Below you can find a complete list of Gabonese animals. We currently track 242 animals in Gabon and are adding more every day!
The tropical rainforest, savanna, grassland, and river habitats of Gabon are home to many types of unique wildlife. Western lowland gorillas, hippopotamus, and leopards are some of Gabon’s most notable animals. Some of the other interesting animals in this African country include buffalo, leopards, snakes, humpback whales, jackals, crocodiles, the White-crested Hornbill, mongoose, and civets to list just a few!
Gabon has 604 bird species, 200 plus mammal species, 139 reptile species, 98 amphibian species, and 799 species of fish.
The Official National Animal of Gabon
The national animal of Gabon is the black panther. This big cat symbolizes the strength and courage of the people of Gabon.
The black panther is not an individual species. Instead, these unique animals are leopards with a color variation caused by what’s known as the agouti gene. Specifically, instead of having the familiar tan coat and black spots of a leopard, a black panther has more than the usual black pigment making their coat appear all black. However, if you look closely, you can see a spotted design in a black panther’s coat.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Gabon Today
Gabon has a diverse collection of unusual wildlife that includes both mild-mannered and potentially dangerous animals. In certain situations, some animals act more aggressively than others. Look at some of the most dangerous animals in Gabon.
- Gaboon Viper – These snakes are at the top of the list for many reasons. For one, their two-inch fangs are the longest of all venomous snakes. Also, these snakes release the second-highest amount of venom of all poisonous snakes. The king cobra claims the first-place spot. One average dose of venom from a Gaboon viper would be enough to kill a man who isn’t able to get medical treatment. As a note, though its venom is potentially fatal, these snakes are considered non-aggressive and would likely try to hide or escape before biting someone.
- Hippopotamus – When you think of a hippo you may picture a cute, slow-moving animal playing in a river. But they are one of the most dangerous animals in Gabon as well as in other African countries. Both males and females can weigh from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds and have powerful jaws along with long, spiky teeth. Their size combined with their tendency to become aggressive when someone enters their territory is what makes them very dangerous. They are well-known for their unpredictable behavior. It’s estimated that hippos cause 3,000 deaths each year in Africa.
- Forest Elephant – This is the world’s largest land animal and another seemingly unlikely addition to a most dangerous animals list. But these elephants can charge and trample a human under their tremendous weight. Plus, they can use their tremendous tusks to severely injure a person. They are especially aggressive if they feel their young are being threatened. These elephants are responsible for around 500 human deaths each year in Africa.
- African buffalos – An African buffalo with its large horns and strong, powerful body can injure or kill a human fairly easily. In addition, they are known to have an aggressive nature when it comes to people entering what they consider to be their territory. These unique mammals are responsible for around 200 human deaths each year.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Gabon
From tropical rainforests to savannas to rivers, Gabon has a variety of habitats filled with unique wildlife. Discover some of the top wild animals living in Gabon.
- Western Lowland Gorilla – These gorillas live in a tropical forest habitat. They can be seen in Gabon’s Loango National Park.
- African Forest Elephants – These incredible mammals live in tropical rainforests. Many of them live in Loango National Park.
- Sun-Tailed Monkey – Known for the orange section of hair on its tail, this monkey lives in lowland moist forests. It can be observed living in Pongara National Park.
- Hawksbill Sea Turtle – These sea turtles live in bays and on beaches. Pongara National Park and Loango National Park are two parks dedicated to wildlife conservation. They provide a protected place for these turtles to live.
- Vermiculated Fishing Owl – This owl lives in forests that border rivers and marshy areas. Loango National Park is one place to see these unique animals.
- Leopard – The tropical rainforest is the habitat of leopards in Gabon. Loango National Park and Lope National Park are both places to see leopards.
Endangered Animals in Gabon
In the African country of Gabon, there are some endangered animals. Over the years, poaching and habitat loss have contributed to decreasing the population of some animals in Gabon. Fortunately, there are national parks dedicated to wildlife conservation. These parks provide shelter for these amazing creatures that may otherwise have become extinct. Some of the endangered animals in Gabon include:
- African Forest Elephant
- Western Gorilla
- Chimpanzee
- Red-capped Mangabey
- Grey-Necked Rockfowl (Vulnerable)
Gabonese Animals
Aardvark
Can move 2ft of soil in just 15 seconds!
African Civet
Secretes up to 4g of musk every week!
African Clawed Frog
African clawed frogs were used as pregnancy testers from the 1930s to the early 1960s.
African Elephant
Both male and female African elephants have tusks. In Asian elephants, only the males have tusks.
African Fish Eagle
African fish eagles belong to the genus of sea eagles
African Forest Elephant
Have large rounded ears to help keep them cool!
African Golden Cat
The first image of an African golden cat was captured in the wild in Gabon in 2002.
