Peru, one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity on the planet, has more than 1,730 species of birds inhabiting its forests and jungles, thus being considered the second country in the world with the largest number of bird species (surpassed exclusively by Colombia). This wonderful country located on the west coast of South America, has a great variety of climates and temperatures, which is why it has different regions and habitats, such as coastal deserts, Andean mountain ranges and Amazonian jungles.
Numerous natural reserves shelter and protect the great diversity of Andean animals and other native species of Peru, many of them in danger of extinction. Continue reading this Green Ecologist article to know the names and characteristics of +45 native animals of Peru.
Llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos
Can you tell the difference between alpacas, llamas, guanacos and vicuñas with the naked eye? These South American camelids belong to the same family of mammals (Camelidae), and we can easily find them in the different habitats of Peru.
Perhaps the most famous are the flamesLama glama), known for their peculiar habit of spitting when they feel attacked or disturbed, as well as for being used as pack animals both by the local population and by tourists who visit the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu. Smaller and domesticated for the production of textile fibers and wools, the alpacasVicugna pacos) They are undoubtedly another of the most emblematic species of the Andean mountain ranges of Peru. Evolutionarily related to alpacas and domesticated as well, the vicuñasVicugna vicugna) they are the smallest camelid species that exists (adults only reach one meter in height). Finally, completing the list of native and emblematic camelids of Peru, the guanacosLama guanicoe) They differ from the other species mentioned above for being wild animals and not being domesticated for any benefit of the human being.
Guinea pigs or whose, well-known native animals of Peru
Living as pets in houses in countries around the world, the guinea pigsCavia porcellus) They are one of the most characteristic rodent species of Peru.
It is there in their place of origin that guinea pigs are commonly known as guinea pig or guinea pig. They are domestic hybrids that weigh up to 1 kilogram and live between 5 and 8 years. They are characterized by being social animals, both with other individuals of the same species and with human beings.
Peruvian cock-of-the-rock
The popular Peruvian cock of the rocksRupicola peruvianus) It is the national bird of Peru. Also known by its name in Quechua (aboriginal language of the region) "tunki"The Peruvian cock-of-the-rock is one of the most colorful and prized birds in the Andean-Amazon region. Its characteristic appearance of an exotic bird, as well as its variety of vocal songs, makes this species one of the great stars of the fauna biodiversity of the tropical forests of the Peruvian Amazon.
Condor of the Andes
The gigantic and amazing Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)It is one of the largest birds of prey or raptors that we can find throughout the Andes Mountains as it passes through Peru.
This is one of the native animals of Peru that usually fly over the cliffs and canyons of the mountain range, in search of prey on which to feed in a scavenger way. Its astonishing dimensions make it the largest flying bird in the world, with almost 4 meters of wingspan and weighing between 11 and 15 kilograms.
So that you learn more about this animal, here we tell you why the condor is in danger of extinction.
Green anaconda
One of the most feared snakes in South America, the green or common anacondaEunectes murinus) dwells in the depths of the peruvian rainforest. It is listed as the longest snake in the world and its eating habits make it one of the most aggressive. They are capable of ingesting large animals, thanks to their ability to disengage their jaws and swallow their prey slowly, after having suffocated them first, coiling with their whole body until strangling them.
This reptile is one of those that inhabit the Peruvian jungle. If you are interested in learning more about this species and this habitat, you can enter here and read about the Flora and fauna of the Peruvian Jungle.
More native animals of Peru
After seeing eight of the most recognized native animals of Peru, we continue with this list of Peruvian animals, classifying them according to type (birds, mammals, reptiles and fish).
Peruvian birds
- Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti). It is one of the animals of the Sea of Grau or Peruvian. If you want to know more about this region and these animals, we recommend this other article about the Peruvian Sea: characteristics and animals.
- Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
- Parrots (family Psittacidae)
- Emerald toucanAulacorhynchus prasinus)
Mammals of Peru
- Cougar (Puma concolor)
- Jaguar (Panthera onca)
- Spectacled bearTremarctos ornatus)
- Northern mountain vizcacha (Lagidium peruanum)
- Peruvian Hairless Dog (Canis familiaris)
- Pig or Sajino (Sus scrofa domestica)
- South American Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens). This is one of the mammals that inhabit the coasts of this very biodiverse country. If you want to know them better and also learn about the Animals of the Peruvian coast, enter this link to an article in which you will discover more than 25.
- Vampire bats (subfamily Desmodontinae)
Reptiles
- Bocaracá (Bothriechis schlegelii)
- Skink of Peru (Riopa fernandi)
- Lima Gecko (Phyllodactylus sentosus)
Peruvian fish
- Paiche (Arapaima gigas)
- Catfish or marine catfish (Siluriformes family)
- Black swordfish (Aphanopus carbo)
- Piranhas (family Serrasalmidae)
- Striped bride fish (ORpistognathus randalli)
These are images of each of these Peruvian animals, in the same order as these lists.
Native Peruvian animals in danger of extinction
Finally, we will mention some of the endangered animals of Peru, arranged by types of animals (mammals, birds and amphibians).
Mammals in danger of extinction in Peru
- Andean night monkey (Aotus miconax)
- Andean marmoset (Saimirí sciureus)
- Goeldi's tamarin (Callimico goeldii)
- Bald Uakari (Cacajao calvus)
- Yellow-tailed woollyOreonax flavicauda)
- Andean catLeopardus jacobitus)
- Tigrillo or oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus)
- Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
- Pudu (Pudu mephistophiles)
- Amazon pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
- Tapir or mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque)
- Giant armadillo (Priodonts maximus)
- Long-tailed chinchillaChinchilla lanigera)
In addition, although we have already mentioned it before, the jaguar is another of the Peruvian mammals in danger of disappearing. In this other post and Green Ecologist we will tell you all about why the jaguar is in danger of extinction.
Peruvian birds in danger of extinction
- Amazon parrot (Nannopsittaca dachilleae)
- Military macawMilitary ara)
- Old Tiluchí (Herpsilochmus gentryi)
Amphibians in danger
- Andean marsupial frog (Gastrotheca riobambae)
- Anchash's water frog (Telmatobius ventriflavum)
If you want to know more of these animals, we recommend this other article in which we talk about 20 animals in danger of extinction in Peru. Also, below you can see a gallery of images of these endangered Peruvian animals, which you will find in the same order as these lists.
If you want to read more articles similar to +45 native animals of Peru, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- Saldaña, J. S. & Saldaña, V. Z. (2011) Hunting of wild animals in the community of Brittany, Rio Puinahua-Loreto (Peru). Colombian Journal of Animal Science (RECIA), Volume 3 (2), pp: 225-237.
- Gerken, M. (2008). South American Camelids Research. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic, pp: 375-386.
- Montesinos, I; Catachura, A; Sánchez, J. & Franco, J. L. (2015) Characterization of sheep in the southern coast of Peru. Cambridge University Press, Volume 56, pp: 55-62.
- Quintana, H. & Pacheco, V. (2007) Identification and distribution of vampire bats of Peru. Peruvian Journal of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, Volume 24 (1).
