Patagonia's Mammals

The Huemul deer is Patagonia’s most elusive and endangered large mammal, standing around 3 feet (1 metres) tall at the shoulder. Found from the Chilean Lake District to the tip of South America (excluding Tierra del Fuego), its population is critically low—fewer than 1,500 remain in Chile, with even fewer in Argentina.

These shy deer prefer scrubland and lenga forests, making sightings rare but incredibly special. Habitat loss and fragmentation from ranching remain their biggest threats, but conservation efforts, like Rewilding Chile’s huemul corridor, aim to restore their range. If you don’t spot one in the wild, you’ll still see it—on Chile’s coat of arms, alongside the Andean condor.

Patagonia’s striped forager—the hog-nosed skunk—is one of Patagonia’s lesser known but intriguing mammals. Named for its distinctive upturned snout, it uses its strong claws and nose to dig for insects, roots, and small prey. Found across grasslands and scrublands, it’s most active at dusk and dawn, often foraging alone.

Unlike its North American relatives, this skunk has a longer, bushier tail and a bold white stripe running from head to tail. While it can spray a strong-smelling musk when threatened, it prefers to avoid confrontation. Sightings are rare, but if you're exploring Patagonia at night, you might just spot one shuffling through the undergrowth.

Patagonia is home to two species of fox: the culpeo (red fox) and the Southern grey fox. Both are actually zorros, or "false foxes," as they belong to a distinct lineage separate from true foxes.

The culpeo, the larger of the two, has a striking reddish-grey coat and a bushy tail. They are often seen trotting through the steppe or lurking near refugios/campsites in Torres del Paine.

The grey fox is smaller, with a more delicate build and a mix of tawny and silver fur, blending perfectly into the windswept grasslands. Unlike culpeo, which prefers mountainous and forested terrain, grey foxes thrive in the more open, arid landscapes of Patagonia.

Hairy armadillos are mostly nocturnal in summer and only venture out in daylight during winter if they’re not hibernating. If you spot one, look for powerful legs and long hair between their shell plates. Despite their poor eyesight, they can run fast! They live in deep burrows and, in areas where they’re not disturbed, may become surprisingly tame—sometimes wandering around ranches in search of food. 

Pichi (dwarf) armadillos, on the other hand, are shy and solitary, but unlike their hairy cousins, they are active during the day. Their rounded shells, patterned in black and cream, help them blend into the steppe. They dig shallow burrows for foraging and deeper ones for shelter. Though sometimes kept as pets, they are also hunted for their meat and shells.

The mountain viscacha looks like a mix between a rabbit and a squirrel, with soft grey-brown fur, a bushy curled tail, and large, expressive ears.

Keep an eye on rocky outcrops and cliffs, especially at dawn or dusk, for these agile climbers. Their fur blends perfectly with the rocks, so watch for movement rather than shape. They often sunbathe on ledges or dart between crevices, and their soft, whistling calls can help you locate them.