Wildlife in Angola | Types of Angolan Animals

Angola is a coastal country in southwestern Africa. A biologically diverse nation, scientists and conservationists have long been interested in the country. In 2019, researchers published a book detailing Angola’s nearly 2,000 species of flora and fauna, of which hundreds are animals indigenous to Angola.

Animals in Angola

According to the latest counts, approximately 291 mammals, 117 amphibians, 278 reptiles, and a whopping 983 bird species have been observed in Angola.

Common mammals you may stumble upon in Angola include giant otter shrews, Congo golden moles, aardvarks, red-tailed monkeys, plains zebra, Beecroft’s flying squirrels, antelopes, and hedgehogs. Fischer’s thick-toed geckos, large-scale grass lizards, and olive marsh snakes are typical representatives of the country’s reptilian population. In terms of amphibians, a variety of frogs, toads, and squeakers call Angola home.

A birding haven, Angola’s skies see nearly 1,000 avian species every year. Common bird species in the region include common ostriches, albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels, herons, egrets, flamingos, and storks. Angola also has a couple of African penguin populations, which are endangered.

Threatened Animals in Angola

Below is an incomplete list of notable endangered animals here.

Animal	Scientific Name	IUCN Classification
African Penguin	Spheniscus demersus	Endangered
African Bush Elephant	Loxodonta africana	Vulnerable
African golden cat	Caracal aurata	Vulnerable
Plains zebra	Equus quagga	Near Threatened
Mountain zebra	Equus zebra	Vulnerable
South-central black rhinoceros	Diceros bicornis minor	Critically Endangered
South-western black rhinoceros	Diceros bicornis occidentalis	Near Threatened
Cape buffalo	Syncerus caffer	Near Threatened
Royal sable antelope	Hippotragus niger variani	Critically Endangered
Spikenose Wedgefish	Rhynchobatus luebberti	Critically Endangered

Extinct Animals in Angola

Since archeologists spend lots of time researching Angola wildlife, the country’s fossil record is impressive. And while most animals from the dinosaur eras are, technically, extinct animals in this country, no modern species that inhabit the country have died off.

Throughout the 20th century, conservationists believed the giant sable antelope to be extinct. However, a pregnant female was photographed by a wildlife camera in 2006, confirming that at least a small population still existed in the wild.

Animals Indigenous to Angola

There are hundreds of animals native to Angola. Examples include:

Gabela helmetshrike
Red-crested turaco
Giant sable antelope
Angolan dwarf galago
Vernay’s African climbing mouse
Gnathonemus barbatus
Lacustricola mediolateralis
Angolan adder
Branch’s swamp snake
Ashy reed frog

Dangerous Animals in Angola

Angola’s lands, air, and surrounding waters host several potentially lethal animals. The seven most dangerous animals here are Nile crocodiles, Cape buffalo, puff adders, African lion, black rhinos, mosquitos, and common hippos.

National Animal of Angola

The giant sable antelope — also known as the royal sable antelope — is the national animal of Angola. Instead of “national animal,” however, Angolans call it the “national icon.”

Below you can find a complete list of Angolan animals. We currently track 133 animals in Angola and are adding more every day!

Animals in Angola

Animals in Angola

Threatened Animals in Angola

Extinct Animals in Angola

Animals Indigenous to Angola

Dangerous Animals in Angola

National Animal of Angola

Angolan Animals

Angolan Animals List

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