Below you can find a complete list of Mauritanian animals. We currently track 235 animals in Mauritania and are adding more every day!
Mauritania is a country located in western Africa. This country is 75 percent desert with plains and sand dunes making up the remaining 25 percent. Also, Mauritania is bordered by the northern Atlantic Ocean. Some of the animals in Mauritania are plentiful while others are endangered or even on the verge of becoming extinct. A few of the most well-known animals native to Africa and living in the country of Mauritania include gazelles, panthers, hyenas, sand cats, cheetahs, and warthogs. There are 573 species of birds, over 260 species of mammals, 86 species of reptiles, 30 species of amphibians, and 676 species of fish.
The Official National Animal of Mauritania
The official national animal of Mauritania is the African wild cat Felis lybica Incidently, the European wild cat is a subspecies of the African wild cat. These cats are native to Africa. This mammal is hardy and built to endure the harsh elements of a desert and scrubland habitat. So, it makes for a strong national symbol for this country. They symbolize wisdom and endurance in addition to strength.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Mauritania
The majority of Mauritania has an arid desert environment. So, the unique wildlife living in this country must be well-equipped to live in such a harsh habitat. Discover where to find some of the top wild animals in Mauritania.
- Cheetah – The cheetah, also known as the fastest mammal on earth, lives in bushy regions and the plains of Mauritania.
- Warthog – These mammals are cousins to pigs and live in a semi-arid region. They go into abandoned aardvark dens to keep cool in the heat of the day.
- Addra gazelle – The Addra is the biggest type of gazelle and lives in the Saharan desert in Mauritania. In the wet season, these gazelles live in the desert while in the dry season they migrate to scrublands.
- Hyena – This dog-like native of Africa lives in the open plains and scrublands in the northern part of Mauritania. This animal is a scavenger that depends on eating the leftovers of wildlife killed by cheetahs and other larger mammals.
- African lions – This familiar native of Africa lives in savannas and grasslands as well as the semi-arid areas of Mauritania.
- North African ostrich – This unique animal is the largest living bird in the world. These birds live in the dry scrublands of Mauritania among other habitats in Africa.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Mauritania Today
Africa has many of the world’s most dangerous animals. The country of Mauritania is home to a few of those animals. The most dangerous animals in Mauritania include:
- Scorpion Buthus occitanus – have a body measuring about three inches with a long, sharp stinger. The stinger of a scorpion contains enough venom to kill a young child or elderly person. They stay hidden most of the time so when a person is stung it’s usually because they reach into the animal’s hiding place. There are an estimated 5,000 deaths from scorpion stings each year.
- Snake – This 40-inch-long snake is responsible for the most snakebite deaths throughout Africa. These snakes can remain still for hours at a time on branches or in the bushes, so people are often bitten before they even see the reptile. Their bite can cause hemorrhaging, swelling, muscle damage, and death. The question of whether an adder bite is deadly depends on how much venom the person received and the time it takes to get treatment for the bite.
- Sahara sand viper – This venomous snake gets its name from its habit of hiding in the sand watching for prey. They are known to bite humans especially if someone is walking in the desert and doesn’t see the snake. Though their venom is relatively weak compared to other venomous snakes, they do have a painful (though not deadly) bite.
- Black-necked spitting cobra – Some of these snakes can reach a length of 7 feet. They live up to their name with the ability to spit venom up to 23 feet! Though their venom is not known to be deadly to humans, it does do other types of damage. A person hit in the eye with this snake’s venom can go blind if their eyes are not rinsed very quickly.
Endangered Animals in Mauritania
Unfortunately, some of the unique wildlife in Mauritania is considered Endangered and at risk of going extinct. However, in some cases, specific conservation efforts in the form of laws and education are being introduced to keep certain species from becoming extinct. Some examples of endangered animals in Mauritania include:
- Mediterranean monk seal
- African straw-colored fruit bat
- West African manatee
- Atlantic humpbacked dolphin
- Barbary sheep
The Flag of Mauritania
The flag of Mauritania symbolizes the country’s cultural and political significance. The current flag design was approved by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on November 28, 2017 and is mostly green with two red bands, one at the top and one at the bottom of the flag. At the center of the flag is the shape of a crescent with a gold star, representing Islam.
Mauritanian Animals
Aardvark
Can move 2ft of soil in just 15 seconds!
Aardwolf
The aardwolf has five toes on its front paws
Addax
The hooves of the addax are splayed and have flat, springy soles, one of the adaptations that help it walk over sand.
African Civet
Secretes up to 4g of musk every week!
African Fish Eagle
African fish eagles belong to the genus of sea eagles
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
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!
Aoudad Sheep
More aoudad sheep live in the United States than in their original North African habitat.
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Baboon
Can travel more than four miles a day!
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
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.
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
Can survive without water for 10 months!
