30 ANIMALS OF THE ECUADORIAN SIERRA AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The most outstanding animals of the Ecuadorian mountains are the condor, the llama, the Andean bear, the vizcuña or the puma, among others. The Sierra del Ecuador, also known as the Ecuadorian highlands, is the area of ​​the Andean mountain range that crosses the country from north to south from Colombia to Peru, with whom it shares this mountain range.

The area consists of two slopes, the western and eastern cordillera, plus the area of ​​the intermountain basin or plateau in the middle of both chains.

Andean toucan (Andigena laminirostris)

The mountain range also integrates numerous volcanoes belonging to the volcanic belt of the Andes that, together with the mountain formations, form landscapes famous for their spectacular geological formation and long snow-capped peaks.

The climate of the Ecuadorian highlands in general is called "eternal spring", with average temperatures per year of between 11.5 ° to 18 °. Its climatic conditions, a combination of mountainous forest and volcanic activity, produce peculiar plant formations that make it stand out for its colorful páramo vegetation.

The Ecuadorian highlands is the most visited region of the territory, so it has a very well-developed tourism industry, based mostly on attractions and sports and recreational mountaineering activities.

Located between 2000 and 4000 meters above sea level, it is the perfect habitat for a great diversity of animals typical of the Andes area. You may also be interested in seeing 20 animals of the Ecuadorian coast and their characteristics.

1- The condor, national bird

The condor is the largest bird of prey in the world. Despite its 10-foot black wing span, 11-kilogram dark body, and clawed feet the size of a man's arm - plus the fist - it is very difficult to find.

It is a threatened species and it is estimated that there are around 100 birds (2016) in isolated populations in the mountain range.

2- Andean toucan

Dark bird with characteristic colorful bill with grayish-blue plumage. It lives in the humid forest areas of the Andes, generally living in pairs or small groups in search of food.

3- Andean rupee

Also called "rooster of the rock" or "rooster of the rocks", it is a very colorful and exotic bird, famous for its red plumage on the chest and head. Its name derives from the humid streams of its habitat, where it makes its nests in the rocks to breed.

4- Crested Quetzal

Also known as the white-tailed quetzal, it is a bird that can be found in the rainy mountain forest areas. It feeds mainly on insects and fruits such as blackberries. Its characteristic song indicates the reproduction period, which is between February and June.

5- Big squat

Vegetarian bird that is found above 4000 meters above sea level in the mountains. Its name originates from its method of camouflage by predators; it bends down, staying still, to blend in with the grass thanks to its color. It is also known as a rufous-bellied squat.

6- Chimborazo Hummingbird

Also called "Ecuadorian star", it is a small bird of the moors above 3000 meters above sea level. It is the species of hummingbird that lives at the highest level. They are famous for the showy blue plumage on the male's head.

7- Colibrí Panegro Trousers

Also known as calzadillo muslinegro zamarillo, it is a small bird from the north of the Andean mountain range.

8- Andean Caracara

It is also known by the name of Matamico Cordillero, it is a native bird of prey of the Andean highlands where there is not much tall vegetation. Usually nests on high cliffs or in the branches of sturdy trees. It feeds on carrion or small rodents.

9- Andean flamenco

Very sociable bird that lives grouped in flocks of numerous individuals among the hundreds or thousands in lakes of South America; especially in lakes with saline concentrations in mountainous terrain between 2300 and 4500 meters above sea level.

10- Andean owl

It is a kind of owl from the humid mountainous forests of the Andes. It is better known as an Andean owl and as a bird of prey it feeds on invertebrates and small mammals.

11- Andean duck

It is generally found in wet swampy areas of the Andean forests or in regions with large bodies of water such as lakes and ponds. It is also known as Andean diving duck, which has a characteristic blue color in the beak of the males.

12- Flame

The famous llama of the Andes is a species of small, woolly camel without a hump that has been used as a beast of burden by generations of inhabitants of the Andean mountain ranges. It has been domesticated for rural life and is often grouped in herds of hundreds of individuals grazing together.

13- Alpaca

Another relative of the camel and similar to the llama. Its domestication was mainly due to its fur, which is used to produce fibrous fabrics, with which the vast majority of the typical handmade clothing of the mountains are made. It is also traditional in some foods.

They are smaller than llamas but their hair grows faster and is abundant; they are often confused especially because it is usual to have both species in the same herd. Their ears are pointed and thin.

14- Vicuña

Wild species related to the llama and the alpaca. Vicuñas are small and deer-like that roam free in small groups through the Andean highlands.

Their fur produces textile fibers that are considered among the most valuable in the world. It is a threatened species and killing it for its skin is limited or totally prohibited.

15- Guanaco

Another species related to the llama, alpaca and vicuña but of a wild nature. It is a protected species but its rougher skin is less desirable in the market, which has allowed it to grow in numbers in the southern highlands of the Ecuadorian highlands. It is a species with little colorful fur and small ears.

16- Andean Puma

It is a species of grayish-brown mountain feline related to the American puma concolor. It is a solitary predator that is part of the group of big cats on the planet.

It likes to feed mainly on deer but it is easy for it to adapt its diet for other smaller mammals. Like all great cats, they hunt their prey with a combination of stealth and power.

17- Moor Deer

It is a species related to the white-tailed deer. Like its immediate cousin, it is usually found by inhabiting the driest and highest areas of the mountainous forests. Their diet is very varied, from leaves, branches, grass, moss and fungi to fruits and seeds. It is the preferred prey for pumas and jaguars.

18- frontin bear

Also called "spectacled bear" or "Andean bear", it is the only species of bear that lives in South America and the smallest of all. Its habitat is distinctly Andean, concentrating on the rain forests of the Andean mountain range. It is a large, dark-furred omnivorous animal with characteristic light-colored rings around the eyes.

19- Highland fox

Cunning Andean canine with long, thick tail and pointed ears. It is a solitary mammal that hunts small prey and fish, but it can also feed on fruits and vegetables.

It is an animal easily adapted to different environments, from more tropical forests to coastal areas and mountainous regions and moorlands. It is also known as Red Fox.

20- Vizcacha rabbit

It is a rabbit-like rodent that was recently discovered in southern Ecuador (2007). It is also known simply by the name of vizcacha because it does not really belong to the species of rabbits. It feeds on herbs and seeds.

21- Woolly Tapir

Also known as Andean tapir or páramo tapir, it is the species of tapir that lives exclusively in the Andean highlands. They generally live near water or in swamps where they usually spend a lot of time swimming. It likes to feed on plants in humid areas and prefers those that are under water. It also usually eats fruits.

22- Andean opossum

Also known by the name of the fox or white-eared opossum, it is a species of marsupial with grayish fur that lives in the mountainous regions of the Andes; it is famous for lacking hair on its tail. It hunts small mammals, birds, snakes, and insects. It is common to find them near areas populated by humans, especially when going through the garbage.

23- Jaguar

The largest feline in South America and famous for being the protagonist of many local and legendary stories in the Andes. They hunt large animals such as deer and tapirs and often ambush their prey from the trees.

24- Ocelot

Called tigrillo or Andean cat, it is a small spotted feline that can be found in the lower areas of the Andean mountain range on both sides. Hunt small prey close to the ground.

25- White-fronted Capuchin Monkey

It is a primate with creamy brown fur that lightens towards the chest and the face is white. It is an omnivorous species.

26- Andean mouse

Image recovered from flickr via Sergio Bitran.

It is a small terrestrial marsupial that feeds on small invertebrates. It is more common to find it in the area of ​​Peru, but it can also inhabit the Ecuadorian highlands.

27- Long-lipped bat

Flying mammal from the Andean north of Ecuador on both sides of the mountain range.

28- Long-tailed weasel

Elongated and very agile carnivorous mammal whose tail is as long as the rest of its body. It can be found in the more temperate zones of the mountainous forest.

29- Boba Snake

Inoffensive reptile 60 centimeters long, greenish in color. It lives in the driest parts of the mountainous forests of the Andes between 2,600 and 3,300 meters above sea level.

30- Trout from the Andes

Abundant fish from the central lakes of the Andean mountain range, especially in El Cajas National Park.

References

• Chelsea Schmidt (2012). South America Travel. Backpackers Travel Community. 2backpackers.com.
• Lonely Planet. Park in Cotopaxi National Park. lonelyplanet.com.
• National Geographic. Animals Database. National Geographic Partners. nationalgeographic.com.
• com Chanel. Explore the Ecuadorian Andes and Highlands (Sierra) of Ecuador. ecuador.com.
• Cotopaxi National Park. Wildlife Viewing. Frommer Media LLC. frommers.com.
• Halberstadt Jason. Andes. Ecuador Explorers. MetaMorf. SA ecuadorexplorer.com.
• Fauna Web Ecuador. Vertebrate database. QCAZ Museum of Zoology. zoologia.puce.edu.ec.
• Cotopaxi Tours. Saw. in-quito.com.
• Birding in Quito. Web Picture Database. birds.quito.com.