Animals in Haiti

Updated: March 17, 2023
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Below you can find a complete list of Haitian animals. We currently track 200 animals in Haiti and are adding more every day!

The country of Haiti is found in the Caribbean, sharing an island with the Dominican Republic where many of the Hispaniolan Trogons – Haiti’s national animal – lives. Much of the land is still in recovery after an earthquake over a decade ago, and the flooding and deforestation of the area leave much of Haiti’s wildlife endangered.

Haiti is home to one of the only venomous mammals in the world, though seeing one is incredibly rare.

The Official National Animal of Haiti

Cuban trogon or tocororo, the national bird of Cuba

The Hispaniolan trogon is under threat of extinction owing to deforestation

©Elliotte Rusty Harold/Shutterstock.com

Haiti has a rather beautiful and vibrant national animal – the Hispaniolan Trogon. This bird has a rich assortment of bright feathers along its wings and breast, though the blend along its tail offers a unique pattern. Though they have a rather slow song, it can be heard within quite a large area.

While the species is relatively common in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, it is specifically found in Hispaniola, which is an island that the two areas share. It is also one of the only two trogons found in the entirety of the Caribbean.

The main reason that the Hispaniolan Trogon was chosen as the national bird is due to the threat of extinction. By declaring it to be a national symbol, this bird was granted protection against deforestation in Haiti.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Haiti

Manatee swimming in Crystal River

©Ramos Keith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / public domain – License

Since Haiti is largely surrounded by water, the marine mammal fauna is part of what makes the country so unique. Some of the most popular wildlife in Haiti includes:

  • West Indian manatees – These mammals are the largest type of manatee in the area, though it is considered vulnerable. They are most easily found around the entire Caribbean, though some are frequently spotted in Florida and Central America as well.
  • Pygmy sperm whales – These whales prefer the warm waters of the oceans, often living right off the tropical coast.
  • Candy Cane Snail – This snail is only found within Haiti, and it specifically lives on only one tree species. The multi-colored shell attracts many people, but the country has criminalized the sale to preserve the species.
  • There are a large number of species of bats in the area, and many are native to Haiti. With the incredible diversity in Haiti, it is difficult to go anywhere without discovering the natural habitat of one animal or another.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Haiti Today

Close-up picture of the blue-foot baboon spider or trap-door tarantula Idiothele mira (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, photographed on white background.

Tarantulas are known for their ability to deal painful bites that may cause nausea and fever

©Tobias Hauke/Shutterstock.com

Due to the unique wildlife found in Haiti, you may not be surprised to find that there are multiple dangerous (and even deadly) animals that live in the area. The majority of these animals thrive peacefully together, but there are a few to look out for, including:

  • Tarantula spider. While the painful bite may not be fatal to humans, most people experience intense effects like nausea and fever. Dogs, however, may not be so lucky against this creature.
  • Banana spider. With an incredibly painful bite, the banana spider is easily identifiable by its yellow body. Luckily, they don’t go after humans unless someone tries to hold them or they feel threatened, so stay away!
  • Haiti chery. This mammal is one of the most venomous creatures in the area, and it is currently endangered as the result of deforestation. However, very little is known about the creature.
  • Even though fear of the snakes in Haiti is common, you can find solace in the fact that none of them actually have dangerous levels of venom if they were to bite a human. That’s not to say that the snakes aren’t venomous – they are! However, the venom in these snakes is usually reserved for the prey it plans to eat, rather than nearby tourists.

The Largest Animal in Haiti

American crocodile

American crocodiles prefer the warmth and are incapable of tolerating the cold like alligators

©iStock.com/CStorz

The largest animal in Haiti is the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The apex predator which is known for its ability to tolerate salty water and even live in hypersaline lakes, is capable of growing to 2,000 lbs and 20 feet. 

It is also known for its preference for warmer climes owing to a lower cold tolerance compared to its relative, the American alligator. 

In Haiti, the American crocodile can be found in one single location alone. These reptiles live in the Caribbean nation’s largest freshwater lake, Etang Saumatre (also referred to as Lake Azuei). The body of water itself is located in Haiti’s southeastern region close to the Dominican border. The population of its scaly residents is rapidly shrinking owing to heavy hunting.

