12 animals of Patagonia that you should know

Animals of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia

Generally, Patagonia is usually "divided" into two large areas or regions: the coastal or coastal zone , which is cleared by the Atlantic Ocean on the Argentine side and the Ocean Pacific, in Chile, and the continental or Andean-Patagonian region that includes the most central regions, with predominantly desert climates, up to the Andes Mountains, with a great predominance of humid and glacial forests.

In addition to the differences in the landscape, it is also possible to note that biodiversity is usually different in these regions.In the coastal region, we observe a clear predominance of fish, birds and aquatic mammals, while in the area continental land mammals and species adapted to freshwater bodies, mainly lakes and lagoons stand out.

As in both regions, we find several locations with similar microclimates and environmental conditions in both Chilean Patagonia and the argenti na, it is possible to find many species that inhabit both countries, so we want to start by presenting you the animals of the Chilean Patagonia and Argentina that could be considered of "shared origin" .

1.Guanaco

The guanaco ( Lama guanicoe ) is one of the most representative animals of Patagonia, being popularly known as "llama patagonica".It is a herbivorous mammal native to America South that belongs to the family of camelids , as well as llamas, vicunas and alpacas.Although its population is extended throughout the entire Andes Mountains, the largest concentration is in the Patagonian region.

In fact, it is estimated that almost 95% of the world population of guanacos is in Argentina , where they inhabit from the Puna in the North end of the country, to Tierra del Fuego, its southernmost province.In Chilean Patagonia, the population of Guanacos has experienced an alarming reduction of up to 75% in recent decades, mostly due to the Currently, it is among the protected species in the country and in Chilean Patagonia, the guanacos can be sighted mainly in the Torres del Paine National Park, located in the Magallanes division.

2 Magellan penguin

The penguins are one of the most famous birds that do not fly and in the Patagonian region, it is possible to observe several species of penguins, mainly during migratory times, however, one of the most emblematic animals of Patagonia Argentina and Chile is, without a doubt, the magallan penguin ( Spheniscus magellanicus ), also called Patagonian penguin .

Every year, Magellanic penguins travel to the coast of the Patagonian region to nest with their partners, being generally monogamous.In Chile, we find one of the largest colonies in the world in the Natural Monument " Los Pinguinos ", located in Isla Magdalena National Park.It is estimated that more than 70,000 couples of this species nest in this reserve located in the Strait of Magellan.

Already in the Argentine Patagonia, the magallanic penguins usually build their nests on the shores of the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz , and it is possible to observe very large colonies in the Valdes Peninsula, Punta Tombo and Puerto Deseado.Puntas Tombo stands out for being the largest and most studied site of continental penguins in the world.

3.Toninas

In Chile and Argentina, the various dolphin species that inhabit mainly the cold Patagonian waters are often called "toninas." But the most common dolphins in Argentine Patagonia and Chilean dolphins are southern and dark dolphins.

Dark dolphins, also known as Fitzroy dolphins ( Lagenorhynchus obscurus ), are smaller than the other species of cetaceans odontocetos.However, there is a great variety of sizes among the individuals of this species.In Chile, the larger individuals of Patagonia, which can reach 2 meters in total length, are usually seen.Already in the Argentine Patagonia, there are the smallest Fitzroy dolphins, whose body It is about 1.7 meters long.

Although there are no precise data on its population worldwide, in the decade of 90 there has been intense sighting work in the Patagonian region, from which It has been estimated that about 7,000 specimens lived in the southernmost waters of the Americas.

The southern dolphins ( Lagenorhynchus australis ), also called of antarctic dolphins, they live are an endemic species of southern Patagonia, inhabiting mainly in the icy waters between Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica .Generally, they measure about 2 meters in length and are similar to dark dolphins, but his face is dark gray, my You enter that of the dark dolphins is mostly white.

4.Korrino of Patagonia

The Patagonian skunk ( Conepatus humboldtii ), popularly known as Patagonia chingue , is a small mammal from the family of mefitids that live mainly in the southern part of the Patagonian region.

These little skunks are opportunistic carnivorous animals that maintain nocturnal habits .Their food is based on consumption of bird eggs and small mammals that you can easily hunt thanks to its powerful nose.You can also catch insects and worms to complement your nutrition, especially during winter when food is scarcer.

5.Nandu of Darwin

The nandues ( Rhea ) are birds that do not fly, looking similar to ostriches, but smaller in size and endemic to South America.Currently, two species of denandues are recognized:

• Common nandues or American ( Rhea americana ), which inhabit from the center of Brazil to northern Argentina and eastern Paraguay.
• Darwin Nandues or petisos ( Rhea pennata ), whose population is mainly concentrated in the steppes of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.

Losnandus petisos are relatively small, with a height of approximately 90 cm.They stand out for their running speed, being able to reach speeds of up to 60km/h .In the Patagonian region they have many names, such as petitos, choice, Patagonian nandues, Suri and Andean nuns.Unfortunately, their population has been dramatically reduced in the last decades and, today, p etisos are one of the animals of Patagonia at risk of extinction, mainly due to hunting.

6.Puma

The puma ( Puma concolor ), well known as the "lions of America" ​​, are one of the great Predators of the American continent.Currently, six subspecies of this great cat are recognized and five of them live in South America.The only subspecies that lives in North America is Puma concolor couguar , whose population extends from Canada to Northern Nicaragua.

