Below you can find a complete list of Peruvian animals. We currently track 200 animals in Peru and are adding more every day!
Bordered to the north by Ecuador and Colombia, to the east by Brazil and Bolivia, to the south by Chile, and the west by the Pacific Ocean, Peru is unusually rich in wildlife. Indeed, the recognition of the country’s natural resources is in its very constitution, and its National System of Natural Areas was established as far back as 1900.
The great diversity of Peru’s wildlife has much to do with the fact that it contains some of the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Mountains and has a coast on the Pacific Ocean. There are 1800 species of birds, 120 of which are only found in Peru, 500 types of mammals, 300 types of reptiles as well as many species of insects, cetaceans, crustaceans, fish, and seals. Unique species of animal are discovered in Peru on a regular basis, amazing when considering how many animals around the world are going extinct.
The Official National Animal of Peru
The national animal of Peru is the vicuña. Related to the llama, this animal is prized for the quality of its wool, and in ancient times only royalty was allowed to wear clothes made of vicuña wool. The vicuña is an herbivore and much of its diet is made up of the grasses found in its habitat, which are the plains and semi-arid grasslands found in Peru. It is the smallest camelid and stands less than five feet tall on average and weighs between 88 and 132 pounds.
Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Peru
Peru offers many places to find its top wild animals. They include the Ballestas Islands, which are the home of sea lions. Popular Huascarán National Park is one area to see herds vicuña as well as condors and the north Andean deer. The park also has Peru’s highest point, the majestic and snow-capped Mount Huascarán.
Bahuaja-Sonene National Park‘s rivers and hills are home to a variety of birds, including toucans, harpy eagles, egrets, and hummingbirds. It also has the maned wolf and the puma.
In addition to the Andes Mountains, Peru also has one of the world’s deepest canyons in Colca Canyon. This popular tourist site is also home to vicu˜ñas, flamingos, hummingbirds, the Andean condor, and the Andes skunk. Manú National Park has clouds and rainforests as well as grassland. At 4,241,057.9 acres, it is a World Heritage Site and is home to the Andean cock-of-the-rock, which is Peru’s national bird, jaguarundi, deer, sloth, squirrel monkeys, spectacled bears, roseate spoonbills, and ocelots.
Found in the Loreto region of the country, Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve is also a popular place to see the country’s wildlife. Animals include the coati, the jaguar, and the capybara, the world’s largest rodent.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Peru Today
The most dangerous animals in Peru include:
- Puma. This is the South American version of the cougar. It is territorial and an ambush predator. Though it’s rare, the puma has been known to kill humans. These attacks are becoming more frequent as humans start to encroach on the animal’s habitat. Most people killed by pumas are children.
- Jaguar. Like the puma, it is unusual for a jaguar to attack and kill a human being, but it has happened. It is a big and muscular animal with a bite so powerful its teeth can pierce the shells of tortoises and the skulls of human beings.
- Great White Shark. This shark is responsible for most human deaths by a shark. Humans are not the shark’s usual prey, and a bite may be investigatory. However, a grown Great White is so huge that even an investigatory bite can be fatal.
- Venomous Snakes. Of the hundreds of snakes in Peru, about 33 are venomous. One of the most dangerous is the fer-de-lance, or Bothrops asper. It is a pit viper and is especially dangerous because it lives close to humans and is nervous and unpredictable. It has a habit of seeming to flee then doubling back and attacking. In 2019, another venomous snake was discovered in Bahuaja Sonene National Park and named Bothrops sonene.
Endangered Animals In Peru
Though Peru is famous for protecting its unique wildlife, some animals are still threatened with going extinct. These include:
- Amazon river dolphin. This mammal is endangered.
- Amazonian manatee. This is the smallest of the three types of manatee that have not gone extinct and is vulnerable.
- Peruvian night monkey. This little monkey is little studied but considered endangered.
- Marine otter. The marine otter, unique because it lives almost exclusively in salt water, is endangered.
Peruvian Animals
Albatross
The largest wingspan of any bird in the world!
Alpaca
They can spit up to 10 feet.
Amazon Parrot
These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Anteater
Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere!
Arapaima
One of the largest freshwater fish
Armadillo
Can curl into a hard, protective ball!
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Avocet
Has a curved, upturned beak!
Barb
There are over 2,000 known species!
Barn Owl
Found everywhere around the world!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!
Bear
There are 8 different species!
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.
Bee
Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years
Beetle
There are more than 350,000 different species
Bird
Not all birds are able to fly!
Biscuit Beetle
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
Black Widow Spider
They typically prey on insects!
Booby
Seabirds found across the South Pacific!
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 20,000 species!
Caecilian
Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin
Caiman
Can grow to up 6 meters long!
Caiman Lizard
Caiman lizards are among the largest lizards.
Camel Cricket
The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!
Cat
First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!
Caterpillar
The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
Catfish
There are nearly 3,000 different species!
Centipede
There are about 3,000 documented species!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Chinchilla
Natively found in the Andes Mountain range!
Cichlid
There are more than 2 000 known species!
Cockroach
Dated to be around 300 million years old!
Common Furniture Beetle
The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood
Common House Spider
House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.
Cow
There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!
Crab
There are 93 different crab groups
Crab Spider
Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings
Cricket
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
Crocodile
Have changed little in 200 million years!
Crow
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Discus
One of the only schooling Cichlids!
Dog
First domesticated in South-East Asia!
Donkey
First domesticated 5,000 years ago!
Dragonfly
It's larvae are carnivorous!
Duck
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
Dung Beetle
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Eagle
Has exceptional eyesight!
Earthworm
They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs
Earwig
There are nearly 2,000 different species!
Eel
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Electric Eel
Despite its powerful shock, electric eels have terrible vision.
Emperor Tamarin
Has an elegant white moustache!
Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!
Fallow deer
The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.
False Widow Spider
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Fiddler Crab
The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.
Firefly
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
Flamingo
Sleeps on just one leg!
Flea
Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air
Fly
There are more than 240,000 different species!
Flying Squirrel
Can glide up to 90 meters!
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
Glow Worm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Guinea Pig
Natively found in the Andes Mountain range!
Guppy
Also known as the Millionfish!
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!
Harpy Eagle
Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!
Harris Hawk
Their vision is eight times better than a human's
Hercules Beetle
This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.
Heron
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Horned Frog
Natively found in South America!
Horse
Has evolved over 50 million years!
Horsefly
Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.
House wren
The wren’s epithet, aedon, comes from a Greek queen who accidentally killed her only son. She was actually aiming for her nephew, and Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a nightingale.
Housefly
The fly has no teeth
Human
Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!
Humboldt Penguin
Found on the South American coast!
Hummingbird
Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!
Huntsman Spider
Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.
Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!
Iguana
Uses visual signals to communicate!
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Jacana
The jacana has the ability to swim underwater
Jaguar
The largest feline on the American continent!
Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
Kinkajou
The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America.
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Llama
Natively found in the Andes Mountain range!
Locust
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Macaw
The largest species of parrot in the world!
Maggot
Will only live in wet areas
Mallard
With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day
Maned Wolf
Despite its name, the Maned Wolf is not actually a wolf.
Marine Toad
Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!
Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
Some colonies have millions of bats
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mole
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Molly
Known for their calm and peaceful nature!
Mongrel
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Monkey
There are around 260 known species!
Moorhen
Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!
Mosquito
Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood
Moth
There are 250,000 different species!
Mountain Lion
Has no real natural predators!
Mouse
Found on every continent on Earth!
Mule
The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Ocelot
Also known as the Painted Leopard!
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Oscar Fish
The Oscar fish has teeth in its throat!
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Panther
Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!
Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!
Parrotlet
Parrotlets aren't the world's tiniest parrot — that would be the pygmy parrot of Australasia.
Peregrine Falcon
Fastest animal on Earth
Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid is the national dog of Peru
Pheasant
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Pigeon
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)
Also known as the 'Pink Dolphin'
Piranha
Generally found in fast-flowing streams!
Poison Dart Frog
Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Puma
Has longer back legs than front legs!
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Quetzal
The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!
Raccoon
Known to wash their food before eating it!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rattlesnake
It's venom digests it's prey before it even swallows it!
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
Rodents
The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.
Rooster
Will mate with the entire flock!
Roseate Spoonbill
The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!
Saber-Toothed Tiger
Canines up to 7 inches long!
Salamander
There are more than 700 different species!
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Scarlet Macaw
Like many parrots, the scarlet macaw is capable of vocal mimicry.
Scorpion
There are around 2,000 known species!
Scrotum Frog
The frog's ears are underdeveloped, and if it hears it probably does so through its lungs.
Seahorse
Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!
Sheep
Around 35 million in the English countryside!
Shrew
The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.
Shrimp
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!
Silver Dollar
Closely related to the Piranha
Skink Lizard
Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.
