The diversity of native animal species of Peru is very extensive and varied. Peru is one of those with the greatest biodiversity in the world, its fauna being one of the best proofs of this.
Peru has the first place in marine and continental fish, close to 2,000 species; record in butterflies, 4,000 species; and a creditable second place in birds, 1,816 species. Also, third place in number of amphibian species, 449, and third place in mammals, 515 species.
In addition to diversity, in Peru there are unique fauna species in the world. Next, we present the native animal species of Peru:
Vicuña
The vicuña is a wild camelid with short and fine hair native of the Peruvian Andes, it measures approximately 1.50 meters high, 90 cm long and weighs between 30 and 50 kilos.
In Peru there are three types of vicuñas that are bred in Junín, Ayacucho and Puno. The vicuña has the finest wool in the world and each animal produces between 50 and 100 grams of this fiber. It is important to note that Peru is the first producer of vicuña fiber in the world.
Llama
Member of the camelid family, this animal native to the Andes lives at altitudes greater than 4,000 meters above sea level.
It is a domestic animal that was trained in Peru between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago. It has a long neck and its upper lip is split. Llama fiber is highly sought after, as it is softer than wool.
Alpaca
Peru is the largest alpaca breeder in the world. Alpacas are one meter tall and weigh approximately 70 kilograms, they are divided into two breeds, Huacaya and Suri.
Its main point of difference is the characteristic of its wool. It is important to note that Peru has 90% of the total alpacas in the world and that it produces 7,000 tons of alpaca fiber annually.
Cuy or Guinea Pig
Rodent mammal native of Peru. It can reach a weight of 1 kg and can live from five to eight years.
Experts point out that the consumption of its meat is a nutritious and nutritional source for humans due to its protein content and low level of fat. On the other hand, it is an animal that is also domesticated as a pet, especially for young children.
Condor
It is a kind of huge bird, one of the largest in the world with the ability to fly. They can weigh up to 15 kilograms and their wings measure around three meters. It lives in the Andes Mountains and can be seen by tourists in the famous spectacle of the “flight of the condor” in the Colca Valley in Arequipa and other areas of the Peruvian highlands. It is currently in danger of extinction as it is captured to sell its bones and feathers.
Gallito de las Rocas or Cock of the Rocks
The cock of the rocks is the national bird of Peru. They live in the cloud forests of the Peruvian Amazon. The males have a very colorful plumage of orange and black, while the plumage of the females is dull, brown.
Pingüino de Humboldt or Humboldt Penguin
Its natural habitat is the Pacific Ocean, along the west coast of Peru where the Humboldt current meets. They can be seen in the Ballestas Islands, located in the department of Ica and other coastal islands such as San Lorenzo in the Constitutional Province of Callao.
In adulthood they can measure up to 60 centimeters and their approximate weight is 4.5 kilograms. One of its characteristics is to have a black back, a white belly and a black band on the chest.
Delfin Rosado or Pink Dolphin
It is the largest river dolphin in the world. Being 2.5 meters long and weighing approximately 100 kilograms, the so-called ‘Amazon dolphin’, has a gray color at birth, however, as it grows, it takes on the pink tone that characterizes it.
Perro Sin Pelo del Perú or Peruvian Hairless Dog
Dog breed native to Peru that can mostly be found on the coast of the country. Its existence dates from pre-Inca times, it has been represented in ceramics by different cultures such as Mochica, Chancay and Chimú.
The hairless dog is recommended as a pet for families where one of its members has asthma or a respiratory disease, since not having hair prevents allergies and bronchial problems.