Animals on Mount Everest – Are there many?

Famous for its greatest height and in rugged terrain, people often have aspiration to climb or trek the Mount Everest. But along with that aspiration, many people out there are also interested in getting to know the wildlife of the Mount Everest. Generally, it is interesting for some people to know about the kinds of animals living in the Mount Everest.

People are stunned with the fact that, place where human cannot fully breath, how an animal can easily live in such kind of conditions. One thing you should know is that when the altitude climbs up the oxygen level comes down. That means, every living thing has a certain level of threat due to the low levels of oxygen. But with those animals that we are going to talk about, it doesn’t apply to them. They can easily adapt to those freezing temperatures and will not face any kind of difficulties residing on such conditions.

Since it is very difficult for most of living things to reside in such kind of conditions, it is obvious that there won’t be too many animals in the area. But today in this blog, we are going to talk about few animals who have managed to overcome the difficulties and been leaving their footprints in the Everest region since long time. So let’s get started.

Animals that live on Everest

One fact you should know is that, many of the animals found on the Mount Everest are actually rare and they are not visible all the times. They live in very limited numbers and can be found only in the Himalayan region of the country. So now let’s check them out one by one-

Snow leopard

Snow leopard are generally known to be extinct species, but they can be spotted time to time in the Everest. Meanwhile, they are among the most recognizable inhabitants of Mount Everest.

Especially, the snow leopard is ideally suited to traveling the snow-covered terrain thanks to its thick fur and huge paws, which function as snowshoes.  Because of its exceptional camouflage and isolated character, it is a rare to see them. Therefore, due to the ongoing threats to its survival from habitat loss and poaching, conservation measures are essential to safeguarding this endangered species in the Everest region.

Himalayan Tahr

Adapted to the rocky slopes of Everest, the Himalayan Tahr is a wild goat-like ungulate. Because of their shaggy coat and strong frame, they are easily able to move over the difficult terrain.

In the Everest, you can find these lively herbivores grazing in groups on the hardy alpine greenery. Further, the concerns have been raised about the Himalayan Tahr’s conservation status, and efforts are being made to learn more about and save these unusual animals on Mount Everest.

Himalayan Goral

The Himalayan goral is a small, swift ungulate that has adapted to live on the rocky cliffs and slopes of Everest region. The goral blends in perfectly with its surroundings thanks to its characteristic lyre-shaped horns and chestnut-brown coat.  Generally, these herbivores feed on various kinds of mountain vegetation, and they have a reputation for being able to get around steep and rough terrain.

Himalayan Black Bear

Another bear that lives on Everest is the Himalayan black bear, which can be identified by a striking white V-shaped chest mark. The high-altitude forests have allowed this bear species to adapt, and it currently feeds on berries, insects, and plants. Even though these bears are usually nervous, interactions with them show off the wide range of species in this region. So further, to guarantee that these bears and the nearby towns continue to coexist, conservationists are striving to reduce conflicts between humans and bears.

Red Panda

Hiding in the thick forests that surround Mount Everest, red panda is one the charming and adorable animals. They can easily blend in perfectly with the forest cover due to its reddish-brown coat and bushy tail, so they are not visible for most of the time.

Though they are not closely related, the giant and red pandas have a love for bamboo. Similarly as others, red pandas are vulnerable and efforts are present to safeguard their environments and counteract the dangers of poaching and habitat fragmentation.

Himalayan Pika

The Himalayan pika is a digging herbivore that lives in the alpine meadows of Everest. It is a tiny relative of rabbits. They can endure the chilly conditions of Everest as they do have the thick fur inside them.

Especially, these little mammals perform an important role in the ecology. Simply, they cause the drainage of the soil through their burrows. So, Pika populations are under careful tracking in the Everest region as their changes in numbers can have a cascading impact on the environment as a whole.

Musk Deer

Known for its unique scent gland, the elusive musk deer can adapt to Everest’s coniferous woods. Admired for its scent, this lone animal moves swiftly up the steep hill of the Everest region. Specifically, due to the demand for their musk, conservation efforts for them is more strict to prevent poaching of these deer.

Himalayan Marmot 

Himalayan marmot are the most common squirrel like type of animals of Mount Everest, that you will see along the routes of Everest. In general, you will find them primarily in grassy areas, large meadows, and even certain desert-like settings. Marmots usually gather in huge groups, and their main sources of food include insects, grass, and roots.

Himalayan Blue Sheep

The Himalayan blue sheep, sometimes referred to as bharal, is particularly a grazer that lives on Everest’s steep rocky slopes. They camouflage themselves in the rocks by the help of their bluish-gray coat, which helps them avoid snow leopards and other predators. These swift ungulates has evolved to the difficult terrain of Everest region since long time. So, strategies for conservation that looks to protect their habitats are still going on.

Mountain Weasel

Mountain weasel is a small carnivore animal which have remarkable adaptability to the alpine and subalpine regions of the Everest. These weasels contribute to the regulation of tiny rodent populations attributable to their sleek bodies and excellent hunting abilities.

Like Himalayan Pika, Mountain weasel also have thick fur to protect themselves from the cold. Therefore, understanding the ecological function of these animals aids in maintaining a balance within the ecosystem and encourages the preservation of biodiversity on Mount Everest.

Wild Yak

Large and robust, you can find this wild yak in the high-altitude plateaus and meadows of Everest. Well-known for its lengthy, shaggy coat, the wild yak has learned to survive in this hostile environment by feeding on tough grasses. Especially, local populations have tamed these yaks for their meat, milk, and fur.

Yellow-throated Marten

The deep forests surrounding Everest are home to the slim, arboreal yellow-throated marten. You can easily identify this animal by its bushy tail and brilliant yellow neck. Generally, they are great in climbing and hunting, and it feeds on small mammals and birds, which helps maintain the ecological balance in the region.

Mythical Creature Yeti

Identified as the Giant Snowman of the Himalayas, Yeti is just present in the thoughts and witnesses of the people. However, there is no scientifical evidence of Yeti. Generally, people display yetis as the large human like beings who has big hairy bodies, long arms and legs.

Conclusion

In the above sections, we have mentioned you all of the primary animals found in the Everest region. In addition to these, there are plenty of other animals in the Mount Everest.

As above mentioned, most of these animals are in the verge of extinction which is not a good thing. They are the jewels of this adventure as they sprinkle the charm for the visitors who have come to trek this region.

Further, we want to point out that climbing Mount Everest not only puts your physical stamina to the test, but it also gives you the chance to see beauty of the wildlife. Therefore, seeing such amazing creatures like the red panda and the snow leopard will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for you.