weights of about 5 kg.
Generally inhabits rocky or steep areas and, in the case of Peru, specifically at about 4,000 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, it is one of the animals of the Peruvian highlands in danger of extinction, due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as direct hunting.
Andean Caracara (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
This is a bird of prey, of the Falconidae family, which it shares with falcons. It is medium in size, with a bluish bill at the tip that later changes to orange, the upper coloration is black and the lower part of the body is white. It is native to several countries in the Andean region, generally growing near inhabited areas in open or deforested spaces. It is rated least concern
White-cheeked Cotinga (Zaratornis stresemanni)
This is a endemic bird of Peru, which grows in several areas, but mainly in the western region of the mountain range. Its coloration is brown and blackish tones. It basically grows in areas of vegetation with plants of the Polylepis and Gynoxys genera, up to about 4,400 meters above sea level, but varies in habitat during the dry season, descending to mixed forests of about 2.000 masl. It is classified as vulnerable
Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata)
The torrent duck is a bird of the Anatidae group, native to the Andes in South America. It measures about 45 cm, with the males having a combination of brown, white and black with a red beak, while the females have basically shades of brown and cinnamon, with a less colorful beak.
Although it can live in lowlands. In the case of the Andean zone, it reaches 4,500 meters in height, living in rivers and streams with fast and clear currents. It is rated in the category of least concern.
You may be interested in taking a look at the following post on our site about the Torrent Duck.
Other animals of the Peruvian highlands
As we have mentioned, the mountains are a region with great animal diversity, so the above list only corresponds to some of the common animals in this area. Next, we mention other typical species of the Peruvian highlands.
- Alpaca (Vicugna pacos).
- Llama (Lama glama).
- White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus peruvianus).
- Taruca (Hippocamelus antisensis).
- Montane guinea pig (Cavia tschudii).
- Andean pygmy owl (Glaucidium jardinii).
- Puma (Puma concolor).
- Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius culeus).
- Andean or Puno hummingbird (Oreotrochilus estella).
- Pacarana (Dinomys branickii).
You may be interested in taking a look at the following article on our site about the Differences between llama and alpaca.
