Peru's Most Fascinating Animals and Plants

Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet and has a fascinating array of birds, mammals and plants that live there.

By: Mariette Williams

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Peru's Natural Wonders

Located on the western coast of South America, Peru has a diverse landscape that includes mountains, beaches, deserts and rainforests. Peru is also one of the most biodiverse countries in the world with one-third of all plant and animal species on earth inhabiting the Peruvian Amazon. Some well-known attractions in Peru include the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, the bustling capital of Lima and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Along with these incredible sites, Peru is filled with many rare and unusual plants and animals. From pink dolphins to 50-foot-tall plants, here are some of Peru’s most astonishing living wonders.

Learn More: Peru's Most Fascinating Animals and Plants

Three-Toed Sloth

Three-toed sloths make their homes on the treetops of the Peruvian rainforest, and the stereotypes about sloths are true. Sloths are one of the slowest animals in the world, and their metabolism is half the rate of other mammals their size. Three-toed sloths usually weigh 8-10 pounds and can live to 25-30 years, and their signature long claws are used for hanging onto trees and vines. Another interesting fact? Some sloths will have a green tinge to their coat, which is the result of algae that grows on the slow-moving animals, and it helps them camouflage among the leafy jungle.

Learn More: 15 of the Strangest Animals in the World and Where to See Them

Spectacled Bear

Found in Northern Peru, the spectacled bear is the only native bear species in South America, and these impressive animals can live up to 25 years. The males grow up to 30% larger than the females and can weigh up to 350 lbs. The bear gets its name from light-colored rings around its eyes that look like spectacles, and it also has marks down its neck and chest that are unique to each bear. Unlike other species of bears, a spectacled bear doesn’t hibernate but eats year-round, mostly feasting on fruit, bark and leaves.

River Otter

River otters are also known as "lobos del rio," or the wolves of the river, because of the way they attack their predators. This sleek animal can grow up to 6 feet long and likes to hang out in groups of up to 20, which helps them to fight off attacks. Though these animals are aggressive on the water, they shy away from humans, and your best chance of catching a river otter in the wild is in Peru’s Madre de Dios region, known for its large otter communities.

Puya Raimondi

Towering up to 50 feet in the sky, the puya raimondi is a giant plant found in the Peruvian Andes. The unique plant takes more than 100 years to reach adulthood and is one of the oldest plants in the world. Also known as the “Queen of the Andes,” the puya raimondi is part of the bromeliad family (the same species as the pineapple) and only blooms once in its lifetime. During the process, thousands of white flowers burst into the air, and after blooming, the plant withers. Because of its rarity, the plant is considered an endangered species.

Pink River Dolphin

Also known as the Amazon river dolphin, the pink river dolphin is found in freshwater basins in Peru. The animals can grow quite large — adult males can weigh up to 400 lbs. and measure 8 feet in length. Interestingly, the dolphins are born gray and slowly turn pink as they age, and males have a darker hue than females. The pink pigment is also due to scar tissue from fighting or rough play, and the dolphin's coloration can range from light pink spots to dark, saturated pink. Pink river dolphins travel in small groups of two to four and spend most of their time under the murky river waters.

Paiche

Another Amazonian wonder is the paiche, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This aquatic novelty can breathe air and can grow over 9 feet long and weigh over 400 lbs. It takes a lot to feed an animal this large, and the torpedo-shaped fish feeds on small fish and birds, insects and small animals that venture near the shore. The paiche makes its home in shallow, muddy waters, and scientists consider the fish to be a living fossil, tracing its lineage back to the Jurassic period.

Hoatzin

Roughly the size of a chicken, the hoatzin is a vibrant feathered bird found in the Amazonian forest and has a bright blue face and a black-and-orange spiky mohawk that’s easy to spot among the leaves. The hoatzin has a few other distinct features — it’s nicknamed the stinkbird because it digests food using bacterial enzymes which emit a foul odor. The digestion process can take a few days, which is why these birds are often found lounging in the leafy, Amazonian trees.

Green Anaconda

Considered one of the largest snakes in the world, these majestic snakes live in tropical environments and spend most of their time in the water. The female green anacondas are larger than males and can grow to over 20 feet and weigh over 500 lbs., while the males can grow up to 8 feet. Green anacondas are non-venomous snakes, but they’re still quite dangerous. When they’re hungry, they detach their jaws to capture prey and then suffocate it before swallowing it whole. In the wild, green anacondas can live about 10 years.

Cock-of-the-Rock

The Andean cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru and makes its nest in the rocky cliffs of the Andes. The male cock-of-the-rock is bright orange with black and white wings, while the females are covered in brownish feathers. The bird is thought to have gotten its name from its resemblance to a rooster or because of its “cocky” nature. During mating season, groups of males gather and strut, showing off their vibrant plumage, flapping their wings and bowing their heads trying to get the attention of the female birds.

Amazonian Tarantula

The Amazonian tarantula is the world’s largest tarantula and can measure up to 13 inches wide. The giant spider's body is covered in coarse black and brown hairs, and they can live up to 30 years. Tarantulas live in burrows under the ground or in treetop nests, and to protect itself, the tarantula will rub its hairs together to create hissing sounds and fling its hairs to scare off intruders. Just be aware that while a tarantula bite is quite painful, it is not fatal to humans.

Giant Water Lily

The giant water lily, also called the Victoria amazonica, has large leaves that span nearly 10 feet wide. The large white lilies can grow up to 16 inches wide and give off a fruity smell when they bloom. The lilies only bloom for a few days and initially have a bright, white color. But by the second day, the flowers turn purple-red and lose their scent. The large leaves float on the water surface with the stalk submerged under the water, and the massive plants can be found in the shallow waters of the Amazon.