Some animals are natural mountaineers. Just recently a lizard, a type of tree iguana, Liolaemus tacnae, was found at a record-setting (for reptiles) 5400 meters altitude in the Andes.
slightly different species of tree iguana, in Chile
In 2008, a colony of bumblebees was found at over 5600 meters on Mount Everest. Insects are also known to kite along in high altitude winds for long distances.
Fish at altitude have remodeled their gills, and grow smaller and slower to deal with low oxygen saturation and limited foods.
naked carp
Adapting to high altitude takes a set of genetic and behavioral changes for the long term. A few mammals have made the upper reaches their permanent homes, and others move up and down slopes, tolerating a wide range of environments. Yaks are the highest dwelling mammals, at 3000 to 5000 meters.
Ibex, Tibetan gazelle (goa), llamas, vicunas, and mountain goats are all adapted. The Tibetan plateau has wolves, wild asses, chiru (Tibetan antelope)
snow leopards, foxes, tahr, markhor, chamois,
the chamois lives in mountains all over Europe and into Asia
pikas, and even water buffalo.
Guinea pigs and deer mice at altitude have a genetic tweak in their hemoglobin gene for getting more oxygen, and they also breathe faster and have larger lungs and hearts.
deer mouse
Birds are adapted to altitude as well. All birds have super efficient lungs, which makes flight at altitude easier for them. Their muscles, hearts, and brains are all extra rich in capillaries to supply oxygen. The bar-headed goose regularly crosses the Himalayas on migration.
Ruppels vulture can fly up to 11,200 meters above sea level.
One of our human ancestor species made some adaptations, too, and passed them to the people who now live on the Tibetan plateau. Changes are also seen in those who inhabit the Andes and the Ethiopian highlands. There are structural changes in hemoglobin, larger lungs, and a higher resting metabolism. They also have darker skin tone to deal with the increased ultraviolet exposure.
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