Fauna of the Andes facts for kids

The wild guanaco is a close relative of the domestic llama

The fauna of the Andes refers to the amazing animals living in the Andes mountains of South America. This huge mountain range is home to a vast variety of creatures. Many of these animals are found nowhere else on Earth! The Andes are especially important for amphibians, with nearly 1,000 different kinds. About two-thirds of these amphibians live only in the Andes.

The Andes mountains boast incredible animal diversity. You can find almost 600 types of mammals, with about 13% being unique to the region. There are over 1,700 kinds of birds, and about one-third of them are found only here. More than 600 types of reptiles call the Andes home, with nearly half of them being unique. Plus, almost 400 kinds of fish swim in its waters, and about one-third of these are also unique to the Andes.

Amazing Mammals of the Andes

The Andean cat is rarely seen and generally not well-known

The spectacled bear is the only South American bear

In the high plains, called the Altiplano, you can spot wild animals like the vicuña and guanaco. These animals are related to the llama and alpaca. Local people have raised llamas and alpacas for a long time. They use them as pack animals to carry things, and also for their soft wool and meat.

Cougars, also known as mountain lions, also live in the Andes. They are important animals in many Andean cultures. Another interesting mammal is the chinchilla. These small, furry rodents are active at night. They live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. Sadly, chinchillas are rare in the wild, but they are well-known as pets. The guinea pig is another domestic animal that first came from the Andean region. Other wild mammals in the high Andes include the huemul deer and different types of foxes.

Some parts of the Andes have special "cloud forests." These forests are very rich in plants and animals. However, they have fewer large mammals. Exceptions include the mountain tapir, the spectacled bear, and the yellow-tailed woolly monkey. These animals are special and need our protection. The spectacled bear is the only bear species found in South America!

Birds of the Andean Skies

Adult male Andean condor, the largest flying land-bird of the Americas

Colourful tanagers (here hooded mountain tanager) are common in Andean forests

The Andean condor is one of the most famous birds of the Andes. It is the largest flying land-bird in the entire Western Hemisphere! You can find condors throughout the Andes, but they are not very common.

Many other birds live in the open areas of the Andes. These include different kinds of tinamous, the Andean goose, and the torrent duck. You might also see giant coots, flamingos, and the lesser rhea. Other birds like the Andean flicker, diademed sandpiper-plover, and various finches also call these mountains home.

At very high altitudes, above 4,000 meters (about 13,000 feet), you can spot a few types of hummingbirds. Some of these are called hillstars. But you will find many more different kinds of birds at lower altitudes. This is especially true in the humid Andean forests, also known as "cloud forests." These forests grow on the slopes in countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Argentina.

Other birds in these humid cloud forests include colorful mountain-toucans, beautiful quetzals, and the striking Andean cock-of-the-rock. It's common to see groups of different bird species flying together, often led by tanagers and furnariids. Some birds, like wrens, tapaculos, and antpittas, are very vocal but can be hard to spot because they blend in so well with their surroundings.

Certain birds, such as the royal cinclodes and white-browed tit-spinetail, live in special Polylepis woods. These unique trees are found only in the Andes. Because these woods are becoming rarer, the birds that depend on them also need protection.

Aquatic Animals and Their Habitats

Telmatobius is restricted to the Andes and include many threatened species (pictured: T. marmoratus)

The Andes are home to many different water birds. You can find giant coots, Andean geese, and other waterfowl in the lakes. Fast-flowing rivers are home to the torrent duck. In very salty lakes, like Lake Poopó, you might see the Andean avocet and flamingos.

Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in the Andes. Lake Junin is the largest lake entirely within Peru. Both of these lakes are very important. They are home to several unique animals that need protection. These include special grebes, like the Titicaca flightless grebe and the Junin grebe. Giant aquatic frogs, such as the Titicaca water frog and the Lake Junin frog, also live here. These lakes also have unique Orestias fish.

Rivers and streams in the lower mountains have many kinds of fish. However, the highest rivers have fewer types, mostly different kinds of catfish. There are not many large crustaceans in the Andes. But unusual creatures called aeglids can be found up to 3,500 meters (about 11,500 feet) in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.

Unfortunately, many small native aquatic animals in the Andes face challenges. These include pollution and the loss of their natural homes. Also, new types of fish, like trout, have been brought into these waters. These new fish can sometimes harm the native species.