Wildlife of Central Asia: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians

Central Asia's vast steppes, deserts, and high mountains harbor unique fauna adapted to extreme continental climates. The region spans Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, plus parts of Mongolia, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran.

Mammals

• Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia): Alpine zones; flagship species; 4,000–6,500 wild
• Bactrian Camel (Camelus ferus): Wild (critically endangered, ~1,000) & domestic; Gobi, Taklamakan
• Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica): Steppe; Critically Endangered; mass die-offs (2015)
• Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa): Millions; massive migrations
• Argali (Ovis ammon): World's largest wild sheep; Altai, Tian Shan, Pamir
• Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica): Cliff-dwelling; widespread
• Markhor (Capra falconeri): Screw-horned goat; Pamirs, Hindu Kush
• Urial (Ovis vignei): Red sheep; lower slopes
• Asiatic Black Bear / Brown Bear: Forested mountains
• Pallas's Cat (Otocolobus manul): Steppe/rocky; near threatened
• Corsac Fox, Red Fox, Wolf, Lynx, Marmot, Pika, Jerboa

Birds

• Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle
• Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture), Himalayan Griffon, Cinereous Vulture
• Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug): Endangered; falconry target
• Demoiselle Crane, Siberian Crane (Critically Endangered)
• Great Bustard, Little Bustard
• Pallas's Sandgrouse, Tibetan Sandgrouse
• Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge
• Rosefinches, Accentors, Redstarts, Wallcreeper

Reptiles

• Central Asian Cobra (Naja oxiana)
• Steppe Viper (Vipera renardi), Halys Viper (Gloydius halys)
• Turanian Rat Snake, Sand Boa (Eryx miliaris)
• Agamas: Trapelus sanguinolentus, Phrynocephalus spp. (toad-headed agamas)
• Monitor Lizard (Varanus griseus) — southern deserts

Amphibians

• Siberian Salamander (Salamandrella keyserlingii) — freeze-tolerant
• Central Asian Frog (Rana asiatica), Lake Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)
• Green Toad (Bufotes viridis), Mongolian Toad (Strauchbufo raddei)

Conservation Hotspots

• Altai-Sayan (Russia/Kazakhstan/Mongolia/China)
• Tian Shan (Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan/China)
• Pamir (Tajikistan/Afghanistan/China)
• Altyn Dala (Kazakhstan steppe)
• Gobi Desert (Mongolia/China)