Peerless Patagonia is hanging in grandeur, but humble in character. As Andean spires rise to the sky, glaciers wind their method all the way down to turquoise lakes dotted with floating icebergs. Condors, guanacos and elusive pumas dwell unhindered in Torres del Paine National Park, whereas Magellanic penguins waddle freely on Isla Magdalena. A spot this staggering in its mountain landscapes and so wealthy in wildlife may certainly boast, however Patagonia quietly woos nature and animal lovers from afar.
Today we’ll meet among the virtually 500 animal species that inhabit this mountainous area. From the hovering Andean condor to the lesser rhea, get to know the creatures that decision this majestic panorama dwelling. You’ll discover it illuminating, whether or not you’re departing quickly on our Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer journey or just have a fascination with this rugged jewel on the backside of South America.
Where Exactly Is Patagonia?
Part Chile and half Argentina, Patagonia covers roughly 400,000 sq. miles. Most tourism facilities across the northern lake districts, Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) and Torres del Paine National Park (Chile). While nobody would name these areas tamed, they see significantly extra guests than the expansive ranching nation of Argentina and the islands and inlets comprising Chilean Patagonia.
Argentinian Patagonia extends south of the Rio Negro. Chilean Patagonia extends greater than 1,000 miles north to south over the areas of Araucania, Los Rios, Los Lagos, Aisen and Magallanes. On a Nat Hab journey to the realm, we introduce you to each of Patagonia’s main nationwide parks, in addition to Tierra del Fuego and Isla Magdalena.
Hiker at Mirador Condor having fun with the breathtaking view of Los Cuernos rocks and Lake Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park.
Patagonia Wildlife
Wildlife lovers are of their factor in Patagonia. Known notably for pumas, penguins and whales, you’ll additionally discover the world’s smallest deer, ROUS (rodents of bizarre measurement), flightless rheas, huge Andean condors, armadillos, fox and slender guanacos. So, sure, when you’re into animals, put Patagonia in your bucket record!
Now for our favourite half: displaying off somewhat for a area that will not care to toot its personal horn. We’ll introduce you to the “Big 7” of Patagonia wildlife, plus a couple of extra in addition to.
Prowling Pumas
Also often known as cougars or mountain lions, pumas are one of many largest subspecies of the Felidae household. They’re additionally the most important predators in Patagonia.
On a Nat Hab journey to Patagonia, you’ll spend three full days looking for pumas from our base at EcoCamp Patagonia, backdropped by the sheer spires of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. Follow the sendero de la fauna (the animals’ path), which was named for the guanacos typically seen right here. These llama-like animals additionally occur to be perfect prey for pumas. Look up as we discover, maybe glimpsing one of many stealthy cats excessive on a rocky crag. Our educated Expedition Leaders will clue you in on how one can search for indicators of the massive cats, that are present in shrubby steppe ecoregions, dense woodlands and mountains from Arica to Magellanes close to the tip of Chile.
Soaring Andean Condors
It’s powerful to overlook the Andean condor. the males are one of many largest flying birds on the planet and the most important vultures in South America, weighing between 18 and 33 kilos and boasting a wingspan wherever from 8.1 to 10.6 ft. Watch for them hovering over open grasslands and mountainous alpine areas, in addition to foraging in beech forests, as we make our method via Torres del Paine National Park. The vary of the Andean condor used to stretch from Venezuela to the Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of the continent however searching and habitat loss has led to a pointy inhabitants decline.
While as soon as they consumed guanaco and vicuña carcasses, the condors should now scavenge livestock stays and launched species such because the European hare and crimson deer. During our Nat Hab Patagonia tour, you’ll have the chance to see the Andean condor up shut at one of many greatest condor colonies within the area. Observe and {photograph} Chile’s nationwide chook with out intruding on their habitat.
