What animals lives in the Atacama desert?

What animals lives in the Atacama desert?

Colonies of seals, penguins, terns, gulls, cormorants, boobies, pelicans, and oystercatchers can all be found along the coast as well. Despite its barren and inhospitable nature, the Atacama is a uniquely beautiful and atmospheric place, well worth a visit if travelling to the region.

Do chinchillas live in desert?

Chinchillas live in the harsh, windy climate high of the Andes, from the middle elevations up to 15,000 feet or more. The semi-desert terrain is rugged and temperatures vary greatly within a single day, with highs reaching 80 degrees and lows near freezing.

Where do chinchillas live in the desert?

HABITAT AND DIET Living in the barren, arid, rugged areas of the Andes of northern Chile at unforgiving altitudes of 9,800 to over 16,000 feet (3,000 to 5,000 meters), chinchillas hole up in rock crevices or dig burrows at the base of rocks.

Where do chinchillas live naturally?

They live on the rocky slopes of the Andes Mountains at elevations between 9 and 15 thousand feet. The land is arid, with sparse vegetation and plenty of rock cover. Chinchillas were once common along the entire western coastline of South America, but are now limited mainly to the countries of Bolivia, Peru, and Chile.

Do Flamingos live in the desert?

Chile’s hardiest avian denizen is the most visible inhabitant of the desolate Atacama Desert. The unmistakable pink flamingos stand out against the lunar landscape, which is dotted with saline lagoons of emerald hues, distorted by heat waves rising from glistening salt flats and framed by snow-capped mountains.

Do chinchillas live in tundra?

Chinchillas Chinchillas are crepuscular alpine tundra animals that inhabit the Andes mountains in South America. These rodents live in large colonies at elevations as high as 14,000 feet. The number of chinchillas has reduced considerably due to the hunting of these animals for their fur.

Where are the flamingos in Atacama?

See flamingos in the salt flats Visit a flamingo colony and colourful high-altitude lakes on a drive through the hallucinatory landscapes of the Atacama salt flats. It’s a rewarding trip from San Pedro de Atacama out into the salt flats where flamingos lend a sprinkle of pink to an already colourful scene.

Where does a chinchilla live in the world?

Chinchillas live in the Andes mountains of Chile, near the Atacama Desert. It is dry, rocky, cold and difficult to access. Before they were widely hunted, they lived across Peru, Bolivia and northwestern Argentina too. Pet chinchillas are originally from here, but were captive-bred in places around the world.

What’s the life expectancy of a chinchilla?

Chinchilla life expectancy Chinchillas living in their natural habitat at Andes Mountains in South America can live for 10 years, while those in captivity and given proper care can live up to 15 or even 20 years. The oldest chinchilla ever was 29 years old when he parted this world in Acton, California, USA on 18 September 2014.

How are chinchillas adapted to their natural habitat?

Chinchillas have adapted to this environment and use it to their advantage. They spend half of the day sleeping in small rock crevices and burrows. These places provide them with shelter. Chinchillas can also hide under certain large, leafy plants with spiky leaves. They recognize predators coming because chinchillas have great hearing.

What’s the best way to dry a chinchilla?

You can use a towel to dry a chinchilla, although you must be careful. Take your pet from its enclosure and place it on a towel. Then, take the towel and rub it gently against your pet’s sides, without squeezing it. Begin by stroking your pet with the towel from its head to its tail. Then, rub its fur in a light circular motion all along its body.