Mountain Animals

We explain what the animals of the mountains are and how they are classified. Also, all its characteristics and some examples.

What are the animals of the mountains?

The animals of the mountains (a set of small mountains located in a larger mountain system) make up a large group of mammals, reptiles, arthropods and amphibians. They are capable of living in mountain climates with extreme temperature variations.

The mountains have abundant vegetation (which decreases with heights and cold temperatures) and present large grasslands, with bushes, bushes and small trees, to dense forests. Different animals live throughout its entire width.

See also: Wild animals

Examples of animals from the mountains

Some animals that live in the mountains are:

• He Andean condor. It is one of the largest flying birds in the world, with a maximum range of almost four meters. It lives in high altitude areas and rests in the open on inaccessible mountain ledges. It feeds on carrion and, only occasionally, can hunt small animals.
• The cock-of-the-rock (Rupícola peruvianus) It is a bird native to South America that stands out for the color of its plumage, with a combination of orange and black. It lives at altitudes, between nine hundred and two thousand four hundred meters, and feeds on tree seeds.
• The Andean Owl It is a bird of prey that lives in regions of Africa, Asia and Europe, and is very similar to the owl. It has yellow eyes and measures around sixty centimeters, with its wings spread. It is carnivorous and is characterized by swallowing its food instead of chewing it.
• The Andean caracara It is a bird of prey from the falcon family that lives on the cliffs of the mountains, where it usually builds its nest that it reuses year after year. It feeds on small rodents and carrion.
• The mountain lizard (Iberolacerta montícola) It is a reptile that lives in rocky areas at sea level. It feeds on insects and spiders (sometimes also birds). To escape from its predators, it runs very fast until it finds a hiding place.
• The wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). It is an amphibian capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and, for two or three months, it can freeze without dying because it reaches a state of deep hibernation. It can be about seven centimeters long.
• The puma It is one of the largest cats, which is usually seen in the forest areas of the mountains. It is very stealthy and a skilled hunter, who can reach a speed of fifty-five kilometers per hour, and jump up to five meters high.
• The highland fox (Lycalopex culpaeus andinus) It is a subspecies that belongs to the canid family. It feeds on small rodents and carrion. It is solitary or walks in pairs, but does not group in packs. When stalked, he usually pretends to be dead and flees as soon as he can.
• The guanaco It is one of the oldest species of the camelid group. It feeds on grasses, bushes and leaves of small trees. It lives in groups and, when it feels threatened, it launches a spit (very sticky slime with a foul smell) with great aim.
• He calls her It is the most common animal to find in the mountains. It is characterized by being very strong and capable of living four thousand meters above sea level, in areas with abundant grass to feed on (although with little water).
• The alpaca It is from the llama family, although it is smaller, with an average weight of sixty kilograms and a height of one meter. It feeds on herbs, grasses and leaves of trees or bushes. Withstands night temperatures below zero degrees.
• The vicuna It is the smallest of the camelids, with a thin and stylized body. It has large eyes and thick eyelashes (which help keep out dust and sand). They live in closed groups, where members do not separate over time.
• The spectacled bear (Tremarctos Ornatus) It is one of the breeds of bears that are not aggressive and lives in forests in South America, located between one thousand and four thousand meters above sea level. It is omnivorous, although most of its diet is herbivorous, and it can measure up to two meters in height.
• The chinchilla It is a herbivorous rodent, family of vizcachas. It lives in caves located more than five hundred meters above sea level. It is very silent and nocturnal. Its flexible body allows it to make great jumps.
• The Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) It is a very strong and resistant arthropod, whose venom is dangerous only for allergic people. It feeds on other invertebrates and can survive more than two months without eating food, reaching a state of hibernation during the months of intense cold.

Types of animals in the mountains

In the mountain area there is a great diversity of animal species that we can group into:

• Birds Like the Andean condor.
• Mammals Like the chinchilla.
• Reptiles Like the mountain lizard.
• Amphibians Like the wood frog.

Most are endemic species (typical of the place) and others, were inserted by man, so they adapted to the conditions, with the passage of time.

Characteristics of the animals of the mountains

Despite the diversity of species, many of the animals of the mountains share some characteristics that allow them to live in this Andean ecosystem. Three of the most notable are:

• A herbivorous diet The majority maintain a diet based on herbs, grasses, leaves, bushes and tree bark. For this reason, animals like the vicuña have teeth similar to those of rodents, which allow them to chew the hardest plants. Other animals are omnivores and, to a lesser extent, carnivores and scavengers.
• They withstand cold temperatures. Especially at night, temperatures can be below zero degrees. Some animals have a body temperature system that allows them to withstand these strong external conditions. Most mammals and birds have fur or feathers that act as insulation to protect against extreme cold. Others, such as reptiles and amphibians, can hibernate during the winter months.
• Prepared to observe at great distances Birds of prey, which live in the highest areas of the mountains, have powerful eyesight that makes it easier for them to hunt their prey. On the other hand, herbivorous animals such as the alpaca have high necks that place their vision in a high position. This way they can warn the arrival of their predators and flee from them.

• jungle animals
• desert animals
• Forest animals
• sea ​​animals
• Animals of the African savanna

References

• “The Cock of the Rock, an exotic bird in danger of extinction” in Innovainformativa.wixsite.com
• “Rupicola peruvianus” on Wikipedia.org
• “Llama” on Nationalgeographic.es
• «Guanaco» in Animalesargentinos.com.ar
• “Spectacle Bear” in Centroestudioscervantinos.es