Fauna

The Central Andes has nearly the same fauna as the northern and southern Andes. Like in the other regions, the only animals that survive in the central Andes are those that can subside on the austere plant life. This includes white-tailed deer, rabbits, and many types of rodents. Perhaps the most interesting mammal in the central Andes is the mountain tapir. The mountain tapir appears pig-like with a long snout and a brown-gray hue. It leaves distinctive tracks with four toes on their front feet and only three toes on their back feet.

Two carnivorous mammals also inhabit the central Andes, which are the Andean fox and the Spectacled bear. The Andean fox is actually a species of wild dog and has a reddish gray coat. The Spectacled bear derives its name from the white patches of fur that surround its eyes, resembling spectacles. Though majestic, it is shy and rarely seen by tourists even within Cotopaxi National Park, In Cayambe Coca there is more chance of spotting this creature. In the latter it is also possible to see the Andean Lion but this depends on the season. Best months for this are from October to December.

Birds

Like the rest of Ecuador, the central Andes is a world-class region for bird enthusiasts. Some birds that can be found in Andean national parks and the surrounding areas especially the cloudforests include:

Andean Condor
Rufous-Bellied Seed Snipe
Andean Snipe
Imperial Snipe
Ecuadorian Hill Star
Andean Tit- Spine Tail
Many-Striped Canister
Stout-Billed Concludes
Bar-Winged Concludes
Grey-Breasted Mountain-Toucan
Jay Inca
Crested Quetzal
Masked Trogon
Golden-Breasted Puffleg
Mountain Avocet Bill
Sword-Billed Hummingbird
Long-Tailed Sylph
Condor
Black-Faced Ibis
Bariable Hawk
Carunculated Caracara
Andean Gull
Puna Snipe
Snipe Nobleman
Ecuadorian Rail
Vermillon Flycatcher
Black Flowerpiercer
Blue-and-Yellow Tanager
Grass Wren
Giant Hummingbird
Black-Tailed Trainbearer
Masked Trogon
Powerful Woodpecker
Chestnut-Crowned Antpitta
Rufous Antpitta
Undulated Antpitta

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Overview

The provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Bolviar boast an expansive and interesting array of wildlife. The region has a unique high altitude that creates a zone that only specific types of species can thrive in.

The main areas for wildlife spotting are the national parks and reserves, Starting in Pichincha, there are the Mojanda lakes, the Pululahua Botanical Reserve, the Pichincha Volcano Recreation Area, Cayambe Coca National Park, Antisana Volcano Reserve, Mindo Nambillo cloudforest biological reserve, Pasochoa Biological reserve, Atacazo, the Illinizas reserve and the area of Corazon. In these areas it is possible to see the Andean Condor and Puma (Andean lion). All of these natural reserves and parks are located no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Quito.

Moving south, in the Cotopaxi province it is possible to find rare paramo flora and fauna in the Cotopaxi National Park. In the Llanganates National Park, the legend goes that the Incas hid treasures. Hundreds of expeditions have tried to find it without any success, However, this impressive and rainy reserve is the ideal place to see a lot of wildlife, perhaps the real treasure of the area. Moving further south, the visitor can find the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve where llamas and other animals can be viewed.

Flora

The flora of the central Andes mostly consists of the rocky grasslands at high-altitudes known as “paramo.” Paramo is the ecosystem between 3000 and 5000 meters that includes peat moss and wetlands. Although the central Andes plant life is not as colorful as Ecuador’s vibrant Amazon lowlands, it is very interesting and intricate in its own respect.

Most of the Central Andes flora can be found within the expansive Cotopaxi National Park, Cayambe Coca, Chimborazo, Pasochoa, Illiniza and Antisana. The diverse tree and shrub species of the lower altitude zones of the park include pumamaqui, pine, capuli, pucunero, valeriana, sheeps ears, cacho de venado and romerillo. The average altitude zones boast collections of the signature Andean flowers and lichens. The highest zones of Andean National Parks feature simple plants like moss and lichens. These basic plant species share the ground with outcrops of rock and gravel. Vegetation disappears above 5000 meters as this area has permanent snow coverage.

The most interesting thing about the wildlife is the extraordinary transition from Highlands paramo over 4000 meters down to the Coast. The landscape changes from paramo to native forest to farmed Andean valleys with crops, native bushes, pine forests, eucalyptus and other trees through to cloud forests such as those found in the areas of Mindo, Papallacta and El Corazón (among others). The change of air temperature creates unique and interesting ecosystems where the mixing of different altitudes and flora presents ideal places to see wildlife.

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