Great Guanacos
You’re sure to see a very good variety of guanacos as we discover Patagonia. There are greater than 1,500 of them in Torres del Paine alone! But, as with all wildlife, don’t get too shut. They’re very protecting of their younger, so watch from afar as they chase one another energetically and playfully. Don’t be fooled by the slender limbs and lengthy neck—these camelids, endemic to South America, are one of many continent’s largest mammals, weighing between 200 and 300 kilos and standing roughly 3.5 ft on the shoulder. We’ll discover them within the forests, grasslands, deserts and shrublands of the Andean foothills, in areas starting from sea stage to 13,000 ft.
Fun reality: The guanaco can run almost 35 miles per hour—quicker than another Patagonian animal besides the puma!
Guanaco
P.S. Like the guanaco, the vicuña (one other member of the camelid household) has pale cinnamon fur and a white stomach. They’re shyer than the guanaco however may zip alongside when mandatory, operating as much as 29 miles per hour at excessive elevations. They’re in a position to attain such speeds as a result of their hearts are twice the dimensions of similar-sized mammals!
Vicuña
Diminuitive Deer
Elusive and presently underneath menace as a consequence of modifications of their pure habitat and predation by puma, the brief, stocky huemul might present itself as we hike via Torres del Paine, particularly close to Lago Grey. They’re adept climbers, dwelling on rocky terrain and traversing mountain passes simply. Also often known as the south Andean deer or southern guemal, you might acknowledge them as one of many two animals discovered on Chile’s coat of arms, alongside an Andean condor.
Male south Andean deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) crossing a river within the Aysen Region of Patagonia.
Remember once we talked about the world’s smallest deer? Meet the Southern pudu. Listen for the delicate “moo” sound of a feminine as she calls to her younger, or the extra bleating name of a male.
When the pudu senses hazard, its hair rises, its physique trembles and its eyes fill with tears (truly, its lacrimal glands open). Doesn’t that make your coronary heart soften? The Southern pudu is presently a protected species however continues to be hunted for its conceal and meat.
Pudu
Little Lesser Rheas
Also often known as Darwin’s rhea, the lesser rhea might have the most important wings in proportion to its physique of all ratites (flightless birds with a flat breastbone with out a keel), however they’re fairly diminutive in top and weight. The rhea has the looks of a small ostrich (also known as the South American ostrich), with brown plumage flecked with white. Juveniles don’t get hold of the flecks till they’re 3 to 4 years of age. They’re discovered within the open scrublands of Patagonia, the Altiplano of Southern America, and throughout the steppes and Puna grasslands of the Andean plateau.
Playful Penguins
Now, for the cutie you’ve been ready for: the giggle-inducing, addictively lovable penguin. During our Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer nature tour, you’ll meet each Magellanic and king penguins, the latter in essentially the most northerly king penguin colony on the earth.
King penguins and their chicks.
King Penguin Park is a non-public conservation reserve on Inutil Bay. From elevated boardwalks and in strategic hides, you’ll observe the entertaining antics of the world’s second-largest penguin species. Take your time and revel in; that is the one place on the earth to see this species exterior Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. While we’re right here, we additionally hike to Swan Lagoon to see black-necked swans, white-necked swans, flamingos, caiquens and varied duck species.
Moving on, we meet Magellanic penguins on Isla Magdalena on the Strait of Magellan. Our Nat Hab wildlife tour features a half-day journey by non-public Zodiac, throughout which we’ll additionally search for seals, sea lions, petrels, cormorants, skuas and albatrosses at shut vary.
Magellanic penguins collect in a subject close to the Lighthouse of Magdalena Island.
Keep your eyes “peeled” for Peale’s dolphins and humpback whales. Our time at Isla Magdalena, a part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, is quiet. There are just some park rangers right here, and no inhabitants. But … the Magellanic penguin rookery is very large. The penguins nest right here from September to March, and towards the top of the season, you might spot fuzzy chicks waddling alongside the shore.
Peale’s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) is a small dolphin discovered within the waters round Tierra del Fuego.
Ready to satisfy the wildlife of Patagonia? Learn extra about our Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer.