The fauna of Puno is part of the biodiversity found in Peru. Due to its unique geographic characteristics, there are a large number of native species in the region.
It should be noted that within the department of Puno is Lake Titicaca, an aquifer extension whose interior and surroundings are home to fauna and flora that are only found in the area.
In order to protect the existing species in the region, on October 31, 1978, through decree No. 185-78-AA, the Titicaca National Reserve was created. It has an area of 36,180 hectares.
The fauna that can be found in Lake Titicaca is estimated to reach 14 fish species typical of the area and other species that have been incorporated into the habitat.
There are also species of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians that reside and visit the reserve.
You may also be interested in this list of exotic animals from Peru.
Most representative fauna of Puno
Mammals
Among the mammals that can be found in the region are:
-The atoj or Andean fox (pseudalopex culpaeus).
-Añas or skunk.
-Eyes or wild cat.
-Vicuna.
-The flames.
-The cougars.
-The vizcacha.
-The wild guinea pig (cavia tschudi).
-Wild hares (sylvilagus brasiliensis).
-The gray deer or taruca.
-The guanaco.
-The spectacled bear.
-Mice from (field of the Muridae family).
Among other species that can be used by man for work or food are: cattle, goats, mules, donkeys, horses, sheep, pigs, and camelids.
Birds
According to the statistics of the region, it is said that there are approximately 60 different species mixed between those that reside in the area and those that migrate. Among them can be found:
-The Titicaca Divers or kele (centropelma micropterum).
-The partridges.
-The Tortolitas.
-The Hummingbirds.
-The Condor.
-The Puna Ducks (Anatidae and Rallidae).
-The frog ducks.
-The totero (Phleocryptes melanops).
-The Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae). These are migratory birds. They are believed to come from the coasts and other areas of South America.
-The White-winged Geese.
-The moorhen.
-The cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus).
-The yanavico (Plegadis ridgwayi).
-The Andean Ñandú or suri.
-The redfish.
-The Andean seagull.
-Chorlos or shorebirds (Charadriidae and Scolopacidae). These are believed to be migrants from the northern part of America.
Amphibians
These are the ones that can be found in the region:
--The common toad (spinolosus).
-The toads (Pleurodema and Gastrotheca)
-The giant Titicaca frog, bullfrog or huankele (Telmatobius culeus). It can reach 60 cm in length and 1 kg in weight. This species was documented in Jacques Cousteau's record in 1969.
-The little frog Kaira.
Reptiles
The most common are:
-The poisonous saccharin.
-The lizards.
-The Viper.
Ichthyofauna
14 species of native fish can be found in the region. In the 1940s, trout and silverside were introduced.
Trout is said to have contributed to the extinction of silversides and shrimp in these waters. Among the most important genres we have:
-Orestias luteus. The yellow carachi.
-Orestias ispi. The ispi.
--Orestias olivaceus. The purple or dwarf carachi.
-Orestias mulleri. The gringuito.
-Trychomycterus (suches and mauris).
-Basilichthys bonariensis. Silverside is found in this genus.
--Oncorhynchus mykiss. The rainbow trout belongs to this genus.
References
- (Peru), IN (1999). Peru, compendium of sociodemographic statistics. California: Editorial Gráfica Monterrico.
- Klarén, PF (2017). Historical Dictionary of Peru. London: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Lillo, CG (2003). Puno: Tacna Volume 3. Peru: PEISA.
- UNDP, P. d. (23 of 11 of 2017). DIAGNOSIS AND INVENTORY OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF FLORA AND FAUNA. Retrieved from
- University, C. (1940). Peruvian Flora and Fauna, Issue 1. Ithaca: Salesian Typographic School.