African Grey Parrot
When a grey parrot named Yosuke got lost, it was reunited with its owner after giving the owner's name and address.
African Jacana
The males raise the young
African Palm Civet
Solitary but gathers in groups!
African Tree Toad
Found in tropical moist lowland forests!
Agama Lizard
The agama forms small social groups that contain both dominant and subordinate males.
American Cockroach
Despite its name, actually originated from Africa and the Middle East
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Antelope
Renew their horns every year!
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Banana Spider
People spin clothing and fishing nets out of these spiders’ silk.
Barb
There are over 1768 known species!
Barn Owl
Found everywhere around the world!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!
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
Beewolf wasp
They hunt bees
Bichir
The bichir species is more than 400 million years old
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!
Bongo
Long and heavy spiralled horns!
Brazilian Treehopper
“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”
Brown-banded Cockroach
Females glue egg cases to furniture
Brown Dog Tick
Can live its entire life indoors
Buffalo
"They look like you owe them money."
Bumblebee
The most common species of bee!
Bush Baby
In a series of leaps, this creature can cover almost 30 feet of distance in just a few seconds.
Bush Viper
Bush vipers are predators, sinking their fangs into prey while dangling from a tree limb
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
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!
Chameleon
There are more than 160 different species!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Chimpanzee
Has 32 teeth including fang-like canines!
Cichlid
There are more than 2 000 known species!
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.
Common Buzzard
The most common raptor in the UK!
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.
Cormorant
They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.
Cosmic Caterpillar
Cosmic caterpillars have spots on their back that look like eyes to scare off predators.
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
Crane
Many are critically endangered species!
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!
Duck
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
Dung Beetle
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Dwarf Crocodile
Digs burrows in river banks to rest!
Eagle
Has exceptional eyesight!
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!
Eel catfish
Eel catfish breathe air and reach up on land to catch beetles. Scientists think they may be a missing link between fish and lizards.
Egyptian Goose
A duck species that resembles a goose when flying
Electric Catfish
The electric catfish can discharge an electric shock up to 450 volts
Elephant
Spends around 22 hours a day eating!
Elephant Shrew
Found exclusively on the African continent!
Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!
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.
Fire Ball Python
The fire ball python morph is known for its rich golden and reddish-brown coloration.
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!
Forest Cobra
There are three different color morphs, which entirely depend on the region that they live in.
Fox
Only 12 species are considered "true foxes"
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Bat
Among the largest bats in the world
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Fulvous Whistling Duck
They build a ramp from their nest, which leads to a nearby water source
Gaboon Viper
Gaboon vipers are the largest vipers in Africa.
Gazelle
Named for the Arabic word for love poems
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
Gerbil
Originally known as the Desert Rat!
German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach
Glass Lizard
Can grow up to 4ft long!
Glowworm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Goat
Most closely related to the Sheep!
Golden Oriole
Migrates between Europe and Asia!
Goliath Beetle
Goliath beetles are the largest beetles in the world, and they can carry objects several times their weight.
Gorilla
The biggest of the world's primates!
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Green Bee-Eater
Mainly eats honeybees!
Guinea Fowl
Found in a vairety of African habitats!
Gypsy Moth
One of the most invasive species in the world
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!
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.
Hedgehog
Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!
Heron
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Hippopotamus
Has pink anti-bacterial sweat!
Honey Badger
One of earth's bravest creatures!
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Hoopoe
Stunning bird with a stinky way to deter predators!
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!
Huntsman Spider
Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.
Hyena
There are four different species!
Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!
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
Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Leopard
Spends much of the time high in the trees!
Liger
The offspring of a lion and tiger parents!
Lion
Lives in small groups called prides!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Locust
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Maggot
Will only live in wet areas
Magpie
They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!
Mandrill
Distinctively coloured noses and rumps!
Marabou Stork
The marabou stork does not have a voice box.
Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mojave Ball Python
Instead of the typically banded or ‘alien head’ patterning of most ball python morphs, the Mojave morph’s patterning is characterized by lots of large, circular splotches with small, dark brown dots in their centers.
Mole
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Mongoose
Range in size from just 1 to 3 foot!
Mongrel
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Monitor Lizard
Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!
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!
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
Nightingale
Named more than 1,000 years ago!
Nile Crocodile
Unlike other reptiles, the male Nile crocodile will stay with a female to guard their nest of eggs.
Nile Monitor
The Nile monitor is the world's fourth-largest lizard!
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Olive Baboon
Olive baboons will sometimes form strong friendships with each other
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Osprey
They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Owl
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
Panda Pied Ball Python
The panda pied ball python morph is a combination of the piebald and black pastel traits.
Pangolin
Bad eyesight, but great sense of smell
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.
Pompano Fish
They are bottom-feeders
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Puff Adder
This large snake is so-named because it will puff up its body to appear bigger than it is when directly threatened by a predator or person.
