Below you can find a complete list of Bissau-Guinean animals. We currently track 235 animals in Guinea-Bissau and are adding more every day!
Bordered to the north by Senegal, to the east and south by Guinea, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, Guinea Bissau is a small country but rich in unique wildlife. Though it is not a wealthy country, its government does strive to protect its many species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and beneficial insects.
The Official National Animal of Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau doesn’t have a national animal as of yet, but their national bird is the black-crowned crane. This is an elegant bird found in the country’s wetlands during its breeding season and in the grassland and dry savannas the rest of the year. Its beautiful golden crown of bristly feathers makes it immediately identifiable. The crane is about 3.41 feet long with a 5.9 to 6.56-foot wingspan and a weight between 6.6 and 8.81 pounds. It also has pink cheek patches, a red gular sac, and long, stilt-like legs. Unfortunately, its conservation status is vulnerable.
Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Guinea Bissau
The top wild creatures of Guinea Bissau are best seen in its wildlife parks and national reserves, though many of its birds and insects can be seen throughout the country, even in urban areas. The country’s national parks are Dulombi and Ilhas de Orango.
Natural parks are Lagoas de Cufada, Cantanhez Forest National Park, Varela National Park, and Parc Naturel des Mangroves de Cacheu while Rio Grande de Buba is a protected area. Lagao de Cufada is a wetland of international importance and Archipel de Bolama – Bilagós is designated a UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve. João Vieira and Poilão is a Marine National Park while Ilhas Formosa, Nago & Tchediã is a marine community protected area.
Other forest reserves include the Canquelifa Forest Reserve, Dungal Forest Reserve, Mansoa Forest Reserve, Sumbundo Forest Reserve, and Salifo Forest Reserve.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Guinea Bissau Today
- Mosquito. This is probably the most dangerous animal in Guinea Bissau and is indeed one of the most dangerous animals on earth. Mosquitos are vectors for an array of dangerous diseases, including malaria. Every year a million people die of malaria.
- Hippopotamus. This beast kills at least 500 people every year on both land and in the water.
- African Buffalo. This bad-tempered bovine gores or tramples about 200 people to death every year. Some believe it will even take lethal vengeance on a hunter who has wounded it.
- Puff adder. Named because it puffs up its body before it strikes, this is one of the most venomous snakes in Africa. Even in areas rife with venomous snakes, the puff adder causes more fatalities because it is aggressive, hard to see because of its coloration, and lives close to human habitations.
- Lions. Lions put an end to about 250 people per year in the continent. In Guinea Bissau, lions are vulnerable.
Endangered Animals In Guinea Bissau
Endangered wildlife in Guinea Bissau include:
- African forest elephant. This animal is critically endangered in Guinea Bissau.
- African manatee. This animal, a member of an order that included the now extinct Stellar’s sea cow, is vulnerable to going extinct itself.
- Whales. Of the many whales that live in the Atlantic Ocean off of Guinea Bissau, the Sei whale, Bryde’s whale, the blue whale, and the fin whale are endangered. The common minke whale, the sperm whale, the humpback whale, and the harbor porpoise are vulnerable.
- African wild dog. This carnivore is endangered and may indeed be extinct in the wild in Guinea Bissau.
- Timneh parrot. This gray parrot is endangered.
Bissau-Guinean Animals
Aardvark
Can move 2ft of soil in just 15 seconds!
African Civet
Secretes up to 4g of musk every week!
African Elephant
Both male and female African elephants have tusks. In Asian elephants, only the males have tusks.
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!
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
Axanthic Ball Python
Axanthic ball pythons lack yellow pigment in their skin!
Baboon
Can travel more than four miles a day!
Banana Cinnamon Ball Python
Banana cinnamon ball pythons came from combining the banana and cinnamon genes.
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!
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
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!
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!
Cheetah
The fastest land mammal in the world!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
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.
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.
Desert Ghost Ball Python
Desert ghost ball pythons are even more beautiful when they're bred with another type like enchi ball pythons.
Desert Locust
Solitary locusts are grey while gregarious locusts are yellow with stripes.
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
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!
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.
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!
Fox
Only 12 species are considered "true foxes"
Freeway Ball Python
Freeway ball pythons come from breeding yellow belly and asphalt ball pythons.
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
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
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!
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Green Bee-Eater
Mainly eats honeybees!
Green Mamba
Green mambas are fast, and can travel up to 7 miles per hour.
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!
Hartebeest
Unlike other animals that move towards the water source, hartebeests move to more arid locations after rainfall.
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
Jackal
Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!
Jerboa
Tiny rodent with a kangaroo-like jump!
Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Killer Clown Ball Python
Killer clown ball pythons can cost several thousand dollars.
Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Lavender Albino Ball Python
The first two lavender albino ball pythons were wild-hatched and imported from Africa.
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!
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!
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.
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Northern Pintail
Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!
Olive Baboon
Olive baboons will sometimes form strong friendships with each other
Orange Dream Ball Python
The "Orange Dream" name came from the idea that the morph would make its first breeder a million dollars.
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Oribi
Males oribis spend most of their time patrolling the borders of their territories; they can do this about 16 times an hour! However, 27% of their day is spent grazing.
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
Pangolin
Bad eyesight, but great sense of smell
Parakeet
Monk parakeets are the only parakeets that actually build nests. They’re also the only parakeets to nest in great colonies.
Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!
Patas Monkey
The fastest species of primate in the world!
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
Redstart
They build their nests off the ground in tree holes, cavities, stone walls, and roofs
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 Hyrax
Actually related to Elephants and Manatees!
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
Savannah Monitor
Savannah monitors are one of the most popular lizards in captivity.
Scaleless Ball Python
Aside from the ocular scales covering each of its eyes, the scaleless ball python's body is completely smooth.
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!
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!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
Sunset Ball Python
Sunset ball pythons are bred with several other morphs to get designer colors.
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!
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!
Bissau-Guinean Animals List
- Aardvark
- African Civet
- African Elephant
- African Grey Parrot
- African Jacana
- African Palm Civet
- American Cockroach
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Axanthic Ball Python
- Baboon
- Banana Cinnamon Ball Python
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Bat
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bichir
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Brown-banded Cockroach
- Brown Dog Tick
- Buffalo
- Bumblebee
- Bush Baby
- Bush Viper
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chameleon
- Cheetah
- Chicken
- Cichlid
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crocodylomorph
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Desert Ghost Ball Python
- Desert Locust
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Egyptian Goose
- Electric Catfish
- Elephant
- Elephant Shrew
- Enchi Ball Python
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Firefly Ball Python
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Fox
- Freeway Ball Python
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Fulvous Whistling Duck
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Green Mamba
- Guinea Fowl
- Gypsy Moth
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hartebeest
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Hippopotamus
- Honey Badger
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Hyena
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jack Crevalle
- Jackal
- Jerboa
- Jumping Spider
- Killer Clown Ball Python
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Lavender Albino Ball Python
- Leech
- Leopard
- Liger
- Lizard
- Locust
- Maggot
- Magpie
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mojave Ball Python
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Nematode
- Nightingale
- Nile Crocodile
- No See Ums
- Northern Pintail
- Olive Baboon
- Orange Dream Ball Python
- Orb Weaver
- Oribi
- Osprey
- Otter
- Owl
- Pangolin
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Patas Monkey
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Pompano Fish
- Praying Mantis
- Puff Adder
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Red-Billed Quelea Bird
- Redstart
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rock Hyrax
- Rock Python
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Sand Crab
- Savannah Monitor
- Scaleless Ball Python
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Serval
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Spitting Cobra
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Sunset Ball Python
- 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 Green Mamba
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Wryneck
- Yellow Belly Ball Python
- Zebra
- Zebu
- Zonkey
- Zorse
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live in Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea Bissau is a country blessed with an abundance of wildlife. Animals that live there include carnivores such as leopards, lions, wild cats such as caracals and servals, mongoose and the spotted hyena. Guinea Bissau is also home to the honey badger, jackals and otters. Pigs such as the warthog and red river hog are found in the country, as are antelope, sheep, goats and types of cattle such as the notorious African buffalo.
Guinea Bissau is home to marine mammals such as whales and manatees, who live in the Atlantic Ocean off its coast. Primates include several old world monkeys such as the green monkey and the mangabey. Common chimpanzees are also found in the country as are rodents such as s the Sudanian grass rat and the Lorrain dormouse. The African savanna hare is found in Guinea Bissau, as are shrews, bats and pangolins. Birds include seabirds such as the European storm petrel and tropicbirds; wading birds such as spoonbills, storks and flamingos; birds of prey such as the African cuckoo hawk, the black kite and the African fish eagle, which is considered a symbol of the African soul with its loud cry. Guinea Bissau has a good number of gulls and terns as well as doves, pigeons and parrots. A number of species of owls live in the country, including the pearl-spotted owl and the African scops owl. Other birds are swifts, rollers, mousebirds, kingfishers, swallows and woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes and flycatchers, orioles, shrikes, white-eyes and tits.
Reptiles include the West African crocodile, different types of lizards including the fire-sided skink, the graceful chameleon and the house gecko. There’s also the imposing Nile monitor lizard which can grow to over 7 feet long. Snakes include thread snakes and water snakes, tree snakes and egg eaters. The western gaboon viper joins the puff adder as a dangerous venomous snake along with the western green mamba and the forest and Senegalese cobras. The endangered green sea turtle also swims in the waters off Guinea Bissau.
Amphibians include a variety of toads and frogs, including the beautiful four-lined spiny reed frog and the less beautiful Egyptian toad. Ocean fish include the Atlantic white marlin, the Queen triggerfish, the West African seahorse, the giant African threadfin and the Atlantic crevalle jack. Insects include unique and beautiful butterflies and moths, including the small orange acraea butterfly and the unusual Miniodes discolor moth. There are also iridescently colorful dragonflies, grasshoppers, ants and beetles such as Mallodon downesi with its impressive jaws.
Are there elephants in Guinea-Bissau?
The African forest elephant lives in Guinea Bissau, and unfortunately, it is critically endangered. It is smaller than the bush elephant, but it isn’t small. A grown forest elephant stands 7 foot 10 inches high at the shoulder. They can also be told from the bush elephant because their tusks are straight and point downward. The forest elephant’s tusks are also unique because they’re pink.
What is the national bird of Guinea-Bissau?
Guinea Bissau’s national bird is the black-crowned crane.
