Animals in Cameroon

Below you can find a complete list of Cameroonian animals. We currently track 158 animals in Cameroon and are adding more every day!

Located along the coast of West Africa, Cameroon is a mid-sized country, about 70% as large as Texas, with a complex ecosystem of savannas, tropical forests, coastal mangroves, deserts, and mountainous terrain, the highest point of which is Mount Cameroon. As a microcosm of the entire continent of Africa, the country is rich in primates, cats, rodents, reptiles, birds, and insects.

The Official National Animal of Cameroon

The closest thing Cameroon has to a national animal is the lion.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Cameroon

Cameroon is rich in national parks and wildlife reserves, including the Waza National Park in the north (which contains both forest and savanna animals), the Dja Faunal Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Campo Ma’an National Park in the southwest (which has elephants, hippos, leopards, and plenty of primates).

The Most Dangerous Animals in Cameroon Today

Nile Crocodile – As one of the largest and most dangerous predators in the world, the Nile crocodile can be very deadly. It is known to kill many people every year.
Hippopotamus – Large and aggressive, the hippo can be quite deadly when trying to defend its territory from intruders.
Snakes – Cameroon is home to a diverse array of snakes, including the large but non-venomous predators, like the African rock python, and the more venomous snakes, like the green bush viper. Some snakes use their venom as a form of defense, while other predators also use it to subdue prey. But only a few species are truly deadly to humans.

Endangered Animals in Cameroon

Chimpanzee – Cameroon is home to two subspecies of chimpanzees, both of which are endangered.
Western Gorilla – Cameroon is one of the few countries in the world where you can see a wild gorilla. Unfortunately, this species has been endangered by deforestation, poaching, civil war, and disease.
Drill – A close relative of the baboon and mandrill, this species is a large, short-tailed monkey that lives in the rainforests.