One thing to prioritize when traveling with a toddler? Animals! My daughter is fascinated with all animals–even if she’s sometimes not interested in touching them–or letting them touch (or lick) her. When I started planning our trip to Mongolia, I was delighted to find that not only do animals play a huge part of the history and culture of the country, they are completely unique! Here are our favorite animals in Mongolia.
Argali Sheep
Argali is simply the Mongolian word for “wild sheep.” They’re mountain sheep that can be found around East Asia, including the mountains of Mongolia. It’s the world’s largest species of wild sheep, but we got to see the little babies! Lamb is a primary protein source for Mongolians, who eat a lot of meat, noodles, and vegetables in their general diet. Because it’s a popular meat, many Nomadic families and farmers raise sheep as part of their livelihood. We visited one such Nomadic family outside of Nalaikh, and my little girl got to enjoy some time with the lambs while my friend and I took advantage of the horseback riding.
Keep reading: What It’s Like to Visit a Nomadic Family in Mongolia
Golden Eagles
These guys are the coolest. Mongolians have utilized golden eagles for centuries to hunt small game, such as hares, foxes, marmot, and sometimes wolves. Hunting with eagles is no longer practiced, but some families in Mongolia still raise golden eagles, often for show and cultural tourism purposes. My friend and I got to hold a golden eagle outside the Chinggis Khaan Statue and Museum while my daughter watched (the eagle was five to six times her size!), and it was one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.
Read on: How to Spend a Day Trip from Ulaanbaatar to Nalaikh
Mongolian Horses
Mongolian horses date back millennia. They’re a completely unique species of horse, able to withstand winters as cold as -40 (C and F), and summer temperatures as high as 86 F (30 C). They’re sort of fluffy, as well as stockier and shorter than other species of horse. Their genetic makeup possess two extra chromosomes, making them a separate species, found only in Mongolia. There are millions of them roaming wild in the country, but some have been domesticated and raised for work, or even meat. They were important to the Mongolian conquests in the 13th century, and instrumental in Genghis Khan’s rise to power within Mongolia. I was so excited to get to ride one of these beautiful creatures during our visit to a Nomadic family, and I would 100% recommend it!
More here: The Top 7 Things to Do in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Bactrian Camels
If Sally the Camel has two humps… She must be be Mongolian! Only Mongolian camels are bactrian, meaning they have two humps. All other camels in the world have only one. Like the Mongolian horses, these beauties are soft and fluffy, as well as easier to ride than one-hump camels in the Middle East, in my opinion. Why do they have two humps? Fat. That’s right. They store extra fat in that second hump, allowing them to survive more easily in Mongolia’s harsh and extreme environment. This keeps them warmer in winter, and helps them live in food-scarce times of year. Because the fat is stored in their humps instead of covering the rest of their bodies, this allows heat to escape and keep them cooler in the hot summer months. Iris slept through this event, but my friend and I got to ride them while she napped!
Read next: My Honest Review of Our Trip with Vacations Mongolia
Want more? Check out my dedicated Mongolia Page!
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