Chuquiragua flower
The southern Andes of Ecuador are home to an interesting variety of plant and animal life. The area has two important national parks, which are the Cajas National Park in Azuay province close to Cuenca, and the Podocarpus National Park further south, located conveniently for visits from either Loja or Vilcabamba.
Flora
The flora in these areas is mainly that of the páramo environment, which has a tundra-like in appearance. The vegetation is often grassy, particularly at the altitudes from 3400 to 4000 meters above sea level. Bunch and tussock grasses are common in these areas.
Grasses are interspersed with the Chuquiraga plant, among others. This plant has a flower which is thought to provide good luck for Ecuador’s hikers and climbers in the mountains. The Cajas National Park is also known for its numerous outcrops of Polylepis trees. These stunted trees grow in small thickets and are easily recognizable for their unusual bark which will peel off easily in the hand, and is paper-like. In fact, the name “Polylepis” means “many scales”, which is appropriate for describing this tree.
At higher altitudes, it is possible to find cushion plants and shrubs. Cushion plants feel springy under the feet when you walk on them. The plant coverage over the ground is not complete at 4000 meters above sea level, and there are outcrops of rock and sandy soil.
Fauna
In the southern Andes, it is possible to find similar wildlife to other parts of the Ecuadorean Andes. The Andean Spectacled bear is known to reside in the Podocarpus National Park. This bear was given its name for its distinctive white “spectacles” which are patches of white fur around its eyes. This bear species is shy and is only occasionally observed by tourists or residents.
Another interesting animal found in these parts is the Mountain Tapir. Tapirs are mammals that are a brown-gray color and have a pig like appearance with a very long snout. They leave distinctive tracks in the mud and their front feet have four toes, while their back feet only have three.
Other interesting fauna in this area of Ecuador includes the jaguar, which inhabits these parts. The jaguar is the third largest in the cat family and is generally under threat due to the destruction of its natural habitat. The Andean Fox is a type of wild dog and has a gray-red coat. It feeds on small mammals, lizards and birds. These are common to the Andes. White Tailed Deer may also be spotted in the national parks of the Southern Andes.
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