Cazenove+loyd offers bespoke tours that increase your chances of seeing rare wildlife in locations you wouldn't be able to access otherwise.
Mongolia is one of these under-the-radar locations that should be on your summer visit list, as it's home to some of the world's strangest and most elusive wildlife. Below we'll take you through four incredible animals and where in Mongolia cazenove+loyd could help you see them.
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Musk deer
Unlike typical deer, the Siberian musk deer is fascinating because it belongs to an ancient lineage that diverged before most modern deer evolved antlers. Instead, males grow long 'vampire'-like fangs used to fight, push and swipe at rivals during the breeding season. They're also fairly small – the size of a large dog – with powerful hind legs that let them bound across the rocky mountain forests in Mongolia and the rest of central and east Asia.
They are also known for their association with perfume, hence the 'musk' in their name. Produced by males in a gland near the abdomen, musk is a pungent scent used to attract females, mark territory and repel rivals. But it's also a sought-after ingredient in high-end perfumes and traditional medicines, which has put all species of musk deer and their populations at risk.
Bearded vulture
Unlike most vultures that feed mainly on soft tissue, the bearded vulture's diet consists mainly of bones thanks to a powerful acid stomach that allows it to exploit a food source few competitors use. As they lack teeth, they often seek out smaller bones and ingest them by swallowing. They famously drop larger bones from the sky to smash them into digestible chunks.
Bearded vultures coat their wings in iron-rich soil, which gives them their fiery appearance. Researchers suggest it might signal strength, status or even a method of bacteria management. They're easily spotted in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia, with one location called Yolyn Am named after them.
Pallas's cat
Also known as the manul, the Pallas's cat is about the size of a domestic cat and has the thickest fur of any wild feline. Its sour expression also gives it the moniker of the grumpiest cat in the world and its orangey-buff colouration provides perfect camouflage amongst the rocky steppes it resides in. To help with hunting it has low-set ears, wide pupils and crouches low, bursting out at prey in concentrated bursts.
Pallas's cats live on Mongolia's central steppe, which is home to some of the densest populations of small mammals on the planet. Its diet includes sandgrouse, partridges and ground-living birds.
Saiga antelope
Almost like something from Star Wars, the saiga antelope is instantly recognisable by its bulbous nose. The nose isn't just for show, either. It acts as a natural air filter and radiator, warming cold air in the winter and filtering dust in dry summer conditions.
The saiga antelope once roamed Central Asia in vast, millions-strong herds. However the global population has declined dramatically since then, owing to excessive poaching. According to the WWF-Mongolia, population numbers are showing a remarkable recovery thanks to sustained conservation efforts. You can see them in protected areas such as Sharga and Mankhan nature reserves.
Learn more about Mongolia here...
- What is it like to live like nomads in the Mongolian steppe?
- Why you should attend a golden eagle festival
*Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on cazenove+loyd's website are ATOL protected (ATOL number 3208). ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on the website. See all terms and conditions here.
