Peru, a privileged place for nature and all the living beings that inhabit it. The Inca country is a paradise of species that amaze the entire world for their appearance, condition and rarity. A pink dolphin? A dog that walks ‘naked’? The only bear native to the continent? Next, get to know specimens that live in Peru and that are unique in their species.
It is considered the national bird of Peru. This beautiful species surprises with its plumage and the harmony between its colors: it has a beautiful reddish-orange color on the head that goes down to the chest and the mantle (what would be the back), to then give way to an elegant black and lead color, which reaches to its wings. Its natural habitat is in the Andean-Amazonian zone and specimens have been recorded in various national parks, protected forests and protected natural areas.
The auquénidos, also known as South American camelids, had to have a place on this list. They are ancient animals that accompanied the Incas and were used for the production of textiles, since their fur was used to prepare clothes, and to a lesser extent as food. Even today, the technique of treating alpaca fur is used to recreate very high quality clothing, required throughout the world.
The only bear native to the South American continent. This is the spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, a unique mammal on the planet. It is unmistakable since it is distinguished by its thick black fur all over its body, except for the chest, face and snout, which are white or cream. Its natural habitat is the forests of the Peruvian Andes.
With a sociable and curious character, this beauty lives in the Amazon of Peru. The pink dolphin is in danger of extinction. Even so, these beautiful mammals can be found in rivers, canals, forests flooded by rain and lakes in the eastern Amazon region. They are not seen very often, although visitors to the Manu National Park, located between the regions of Cusco and Madre de Dios, are often lucky enough to encounter one of them.
The largest flying bird in the world has a Peruvian passport. It is the Andean condor, a specimen that can weigh up to 15 kilograms and measure up to 3 meters wide with its wings extended. It lives in the mountainous areas of Peru and there is an exclusive attraction to tempt you to come across this majestic and imposing animal: a visit to the Colca Canyon, in Arequipa, you can see it soaring through the air.
Lovers of the four-legged creatures have the chance to breed a purely Peruvian specimen. The Viringo is also popularly known as the ‘hairless Peruvian dog’ or ‘calato dog’ and has a history dating back thousands of years: it accompanied the inhabitants of the cultures of ancient Peru: Vicús, Mochica and Chancay. Its shape, represented in ceramics dating back to 300 BC, is that of a dog with no hair on its entire body, except for a few specimens, with fur on the front of the skull.
Its name comes from the Humboldt Current, which brings cold waters from Antarctica to the coasts of Peru. These small and playful animals are very curious and friendly, so it is quite common to see them on your boat trips around San Lorenzo Island (Callao) or the Ballestas Islands (Ica). They are usually accompanied by other species such as sea lions or guano birds.
The wildlife in Peru is unlike any other experience of the natural world. With hundreds of endemic species and thousands of beautiful creatures to get to know, there’s so much to explore. That said, the types of wildlife you’ll see on your trip to Peru will be influenced by which season you choose to visit. When planning a trip with Aracari, we’ll help you organize your itineraries carefully to be sure that you’ll arrive in the right season to see the best wildlife.