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!
Carpet Viper
The Carpet Viper probably bites and kills more people than any other species of snake.
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 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 Cobra (Egyptian Asp)
The Egyptian cobra is one of the largest cobras in Africa.
Egyptian Goose
A duck species that resembles a goose when flying
Egyptian Vulture
They steal large ostrich eggs and use rocks and pebbles to crack the shells.
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 Cobra
When it feels threatened, it mimics a cobra in an attempt to dissuade a potential attacker.
False Widow Spider
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Fennec Fox
Found in the African Sahara Desert!
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
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"
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
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 Eagle
Their calls sound like high-pitched screams, but they are quiet most of the time.
Golden Oriole
Migrates between Europe and Asia!
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!
Horned Viper
Horned vipers sidewind across the desert sands of their home.
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
Jerboa
Tiny rodent with a kangaroo-like jump!
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!
Lappet-faced Vulture
Lappet-faced vultures are tidy and wash their heads in a body of water after they’ve eaten
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Lesser Jacana
The lesser jacana is nomadic, often moving in search of temporary wetland habitats.
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!
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!
Nile Perch
Nile perch will sometimes eat those within its own species
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
Ortolan Bunting
The tradition of hiding your face with a napkin or towel while eating this bird was begun by a priest who was a friend of the great French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.
Osprey
They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!
Ostrich
The largest bird in the world!
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Owl
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
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!
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 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 Cat
They can survive for weeks without drinking water because the get moisture from their prey.
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Sand Viper
Sand vipers are nuisance snakes in some areas.
Saturniidae Moth
Some of the largest moths in the world
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!
Senegal Parrot
As a pet, the Senegal parrot is capable of "talking" to its owner
Serval
Can leap more than 1 meter into the air!
Sheep
Around 35 million in the English countryside!
Short-Eared Owl
The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.
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
Smallmouth Bass
A fierce fighter!
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.
Striped Hyena
The striped hyenas usually mark their territories with the help of the scent gland secretions from their anal pouch.
Sulcata Tortoise
Some cultures in Africa believe the sulcata tortoise is an intermediary between the people and their ancestors and gods.
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!
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
Volcano Snail
The volcano snail lives comfortably in temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
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
Woodlouse Spider
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Wryneck
They feign death by making their bodies limp and closing their eyes.
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!
Mauritanian Animals List
- Aardvark
- Aardwolf
- Addax
- African Civet
- African Fish Eagle
- African Grey Parrot
- African Jacana
- American Cockroach
- Ant
- Antelope
- Aoudad Sheep
- Armyworm
- Baboon
- 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
- Bumblebee
- Bush Baby
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Camel
- Carpenter Ant
- Carpet Viper
- 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 Locust
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Egyptian Cobra (Egyptian Asp)
- Egyptian Goose
- Egyptian Vulture
- Electric Catfish
- Elephant
- Elephant Shrew
- Falcon
- False Cobra
- False Widow Spider
- Fennec Fox
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Eagle
- Golden Oriole
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Guinea Fowl
- Gypsy Moth
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Hippopotamus
- Honey Badger
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horned Viper
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Hyena
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jack Crevalle
- Jerboa
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Leech
- Lesser Jacana
- Liger
- Lizard
- Locust
- Maggot
- Magpie
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mojave Ball Python
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Nematode
- Nightingale
- Nile Crocodile
- Nile Monitor
- Nile Perch
- No See Ums
- Olive Baboon
- Orb Weaver
- Ortolan Bunting
- Osprey
- Ostrich
- Otter
- Owl
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Pompano Fish
- Praying Mantis
- Puff Adder
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Red-Billed Quelea Bird
- Redstart
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rock Python
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Sand Cat
- Sand Crab
- Sand Viper
- Saturniidae Moth
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Senegal Parrot
- Serval
- Sheep
- Short-Eared Owl
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slug
- Smallmouth Bass
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Spitting Cobra
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Striped Hyena
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thornback Ray
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turaco
- Turtles
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Volcano Snail
- Vulture
- Warthog
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Wryneck
- Zebra
- Zebu
- Zonkey
- Zorse
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live in Mauritania?
Some of the unique mammals that live in the desert habitat of Mauritania include cheetahs, warthogs, hyenas, ostriches, African wildcats, lions, and gazelles.
Some examples of reptiles dangerous and not-so-dangerous living in this western African country include puff adders, Sahara sand vipers, African chameleons, Black-necked spitting cobras, and the West African crocodile. A scorpion is an Arthropod that lives in Mauritania.
Birds living in this west African country include the ostrich, the Kordofan lark, the Sudan golden sparrow, and the Arabian bustard.
This country is bordered by the northern Atlantic Ocean, so it is also home to some fish and marine life. This includes Atlantic sailfish, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and whale sharks just to name a few.
