Also known as the Takhi, this wild horse is emblematic of Mongolia. Its small size and strong build make it extremely resilient to the country’s harsh climate.
It became extinct in the wild in the 1960s due to intensive Russian hunting. Since then, the Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalski's Horse has worked to reintroduce the species, and today more than 2,000 individuals exist.
Mongolia is the second country in the world with the largest wolf population. Highly symbolic, legend says that Genghis Khan himself descended from a wolf and a deer.
The wolf is both feared and respected. A danger to herders and livestock, it is also seen as a sign of a healthy herd, as wolves usually target weak or sick animals.
Native to the Central Asian steppes, the Bactrian camel is perfectly adapted to life in Mongolia’s deserts and steppes. Extremely robust, it withstands the extreme temperatures of places like the Gobi Desert.
Nomadic herders use it as a pack animal, and for its milk, wool, and meat.
The Argali is the largest wild sheep species. It lives in Central Asia, China, Mongolia, and the Himalayas. A protected species, it is notably found in the Ikh Nart reserve in Dornogovi province.
This small rodent, similar to a marmot, lives in northern Mongolia—especially in the Khangai, Khovsgol, and Khentii provinces—and also in the southwest in the Altai Govi.
It hibernates during winter and reappears in April.