Animals that Live in Mountains
Brown Bear Brown bears live in many locations around the world up to 16,400 feet above sea level. The brown bear has long blunt claws that they can use to dig up food, even when buried in ice and snow. Brown bears are at the top of the food chain as they are powerful enough to break the necks of many animals with a single spat. Their thick layer of fat helps to keep them warm.
Himalayan Tahr The Himalayan tahr lives at elevations up to 16.400 feet above sea level. This animal has a thick two-part coat that grows long in the winter. The extra length and the thick undercoat help insulate it during cold weather.
Lammergeier The lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) also called the bone-eating vulture, lives at altitudes up to 16,400 feet above sea level. The sole member of the genus Gypaetus, its name means “lamb eater” in German, and this scavenger of many names is also known as the bearded vulture, the bearded vulture-eagle, the bone breaker, and the ossifrage.
Tibetan Sand Fox The Tibetan sand fox lives in altitudes up to 17,100 feet above sea level. These animals have thick fur coats, so it is easy for them to handle the cold. They can be found in India, Nepal, Tibet, and Western China and live on the Ladakh and Tibetan Plateaus.
Himalayan Marmot The Himalayan marmot lives in elevations up to 17,100 feet above sea level. They live in dens up to 30 feet deep in the ground with their families up to 6 months out of the year. Each of their front feet has four toes with long concave claws, allowing them to burrow better.
Kiang Kiangs live in elevations up to 17,700 feet above sea level. These animals that are the largest wild asses have longer hair in the winter to keep them warmer and shorter hair in the summer. These animals deliver their young when food is most plentiful. Their only predator is wolves.
Chiru Chirus, also called Tibetan antelope, live in elevations up to 18,000 feet above sea level. These animals migrate to lower elevations during the winter while staying in higher elevations during the summer. Some animals, which scientists believe are the healthiest and youngest, migrate while others remain in the winter feeding grounds all year long.
Tibetan Gazelle Tibetan gazelles live in elevations up to 18,900 feet above sea level. These animals can run up to 43 miles per hour and keep at it for over 60 miles. In order to breathe in the thinner air, Tibetan gazelles do not develop adult hemoglobin, but they keep juvenile globin throughout their lives.
Yak Yaks can live up to 20,000 feet above sea level. The thick tongue of the yak helps it lick moss and lichen off rough surfaces. While there are not many nutrients in the diet that the yak consumes, they have a rumen. Chewing their cud, like a cow, helps them get more nutrients out of the available food.
Alpine Chough The Alpine chough can live up to 21,300 feet above sea level. This bird has nested higher than any other bird in the world. They have broad, powerful wings and tails, which help them withstand strong winds. They also have deeply slotted wing tips making it easier for them to maneuver.