Animals in danger of extinction in Chile

At approximately 8 centimeters long, it is the smallest bird in the country and one of the smallest in the world . It has a purple throat on the side and black on the front. Its population is estimated at 300 specimens around the city of Arica and the Antofagasta region, for this reason it is considered that the arica hummingbird is one of the animals in danger of extinction in Chile. Its main threat is the application of pesticides in the areas where it lives.

The loggerhead turtle or loggerhead turtle belongs to the superfamily of sea ​​turtles and is critically endangered. It lives in the north and center of the country in subtropical and temperate sea regions. This turtle is on average about 90 centimeters long and has an average weight of 135 kg. In addition, it has a wide reddish-brown carapace and five pairs of shields.

The vicuña is a South American camelid that weighs between 40 kg and 50 kg, has a height between 75 cm and 85 cm and a length between 1.4 m and 1.6 m. Its coloration is beige or light reddish brown on the back and white on the ventral areas and legs. It lives in the Arica and Atacama region . The main threat to the conservation of this species, and the main reason why the vicuña is currently in danger of extinction in Chile , is the hunting and commercialization of its fiber to make all kinds of textile fabrics.

Although the vicuña is a species of wild camelid , its domesticated counterpart is known as the alpaca . Another related camelid is the llama . In the main image of this article you can see a vicuña.

Also known as the Patagonian huemul it is a species of deer with a robust body and short legs. They can reach 165 centimeters in length (females are somewhat smaller). This animal has a thick and dense coat of beige or dark brown color, which varies according to the time of year. It lives in small subpopulations in the regions of Los Lagos, Aysén, Magallanes and Biobío. The greatest threat that causes the huemul to be on the list of endangered animals in Chile are parasites and dog attacks, but also the destruction of their habitat for urbanization and industrial land uses.

It is the feline with the fewest specimens in the world . In fact, it was believed to be extinct in the center of the country at the end of the 90s, but several populations were found in 2013 in the Cordillera de Salamanca. It lives at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level, which makes it difficult to study. One of its most characteristic features is its long tail, which can reach up to two thirds of its body length, which measures between 60 and 80 centimeters. Although there are many more, one of the main threats that make the Andean cat in danger of extinction in Chile is illegal hunting .

The Cordilleran chinchilla is a small medium-sized rodent (its total length ranges between 220 and 250 mm) and with a really long tail. It lives in the Andean mountain range and in the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park. It has a highly coveted skin for the manufacture of coats and that is, precisely, its main threat. Another threat is the construction of roads and mining projects in the areas where it lives. The IUCN estimated a 90% reduction in its population in just three generations, which is why it has long been on the list of the most endangered animals in Chile .

This bird is the largest parrot in Chile . It has a size between 43 cm and 37 cm long and a very colorful plumage, with an olive green head and back and a white periocular ring that differentiates it from other similar species. Its chest is greyish brown with an irregular whitish band on its upper part. It inhabits the Maule and O’Higgins regions, although the exact size of their populations is unknown. Its main threats that have led the Tricahue Parrot to be in danger of extinction in Chile are its use as pets and the illegal trafficking of species.

The sea ​​cat is a species of otter that has its habitat from Valparaíso to Tierra del Fuego. It is the smallest species of the genus Lontra and the only one that lives in the sea . Its size ranges between 70 and 80 centimeters, to which are added 50 of its tail, and its weight is close to 5 kg. Its study is difficult due to its reserved and elusive character. The greatest threats that have led the sea cat to be in danger of extinction in Chile are the nets of fishermen and hunting to use their skin.

This endemic frog from the central area of ​​the country is the largest anopluro amphibian that lives in the country, reaching twenty centimeters in height, and specimens of up to 75 centimeters have even been seen.

The Chilean frog is considered an endangered species and is highly threatened due to the fact that its meat is highly valued as food and the introduction of competing species in its habitat are its main threats.

The volcano growler is a very rare lizard endemic to certain regions of the Rio Maipo and the Rio Clarillo National Park. This robust and massive looking lizard does not present sexual dimorphism (sexual differences) between males and females, measuring between 85 and 95 mm in length between head and cloaca, that is to say without counting the tail. Its main threats are the destruction of its habitat for tourism purposes, mining and hunting, placing it among the most threatened animal species in Chile .

Some measures to help animals in danger of extinction in Chile , which can be taken by individual people and by the government, in order to ensure the survival of these species and prevent their situation from getting worse are:

• Implement policies that limit hunting activities, illegal species trade, illegal exhibitions or animal exploitation activities and sanction these activities.
• Adoption of plans that protect these species by the authorities of the country.
• Take care of the environment.
• Do not encourage the trafficking of species, avoiding buying wild animals.

If you want to read more articles similar to Endangered Animals in Chile , we recommend that you enter our Endangered Animals category .