Patagonia is a place like nowhere else on the planet. The natural beauty of this place will blow you away. Occupying such a big region at the tip of South America, there are so many different ecosystems and landscapes. From huge glaciers that have carved fjords into the earth, to places with temperate rainforests, or grasslands and dry deserts. Because of the diversity of the land, there are so many natural wonders to admire and to experience. However, it isn't just the landscapes that will leave you speechless, this region is occupied by some of the most incredible species of wildlife. The diversity in the ecosystems allows for even more diversity among the animals that live there. Before you go on your trip you might want to have an idea about what kinds of species that you might see there. Although you most likely will see more than we can list, here are a few of the most well-known animals of Patagonia:
Andean Puma
The Andean Puma, or the mountain lion, is the biggest predator in this region. This feline is one of the most versatile animals on Earth and can adapt to almost any ecosystem. Although they are big cats and can weigh up to 220 lbs, they are very stealthy hunters so it might be hard to catch a glimpse of one, but if you do you will be amazed by their beauty and majesty.
Hairy Armadillo
One of the more famous animals of Patagonia is the Hairy Armadillo. These creatures are extremely good diggers and usually stay hidden underground in their burrows, but you have a high chance of seeing them because of how prevalent they are in this region. You will be able to recognize these guys by all the hair coming out from in between the plates on their backs.
Guanaco
The guanaco is probably the most iconic animal of the entire region of Patagonia. They are a species of Llama that live mostly in the mountainous regions. These animals are big, but still very energetic. They live in groups from 10 to 50 animals, and you will often see them chasing each other around and playing with one another.
Pudu Deer
The southern Pudu deer is the smallest species of deer on the planet. This miniature deer weighs around 25 pounds and only grows to be about 18 inches tall. They like to live in the thick temperate rainforests so that the brush and plants can give them cover from predators. They are very shy creatures and do not like social interaction. They usually travel alone and avoid anything, even their own species members. If they are scared or alarmed, you might here one “bark” before it runs away and hides back in the thick brush.
Magellanic Penguin
Yes, that's right, there are penguins here. The Magellanic Penguins live in the southern regions of Patagonia. These are medium-sized penguins that stand around 30 inches tall. They live in huge colonies or groups where you will see hundreds of them together depending on what time of the year you are down in South America. The chicks usually have brownish feathers while the full-grown adults are black and white with two bands of black going across their chests.
Lesser Rhea
The lesser rhea is also known as Darwin’s Rhea. These flightless birds are one of the species of Patagonia that are under protection for fear that they might be endangered. These enormous birds stand up to 45 inches tall and weigh 50 pounds. They are also extremely fast, which they need to be to escape predators since they can not fly, running at speeds of up to 40 mph. These birds can be found on the Patagonian Steppes of Argentina.
There are hundreds and hundreds more amazing animals that you can find in this unique region of the world that we do not have the time to describe to you, so you will have to see them for yourself on your travels. While you are on your trip, always keep your eyes peeled because you never know which of them you might find if you look closely enough. So pack your bags, bring some binoculars, and get ready to experience all the spectacular wonders that the wildlife in Patagonia has to offer you!