Chilean Flora and Fauna

Introduction

Wildlife observation consists on observing the natural flora and fauna of an area with recreational, educational or research aims. In Chile, it is a very common and highly valued activity, given its biodiversity.

The Chilean fauna and flora

Chile has a less diverse fauna and flora than some other countries, yet it's particularly interesting due to its high percentage of endemic species. This has made our ecosystem quite vulnerable to change and intervention, be it human or animal, thus threatening the existence of several species.

To control these threats, Chile has a network of parks and natural reserves that protect a representative set of ecosystems that exist throughout the country. These protected areas are administrated by the National Forest Service (CONAF), which manages and protects these zones so as to improve their development.

In the North of Chile, fauna is determined by two very distinct ecosystems. On the one hand, the Atacama Desert - the driest in the world - limits both the amount and variety of species. However, at an altitude of more than 3,500 meters (11,480 ft), the influence of the Bolivian tropical climate produces a particular environment. It is characterized by strong rains in summer and rich, low altitude vegetation that allows the existence of numerous animal species. This is precisely what happens in Lauca National Park, located in the first region, where almost a third of all the bird species that exist in Chile can be found. Perhaps, the most remarkable of these birds is the Andean Flamingo, the biggest of the three species of flamingo living in the North.

A greater variety of animals can be found in the Central Valley. The reason is very simple: here, the climate conditions are better with temperatures rarely falling below 0ºC. The most common animals found in this area are mice, foxes and other small mammals. Pumas still roam in several national parks.

There is also a rich variety of birds in this zone. Near Santiago, there are many habitats for birds such as the Crag Chilia or Chiricoca, Moustached Turca, Diademed Sandpiper-plover, Black-fronted Ground-tyrant and the Grey-flanked Cinclodes.

In spite of having a more severe climate, the South features a fascinating fauna. In the forests, for example, there are two species of deer: the small pudú, which is found in Puerto Montt, Chiloe and Valdivia, and the huemul, in Chiloé, Aysen and Magellan.

In Patagonia, guanacos, foxes, pumas and ñandúes roam free (ñandu is a native South American bird similar to the ostrich, but smaller). Together with the Chilean flamingo, the ñandu is among the most easily observed.

Moreover, the sea fauna in Southern Chile and the Far South is magnificent. But possibly the most remarkable mammals are the whales, who meet in Antarctica to feed themselves on krill and, when the temperatures drop, they head North to mate in tropical seas.

Destinations

The places that best represent the flora and fauna of a region are mostly national parks, natural reserves and monuments. Next, we present to you some of them:

Big North
Lauca National Park
Pan de Azúcar National Park

Small North

Fray Jorge National Park

Central Valley

La Campana National Park
Rapa Nui National Park
Juan Fernández Archipelago National Park
Los Cipreses National Reserve
Radal 7 Tazas National Reserve
Altos de Lircay National Reserve
Torca Lagoon National Reserve

Araucanía and Lakes District

Laguna del Laja National Park
Huerquehue National Park
Tolhuaca National Park
Conguillio National Park
Puyehue National Park
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

Northern Patagonia

San Rafael Lagoon National Park
Queulat National Park

Southern Patagonia

Torres Del Paine National Park
Milodon Cave Natural Monument


Related Articles:

Elqui Valley
The Flowering Desert: Life in a Desert
Torres del Paine National Park: Tourism and Nature in the South of Chile
Río de los Cipreses National Reserve: Ecoturism in The O'Higgins Region
La Campana National Park: The Last Refuge of the Chilean Palm Tree
Monumento Natural El Morado: Cerca del Santiago y del Cielo
Bitácora de un Crucero de Aventura a la Península Antártica
Yerba Loca: Natural Sanctuary amid the Andean Range
Altos del Lircay Natural Reserve: Between Forests and Hills
San Pedro de Atacama

Recommendations

Basic Aspects
Many of our native species, both in the animal and plant kingdoms, are in serious danger of extinction. In order to reverse this decline, it is fundamental to respect habitats and species. When you visit a protected area, respect the delicate balance of the ecosystem and avoid interfering with it. In cases where it is inevitable, please try to minimize risks and impacts.

In Chile, there are no species that represent great danger to human beings, like snakes or poisonous insects. The only possible exception is the puma, the only great cat from these latitudes. However, he usually avoids contact with people, therefore it's very difficult to observe in its natural environment.

Ecological

• Be respectful of nature.
• Do not dump garbage. If you brought it with you, take it with you. If you can, dispose properly of any litter you find.
• Build fires only in designated places.
• Do not collect flora and fauna specimens.
• Whenever it is possible, stay only on marked trails.
• Do not paint or mark on stones and trees. Nobody needs to know you were there.
• If you need to go to the toilet, dig a hole of 25 cm (10 inches) deep and cover it completely. This must be done least 30 m (100 feet) away from any water source (rivers, lakes, ponds).
• Try not to leave traces of your visit. This will allow everyone to enjoy such places in their best condition.

Safety

• Take a medicine kit with you and always go in a group (preferably at least three people)
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight can be harmful. Wear a hat and use the appropriate sunscreen lotion.
• Inform the park authorities and relatives or friends about your intended route.

Equipment

For wildlife watching you do not need lots of equipment. Nevertheless, there things that you must not forget.

• Clothes that are not too flashy.
• Binoculars.
• Camera.
• First aid kit.
• Hat and sunscreen lotion. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can be risky.

GoLinks

Organizations
Corporación Nacional Forestal (Conaf)
259 Bulnes Ave.
Office 604
Santiago
Phone (56-2) 696 66 77

Comité Nacional Pro Defensa de la Flora y Fauna (Codeff)

Fundación Terram
 Website with articles on environment, pollution and natural resources, among others. It's goal is to create a sustainable development proposal in the country.

Pumalín Park
Information about the biggest private park in the world, services, features and project's aims.

Webs
Chilean Birds
Website on Chilean birds, with pictures, sounds, species descriptions, places to watch and much more.

Chile Bosque
Diffusion project of Chilean forests' native flora species.

Unión de Ornitólogos de Chile
Organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of birds and their environments.

Chile Silvestre
Wild life photography

Books
A Wildlife Guide to Chile: Continental Chile, Chilean Antarctica, Easter Island, Juan Fernandez Archipelago
Author: Sharon Chester
2008