By Josie
February 6th, 2023
Yes, we're speaking about the country, not the spice.
This mesmerising country situated on the west coast of South America has many beautiful hidden treasures
Guanacos are related to camels, as are vicunas, llamas, and alpacas.
Guanacos and vicunas are wild animals, but llamas and alpacas have been domesticated.
Unattached bachelor males form herds of their own—these can include as many as 50 or more animals.
When a female guanaco gives birth, her new born, known as a chulengo, is able to walk immediately and can keep you with their herd immediately.
Compared to a guanaco, the vicuña is only about half the size, has a smaller tail, and finer wool.
The vicuña (pronounced ve-coon-ah) is a species native to the Andes mountain, closely related to the guanaco.
Vicuñas occupy the grasslands of the central Andes mountains and are adapted to very high elevations.
In fact, most vicuñas are found between 10,000 and 15,000 feet – higher than most mountains in many parts of the world.
Armadillos are barrel-shaped animals covered with natural armor.
In fact, its name in Spanish means “little armored one.”
Sadly, hey are also known as the “Hillbilly Speed Bump” for their tendency to get run over by vehicles.
Armadillos have pointy snouts and long, sticky tongues, similar to anteaters, which are close cousins.
Their eyesight is poor, so they hunt with a highly developed sense of smell.
Pumas inhabit 28 countries in the Americas, and Patagonian pumas, one of the largest subspecies, can be found from Arica to Magallanes near the tip of Chile.
Prowling the rocky crags and forests, these agile, sharp-eyed cats are extremely proficient night hunters, with a highly developed sense of smell and hearing.
Pumas in Patagonia are threatened by a loss of prey as agricultural developments infringe on their habitat.
As the population of guanacos decreases from having to compete for grass with introduced livestock, pumas resort to hunting the sheep of ranchers.
Chile is famously known for its production of red wine and pisco, but these extraordinary animals is just another reason to visit Chile.