The Wildlife of Mongolia

Mongolia, a vast and untamed expanse of rolling steppe and arid desert, dense forest, high altitude mountain ranges, wetlands and marsh, harbours a remarkable diversity of animal and bird life. This extraordinary biodiversity, shaped both by its extreme climate and varied landscapes, has resulted in the country being home to species uniquely adapted to the harsh climates and environments that are found. From iconic Mongolian animals such as the two-humped Bactrian camel, Przewalski’s horse, the world’s last truly wild horse, and the mammoth argali sheep, to the sure-footed Siberian ibex, graceful golden eagle, elusive snow leopard, elegant white-naped crane and ubiquitous grey wolf, this guide focuses on the very best of Mongolia’s wildlife.

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The Bactrian camel, distinguished by its two humps, is a resilient creature uniquely adapted to Mongolia’s harsh steppe and desert thriving in extreme temperatures, enduring both frigid winters and scorching summers. With a thick, shaggy coat for insulation and broad, padded feet ideal for sandy and rocky terrain the Bactrian camel was indispensable to Silk Road caravans and remain vital to Mongolia’s nomadic herders. Mongolia hosts one of the last wild populations, primarily in the Gobi Desert where around 1,000 still roam, however, domesticated herds are more common, tended by families who rely on their milk, meat and pelt.

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The last truly wild species of horse, the endangered Przewalski’s horse is classed as a keystone species and plays an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of Mongolia’s vast grassland steppes. Once extinct in the wild, a successful reintroduction programme in the 1990s restored small, free-roaming herds back to Mongolia. Distinguished by its stocky build, short legs, white belly and muzzle, dun-coloured coat and upright mane, one of the best places to see Przewalski’s horse in the wild is in Hustai National Park which is conveniently located around 100 kilometres to the west of Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.

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With its impressive spiral horns, the Argali sheep is an undisputed symbol of Mongolia with considerable cultural significance in the country. The world’s largest undomesticated sheep, the Argali thrives in Mongolia’s rugged highlands, arid steppes and alpine meadows and is perfectly adapted to these habitats. With horns reaching up to 1.5 metres in dominant males and a thick, sandy-brown coat that provides insulation against the harsh Central Asian climate, populations have declined in recent years. Conservation efforts have stabilised the population and today the best place to see this beautiful animal are in Mongolia’s remote western provinces.

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Famous for its association with the Kazakh eagle hunters of western Mongolia, the golden eagle has been associated with life in the country for thousands of years. Revered by nomadic cultures, this apex predator hunts with unmatched precision, preying upon marmots, hares and even young ungulates. Its presence is most pronounced in the Altai and Khangai ranges, where cliffs and open grasslands provide ideal nesting and hunting grounds. With a wingspan exceeding two metres the golden eagle is a noble raptor and it is not uncommon to see this majestic bird soaring against the endless Mongolian sky.

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Native to Central Asia, the Siberian ibex thrives in Mongolia’s harsh alpine environments. Distinguished by its robust build, sweeping horns that curve backward in mature males and a thick, reddish-brown coat, this species is superbly adapted to the region’s extreme winters and sparse vegetation. In Mongolia, the Siberian ibex inhabits the Altay, Khangai and Gobi-Altai mountain ranges and favours steep, rocky slopes between 2,000 and 5,000 metres where it grazes on lichens, grasses, and shrubs. Sightings are most probable during dawn or dusk, when herds descend to lower elevations.

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An elusive and majestic feline, the snow leopard inhabits the rugged highlands of Mongolia’s remote mountain ranges. Renowned for its thick, smoke-grey coat adorned with dark rosettes, this solitary predator thrives in the harsh, alpine terrain above 2,000 metres where its camouflage blends seamlessly with the rocky scree-lined slopes. A master of stealth and perfectly adapted to it habitat, the snow leopard preys upon ibex, argali sheep, marmot and other small mammals. Sightings are extremely rare and there are a number of initiatives to protect this vulnerable species through a range of conservation efforts including community-led initiatives.

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A migratory species, the elegant white-naped crane arrives in Mongolia by late April, nesting in the secluded wetlands of north east Mongolia before departing for wintering grounds in east Asia during September. A graceful wader, the white-naped crane can be recognised by its striking grey plumage, white nape and vivid red facial patch. it favours the marshes and riverine habitats of the Onon, Uldz and Kherlen river basins where shallow waters provide ample foraging for aquatic plants, insects and small vertebrates. With global populations estimated at fewer than 6,000 individuals, sightings of this crane remain rare.

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The grey wolf is a formidable and highly adaptable carnivore that thrives throughout a range of Mongolian habitats including steppe, mountain and boreal forest. Revered in Mongolian culture as a symbol of strength and resilience, packs number between six and ten, exhibit complex social structures and are led by an alpha pair. Although their presence can occasionally be contentious for nomadic communities due to livestock predation, the grey wolf plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining prey populations with a diet predominantly consisting of wild ungulates including roe deer, wild boar, red deer and small mammals such as voles.

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