Animals in Argentina

Katelyn Lundquist is a student at the University of Findlay, and an ISA Photo Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

What would a trip oversees be to an Animal Science major without animals?   Of course I had to document my [animal] friends in their natural habitats.  Here are just a few of the many animals Argentina has to offer.

Most animals seen in the city of Buenos Aires are stray cats and dogs, pets of locals, and flocks of pigeons that like to fly in your face.

Cat, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist Photo 1
Stray cats aren’t as common as stray dogs, but they’re out there. Most of the time, they hide in the foliage and avoid people.

 

Dog, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 2
Cutest lil dog I’ve ever seen!

The stray dogs are a little smarter. More often than not, they’ll walk along with the humans or beg because they know that’s where the food comes from.

Tortuga, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 3
My host mom’s pet tortoise, Manuelita.

As you move outside the city towards the countryside, there’s more open land with more farms, or ‘estancias’. There you will find the usual types of farm animals such as cows, horses, chickens, and goats…and the occasional ostrich…

Farm, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 4
Ostrich and goat – the best of friends.

Heading further south into the mountains of Bariloche in northern Patagonia, there are lots of horses. During high tourist seasons these horses are used for guided horseback rides through the scenic mountainous countryside. However, during the off seasons they are also used to work on the vast properties of the locals.

Horse, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 5
My noble steed, Muñeca, in the mountains of Bariloche.

In Argentina, horses are not only found in the countryside or mountainous regions. You can also find horses being ridden in polo matches or in horse races. Sport horses from Argentina are said to be some of the best in the world!

The region of Patagonia also has a good variety of marine life.

Lobos Marinos, Buenos Aires, Argentina -Lundquist - Photo 7
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see any orcas or whales (it wasn’t whaling season), but we did see lots of sea lions!

 

Guanaco, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 6
Guanacos are in the same family as llamas, but cuter!

One of the most surprising discoveries while travelling was the penguins! I knew there were penguins in southern Patagonia, but I didn’t think we’d see any in northern Patagonia. This experience was truly one for the books!

Penguins, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 8
I saw penguins in real life! I can check that off my bucket list!

 

Colony, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lundquist - Photo 9
There were more penguins in one place than I could ever imagine!

The world awaits…discover it.

Leave a Reply