The flora and fauna of the city of cusco

Located in the heart of the majestic Andes Mountains, Cusco is distinguished by its mountainous geography that is home to a surprising variety of flora and fauna. Although this Peruvian region is located in a high mountain area, it also exhibits a tropical ecosystem that is home to diverse species. Discover the richness of the flora and fauna of this land, where the great Inca civilization flourished.

The Fauna of Cusco

The Andean Condor

The imposing Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus), the world's largest non-marine flying bird, is a prominent resident of the Andes Mountains in South America. With a height of up to 1.42 meters and a wingspan of 3.30 meters, this majestic condor is mainly found in countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia. A member of the 'Cathartidae' family, it feeds mainly on carrion. For the Incas, the condor was considered immortal and played the role of messenger between the world of the living and the dead.

Camelids in Cusco

Camelids, members of the subfamily 'Camelinae', are a species of mammal that includes camels and, in the Andes, llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas. Used by the Incas since ancient times, these animals continue to be an essential part of the Cusco landscape. Llamas, domesticated from the guanaco, are used both for transportation and to obtain their valuable wool. Alpacas, similar to vicuñas, are bred for their fine wool, which is now exported around the world.

Vicuñas and Guanacos

Vicuñas, a species of non-domesticated camelids, are the smallest in the Andean region, reaching up to 80 centimeters in height and 50 kilos in weight. Their wool, highly valued since the time of the Incas, has been cared for and protected to prevent indiscriminate hunting. Currently, these species are protected by the authorities and their wool is marketed under strict controls.

Guanacos, on the other hand, are their wild relatives and were domesticated to give rise to llamas. Their wool, although less fine than that of the vicuña, has an appreciable density. Although the Incas hunted guanacos for their meat, today their fiber is traded mainly in Argentina and Chile.

The Spectacled Bear

The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the only one of its kind in South America, inhabits tropical mountainous areas. Their conservation has faced significant challenges, especially in the 20th century with deforestation and indiscriminate hunting. Today, these animals can sometimes be spotted in the Inca City of Machu Picchu, a captivating spectacle for tourists.

The Cock of the Rock

The cock of the rock (Rupicola peruvianus), the national bird of Peru, adorns the mountainous jungles of South America. With its reddish-black plumage, the male is especially striking, while the female has a duller color. Although valued by the Incas, indiscriminate hunting has led to its conservation status being listed as 'minor concern'.

The Flora of Cusco

Orchids: Beauty in Abundance

Orchids, with their unparalleled beauty and diversity, find in Cusco a favorable environment to thrive. With more than 3,000 species in Peru, some of them present in Machu Picchu, these flowers have fascinated the inhabitants of the region since time immemorial. The Incas, aware of their value, attributed special meanings to them, as in the case of the 'Waqanki' orchid, whose Quechua name means 'tears', according to an Inca legend.

The Cantuta Flower and its Inca Meaning

The Cantuta flower (Cantua buxifolia), considered the national flower of Peru, has been appreciated since ancient times. Its presence in Inca religious ceremonies, where it was scattered along the Inca trail, testifies to its importance. Graduations and special events also counted on the ornamentation of the cantuta on the heads of young people. Today, this flower continues to be a living representation of the rich floral heritage of the Incas, being appreciated as 'the flower of the Incas'.