In the remote and hostile lands of Chile’s Atacama Desert, life is a constant battle for survival. The region is one of the most unforgiving places on Earth, with some areas having never seen rain in recorded history. From lizards using sophisticated strategies to defend their territory, to flamingos and giant coots adapting to the extreme conditions, every creature has had to evolve to withstand the harsh climate.
The Atacama Desert is not just a place of interest for wildlife enthusiasts, but also for NASA researchers, who use its conditions to study the surface of Mars. The desert’s geothermal fields, salt lakes, and ancient stromatolite structures also hold important clues about the origins of life on Earth.
Despite the extreme conditions, the wildlife in the Atacama has thrived. The giant coots, known for their house-proud nature, engage in intense battles to protect their nests, while the gray gull, one of the desert’s surprising inhabitants, must endure near-freezing temperatures at night.
Through relentless adaptation and fierce determination, the animals of Chile’s Atacama Desert have proven that even in the most inhospitable environments, life finds a way to endure. This episode of “Wild Chile” highlights the tenacity and resilience of the creatures that call this arid wilderness home.
Video “Life without Water (Full Episode) | Wild Chile” was uploaded on 06/21/2021 by Nat Geo WILD Youtube channel.