Mountains are big tall landforms with peaks and slopes. They are cold and sometimes snowy. Lots of animals live there. Here’s a look at some of the animals that call the mountains their home.
What are Mountain Animals?
Mountain animals are creatures that live in high-altitude regions, such as mountains and rugged terrains. These animals have adapted to the harsh conditions found in these areas
Animals Live in Mountain
Here are some examples of animals that are commonly found living in mountainous regions:
- Andean Condor
- Snow Leopard
- Golden Eagle
- Himalayan Monal
- Vicuña
- Snowcock
- Mountain Pygmy-possum
- Tibetan Wolf
- Alpine Ibex
- Mountain Lion (Puma/Cougar)
- Alpine Marmot
- Himalayan Tahr
- Chamois
- Tibetan Sand Fox
- Chinchilla
- Himalayan Snowcock
- Himalayan Brown Bear
- Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
- Alpine Accentor
- Alpine Salamander
- Mountain Gorilla
- Pyrenean Desman
- Japanese Macaque (Snow Monkey)
- Mountain Goat
- Rocky Mountain Elk (Wapiti)
Facts about Mountain Animals
There are several animals that are specifically adapted to living in mountainous regions. Here is a list of animals known for inhabiting mountain environments:
- Snow Leopard: Native to the high mountains of Central and South Asia, snow leopards are elusive and endangered big cats known for their beautiful fur and incredible climbing abilities.
- Alpine Accentor: This small songbird is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, including the Alps and the Himalayas. It is known for its melodious song and is well adapted to high-altitude environments.
- Alpine Marmot: These large ground-dwelling squirrels are found in the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe. They live in burrows and are known for their distinctive whistling calls.
- American Pika: A small herbivorous mammal, the American pika is found in the mountains of western North America. They live in rocky alpine areas and are known for their distinctive “haystacks” of dried vegetation.
- Andean Condor: The Andean condor is a large vulture found in the Andes Mountains of South America. It has the largest wingspan of any bird in the Western Hemisphere and is well adapted to soaring in mountainous areas.
- Bighorn Sheep: These impressive wild sheep are native to North America and are particularly known for their large curved horns. They inhabit rugged mountainous terrain, such as the Rocky Mountains.
- Chamois: Chamois are goat-antelopes that inhabit the European Alps and other mountain ranges in Europe. They are well adapted to steep, rocky terrain and have excellent jumping and climbing abilities.
- Golden Eagle: A majestic bird of prey, the golden eagle is found in mountainous habitats across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. They nest on cliffs and hunt for small mammals and birds.
- Himalayan Monal: This colorful bird is found in the Himalayas and other mountain ranges of Central Asia. The male has vibrant plumage with metallic colors and an impressive long tail.
- Himalayan Musk Deer: This small deer species is found in the Himalayas and other mountainous regions of Central and East Asia. It has prominent canine teeth and is known for its musk-producing gland.
- Himalayan Tahr: Found in the Himalayas, this species of ungulate is closely related to wild goats and mountain goats. They have a shaggy coat and inhabit high-altitude alpine meadows and rocky slopes.
- Ibex: Ibex are wild goats that inhabit mountainous regions in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are agile climbers and have long, curved horns. Species include the Alpine ibex, Nubian ibex, and Siberian ibex.
- Japanese Macaque: Also known as snow monkeys, Japanese macaques inhabit various mountainous regions in Japan. They are known for their ability to endure cold temperatures and are often seen bathing in hot springs.
- Markhor: This species of wild goat is native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. The male markhor has impressive corkscrew-shaped horns.
- Mountain Goat: Also known as the Rocky Mountain goat or the Alpine ibex, these sure-footed ungulates inhabit rugged mountainous regions across North America and Europe. They have adapted to steep slopes and are excellent climbers.
- Mountain Gorilla: One of the two subspecies of gorillas, the mountain gorilla lives in the dense forests of the volcanic mountains of Central Africa, primarily in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Mountain Lion: Also known as pumas or cougars, mountain lions are large predatory cats found in the Americas. They inhabit various mountain ranges from the Rockies in North America to the Andes in South America.
- Pika: Pikas are small mammals closely related to rabbits. They inhabit mountainous areas of North America, Asia, and Europe. They live in rock crevices and build hay piles to survive harsh winters.
- Tibetan Sand Fox: Found in the Tibetan Plateau and other high-altitude regions of Central Asia, the Tibetan sand fox is known for its distinctive sandy-colored fur and bushy tail. It hunts small mammals and birds.
- White-tailed Ptarmigan: This bird species is well adapted to alpine environments and is found in mountainous regions of North America and Eurasia. It has camouflaged plumage that changes color with the seasons.
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