Mountain Animals: Living in a mountainous area is difficult for both people and animals. The animals must adjust to the cold, harsh weather conditions as well as the food scarcity that these conditions bring. During the winter, the area can be blanketed in deep snow, making it difficult to find food. Animals can easily stand in the dazzling white snow, giving them a target for predators.
Mountain animals have evolved particular adaptations to survive in a cold, windy environment. Thick, multi-layered coats, adapted feet for climbing or walking on snow, and seasonal migration or hibernation are examples of these adaptations. Hence, we have accumulated a list of animals found in the mountains along with their descriptions and pictures in this article.
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List of Mountain Animals
Name of animals that live in mountains
- Alpaca
- Alpine Chough
- Alpine Marmot
- Andean Condor
- Bearded vulture
- Bighorn sheep
- Bobcats
- Brown bear
- Chamois
- Chinchilla
- Cougars
- Coyotes
- Dhole
- Echidna
- Elk
- Falcons
- Gazelles
- Golden eagle
- Kiang
- Llamas
- Mountain goats
- Mountain gorilla
- Mountain hare
- Reindeer
- Snow Leopard
- Wolf
- Yak
Fascinating facts about the animals on the list
Alpaca
The alpaca is a camelid mammal native to South America. It looks a lot like a llama and is frequently confused with one. Alpacas are, however, often noticeably smaller than llamas. Both species are closely related and can crossbreed effectively. The Suri alpaca and the Huacaya alpaca are two different kinds of alpaca. Alpacas are grazed in herds on the Andes’ level heights in Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador, and Northern Chile.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Camelidae |
| Genus | Lama |
| Scientific name | Lama pacos |
Alpine Chough
The Alpine chough, also known as the yellow-billed chough, is a crow species with only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax. Its two subspecies breed in high mountains from Spain eastwards across southern Europe and North Africa to Central Asia and Nepal, and they may nest at higher elevations than any other bird.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Pyrrhocorax |
| Scientific name | Pyrrhocorax graculus |
Alpine Marmot
The Alpine marmot is a rodent belonging to the Sciuridae family of squirrels. It can be found in the Alps and Tatras, and the Pyrenees. Alpine marmots generate their own hay by drying grass on rocks in the sun and storing it in their burrow. During the winter, the species goes into hibernation.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Sciuridae |
| Genus | Marmota |
| Scientific name | Marmota marmota |
Andean Condor
One of the world’s largest birds is the Andean condor. It has a wingspan of about 283 cm (9 ft 3 in). The Andean condor is a South American bird that dwells in the Andes Mountains range. It belongs to the Cathartidae family of new world vultures. This massive mountain bird can fly for 100 miles without flapping its wings. The conservation status of the Andean condor is near threatened, with an estimated adult population of only 6,700.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cathartiformes |
| Family | Cathartidae |
| Genus | Vultur |
| Scientific name | Vultur gryphus |
Bearded vulture
The bearded vulture, commonly known as the lammergeier or ossifrage, is a prey bird that belongs to the Gypaetus genus. In Iran and north western Asia, this bird is known as the Huma bird or Homa bird. From Central Asia and Eastern Africa to Spain, the lammergeier can be found in mountainous areas. It can also be found in South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains range and Lesotho.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Gypaetus |
| Scientific name | Gypaetus barbatus |
Bighorn sheep
The large, curled horns of the bighorn sheep give it its name. The species is found in the rocky and mountainous regions of the United States, Canada and Mexico, including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. To avoid predators like wolves, coyotes, Canada lynxes, and bobcats, the bighorn sheep employs its agility and great climbing skills.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Ovis |
| Scientific name | Ovis canadensis |
Bobcats
The bobcat, or the red lynx, is a North American medium-sized cat. It is found in southern Canada to Oaxaca, Mexico, and includes most of the contiguous United States. It gets its name from the striking black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby or “bobbed” tail. The bobcat, like most cats, is territorial and solitary; however, there is considerable overlap in home areas.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Genus | Lynx |
| Scientific name | Lynx rufus |
Brown bear
Brown bears are giant bears that can be found throughout Eurasia and North America. Brown bear populations in North America are known as grizzly bears, whereas the subspecies that live on Alaska’s Kodiak Islands is known as the Kodiak bear. It is one of the orders Carnivora’s largest living terrestrial members. Parts of Russia, Central Asia, China, Canada, the United States, Hokkaido, Scandinavia, Finland, the Balkans, Romania, Iran, and other countries are home to brown bears.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Ursidae |
