Unique Animals – As a traveler, of course, you know that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8,848 meters above sea level. Because of this, this mountain has extreme weather and treacherous terrain.
You need to know, the average temperature at its peak can reach -36 degrees Celsius. Not to mention the steep and snow-covered terrain. Even so, Everest is home to several species of animals.
These animals have unique shapes and behaviors that arise due to their adaptation to extreme conditions. So, here are some unique animals on Mount Everest.
5 Unique Animals on Mount Everest
Himalayan Goral
Himalayan Goral is commonly found in the highlands of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and India. In Pakistan, these animals can be found at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 meters, while in Nepal and India, they are found at altitudes of 900-2,750 meters.
Snow Leopard
One of the unique features of the Snow Leopard is its thick white fur which is complemented by black spots. Even compared to other big cat species, this animal has the thickest fur.
This is a form of adaptation so that they can live well in the extreme conditions of Mount Everest. Unfortunately, their beautiful fur makes them a target for hunters.
Poachers catch these animals to sell their fur and skins at high prices on the black market. Meanwhile, claws, bones, and other body parts are widely used as ingredients in traditional medicine in Asia.
Until now, the number of snow leopards on Mount Everest is estimated to be only 4,500 to 7,500 individuals.
Himalayan Bear
Himalayan bears are common in the highlands of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, and China. The main feature of this bear is its thick black fur with a white stripe on the chest.
Usually, these animals live at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,700 meters above sea level. However, during the high season, they usually descend to an altitude of 1,500 meters.
This omnivorous animal has a height of 140-170 cm with an average weight of 91-120 kilograms. They usually consume honey, fruit, nuts, plant roots, termites, and also beetle larvae.
Red Pandas
The Red Panda can be found in southwest China and the eastern highlands of the Himalayas. This animal whose body is the size of a domestic cat has unique fur that is its main attraction.
Yup, as the name suggests, this animal’s fur is reddish brown with a long tail decorated with stripes. For food, they consume more bamboo like the giant panda in China.
The Red Panda is an animal with a long life span, which is around 8 to 10 years. Some even live up to 15 years. However, this animal is now declared endangered because it is being hunted by humans.
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Himalayan Mountain Goat
The last unique animal on Mount Everest is the Himalayan Mountain Goat. This animal has thick fur and tufts on its neck. This thick fur serves as a coat that protects it from the cold temperatures of Everest.
Usually, this one goat is found in India, Tibet, and Nepal. Another unique thing about this goat is its long horn which can reach 46 cm. These horns are used by males during the breeding season to fight over females from other males.
It’s a shame, just like the Himalayan Goral and Red Panda, this Everest goat is included as an endangered animal because its population continues to decline due to hunting and loss of its habitat.