Patagonia, as a whole, displays a very rich fauna. In the high Andean sector the presence of the majestic condor is outstanding, and during the summer the high region of the Andes are a key refuge for the threatened "huemul" or Andean deer.

In the rain forest and transition forest area, the presence of mammals like the "pud", the "huia" cat, and the friendly "monito de monte" (scrub monkey) is to be taken into account. Amphibians and birds like the Black-bodied Woodpecker, the Chucao Tapaculo, the Thorn-tailed Rayadito and the Burrowing Parrot are not difficult to find in this region.

The steppe, in spite of its bareness, is good enough for guanacos, foxes, pumas and several species of small lizards and rodents that find here a favorable place to grow.

Further south, the fauna in Tierra del Fuego is loaded with marine birds but doesn't have so much terrestrial mammals. The Fueguian fox, the guanaco, the red stag, the rabbit and the beaver are numerous.

You can also find terrestrial animals like the Patagonian hare or "mara", the puma, the "huemul" and sheep of various breeds: Rommey Marsh (brought from England in the XIX century, with abundant and fine fleece), Australian Merino (found in Ro Negro and Chubut), Argentinean Merino (found in Ro Negro and Santa Cruz), Corriedale (brought from New Zealand is found in Tierra del Fuego and Santa Cruz), Lincoln (found in Neuqun, Ro Negro and Chubut), and Karabul.

It is worth mentioning that this region offers very adequate territories for exotic big-game hunting species. Among the autochthonous species that are hunted, we can mention: "pecar labiado", "pecar de collar", "chancho cimarrn", "carpincho", puma, ostrich, "corzuela", tapir and guanaco.

As regards small-game hunting animals, the European hare, introduced in the XIX century, are searched by hunters. There are some autochthonous species that are also worth a shot like partridges, ducks and tinamous.

Sport-hunting is permitted in fall and winter. However, it is advisable to resort to the corresponding national or provincial tourist offices in order to get information about official opening and closing dates for the season.

In the National Parks areas, in general, hunting of autochthonous species is forbidden, but, sometimes, one may find hunting reserves within the National Parks where it is possible to hunt animals like the wild boar and the red stag.

In private hunting reserves, generally found in big haciendas, hunters may find specialized guides and charming bungalows to stay.

The fishing season in southern Patagonian lakes and streams starts in spring and lasts until the beginning of fall. Trouts are highly valued, and numerous foreign tourists come to this area only to fish them and, also, to enjoy the spectacular landscape they can contemplate.

Undoubtedly, trout and salmon are the most popular varieties of fish. The excelent ones are the "salmn encerrado", the "rainbow trout", the "stream-trout" or "salmonada", the "trucha criolla" or perch, and the brown trout.

In the Patagonian woods sector, the fauna is very homogeneous. It is populated by some native species whose survival is seriously menaced, such as the "huemul", the "pud", the "huia" cat and the "huilln", an otter indigenous of the area.

The greater predators are the puma and the red fox, and among the birds of prey, the Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle and the sociable Black-bodied Woodpecker are noticeable, besides a little marsupial known as "monito de monte" (scrub monkey).