Some years ago, I developed a project to better explain certain ecological concepts for children at school. My idea was to use native species in the examples so they could familiarize with the diversity present in my country and learn something different from the Lion-Gazelle or Koala-Eucalyptus examples. While I was preparing how to display all the information and which animals use, I ended up drawing these three in a little more detailed than previously planned. They are gorgeous animals, so I couldn't help being a bit more artistic with them even though I couldn't use them for my project (too much detail).

The long-tailed snake is an endemic species to Chile. Together with the short-tailed snake (Tachymenis chilensis), they are the only two snakes present in continental Chile. Despite being poisonous, its venom is considered not quite toxic for humans. Although the hatchlings and juveniles are omnivores; when they become adults, they maintain a carnivorous regime. Their diet consists mainly of rodents such as Octodon degus and Mus musculus, juvenile rabbits, insects, and other small reptiles. It hunts its prey using strangulation, although it also uses its venom.

This other two animals are called "Chuncho" (Austral Pygmy-Owl, Glacidium nanum) and "Puma" (Cougar, Puma concolor), both native species from Chile. 

Although the Chuncho presents more diurnal habits than other birds of its kind, it is difficult to see. Its small size, silent flight, and immobility on the branch where it perches make it go unnoticed. Moderately common in the central and southern areas, it is found from the coast up to about 2,000 meters above sea level, including gardens and city squares. On the other hand, it is usually scarce towards the north, being more of a winter visitor.

The global population has not been quantified, but the species is described as the most abundant owl in Chile. You can learn more about the birds from Chile here.

The cougar is a very famous American cat, with a range spanning from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America (Chile and Argentina's Patagonia), and is the widest of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. These cats are solitary and territorial, live in low population density, and therefore occupy large areas. An anecdotal event during the pandemic was the increase in this cat's sighting in Chile's capital (Santiago); one was even found approaching the city center. These sightings are becoming more common. With buildings being constructed in higher altitudes deeper in the mountains, we take their territory from them.

Thanks for passing by!