Among the animals of Patagonia, we find the southern South American puma ( Puma concolor puma or Puma concolor patagonica) , that stands out for being the South American subspecies that best adapts to cold climates.In Chile, its population lives from the central region to the Strait of Magellan, with special concentration in the Torres National Park del Paine .Already in Argentina, they extend from the Central-West to the South Patagonia.In both countries, their population has been reduced in alarm Thanks to hunting, and they are considered as threatened or endangered species, depending on the region.

Animals of Patagonia Argentina

Now, let's talk a little more about the animals of Patagonia that are mainly in Argentine territory .Of course, this does not mean that they cannot also be sighted in Chilean Patagonia , but are often associated more frequently with the ecosystems and culture of Argentina.Let's see below some curiosities about these species of the Argentine Patagonia.

7 patagonian sea

The mara ( Dolichotis patagonum ), also known as Patagonian hare , is a kind of large-sized rodent that It is considered endemic to Argentina, although it can also be found in the extreme south of Chile.Despite its popular name, the mara does not belong to the order of hares and rabbits ( Lagomorpha ), but is classified within the order Rodentia, in which there are also rats, squirrels, capybaras, etc.

Maras stand out for being the largest rodents in the world , whose body weight can vary from 8 to 15 kg.Also, they also attract attention because of their monogamous and faithful behavior to their partner, since most rodents usually mate with different individuals during the reproductive seasons.

8.Southern Franc

The southern right whale ( Eubalaena australis ) arrives annually at the Valdes Peninsula in mid-winter to mate with the arrival of spring, and together with them, they arrive at this very important natural reserve located on the coast of the Argentine province of Chubut, thousands of tourists and researchers eager to see them personally from the continent or in boats.

9 sea lions

The geography of the Atlantic coast of Argentine Patagonia seems to be perfect for the lifestyle of the South American sea lions ( Otaria flavescens ).large aquatic mammals take advantage of the rock formations and the beaches under the cliffs that are so emblematic of the Patagonian coast to rest while sunbathing, with the great advantage of being able to quickly dive into the water to swim, hunt or escape from their main natural predator, killer whales .

Although they can be found along most of the Argentinean Atlantic coast and in some locations cleared by the Pacific Ocean in Chile and Peru, the most numerous colonies and studied are found in the coastal regions of the Argentine provinces of Chubut, mainly in the Valdes Peninsula .

Animals of Chilean Patagonia

Now, the time has come to talk about the Patagonian species that predominate in Chilean territory .Again, we point out that this does not mean that they cannot also live on the Argentine side of the region, but they are more associated with the culture and ecosystems of Chile.Then we discover some curiosities about the animals of the Chilean Patagonia:

10 Darwin's Fox

The Darwin fox ( Lycalopex fulvipes ) is a species of canid considered endemic to southern Chile, where it is also well known as chilote fox .It is a type of small size fox, with a height at the cross of approximately 25 cm and average body weight between 2.5 and 4 kg.Its fur is usually dark gray or black, with some spots reddish in the legs and ears, possibly being confused with the gray fox or squeak.

Unfortunately, it is considered one of the animals in greater danger of extinction , in the IUCN Red List and for Greenpeace.Currently, its population is practically limited to the Chiloe Island and the Nahuelbuta Range , but it can also be to find more scattered in some National Parks in Chilean Patagonia.

11.Huemul

The huemul ( Hippocamelus bisulcus ) is an animal so emblematic in Chile that it is considered as one of its national symbols and is part of the national shield of this country.This species of deer is native to the Andean regions of the Southern Cone of South America , inhabiting mainly in the forests of the Chilean and Argentine Patagonia.It is also a very animal important in Argentina, having been declared a national monument in the 90s.

Currently, the huemul is one of the animals of Patagonia at risk of extinction, thanks to the fact that it has been hunted indiscriminately during more than a century.It is estimated that there are less than 2,000 huemules in the Patagonian region and that its population has been reduced by half in the last 500 years.In Chile, its hunting, possession, capture and commercialization are prohibited by Law 19,473, being one of the most protected species in the country.

12.Pudu

The pudues ( Pudu ) make up a genus of small-sized cervids that are native to the Andean regions of South America.Currently, two species are recognized of pudues:

• North Pudu ( Pudu mephistophiles ) , that lives mainly in North America South, between Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia.
• Pudu del Sur ( Pudu puda ) , that lives only in the Andean forests of central-southern Chile and western Argentina.

Although not one of the most famous animals in Patagonia, the pudu stands out for being the cervix of smaller size known today.It seems that its population is only abundant in the archipelago of Chiloe , which is part of the lake region in Chilean Patagonia.But puddings can also be found in Chile at along the Regions of Araucania and Aysen .In Argentina, the ma The largest number of individuals is in Lanin National Park , in the province of Neuquen.

Patagonia animals in extinction

You should know that some of the animals we have mentioned on this list are in danger of extinction according to the IUCN Red List , are the following:

• Guanaco
• Magellanic Penguin
• Fitzroy Dolphins
• Southern Dolphins
• Patagonian Skunk
• Common Nandues
• Darwin Nandues
• Puma
• Patagonian Mara
• Southern Right Whale
• Sea lions
• Darwin's fox
• Huemul
• North Pudu
• South Pudu

How can you see, all the animals mentioned are in danger of extinction , hence the importance of preserving the habitat of these species and their lifestyle.

If you want to read more articles similar to 12 animals of Patagonia , we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.

Bibliography

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