Enormous Diversity of Wildlife

Looking at photographs of Argentina, you might be forgiven for assuming that most of its landscapes are desolate and devoid of life. That, however, could not be further from the truth. It is a large nation with a wide range of creatures to captivate nature enthusiasts.

• Capybaras are the world's biggest rodents and are both endearing and lovable. They may be found in Argentina's rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes, especially in the Ibera Wetlands. These creatures, which are related to guinea pigs, may weigh up to 66kg yet are excellent swimmers due to their webbed feet.
• An extremely rare sight, jaguars have been known to prowl parts of northern Argentina. These are the biggest cats in South America, and local societies hold them in great respect. Unfortunately, because of hunting and habitat destruction, their numbers have plummeted considerably. Any glimpse is a true gift to be savored.
• The Andean, Chilean, and James flamingos are found across South America. All three can be found in Argentina in big colonies on salt flats and lakes. One of the greatest sites to see the colorful flamingo, which feeds on algae and plankton, is in the Salinas Grandes provinces of Jujuy and Salta.
• Another unusual species is the pink fairy armadillo, which is only six inches long and has a beautiful rose shell. These odd creatures may be found in Central Argentina.
• There's also the Patagonian hare, a bunny that can grow to the size of a small deer, and the guanaco, which looks like a cross between a camel and a llama.