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Rabbit
There are more than 300 different species!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Red-Billed Quelea Bird
Is the most populous bird in the world
Rhino Viper
The river jack snake has a gigantic horn-like scale on the tip of its nose.
Rhinoceros
It's horns are made from keratin!
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
Robin
There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!
Rock Python
Rock pythons may have crossbred with the escaped Burmese pythons in Florida.
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!
Sable Ferret
Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.
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!
Serval
Can leap more than 1 meter into the air!
Sheep
Around 35 million in the English countryside!
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.
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.
Spitting Cobra
Spitting cobras are types of cobras that can spit venom at predators and prey.
Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Stiletto Snake
Because of their unique venom delivery system, stiletto snakes are almost impossible to hold safely in the usual way (with fingers behind the head) without being bitten.
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
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!
Thornback Ray
The skate with the biggest spines!
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!
Tree Frog
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
Tsetse Fly
Tsetse flies are large biting flies that live in the tropical regions of Africa.
Turaco
Their name means “banana-eater,” but they rarely ever eat bananas.
Turtles
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
Vinegaroon
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
Viper
Vipers are one of the most widespread groups of snakes and inhabit most
Vulture
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Warthog
Has two sets of tusks on it's face!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
Water Buffalo
Has been domesticated for thousands of years!
Western Gorilla
There are two sub-species!
Western Lowland Gorilla
One of the great apes!
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.
Wryneck
They feign death by making their bodies limp and closing their eyes.
Yellow Belly Ball Python
The yellow belly gene is co-dominant and doesn't completely override other genes.
Zebra
Stripe patterns are unique to each individual!
Zebu
There are around 75 different species!
Zonkey
The offspring of Zebra and Donkey parents!
Zorse
The offspring of a Zebra and Horse parents!
Gabonese Animals List
- Aardvark
- African Civet
- African Clawed Frog
- African Elephant
- African Fish Eagle
- African Forest Elephant
- African Golden Cat
- African Grey Parrot
- African Jacana
- African Palm Civet
- African Tree Toad
- Agama Lizard
- American Cockroach
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Beewolf wasp
- Bichir
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Bongo
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Brown-banded Cockroach
- Brown Dog Tick
- Buffalo
- Bumblebee
- Bush Baby
- Bush Viper
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chameleon
- Chicken
- Chimpanzee
- Cichlid
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Cormorant
- Cosmic Caterpillar
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crocodylomorph
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Dwarf Crocodile
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Eel catfish
- Egyptian Goose
- Electric Catfish
- Elephant
- Elephant Shrew
- Enchi Ball Python
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Fire Ball Python
- Firefly
- Firefly Ball Python
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Forest Cobra
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Bat
- Fruit Fly
- Fulvous Whistling Duck
- Gaboon Viper
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goliath Beetle
- Gorilla
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Guinea Fowl
- Gypsy Moth
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Hippopotamus
- Honey Badger
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Hyena
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jack Crevalle
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Leopard
- Liger
- Lion
- Lizard
- Locust
- Maggot
- Magpie
- Mandrill
- Marabou Stork
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mojave Ball Python
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Nematode
- Nightingale
- Nile Crocodile
- Nile Monitor
- No See Ums
- Olive Baboon
- Orb Weaver
- Osprey
- Otter
- Owl
- Panda Pied Ball Python
- Pangolin
- Parrot
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Pompano Fish
- Praying Mantis
- Puff Adder
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Red-Billed Quelea Bird
- Rhino Viper
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rock Python
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Sand Crab
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Serval
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Spitting Cobra
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stiletto Snake
- Stork
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thornback Ray
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Tsetse Fly
- Turaco
- Turtles
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Vulture
- Warthog
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Western Gorilla
- Western Lowland Gorilla
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Wryneck
- Yellow Belly Ball Python
- Zebra
- Zebu
- Zonkey
- Zorse
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Animals in Gabon FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live in Gabon?
Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and fish live in Gabon. Some of the most well-known examples of Gabon wildlife include snakes like the Gaboon viper and the forest cobra. Other animals include African elephants, buffalo, leopards, gorillas, vermiculated fishing owls, and sea turtles to name a few. Some of these animals such as the African Elephant and Western Lowland Gorillas are now endangered and would be at risk of becoming extinct without wildlife conservation efforts happening in Gabon.
Are there lions in Gabon?
Yes, but very few. Lions were once considered extinct in Gabon but are now slowly growing in number due to steps taken with wildlife conservation.
What is the national animal in Gabon?
The national animal of Gabon is the black panther. Of course, the black panther is not a separate species. It’s a leopard with extra black pigmentation that gives it a black coat. Look closely and you’ll see black panthers still have dark spots on their fur like a leopard.
