The cold dry climate of the Patagonia was not always so.
Since the year 3.000 AC the climate is supposed to have changed from a warm humid climate towards a cold dry climate, until reaching present conditions.
Guanacos, red foxes, cururos, and a large diversity of birds form the native fauna of the area.
The Fuegian hunters took advantage of the roots, different kinds of mushrooms and wild berries found in the surrounding forests and steppes.
A beached whale, trade relations, wrestling tournaments marking the end of hostilities between families, peace ceremonies or funeral rites of an outstanding person were occasions for the community to meet.
The death of a whale brought people from all around, initially due to the strong smell and later by the fires lit by those who found the animal, summoning the rest of the Selk´nam. On these occasions, when there was enough food for all, conditions were right for the celebration of the adolescents' rite of initiation: the Hain.