9 Animals to Watch for While Exploring Patagonia

Home to some of the planet's most pristine wilderness, Patagonia boasts temperate rainforests, majestic mountain ranges, vast grasslands, fjords, lakes, and rivers that shelter over 500 wildlife species, making it one of the richest regions for fauna in South America.

Birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts flock to this expansive natural haven hoping to catch a glimpse of condors, penguins, guanacos, pumas, whales, and more. However, Patagonia's challenging continental climate, rugged terrain, and the spread of ranches into some habitats mean that some elusive species can only be found in particular locations during certain seasons.

Here’s our guide to the most emblematic animals and birds of Patagonia and the best spots to observe them.

Condors are frequently sighted throughout Patagonia.

The Andean condor, the national bird of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador, ranks among the largest birds on the planet, boasting an impressive wingspan of 3 meters (10 feet) that surpasses that of its Californian relatives. Contrary to the myth that they were hunted by sheep ranchers, condors are actually scavengers—massive vultures—rather than predators, and they play a vital role as nature's cleanup crew by consuming the remains of deceased animals.

Where to spot them: With their bald heads and striking black feathers accented by distinctive white patches on their wings, condors are typically seen soaring in the Andes, particularly in Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Los Glaciares, Patagonia, and Cerro Castillo national parks, where they utilize strong air currents to glide effortlessly. They can also be found along the coast, often circling above Parque Nacional Monte de León, where ocean breezes are prevalent.

Encounters with pumas are uncommon.

In Kenya and Tanzania, you'll find lions; in India and Siberia, there are tigers; the Amazon Basin is home to the jaguar; and Patagonia boasts the puma. Once on the brink of extinction, the Patagonian mountain lion has made a remarkable comeback over recent decades, thanks to protective measures and the numerous national parks rich in food sources. As the largest land predator in the area, the tan-colored puma is a formidable hunter, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself.

Where to spot them: For wildlife enthusiasts, puma sightings are highly sought after, but these elusive and nocturnal cats are rare to encounter. The best location to observe them is in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, which hosts a substantial and thriving population, largely due to the plentiful guanacos and wild horses. Personally, I encountered a large puma while hiking alone there—an exhilarating yet daunting experience, especially considering that there have been no puma attacks on humans in Patagonia for decades. They can also be spotted in Parque Nacional Patagonia and Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.

Guanacos are visible year-round.

Closely related to the domesticated llama and alpaca, the guanaco is South America's largest camelid, distinguished by its lack of a hump. These animals, with their pale tawny coats, long necks, and expressive eyelashes, thrive in Patagonia's thorny scrubland. Social and curious, guanacos typically form small herds of up to ten females led by a dominant male, along with their young. In winter, they gather in much larger groups.

The guanaco populations currently found across Patagonia's steppes and forests are just a fraction of what once roamed these lands. Following the arrival of Europeans, their numbers drastically decreased. While hunting them is now prohibited, they still compete for resources with sheep.

Where to spot them: Guanacos are especially abundant in Tierra del Fuego, where pumas are absent. They are frequently seen in Parque Nacional Monte de León, and sightings are nearly guaranteed in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, home to at least 2,000 guanacos, as well as in Parque Nacional Patagonia, often referred to as the Serengeti of the Southern Cone. They coexist with the Patagonian armadillo, which likes to burrow near lakes, and the swift ñandú (rhea).

Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins!

Patagonia's coastal waters host four species of whales: humpback whales, orcas, southern right whales, and – on rare occasions – blue whales. From December to March, Whalesound and Solo Expediciones offer specialized whale-watching tours departing from Punta Arenas to Francisco Coloane Marine Park in the southern Chilean fjords. Here, humpback whales pause to feed on their migratory route between Antarctica and the Arctic, showcasing breathtaking breaching displays.

Best viewing spots: Orcas can be spotted around Argentina's Peninsula Valdés, where they hunt seals and sea lions. However, the endangered southern right whales are more commonly seen; from April to December, over 2,000 of them migrate to the sheltered bays of the peninsula to breed and nurture their calves. Regular boat trips leave from Puerto Pirámides for optimal viewing.

During these excursions, you're likely to encounter dusky dolphins, which are playful and enjoy swimming in the wake of boats, performing acrobatics and leaping from the water. The black-and-white Commerson's dolphin is often observed during ferry rides across the Magellan Strait, as small pods frequently follow the ferries between mainland Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. As for the largest mammal on Earth? With a bit of luck, you might spot a blue whale if you're on a ferry in northern Chilean Patagonia heading to Chiloé, and occasional sightings occur in the Gulf of Corcovado as well.

