Lomas de Lachay National Reserve

Lomas de Lachay National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Lomas de Lachay) is a 12,500 acre (5,070 ha) Peruvian protected area where moisture from coastal mists has created a unique micro-environment of dwarf forest that features a unique mist-fed ecosystem of wild plant and animal species.

The Reserve, established in 1977, is located in the desert foothills of Huaura Province, 65 mi (105 km) north of the capital city of Lima.

The hills result from a combination of coastal climate factors and are subject to a peculiar geography called the Yungas. They originate from the primary spurring of the Andes, where they contact the clouds covering the area most of the year.

There are two distinct seasons in Lomas de Lachay: the humid season (which is the most important), from approximately June to November and the dry season, from December to May.

The first season is emphasized due to its ability to give life to the green vegetation and attract the region's fauna. In contrast, the second season is noted for presenting a drying process that ends when the first fog appears in the fall.

Flora and Fauna

Some 150 plant species have been registered inside the Reserve, some on their way to extinction. Among the most notable are the Peruvian papaya, tara spinosa, Capparis prisca, Caesalpinia tinctoria and the nettle Loasa urens, which cover the Reserve with attractive yellow flowers. There are also numerous grasses, air plants and succulents, like cacti.

The common mammals found here are rodents, but there are other species like the Sechuran fox, the Andes skunk (Conepatus rex), the mountain mouse, and the vizcacha.

Throughout the Reserve, there are approximately 55 bird species in 15 families. Among them are: the burrowing owl, the Andean tinamou, the American kestrel, and diverse species of hummingbirds.

Among the most reptiles are the Peruvian snake (Bothrops pictus) and the curl-tail lizard. There are also many arthropods.