Peru is a country primarily known for its amazing destinations of historical and archaeological interest, but it has much more to offer. Thanks to its great geographic diversity, it has amazing biodiversity, making it an incredible destination for wildlife watching. You can find from the iconic pelicans in the Ballestas Islands to the Andean condors flying in the scenic landscapes of the Colca Valley. And thanks to the fact that the Peruvian territory is made up of a large part of the Amazon, a great variety of exotic species hide among the lush jungle. Therefore, together with the travel experts of Machu Travel Peru, we would like to tell you a little about the main animals in Peru that you can see on our tours.
Greatest animals of Peru to appreciate in your next vacations
- Peruvian dog
- Andean condor
- Jaguar
- Humboldt penguin
- Amazon river dolphin
- Llamas and alpacas
- Spectacled bear
- Vizcacha
- Puma
- Macaws
PERUVIAN DOG
Among the different animals of Peru, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is the national dog of the Andean country. This dog has a great history, dating back to pre-Inca times. It was venerated by ancient cultures, finding many sculptures dedicated to this particular canine. When you travel around Peru, you will surely meet these little friends. The Peruvian hairless dog has a distinctive appearance, perhaps in your first sighting you think it has some kind of disease, but no. These dogs are happy without their fur.
ANDEAN CONDOR
The Andean Condor is the representative symbol of the magical Peruvian Andes. This majestic animal is intertwined within the numerous Andean traditions and mythology. Within the tradition, it is said that the condor was the only animal capable of communicating with the world of the gods and stars. It was not venerated in vain, as it is one of the largest birds in the world, with a height of 1 meter and a wingspan of about 3.80 meters. In general, it is one of the main attractions in the tours of the Colca Valley and its canyon. So if you are looking to enjoy the flight of the Colca Canyon condors, it is better that you start organizing your tour of the Valley. Without a doubt, it is one of the most famous specimens within the animals of Peru.
JAGUAR
If you are a lover and connoisseur of animals, surely one of your main objectives is to admire the figure of the jaguar in its natural habitat. But this majestic feline is quite camera-shy and very elusive to them. If you don’t want to miss out on the magical presence of the jaguar, it is better that you head towards the Manu Biosphere Reserve, one of the best destinations where to spot the animals of Peru. In certain tours in Peru within the reserve, the possibility of appreciating the feline is offered, although sighting, like that of many other animals, is not guaranteed.
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN
If these little friends were always on your bucket list, a trip to Peru may be the perfect opportunity to appreciate them. Many times a trip to Antarctica is usually not plausible or very comfortable to say, but one of the best things to do in Peru is to be able to visit the beautiful Ballestas Islands. A tour of these islands can satisfy your need to see the penguins and other amazing animals around. Among the different animals of Peru that you can find within the region are Peruvian pelicans, Inca terns, cormorants, and countless other migratory birds.
AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN
In the heart of the Peruvian jungle, you can find one of the most friendly and particular animals of Peru. The Amazon Pink Dolphin is the largest freshwater river dolphin in the world, measuring up to 2.50 meters in length and weighing up to more than 100 kilograms. These beautiful animals are gray at birth, but as they grow they develop their pink hue. Dolphins rely on their sonar to catch fish, turtles, and crabs among other animals since their vision is usually very poor.
LLAMAS AND ALPACAS
I think you may have noticed that no photo of the imposing landscapes of Peru would be complete without the presence of these camelids. Llamas and alpacas have become over the years, one of the most representative symbols of Peru. These animals can be seen in every corner of the Peruvian culture and its traditions. They could not be missing from our list of Peruvian animals.
SPECTACLED BEAR
The Andean Spectacled Bear is one of the most surprising and unique Peruvian Animals. It is the last short-faced bear specimen in the entire world and the only bear in all of South America. The bear’s main habitat is the moist forests that cling to the slopes of the Andes Mountains. The only remaining population of bears lives in high-altitude border regions within northern Peru.
VIZCACHA
The vizcacha is one of the most tender and adorable animals of Peru that exist. This particular rodent has a somewhat plump appearance and looks like a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. This beautiful animal is frequently seen around the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and the Colca Valley.
PUMA
The Puma could be considered one of the most difficult animals of Peru to spot. It is another of the animals with great historical and cultural importance within the country. In some reserves like Tambopata, you may be lucky enough to appreciate its figure among the lush vegetation. The Puma is distributed over a large geographical area, occupying other neighboring countries. In the high regions of the Andes as in the surroundings of Cusco and Arequipa, you can find small populations of these felines.
MACAWS
The vibrant macaw is a representative symbol of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. On some tours inside the jungle, you will be able to head to the clay licks on the banks of the rivers to enjoy the presence of these magical creatures along with other birds in Tambopata. On a trip to the Amazon, you will be able to spot much more than the macaws, from sloths, capybaras, and giant river otters among other animals of Peru.
“IF HAVING A SOUL MEANS BEING ABLE TO FEEL LOVE AND LOYALTY AND GRATITUDE, THEN ANIMALS ARE BETTER OFF THAN A LOT OF HUMANS.”
We hope together with our colleagues from Machu Travel Peru to have helped you. Keep in mind that this list is just a small glimpse of all the biodiversity that our country harbors. If you are interested in our sighting tours, you should contact our distinguished advisors. They can guide you step by step, on how to organize the best excursion of your life.
