Wildlife
In Uruguay there are 114 species of mammals, 490 species of birds, 71 species of reptiles and 210 species of fish.
Mammals. Uruguay has five species of felines: the margay cat(Leopardus wiedii), the most common in the country, the wild cat, the Geoffroy's cat(Leopardus geoffroyi), the ocelot(Leopardus pardalis) and the puma(Puma concolor). There is no "population" as such, but rather a few individuals occupying remote areas, mainly along the River Uruguay in the northern provinces. In this same territory, it is also possible to see black howler monkeys(Alouatta carayá). There are also white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus), pampas deer(Ozotoceros bezoarticus) and grey daguets(Mazama gouazoubira) that inhabit the wooded areas and feed on leaves and shoots. On the rodent side, the country is home to coatis(Nasua nasua), raccoons(Procyon lotor), otters(Lutrinae), porcupines(Erethizon dorsata) and capybaras(Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). There are also 23 species of bats. Due to the loss and transformation of their habitats, the armadillo(Dasypus novemcinctus), the Amazon anteater(Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the coati are among the endangered animal species.
In addition to terrestrial mammals, the country is also home to aquatic creatures such as the dolphin of La Plata(Pontoporia blainvillei), native to the River Plate and the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. Uruguay is home to the largest population of fur seals in South America(Arctocephalus australis) with approximately 250,000 individuals. The majority live on the Torres Islands near Cabo Polonio. Besides sea lions, elephant seals and sea lions(Mirounga leoninay and Eumetopias jubatus) are also present.
The southern right whale, of the cetacean family, has a robust and obese body. An adult whale measures 12 to 16 m long and weighs between 40 and 55 tons. It has the particularity of having on its head a series of protuberances and callosities under the skin, and small encrusted crustaceans, which give the impression of an orange-white make-up. Today, there are 4,000 whales in the Southern Ocean, whereas at the beginning of the century, there were more than 100,000. Sought after for its blubber, in particular, the whale was a victim of intensive hunting until recently. Nowadays, it is listed as a "vulnerable" species and therefore protected. It can be seen on the coasts of the departments of Maldonado and Rocha, and sometimes even on those of Montevideo and Canelones. It comes up from the arctic areas in winter to reproduce in warm water. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!
Birds. Uruguay has a rather varied avifauna, although it is only 40% of that of Argentina and 25% of that of Brazil. Of the 490 species of birds found in the country, 65% are permanent residents, which means that they are found all year round in the territory, while the remaining 35% are seabird species that live in colonies, which allows them to optimize their choice of location according to the possibilities of feeding and shelter for reproduction. Many spend most of their time on the high seas and rarely approach land. However, a short trip not too far from the coast will allow you to observe them. If you are familiar with seasickness, the alternative may be to go to one of the many islands along the Uruguayan coast. Among these birds, you will be able to see the black-crested albatross, the fine-billed albatross, the giant petrel, the checkered petrel, the fine-billed prion, the white-bearded petrel, the small black-headed gray gull and the oceanite frigatebird. Windy days are the best for observing albatrosses, which have mastered the art of using the wind. Next, the birds that frequent Monte Parque are the pirincho(guira cantara), the red-naped carpintero (woodpecker), the trepadorcito, theespinero (whistling synallaxis), the tio-tio (rousselé synallaxis), the white viudita(pepoaza irupero). In addition to these, the hornero and the crestudo (Annumbi lark) are characterized by the construction of very elaborate nests, made from wood twigs, sometimes thorns and other numerous plant elements. The nest of the hornero can thus reach 1,20 m length and 60 cm broad. Near the rivers, there are species of birds such as the biguá ( vigua cormorant), wild ducks such as the "Brazilian" duck, the duck with white and red hair, and also the "fishing" eagle, although it is less present in Uruguay. Herons, characteristic of Uruguayan streams, also feed on fish. The rhea belongs to the Rheidae family and lives in South America, mainly in central and eastern Brazil, southern Bolivia and in the grasslands of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is the largest bird in South America, with an ovoid shape and a size of up to 1.50 m. It has similarities with the ostrich, such as a long and flat beak, large eyes that allow it to see behind it and large wings that help it keep its balance when running at 60 km/h. It is also an animal that lives in packs, even seeking the company of other animals such as deer, sheep or cows. It is easily domesticated and can live up to 15 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity. Finally, the Lapwing, which is considered the national bird of Uruguay, tends to live in couples or small groups. It is very protective of its territory and can become aggressive when defending its nest. Its distribution covers the whole country.
