View All: Fish Species | Cetaceans
Throughout the wide Chilean territory, Patagonia outstands for the unique beauty of its landscapes and biodiversity of its lands and oceans.
The density of the Valdivian-type forest characteristic of the sector and the weather conditions in the area strongly dictate the habits of the land fauna that inhabit here. The same occurs with those species that live in coastal and marine sectors, whose behavior is influenced, among other factors, by the large tidal fluctuations and the rich biomass that nurtures the fertile Pacific Ocean.
The characteristic mammals include felines like the Güiña, the Colo-Colo cat and the Puma; foxes like the Culpeo and Chilla; rodents like the Coipo; otters like the Huillín and Chungungo; and two exceptional deer: the small and shy Pudú and the magnificent and symbolic Huemul. The latter, currently in danger of extinction, has discovered a protected enclave for its threatened survival in some parts of our wide area of coverage.
Over a hundred species of coastal and pelagic, resident, occasional or migratory birds form part of the exclusive biodiversity this region affords us. The rhinocriptids, represented in our operation area by the Chucao Tapaculo and the Black-throated Huet-Huet, small birds whose shrill sound is associated with various myths and legends, are characteristic of this part of the world and the damp southern forest.
There is the frequent presence of Wandering Albatrosses and the Black-browed Albatross, which are species with large wings that usually follow the stern of our ship for most of its course. The former is the bird with the largest wingspan in the world of over 3.2 meters/10.5 feet.
The sector is the habitat of the Coscoroba Swan and Black-necked Swans, the graceful Cocoi Heron, the large Great Horned Owl, the Ringed Kingfisher (world’s largest), three different species of woodpeckers, and an outstanding variety of species of ducks, geese, sierra-finches, hummingbirds, seagulls, terns and cormorants. The Humboldt Penguin is often found in this area. They, among so many other birds, make this special area a bird-watching paradise, both for the ornithologist and the amateur.
Enormous cetaceans, along with numerous species of dolphins, sea-lions, and various endemic fish make up the large diversity of the area. The habitual and repetitive presence should be highlighted of the largest living being that has ever lived on earth, i.e., the striking Blue Whale. There is also the presence of species like the Pygmy Killer Whale, Peale's Dolphin, Commerson’s Dolphin, and the Southern Sea Lion, besides Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and Common Porpoises, among others.
Small and beautiful batrachians like the endangered Darwin’s Frog, besides diverse insects – all harmless – including the Great Stag Beetle and numerous large crustaceans and surprising mollusks and echinoderms complete this dazzling faunal display.