Start here · Essential guide
Mongolian Animals Field Guide: What Lives Where
A habitat-by-habitat guide to Mongolian animals: which species typically live in the mountains, steppe, desert and forest, and what that means for visitors.
Land and Nature
Wildlife Spotlights
Closer looks at individual species and habitats.
Argali, Ibex and Mountain Sheep of Mongolia
Meet Mongolia's wild sheep and goats of the rocky highlands: argali and Siberian ibex, how they live on steep ground, and why they are hard to see.
Birdwatching in Mongolia: Habitats and Seasons
General guidance on birdwatching in Mongolia: which habitats attract migrating and breeding birds, and the seasons when they are typically easiest to see.
Eagles, Falcons and Birds of Prey in Mongolia
The eagles, falcons, vultures and kites commonly seen over the Mongolian steppe, how to tell them apart, and the place raptors hold in local culture.
Fish and Rivers: Taimen and Mongolian Fishing Ethics
About the taimen, a very large river fish of northern Mongolia, why catch-and-release norms matter, and why checking local fishing rules is essential.
Gobi Bears and Other Desert Survivors
About the rare Gobi bear and the other animals of Mongolia's driest regions, and how they cope with extreme heat, cold, and scarce water and food.
Marmots, Pikas and the Small Mammals of the Steppe
How marmots, pikas, voles and other small burrowing mammals support the Mongolian grassland food web, plus common herder remarks and health precautions.
Reindeer Herders of the Northern Taiga
About the small communities of Mongolia's northern taiga who keep reindeer, how their way of life differs from steppe herding, and how to visit respectfully.
Saiga Antelope and Mongolian Gazelle Migrations
Why open plains matter for Mongolia's large grazing herds, how the saiga and the Mongolian gazelle differ, and how fences and roads can disrupt their movements.
Snow Leopards in the Mongolian Mountains
What is known about the elusive snow leopard in Mongolia's mountains, how it lives, why seeing one is rare, and how to think about wildlife trips.
Wolves in Mongolian Life and Herding
How wolves, livestock and traditional attitudes fit together in Mongolia: the practical worries of herders, the cultural symbolism and the winter pressures.
Related topics
More in land and nature
Regions of Mongolia The main regions and what each is known for. Nature and Wildlife Steppe, desert, mountains, lakes and the animals living there. Seasons and Weather How climate and seasons shape travel and daily life. Protected Areas and Parks National parks, nature reserves and how protected land works in Mongolia. Lakes, Rivers and Mountains The waters and highlands that define Mongolian geography.