Animals in the Atacama Desert
In the Atacama desert there are a large amount of animal species that live and breed in the desert. These animals include:
BIRDS- are probably the largest of all groups in the Atacama, some animals include:
* Humboldt penguins- live here all year round.
* Andean Flamingos- move about to eat the algae.
* Hummingbirds and Sparrows- visit the Lomas seasonally to feed on the insects, nectar, seeds and flowers.
MAMMALS- because of the deserts aridity, only a few species of mammals live in the Atacama. These mammals include:
* Darwin's leaf-eared mouse- feeds on grass, seeds and insects.
* The South American grey fox- also an omnivore, lives on eggs, fruit, lizards and rodents.
* Vicunas- laze in areas where the grass is irrigated by the snow.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS- The Atacama has only a few species of reptiles and amphibians because of the harsh conditions. some species include:
* The Vallenar toad- lays eggs in permanent ponds and streams.
* Iguanas and Lava- lives in parts of the desert.
* Salt flat lizards- boarders the dry areas of the land.
INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS- most parts of the Atacama deserts are to dry to sustain even insect life. These insects include:
* Sand-coloured grasshopper- blends in with the stones and pebbles on the desert floor.
* Beetles and the larvae- provide valuable food for in the Lomas.
BIRDS- are probably the largest of all groups in the Atacama, some animals include:
* Humboldt penguins- live here all year round.
* Andean Flamingos- move about to eat the algae.
* Hummingbirds and Sparrows- visit the Lomas seasonally to feed on the insects, nectar, seeds and flowers.
MAMMALS- because of the deserts aridity, only a few species of mammals live in the Atacama. These mammals include:
* Darwin's leaf-eared mouse- feeds on grass, seeds and insects.
* The South American grey fox- also an omnivore, lives on eggs, fruit, lizards and rodents.
* Vicunas- laze in areas where the grass is irrigated by the snow.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS- The Atacama has only a few species of reptiles and amphibians because of the harsh conditions. some species include:
* The Vallenar toad- lays eggs in permanent ponds and streams.
* Iguanas and Lava- lives in parts of the desert.
* Salt flat lizards- boarders the dry areas of the land.
INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS- most parts of the Atacama deserts are to dry to sustain even insect life. These insects include:
* Sand-coloured grasshopper- blends in with the stones and pebbles on the desert floor.
* Beetles and the larvae- provide valuable food for in the Lomas.