Vizcachas inhabit large burrowing colonies

Adorably charming and highly agile, vizcachas resemble a mix between a large rabbit and a chinchilla, complete with a longer, curlier tail. These reddish-gray rodents blend seamlessly into their mountainous surroundings and are typically seen bounding up steep slopes. They are endemic to South America and live in sizable burrowing colonies.

Best places to see them: In southern Chile, you're likely to encounter vizcachas amidst the otherworldly terrain of Reserva Nacional Jeinimeni. In Argentina, the plains vizcacha, which inhabit the pampas, are often viewed as pests competing with livestock for resources.

The critically endangered huemul is difficult to locate

Indigenous to the mountainous and periglacial areas of southern Chile and Argentina, the huemul is a notoriously timid deer that faces critical endangerment, with only about 1500 remaining in the wild, primarily in Chile. This robust southern deer holds the title of Chile's national animal, even gracing the nation's coat of arms alongside the condor.

Where to find them: Spotting a huemul is an extraordinary stroke of luck, but there have been occasional sightings in Parque Nacional Patagonia, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, and Reserva Natural Los Huemules. This private nature reserve in southern Argentina, near El Chaltén, aims to increase the deer population through habitat preservation and scientific research.

Look for groups of Chilean flamingos

While we often associate flamingos with tropical regions, Patagonia might seem an unexpected habitat for these elegant, long-legged birds. Chilean flamingos are paler than Caribbean flamingos yet pinker than Greater flamingos, and they are typically found in large flocks.

Where to spot them: During the southern summer, Chilean flamingos are frequently seen on the way to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, creating a striking pink contrast against the pale-blue waters of Laguna Amarga. They also populate the lakes and lagoons of Parque Nacional Patagonia; if you're traveling through Chacabuco Valley toward the Argentine border, you'll find them in abundance at Laguna Seca.

Penguin chicks make their debut in November and December

What’s black and white and far outnumbers the human population of Patagonia? If you guessed 'penguin,' you're spot on! From October to April, about 3.4 million Magellanic penguins migrate from the Brazilian coast to Patagonia, where they nest and lay their eggs. If you visit in November or December, you’re likely to see adorable fluffy chicks hatching.

Where to find them: The largest colonies of Magellanic penguins can be found at Punta Tombo in Argentina, accessible by car or tour bus, and Isla Magdalena in Chile, which is reachable through half-day boat tours by Turismo Comapa from Punta Arenas. These penguins are by far the most frequently seen along Patagonia's coastline.

Additionally, further south, Isla Martillo in the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia, accessible via boat tours with Tangol Tours, is home to Gentoo penguins, while rockhopper penguins can be spotted along the coast east of Puerto Deseado in Argentina. There’s also a small colony of king penguins on the main island of Tierra del Fuego, near Bahía Inútil, which has grown in recent years and is the only location outside the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica where you can observe these stunning birds. Chile Nativo offers full-day tours from Punta Arenas.

Beavers were brought to the region in 1946

In 1946, the Argentinian military decided to introduce ten pairs of Canadian beavers from Manitoba to Tierra del Fuego, hoping to establish a profitable fur trade and encourage settlement in this sparsely populated area. With no natural predators, the beaver population exploded, currently estimated between 70,000 and 100,000, wreaking havoc on Fuegian forests, comparable to wildfire damage.

Where to find them: If you want to spot these busy aquatic rodents, you’re likely to encounter their dams and extensive ghost forests where lush lenga (southern beech) once thrived—especially while trekking on Chile’s Isla Navarino or exploring the hiking trails in Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego near Ushuaia.

Make it happen

Wildlife watching in Patagonia is quite easy, and unless you specifically seek out pumas or huemuls, you don’t even need a guide. You can see ñandú (rhea) while driving along Patagonia's roads, guanacos and native birds like the Magellanic woodpecker and rufous-tailed hawks while hiking in national parks, and a variety of seabirds, seals, and sea lions along the coastlines of Chile and Argentina.

If your goal is to spot the more elusive wildlife in Patagonia, consider joining a multi-day safari with operators like Chile Nativo, Swoop Patagonia, EcoCamp Patagonia, Eagle-Eye Tours, or Far South Expeditions, among other reputable companies.