Two species of fox are present in the park, the South American Grey Fox or Chilla (Lycalopex griseus; also known as the Patagonian Grey Fox, Zorro Gris or Zorro Patagónico) and the Fuegian Fox or Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus; also known as Zorro Rojo). The Culpeo is the larger of the two species, which is also easily distinguished (as the name implies) by the colour of its coat. Both species are protected in Chile, although illegal hunting still occurs. The genus Dusicyon is often used for South American foxes instead of Lycalopex.
Other mammals include the Big Hairy Armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus), Humbolt’s Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus humboldtii), and various species of rodent, including the Longtailed Colilargo (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), the Patagonian Chinchilla Rat (Euneomys chinchilloides) and several species of field and grass mice, such as the Yellow-nosed Akodont (Abrothrix xanthorhinus) and the Olive-coloured Akodont (Abrothrix olivaceus).
In neighbouring Bernardo O’Higgins national park you have a chance of spotting the Southern Sea Lion (Otaria flavescens), South American Fur Seal (Arctocephalus australis) and Marine Otter (Lontra felina).
Birds
Along with the Guanaco, another familiar wildlife sight in and around Torres del Paine is the Ñandú or Lesser Rhea (Pterocnemia pennata), a very large flightless bird with long legs and neck and three toes.
Perhaps the most iconic bird in South America, the Andean Condor or Cóndor (Vultur gryphus), is also one you have a fairly good chance of seeing in and around the park, soaring on thermal air currents. With a wingspan of up to three metres, the Condor is the largest flighted landbird. Adults have black plumage with white areas on the back of the wings and around the base of the neck, and bare pinkish skin on the head and neck; adult males have a dark red comb. Appearing clumsy on the ground, the Condor is a magnificent bird once in flight, gliding effortlessly in search of carrion. It usually nests on ledges on cliffs.
The Southern Crested Caracara or Carancho (Caracara plancus) is a commonly seen raptor, often spotted by the roadside when driving in southern Chile. It is a striking bird, dusky in colour with cream throat and barred breast, and reddish skin on its face. Less common are the smaller tawny-coloured Chimango Caracara (Milvago chimango) and the comparatively rare White-Throated Caracara or Carancho cordillerano del sur (Phalcoboenus albogularis). Other birds of prey include the American Kestrel or Cernícalo (Falco sparverius), sometimes called the Sparrow Hawk (but unrelated to the Sparrowhawk found in the UK), and the Black-Chested Buzzard Eagle or Aguila (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – the largest hawk in Chile, adults being recognisable by their black head and throat.
Male upland Goose or Caiquén (Chleophaga picta)
Owls include the Magellanic Horned Owl or Tucúquere (Babu magellanicus), the largest in the region, with large ear tufts and predominantly grey, mottled plumage, and the smaller and more common Austral Pygmy-Owl or Chuncho (Glaucidium nanum).
The Chilean Flamingo or Flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is found on or around lakes with a high alkaline or salt content such as Laguna Amarga and Laguna Los Cisnes.
The Black-necked Swan or Cisne de cuello negro (Cygnus melancoryphus) is frequently seen along the shores of Last Hope Sound near Puerto Natales, or Laguna de los Juncos or Lago Toro within the park. Slightly less common is the Coscoroba or Cisne coscoroba (Coscoroba coscoroba), a smaller all-white swan with a reddish bill. The Upland Goose or Caiquén (Chloephaga picta) is another common resident in and around the park; the male is predominantly white with a black barred breast, and the female predominantly cinnamonbrown with black barred flanks. The slightly smaller Ashy-headed Goose (Chleophaga poliocephala) is also fairly common.
Carancho or Southern Caracara (Caracara plancus)
The Crested Duck (Lophonetta specularioides), Andean Ruddy Duck (Oxyura ferruginea), Chiloe Wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and Speckled Teal (Anas flavirostris) are all fairly common residents in the park. Less common are the Spectacled or Bronze-winged Duck (Speculanus specularis) and Flying steamer-Duck (Tachyeres patachonicus), both of which can be seen on Lago Toro, the Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) and the rather wonderful Torrent Duck or Pato cortacorrientes (Merganetta armata), which can be spotted perched on rocks in some of the more remote, fast-running mountain streams, such as the upper reaches of Río Ascensio.
The Black-faced Ibis or Bandurria (Theristicus melanopis), with its long curved bill, ochre neck and grey band across its breast, is often seen in fairly large groups, grazing in open meadows within the park. (The Buff-necked Ibis, Theresticus caudatus, is very similar but lacks the grey band.)
The Neotropic Cormorant or Yeco (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) is found in the larger rivers and lakes in and around the park; it is glossy black, with a small area of white plumage around the bill during the breeding season. Its call is fairly distinctive, a series of rather pig-like grunts. Also resident in larger lakes and rivers is the Great Grebe or Huala (Podiceps major), large and fairly long-necked, with dark grey to black plumage and a red-brown patch on its neck. Much smaller and somewhat less common is the Silvery Grebe or Blanquillo (Podiceps occipatalis). The Blue-eyed or Imperial Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps) is found in Bernardo O’Higgins national park, and can be seen on the cliffs of Last Hope Sound between Puerto Natales and the Balmaceda glacier.
Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) and burrow
The Southern Lapwing, also called the Queltehue or Tero (Vanellus chilensis) is another common resident, as are the Magellanic Oystercatcher or Pilpilén austral (Haematopus leucopodus) and the South American Snipe (Gallinago paraguaiae). Two gulls are found in the national park, the Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) and the Brown-hooded Gull (Larus maculipennis).
Woodpeckers include the Magellanic Woodpecker or Carpintero negro (Campephilus magellanicus), a large and truly magnificent-looking bird, black-bodied with a white ‘v’-shaped marking on its back and, in the case of the male, a brilliant red head; and the smaller Striped Woodpecker or Carpinterito chico (Picoides lignarius). The Chilean Flicker or Pitío (Colaptes pitius) is fairly common in the park. The Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephanoides), a member of the hummingbird family, is sometimes seen in the Valle Francés.
Other common species include the Rufous-collared Sparrow or Chincol (Zonotrichia capensis), the Austral Blackbird or Tordo (Curaeus curaeus), the Patagonian Sierra-Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus) and the Grey-hooded Sierra Finch (Phrygilus gayi).
The Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) is present in Bernardo O’Higgins national park, and in huge numbers (some 120,000) on Isla Magdalena, in the Straits of Magellan. While in the Straits of Magellan you also have a chance of spotting the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) and the Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus).
Reptiles and amphibians
The park is home to several species of amphibian including the Grey Foureyed Frog (Pluerodema bufoninum), Grey Wood Frog (Batrachyla leptopus), the Spiny-chest Frog (Alsodes australis) and the Patagonian Toad (Chaunus (Bufo) variegatus). Reptiles include the Magellanic Lizard (Liolaemus magellanicus), Fitzinger’s Lizard (Liolaemus fitzingeri) and the rather wonderfully named Darwin’s Grumbler (Diplolaemus darwinii).
Invertebrates
At least ten species of butterfly have been recorded in the national park, including Whites and Fritillary; less pleasantly, huge numbers of particularly voracious mosquitoes are present during the summer. The Black Widow spider has been found in some localised areas of the park, including around Laguna Amarga.
Plants
The dense deciduous forests of Torres del Paine national park are characterized by several species of Southern Beech, primarily Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio). The Lenga is a tall and fairly broad-trunked