The Rarest Animal in Haiti

Desmarest's hutia (Capromys pilorides), also known as the Cuban hutia

The Cuviers hutia is facing a reduction in its range and threat from predators such as cats and dogs

©iStock.com/wrangel

Cuviers Hutia is one of the rarest animals in the island nation.  The rodent which is also known as Plagiodontia aedium is capable of reaching one foot in length with a tail which is half that length as well. The mammal is generally nocturnal and herbivorous and nibbles fruit and roots. They generally take five months to deliver their young and give birth to one to two of them at a time. 


The frugivorous mammal which is called zagouti on Haiti has seen its habitat shrink owing to deforestation, competition from other rodents such as mice and rats, and certain predators such as cats, dogs, and mongooses. Its current circumstances are a direct reversal of its teeming numbers which occurred in the absence of few predators.

Endangered Animals in Haiti

With the deforestation and floor in Haiti, there are a substantial number of species that have become endangered in the region. Some of the animals that are currently endangered (which could lead to them becoming extinct) include:

  • Ball bearing frog
  • Bicknell’s thrush
  • Bigeye tuna
  • Buff-breasted sandpiper
  • Black rockfish
  • Cuban lesser funnel-eared bat
  • Cuvier’s hutia
  • Giant Hispaniola galliwasp
  • Plain pigeon
  • Oceanic whitetip shark
  • Yellow cave grouper

The local government has made efforts to conserve some of these species. Unfortunately, there are several extinct species that have not been so lucky, including the creole pig and the Acratocnus (a species of sloth).

Researchers estimate that, without changes, it is possible that Haiti will no longer have its primary forest in less than 15 years. In fact, over 40 of the 50 largest mountains have no primary forest area anymore, so there are many species that have already likely gone extinct before they were ever researched by the public.

Haitian Animals

Admiral Butterfly

Stunningly beautiful wings

Amazon Parrot

These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech

American Eel

Don't eat raw eel! Their blood is poisonous to humans when consumed raw.

Anole Lizard

There are just under 400 species, several of which change color.

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Armadillo

Can curl into a hard, protective ball!

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.

Bee

Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Biscuit Beetle

The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Blue Tang

One of the most colorful members of the genus Acanthurus

Booby

Seabirds found across the South Pacific!

Brazilian Treehopper

“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”

Brown Dog Tick

Can live its entire life indoors

Burrowing Owl

The burrowing owl lives in underground burrows

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 17,500 species!

Caecilian

Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin

Camel Cricket

The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!

Cat

May have been domesticated up to 10,000 years ago.

Caterpillar

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!

Catfish

There are nearly 3,000 different species!

Centipede

There are about 3,000 documented species!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

They inhabit regrowing forests

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Codling Moth

Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.

Collared Peccary

Form bands of up to 12 individuals!

Common Furniture Beetle

The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood

Common House Spider

House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Yellowthroat

The Common Yellowthroat stays close to the ground and uses stealth to survive!

Cormorant

They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings

Cricket

Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Crocodylomorph

Crocodylomorphs include extinct ancient species as well as 26 living species today.

Crow

A group of these birds is called a Murder.

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dog Tick

Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Dubia Cockroach

The most popular species of feeder roach

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Dung Beetle

The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight

Dusky Shark

The Dusky Shark sometimes eats trash discarded by humans.

Dwarf Boa

Some species can change color from dark to light, and back again.

Earthworm

They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.

Firefly

The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

Flea

Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world

Gar

Can grow to more than 3m long!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

German Cockroach

The most common type of urban roach

Glowworm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gnat

Males form large mating swarms at dusk

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Gray Catbird

Their songs have cat-like qualities and can mimic other birds and animals, like tree frogs.

Great Blue Heron

Their wingspan is larger than an eagle’s; both males and females help hatch the eggs; rich in symbolism

Guppy

Also known as the Millionfish!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!

Harpy Eagle

Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!