Reptiles and amphibians. Of the 71 species of reptiles in Uruguay, 12 are in danger of extinction. Similarly, 7 species of amphibians out of 49 are threatened. A few small caimans occupy the waters of the Río Uruguay in the north. The yacaré caiman(Caiman latorostris) feeds on amphibians, crustaceans or fish and mammals that it catches in the water. It can measure up to three meters long and weighs from 25 to 55 kg. Along the dunes, it is common to find the sand lizard(Liolaemus wiegmanni) which is no more than 15 cm long and buries itself under the sand as soon as it feels threatened. This environment is also home to a very common snake, the yayará(Lystrophis dorbignyi) which measures nearly 60 cm and feeds on toads and frogs (rest assured, it is not venomous). Let's also count the brown water snake(Liophis miliaris) which is a great swimmer and feeds on small fish and tadpoles. Then, the cross-banded viper(Bothrops alternatus), poisonous, is 150 cm long and is characterized by its brownish color and its "C" shaped spots. Finally, the oceanic coast is frequented by the sea turtle(Dermochelys coriacea) and the green turtle(Chelonia mydas) which come only to feed (their breeding habitats are located in more tropical areas such as the beaches of the Caribbean and northern Brazil). Although these last ones occupy more the departments of Rocha and Maldonado, it is still possible to see them in Montevideo and Canelones.
Fish. Uruguayan waters are home to a great diversity of fish, both in the sea and in the rivers. The most common species include sea bream(Salminus maxillosus), meagre(Argyrosomus regius), hake(Merluccius merluccius) and catfish(Ameiurus melas). The white corvina, similar to the raven, is of the family Sciaenidae, and has an elongated and flat body. Its color varies from white to brown through yellow on the ventral area. Its back is dark with black and oblique bands. It lives mainly in the maritime area from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of San Matías in Argentina, especially in the River Plate where it is abundant. It is the most caught fish in Uruguay after the hake, and is fished both industrially and artisanally. It is also found in the Rocha lagoon (declared a protected area), an important reproduction area. The most caught species are yellow and black catfish, sea bream and shad(Alosa fallax). Most of these catches are destined for foreign rather than local consumption, since Uruguayans are not accustomed to eating fish, largely preferring beef. In fact, the average consumption of fish in the country is only 9 kg per year, compared to 87 kg of beef.
The flora
The Uruguayan soil is formed by a huge grassland interrupted in some places by groves, forests and swampy or sandy areas. Almost 90% of the territory corresponds to this pattern, the natural environment having been largely modified and standardized by the grazing of cattle. The grassland is the predominant ecosystem of the country, constituting a community of grasses and pastures composed of a large number of species, among which stand out the grasses and legumes. These grasslands form a continuous vegetal tapestry that varies according to the type of soil it supports. Almost all of Uruguay's soil is deficient in water, with the exception of certain areas such as riverbanks. This explains the absence of dense and abundant vegetation. These geographical characteristics are favorable to the growth of herbaceous vegetation, but hostile to that of trees. The arborescent vegetation is thus denser towards the north of the country where the climate is warmer and more humid. Plants that need less water are, for example, pitanga, myrtle, canelón, peach tree, coronilla, tala (a kind of hackberry tree). According to the collection of development indicators of the World Bank, the forest area of Uruguay in 2020 was 20,310 km², representing 11.6% of the total territory. In the absence of indigenous forest species, the Uruguayan forest has been developed through European imports. One example is the Lussich Arboretum, located in Punta Ballena, which has become an important forest reserve in South America. In general, the species most commonly found are theombú (emblem of the country), eucalyptus, acacia, willow, poplar and myrtle. Algaroba and quebracho are also typical trees of the country. The national tree is the ceibo, which can be recognized by its red flowers blooming from October to April. These flowers grow quickly on low and humid grounds and have been declared the national flower of Argentina.