| Genus | Ursus |
| Scientific name | Ursus arctos |
Chamois
The chamois is a member of the Caprinae subfamily, which includes goat-antelopes. It can be found in alpine meadows in the highlands of central and southern Europe, as well as Asia. Female and younger chamois live in flocks of five to thirty people. The males live alone. The skin of this little hooved mammal was traditionally hunted and used to produce chamois leather.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Rupicapra |
| Scientific name | Rupicapra rupicapra |
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are rodents that thrive in the Andes’ stony, arid settings. Their fur is the densest among all the land animals, which is an adaption for mountain dwellings. The short-tailed chinchilla and the long-tailed chinchilla are the two types of chinchillas. The largest species is the short-tailed, with a body length of 49 cm. In comparison to the long-tailed species, it has a shorter tail and smaller ears.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Chinchillidae |
| Genus | Chinchilla |
| Scientific name | Chinchilla chinchilla and Chinchilla lanigera |
Cougars
Cougars are huge cats belonging to the Felinae subfamily. It is the most widespread big wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere, with a range that stretches from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America. It’s an adaptable, generalist species that can be found in a variety of habitats across the United States. It goes by numerous names, including puma, mountain lion, catamount, panther, and painter, because of its extensive distribution. The cougar, after the jaguar, is the second-largest cat in the New World, and it is secretive and solitary by nature.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Feliformia |
| Genus | Felidae |
| Scientific name | Puma concolor |
Coyotes
The coyote is a canine species found in North America. It is smaller than the wolf; it’s close relative. In nature, the coyote is larger and more predatory. Prairie wolf and brush wolf are two more historical names for the species. Coyote populations can be found across North America, as well as in Mexico and Central America. The species is adaptable, allowing it to thrive in habitats that have been altered by humans.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Canis |
| Scientific name | Canis latrans |
Dhole
Dholes are canids that can be found in Central, South, East, and Southeast Asia. Asian wild dog, Asiatic wild dog, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf are some of the other English names for the species. Dholes are mostly found in mountainous parts of Central Asia. Depending on their habitat, they range in colour from charcoal grey to scarlet red to sandy beige.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Cuon |
| Scientific name | Cuon alpinus |
Echidna
Echidnas, often known as spiny anteaters, are monotremes with quills. The platypus and four extant echidna species are the only living mammals that lay eggs and the only remaining members of the Monotremata order. Echidnas can be found in the mountains, deserts, and forests of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea. They don’t have any specific habitat requirements as long as food is available. They can dwell in parched deserts as well as frigid mountain tops.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Monotremata |
| Family | Tachyglossidae |
| Genus | Tachyglossus |
| Scientific name | Tachyglossidae |
Elk
Elk, commonly known as wapiti, is one of the largest deer species in the Cervidae family and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America, Central Asia, and East Asia. Elks can be found on every continent. Large wild populations can be found throughout the mountainous landscapes of North America, particularly in the western United States, from Canada to New Mexico, and in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Cervidae |
| Genus | Cervus |
| Scientific name | Cervus canadensis |
Falcons
Falcons are the birds of prey that belong to the genus Falco, which has roughly 40 species. With the exception of Antarctica, falcons may be found on every continent. Mountain ranges, river valleys, coasts, and increasingly cities are home to the Peregrine Falcon.
The Peregrine and Prairie Falcons are native birds with the largest ranges. The Gyrfalcon may be found in northern Canada and Alaska, where it enjoys the cooler temperature.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Scientific name | Falco peregrinus |
Gazelles
A gazelle is a type of antelope that belongs to the genus Gazella. Gazelles are famed for their speed. Mountain gazelles are found in mountainous and hilly areas with light forests, fields, and desert plateaus. They live in Asia’s arid regions such as China, Arabian Peninsula, North Africa’s arid land that includes the Saharan deserts and the Sub-Saharan Sahel, and northeast Africa like Tanzania.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Gazella |
| Scientific name | Gazella gazella |
Golden eagle
Many huge birds of prey in the Accipitridae family go by the name eagle. Eagles are classified into various genera, some of which are closely related. The majority of the 60 eagle species are found in Eurasia and Africa.