Skunk
Also known as the Polecat!
Sloth
It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!
Slug
They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce
Snail
There are nearly 1,000 different species!
Snake
There are around 3,000 known species worldwide
Snapping Turtle
Only found in North America!
Sparrow
There are 140 different species!
Spectacled Bear
Native to the Andes mountains of South America!
Spider Monkey
Found in the tropical jungles of South America!
Spider Wasp
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
Squirrel Monkey
Lives in groups of up to 500 individuals!
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
Swan
Populations have been affected by pollution!
Tapir
Most closely related to horses and rhinos!
Tarantula Hawk
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.
Termite
Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!
Tetra
Native to the freshwater streams of South America!
Thrush
The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.
Tick
They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite
Tiger Beetle
The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world
Tortoise
Can live until they are more than 150 years old!
Toucan
There are more than 40 different species!
Tree Frog
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
Turtles
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
Uakari
Have a very short tail for their size!
Umbrellabird
Migrates up and down the mountains!
Vampire Bat
Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!
Vinegaroon
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
Vulture
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
White-tail deer
White-tail deer are good swimmers
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Woodlouse
This animal can roll up into a ball
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Woolly Monkey
Has a long, strong prehensile tail!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
X-Ray Tetra
Yellow, black and white striped fins!
Peruvian Animals List
- Albatross
- Alpaca
- Amazon Parrot
- Ant
- Anteater
- Arapaima
- Armadillo
- Armyworm
- Avocet
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Booby
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Caiman
- Caiman Lizard
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Chinchilla
- Cichlid
- Cockroach
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Discus
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Electric Eel
- Emperor Tamarin
- Falcon
- Fallow deer
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gecko
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Grasshopper
- Guinea Pig
- Guppy
- Hamster
- Hare
- Harpy Eagle
- Harris Hawk
- Hercules Beetle
- Heron
- Honey Bee
- Horned Frog
- Horse
- Horsefly
- House wren
- Housefly
- Human
- Humboldt Penguin
- Hummingbird
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Iguana
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jaguar
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Kinkajou
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Lizard
- Llama
- Locust
- Macaw
- Maggot
- Mallard
- Maned Wolf
- Marine Toad
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
- Millipede
- Mole
- Molly
- Mongrel
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mountain Lion
- Mouse
- Mule
- No See Ums
- Ocelot
- Orb Weaver
- Oscar Fish
- Otter
- Panther
- Parrot
- Parrotlet
- Peregrine Falcon
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)
- Piranha
- Poison Dart Frog
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Puma
- Pygmy Marmoset (Finger Monkey)
- Quail
- Quetzal
- Raccoon
- Rat
- Rattlesnake
- River Turtle
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Salamander
- Sand Crab
- Scarlet Macaw
- Scorpion
- Scrotum Frog
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Silver Dollar
- Skink Lizard
- Skunk
- Sloth
- Slug
- Snail
- Snake
- Snapping Turtle
- Sparrow
- Spectacled Bear
- Spider Monkey
- Spider Wasp
- Squirrel
- Squirrel Monkey
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Swan
- Tapir
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Tetra
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Toucan
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Uakari
- Umbrellabird
- Vampire Bat
- Vinegaroon
- Vulture
- Wasp
- White-tail deer
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Woolly Monkey
- Worm
- X-Ray Tetra
Animals in Peru FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kinds of animals live in Peru?
There is an amazing variety of animals that live in Peru and more are being discovered. Recently discovered animals include two kinds of beetles, a type of spiny rat, a new kind of mouse, a type of flycatcher and a pygmy frog. This frog, Noble’s pygmy frog, is unique because it lays only two eggs and these eggs hatch into tiny frogs instead of tadpoles.
What is a common animal in Peru?
A common animal found in Peru is the capuchin monkey. It is a monkey that grows between 12 and 22 inches long, save its tail, and its tail is often as long as its body. It can weigh between 3 and 9 pounds and can live 25 years in the wild. The capuchin monkey lives in both the rainforest and the dry forests on the coast, and its success is probably due to the fact that it’s not particular about its habitat or its diet. It’s an omnivore and eats plant material as well as animals from spiders to lizards to birds all the way up to other primates.
What is the most dangerous animal in Peru?
The most dangerous animal in Peru is probably the fer-de-lance because of its aggressiveness, its proximity to human habitation, and the potency of its venom.
Is there Puma in Peru?
The puma is found in Peru. It’s the second-largest big cat in Peru behind the jaguar.
