Patagonia's Wildlife

Wildlife at the End of the World

Patagonia is a paradise for wildlife observation — the low population density and vast protected areas have preserved an astonishing biodiversity:

On Land

• Guanaco: The wild relatives of llamas are found everywhere in Patagonia — in Torres del Paine, they graze completely unperturbed next to the hiking trails. Herds of 10–30 animals are common
• Puma: Torres del Paine has one of the highest puma densities in the world. The large predators hunt guanacos, and with some luck (and a specialized tracking guide), you can observe them hunting. Puma tracking tours from Puerto Natales: from 200,000 CLP/person
• Andean Condor: The king of the skies with a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters circles over mountains and cliffs. Best seen in Torres del Paine and along the Carretera Austral
• Darwin's Rhea: Ostrich-like flightless birds that live in the Patagonian steppe — named after Charles Darwin, who described them on his Beagle voyage
• Huemul: Chile's national emblem animal — a rare Andean deer that is endangered. With much luck, seen in remote areas of Torres del Paine or along the Carretera Austral
• Fox (Zorro): Chilla and Culpeo foxes are common in Patagonia and surprisingly tame

In and by the Water

• Magellanic Penguins: Over 120,000 pairs breed on Isla Magdalena near Punta Arenas (October–March). There are also smaller colonies on Chiloé and along the Carretera Austral
• Sea Lions: Found along the entire Patagonian coast — especially numerous in the fjords and at fishing ports
• Elephant Seals: The largest seals in the world (bulls up to 4 tons!) live on the Patagonian coast
• Whales: Blue whales, humpback whales, and orcas migrate through Patagonia's waters. In Parque Marino Francisco Coloane (near Punta Arenas), humpback whales can be observed from November to April
• Chilean Dolphin (Tonina): One of the smallest dolphins in the world, lives in the fjords and channels of Patagonia