Flora and fauna of Peru

• Megadiverse: it is one of the five most diverse countries on the planet.
• Varied: because it has different climates that give rise to different species adapted to the varied conditions.
• Endemic: although not all biodiversity is endemic, a good percentage is. Approximately between 25% and 30% of Peruvian flora and fauna are only found in this country.
• Aquatic and terrestrial: Peru has territory in the ocean and on land with representative species in both habitats.
• Alpine: There are many important mountains and ranges in Peru, such as the characteristic Peruvian Andes. The diversity that lives there is characterized as alpine flora and fauna and is adapted to conditions such as little available oxygen and cold temperatures.
• Amazon: 60% of Peruvian territory is located in the Amazon jungle.
• Coastal desert: occurs on the coast that faces the ocean.
• Tropical: due to its location completely between the tropics, we can say that it has this characteristic. Although we must not overlook that the climates are varied depending on the altitude.

There are about 19 thousand species of plants in Peru, among which we have orchids, nopales and many domesticated plants of nutritional importance. Let’s see some examples of Peruvian flora.

Potato or potato (Solanum tuberosum)

The potato is currently the basis of many cultures, but many do not know its origin. This food is native to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, where it was domesticated. It was the sustenance of the Inca population, and thanks to its great nutritional contribution and ease of storage, it was brought to Europe during the conquest and began to be integrated into the daily diet.

Bamboo of Machu Picchu (Chusquea delicatula)

This bamboo is very flexible, to the point that its tips touch the ground. Its stems are thin and the leaves are abundant, covering practically the entire plant. It is found in high, cold and arid areas of the Andes, and today it is widely used in landscaping projects thanks to its carpeting nature.

Palo santo (Bursera graveolens)

It is a tree whose wood has a delicious and sweet aroma, which is used to be burned in rituals. There is a lot of global demand for this wood, which is why there is illegal logging. It has been protected in various ways to prevent it from disappearing, so when you buy it, look for it to have a seal of authorized provenance.

Raimondi’s titanic puja (Puya raimondii)

It is located at the top of the Andes mountains, and stands out because it can grow up to 12 meters high. It grows in a spherical shape, with the leaves emerging from the center. The flower stem appears from it, which is the one that becomes very tall. When such a flower appears, the plant dies. On the other hand, it is a very long-lived plant that lives up to 100 years.

Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia)

Among the exotic plants we have camu camu, a shrub that produces red fruits. The fruits of this shrub are rich in vitamin C, and can be found processed as supplements.

The Peruvian fauna consists of about 25 thousand species, with reptiles being the most abundant, followed by birds. These birds are responsible for fertilizing most ecosystems with their excrement, known as guano, and it is thanks to them that the country is so fertile. Let’s now review some of the most popular and peculiar animals of Peru.

Short rhea (Rhea pennata)

They are flightless birds very similar to ostriches, but they only live in South America. It measures 1.5 meters tall, and is characterized by having a very long neck, high legs, and a body covered in gray feathers.

Calls (Lama glama)

This is the most iconic animal in the country, and it is not found anywhere else in the world, except in some areas of South America. The llama has been important since ancient times, as it was domesticated for the production of wool, as a means of carrying and food, thanks to the fact that it tolerates the cold heights of the Peruvian mountains very well.

Peruvian Viringo or Peruvian hairless dogCanis familiaris)

Peruvian viringos are a breed of dog. There are records of them since the pre-Incas, in clay figures, and they were important elements in pre-Hispanic cultures, since they accompanied them as pets and even took them with them after they died.

Also known as the Peruvian dog, it is listed as National Heritage due to its ancient origin. They are peculiar because they lack hair and have dark skin.

Peruvian sea lion (Arctocephalus australis)

This subspecies is distributed along the coasts of Peru and Chile, including some islands. Like other sea lions, it has brown fur and webbed limbs with which it can swim skillfully.

Matamata turtle (Chelus fimbriata)

It is a strange South American turtle, which has a disproportionately large and flattened head, shaped like an axe, with many spikes. This aquatic reptile lives near bodies of water, where it mainly preys on fish.

There are approximately 900 species that live in Peru with some degree of vulnerability. Below, we present some of these animals:

• Yellow-tailed woolly woolly monkey (Oreonax flavicauda): is a simiform primate that lives in the Andes of Peru and is critically endangered.
• Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus): It is the only bear in South America, and is vulnerable to disappearing due to the growing mining industry, excessive hunting and habitat loss. Here you can get to know the spectacled bear or Andean bear better.
• Pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis): stands out because it is not a sea dolphin, but rather a river dolphin. It is endangered due to accidental fishing.
• Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus): the blue whale is threatened, due to hunting, climate change and water pollution.
• mountain tapir is the smallest tapir of all, and it also has thick fur. It is threatened because its meat is consumed as food.

To protect the flora and fauna of Peru, the first thing is to know that there is a large percentage of threatened species, and let your close circle know. Without knowing the problem, it is difficult to take action.

Even if you are not close to the region, you can make decisions with low environmental impact, since everything we consume has an effect on the interconnected global system. Try to reduce your consumption of plastic, which emits carbon dioxide and pollutes the oceans, avoid the consumption of uncertified palo santo, and consider reducing your demand for new materials that require expansion into natural areas.

Additionally, you can collaborate with associations and NGOs that operate in Peru to protect its flora and fauna, and the environment in general.

If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and fauna of Peru, we recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category.