Mountain Animals

The animals that live in the mountain regions have unique adaptations to survive the harsh conditions like low oxygen level, extreme cold temperature, rugged terrain. Most of the mountain animals are fugitives, and are also large because small animals loose heat quickly and cool down faster due to the large surface area. Let us see about some mountain animals.

Big Horn Sheep

Animals like bighorn sheep migrate to different regions in search of food, they feed feed on alpine tundra foliage during summers and migrate to lower altitudes to escape the snowy winters.

Snow Leopard

Mountain animals like snow leopards have thick fur and wool to protect themselves from extreme cold and they also have large paws that act as natural snowshoes which helps to navigate in deep snow.

The Himalayan Thar

The Himalayan Thar or wild goat are adapted to live on the steep rocky cliffs of the Himalayan mountain range. They have short, sturdy legs and special hooves that allow them to navigate the rugged terrain easily.

The Mountain Gorilla

The mountain gorillas live in dense forest in African mountain range. These are gentle primates that live in close-knit groups that are lead by dominant male. These animals exhibit good social behaviours and have complex communication methods.

The American Pika

The American Pikas are small mammals that live in rocky alpine ranges that migrate to lower altitudes to escape winters and to collect food. They have thick fur to regulate body temperature and help them survive in freezing temperatures.

Yak

The yak are large and only bovine animals that live in high altitudes. They have thick fur, absence of sweat glands, large lungs and heart to compensate low oxygen levels and food scarcity.

Birds

The birds like golden eagle, mountain blue bird, snowy owl are well adapted to the mountain environment and it serves as a best place for breeding and feeding. These birds play an important role in pollinating plants, eat seeds and recycle the nutrients.

Also Read: Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

Mountains and Mountain Animals

Mountains are high-altitude landforms that have rugged terrain and harsh climatic conditions with a vast diversity of habitats. The mountain habitat animals are Snow leopards, Himalayan thar, Mountain gorillas, and Andean condors. They have adapted to the cold climate by growing thick fur and wool. They also have fast hooves that help them to climb the steep slopes. In this article, we will read about mountains, their types, and the mountain animals.

Table of Content

What are Mountains?
Mountain Ecosystem
Mountain Animals
Habitat of Mountain Animals
Threats of Mountain Animals
Conservation of Mountain Ecosystem
Conclusion: Mountains And Mountain Animals