Harris’s Hawk

Their vision is eight times better than a human's

Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Many hawk moth caterpillars eat toxins from plants, but don’t sequester them the way milkweed butterflies do. Most toxins are excreted.

Hercules Beetle

This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.

Herring Gull

They are loud, spirited birds with raucous cries that sound like bursts of laughter.

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

Horsefly

Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.

Housefly

The fly has no teeth

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Hummingbird

Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!

Huntsman Spider

Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Iguana

Uses visual signals to communicate!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jacana

The jacana has the ability to swim underwater

Jack Crevalle

One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus

Jumping Spider

Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies

Kentucky Warbler

The Kentucky Warbler appears to wear bright yellow cat-eye glasses!

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leech

Has 10 pairs of eyes!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Lone Star Tick

Only females have the ‘lone star’ marking

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

Maggot

Will only live in wet areas

Magnolia Warbler

They line their nests with fungi strands

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mole Cricket

Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

Molly

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Mosquito

Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mountain Lion

Has no real natural predators!

Mourning Warbler

The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Nematode

Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Northern Harrier

They can reach speeds of 25 Mph but prefer to soar low and slow.

Northern Parula

They live in coffee and citrus plantations during the winter

Northern Pintail

Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!

Northern Potoo

You can find them near golf courses in urban areas

Ocelot

Also known as the Painted Leopard!

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Owl

The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees

Panther

Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Pit Viper

Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.

Poison Dart Frog

Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!

Pompano Fish

They are bottom-feeders

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Praying Mantis

The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.

Puma

Has longer back legs than front legs!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Quetzal

The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes may have evolved their rattle to warn bison away from them.

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Rodents

The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.

Rooster

Will mate with the entire flock!

Roseate Spoonbill

The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated hummingbirds can beat their wings more than 50 times per second.

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Canines up to 7 inches long!

Sable Ferret

Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Sand Crab

The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Sea Eagle

The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

In captivity, sharp-shinned hawks can live up to 13 years. However, in the wild, this number is significantly reduced to 3 years!

Shrew

The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Skink Lizard

Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.

Sloth

It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!

Slug

They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce

Smokybrown Cockroach

Has up to 45 eggs per egg case

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 4,000 known species worldwide

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp

They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Summer Tanager

They remove bee stingers by rubbing them against a tree

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

Tick

They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite

Tiger Beetle

The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Toucan

There are more than 40 different species!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Turkey

Closely related to pheasants and chickens!

Turtles

Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

Umbrellabird

Migrates up and down the mountains!

Vampire Bat

Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vinegaroon

Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Whiptail Lizard

Many whiptail species reproduce asexually.

White-Faced Capuchin

One of the world's most intelligent monkeys!

White Ferret / Albino Ferrets

There are two different types of white ferrets!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Woodlouse

This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Worm

Doesn’t have eyes.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

The males are responsible for choosing the nesting tree most of the time. Luckily, cavity nests are often reused for multiple breeding seasons (up to 7 years.)

Haitian Animals List

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About the Author

AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and -- of course -- pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.

Animals in Haiti FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kind of animals live in Haiti?

Haiti is home to plenty of interesting and diverse wildlife. Among the marine mammal fauna, it is easy to find manatees, whales, and dolphins in the region. Haiti is also home to many unique bat species that can only be found in this country.

What is the most dangerous animal in Haiti?

Haiti is the home to several dangerous species, like the tarantula spider and the centipede. Many locals and tourists alike fear the painful bite of the banana spider as well.

Are there monkeys in Haiti?

No. Surprisingly, neither Haiti nor any other Caribbean country is home to any indigenous monkey species.

Are there dangerous animals in Haiti?

Yes. Many insects pose a serious and fatal threat to locals, include several spiders and poisonous centipedes.

Are there tigers in Haiti?

While saber-tooth tigers used to exist in nearby regions, the ecosystem is far too harsh for the tiger to live there today. Some researchers believe that saber-toothed tigers used to roam in the region before they went extinct.

What are the chief animals raised in Haiti?

Some of the chief animals raised in Haiti include the Tiburon Banded Racer, the Port-au-Prince Blindsnake, and the La Hotte Long-snouted Anole. The unique fauna also includes many endemic bats.