The golden eagle can be found all around the northern hemisphere, including North America, Asia, northern Africa, and Europe. They can be found in a variety of settings, from the Arctic to the desert, although their ideal habitat is open country among mountains, hills, and riverside cliffs. The mountain hawk-eagle, sometimes known as Hodgson’s hawk-eagle, is a huge Asian bird of prey found in the Himalayas.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Aquila |
| Scientific name | Aquila chrysaetos |
Kiang
The largest member of the Asinus subgenus is the kiang. Its native territory is the Tibetan Plateau, where it can be found in montane and alpine meadows. Its current distribution is limited to the Tibetan plateau’s plains, Ladakh, and northern Nepal. Tibetan wild ass, khyang, and gorkhar are some common names for this species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Family | Equidae |
| Genus | Equus |
| Scientific name | Equus kiang |
Llamas
The llama is a long-necked mammal with a stubby tail and thick fur. With a rounded nose and a cleft upper lip, its countenance resembles that of a camel. Llamas are herd animals who live in groups with other llamas. The high Andes Mountains of western South America are home to the majority of llamas today. Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and, most notably, Peru are some other habitats of the llamas.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Camelidae |
| Genus | Lama |
| Scientific name | Lama glama |
Mountain goats
The mountain goat is a hooved animal native to North America. Despite its name, it is not a genuine Capra goat. The Rocky Mountains and the Cascades are home to this species. The mountain goat spends most of the year in the alpine zone above treeline. Both males and females have black horns and beards that are somewhat curled, although the male horns are longer.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Oreamnos |
| Scientific name | Oreamnos americanus |
Mountain gorilla
The mountain gorilla is among the most well-known and critically endangered mountain mammals. They have thicker and longer fur than other gorillas, which is an adaptation for living at higher altitudes with lower temperatures. The mountain gorilla, like all gorillas, eats mostly plants. Insects such as ants and termites are also part of its diet.
Mountain gorillas are found in two populations: one in the Virunga Volcanoes and the other in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are just about 1,000 mountain gorillas alive in the wild, and they are extremely endangered.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates |
| Family | Hominidae |
| Genus | Gorilla |
| Scientific name | Gorilla beringei beringei |
Mountain hare
Mountains in northern Europe and Asia are home to the mountain hare. Despite its name, the species can be found in taiga forests, tundra, and coastal grasslands along with high elevations. Mountain hare coats turn white in most areas during the winter. In the snow, this provides camouflage.
The Arctic hare, which can be found throughout North America, was formerly assumed to be a mountain hare subspecies. It is now considered a distinct species.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Lagomorpha |
| Family | Leporidae |
| Genus | Lepus |
| Scientific name | Lepus timidus |
Reindeer
Reindeer, sometimes known as caribou in North America, is a circumpolar deer species native to northern Europe, Siberia, and North America’s Arctic, subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions. Both stationary and migratory groups are included in this. Reindeer is the name given to them throughout Europe. If the animals are wild, they are called caribou, and if they are domesticated, they are called reindeer in North America.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Cervidae |
| Genus | Rangifer |
| Scientific name | Rangifer tarandus |
Snow Leopard
The snow leopard is a well-known mammal that can be found in hilly places throughout Central and Southern Asia, including the Himalayan and Altai Mountain ranges. The snow leopard is a solitary creature. It communicates with other snow leopards using scent markers. The majority of the snow leopard’s prey are wild goats and other caprids, such as the Himalayan tahr and ibex.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Genus | Panthera |
| Scientific name | Panthera uncia |
Wolf
The wolf is the largest dog in the Canidae family. It can be found in a variety of environments, including highlands and rocky summits. Wolves are herd animals that hunt and defend their territory together. The majority of a wolf’s prey is tracked down by scent; while a wolf’s eyesight is comparable to that of a human, its sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Canis |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus |
Yak
The domestic yak is a long-haired domesticated cattle native to the Indian subcontinent’s Himalayan region, the Tibetan Plateau, Northern Myanmar, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Mongolia and Siberia. It’s a wild yak descendant.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Bos |
| Scientific name | Bos grunniens |