Below you can find a complete list of Nigerien animals. We currently track 209 animals in Niger and are adding more every day!
Niger is a landlocked country in the middle of Western Africa, surrounded by Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali. More than 80% of the country is covered by the Sahel and the Sahara Desert, where the temperature can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Other important landmarks include the Air Mountains in the center of the country and the lush Niger River in the southwest. Despite the relative inhospitality of the desert, Niger is home to some of the most recognizable wildlife on the planet.
The Official National (State) Animal of Niger
Niger does not have an official national animal. The dama gazelle is the closest thing it has to a national animal symbol.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Niger
Niger is home to several national parks and reserves that teem with interesting and unique wildlife. Here’s a list of them.
- The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is a transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site that traces a path along the Niger River through the borders of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The W National Park, which covers Niger specifically, is home to a rich array of animals, including common hippos, leopards, lions, warthogs, cheetahs, caracals, baboons, buffalos, and aardvarks.
- The Tamou Reserve adjoins the W National Park in the southwest. Its primary purpose is to protect African elephants that wander through the region.
- The Gadabedji Reserve, located near the center of the country in the transition zone between the Sahara and the Sahel, contains a vast region of savannas, pits, and sand dunes. Some of the notable animals you can find here include gazelles, pale foxes, ostriches, and golden jackals.
- The Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northwest of Niger. Encompassing the Air Mountains and Ténéré Desert, it is one of the largest nature reserves in the world and an important refuge for birds.
- Finally, the Termit Massif Reserve, located in the southeast, is the single largest protected area in all of Africa. It is home to around 30 species of mammals, including antelopes, cheetahs, foxes, cats, and wolves, plus another 150 species of birds. Some of these species are rare and completely unique to the region.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Niger Today
Niger is home to several dangerous predators, venomous snakes, and other large animals that may pose a risk to human life. Here’s a small list of them.
- Nile Crocodile – As the largest freshwater reptile in the world, the Nile crocodile is responsible for hundreds of attacks on people every year. However, this dangerous animal can only be found in the far south of the country.
- African Lions – If given the choice, a healthy lion would rarely attack people. Only a small number are responsible for the vast majority of attacks. Experts speculate that lions attack people because their normal prey animals are depleted or because the oldest and sickest members of the species are too weak to catch anything else.
- Common Hippopotamus – Despite being herbivorous, the common hippopotamus is a 3,000-pound behemoth with an aggressive attitude. It will attack anyone who wanders into its territory. In one incident, the hippo capsized a Niger boat, killing several people.
- Puff Adder – While the puff adder does not have the strongest venom, it does cause more deaths per year than any other snakes in Africa, mostly because of its tendency to sit camouflaged on footpaths, where people can accidentally step on it. The venom itself can cause pain, bleeding, swelling, weakness, vomiting, and hemorrhaging. Death can result from poor treatment.
Endangered Animals in Niger
This region of Africa contains some of the most unique wildlife on the planet. But without stronger efforts to curb the rampant poaching and habitat destruction, many of these species are in danger of becoming extinct.
- Northwest African Cheetah – This endangered subspecies of the cheetah is currently threatened by habitat loss from agriculture and industry. It can be identified by the smaller body and a shorter, whiter coat compared to most other cheetah subspecies.
- Addax – Also known as the white antelope or the screwhorn antelope, the addax is a hoofed antelope that’s native to the Saharan Desert. Their numbers have fallen drastically since the 19th century from overhunting and poaching. Fewer than a hundred remain in the wild.
- West African Giraffe – This subspecies of the giraffe is in danger of becoming extinct. Only about 400 to 600 of them remain in the wild, up from a low of about 50 in the 1990s. The last self-sustaining herd currently occupies the southwest area of Niger.
- African Manatee – A native of the Niger River, the African manatee is currently classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by hunting, poaching, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets. The Niger River will also sometimes dry up at certain times of the year, causing the manatee to starve.
- Egyptian Vulture – These large endangered birds have a wide distribution across parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. But the combined effect of hunting, intentional poisoning, pesticide use, and collisions with power lines has decimated numbers in many areas, nearly causing it to become extinct.
Nigerien Animals
Aardvark
Can move 2ft of soil in just 15 seconds!
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 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 Wild Dog
Also known as the painted dog!
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
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!
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!
Caracal
Has 20 different muscles in it's ears!
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
First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!
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.
Cow
There are nearly 1.5 million 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!
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
The Egyptian cobra is one of the largest cobras in Africa.
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 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!
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
There are 12 different species in the world!
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
Giraffe
Long, black tongue can grow to 18 inches long!
Glass Lizard
Can grow up to 4ft long!
Glow Worm
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!
Guinea Fowl
Found in a vairety of African habitats!
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 40 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 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
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!
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!
Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
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!
Nightingale
Named more than 1,000 years ago!
Nile Crocodile
When a female Nile crocodile’s hatchlings are in danger, she may hide them in a special pouch inside her throat.
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
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!
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.
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 50 different species!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Red-Billed Quelea Bird
Is the most populous bird in the world
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!
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.
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 3,000 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.
Spinosaurus
The Spinosaurus is the biggest carnivorous dinosaur ever discovered!
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.
Suchomimus
It walked on two legs and leaned forward
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!
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.
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
Woodlouse Spider
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Worm
Doesn’t have 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!
Nigerien Animals List
- Aardvark
- Addax
- African Civet
- African Grey Parrot
- African Wild Dog
- American Cockroach
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Baboon
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Bat
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bichir
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brown-banded Cockroach
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Bush Baby
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Camel
- Caracal
- Carpenter Ant
- Carpet Viper
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chameleon
- Cheetah
- Chicken
- Cichlid
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Desert Locust
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Egyptian Cobra
- Egyptian Goose
- Electric Catfish
- Elephant
- Elephant Shrew
- Falcon
- False Cobra
- False Widow Spider
- Fennec Fox
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Giraffe
- Glass Lizard
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Guinea Fowl
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Hippopotamus
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horned Viper
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Hyena
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jerboa
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Leech
- Liger
- Lion
- Lizard
- Locust
- Maggot
- Magpie
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Nightingale
- Nile Crocodile
- No See Ums
- Olive Baboon
- Orb Weaver
- Ostrich
- Otter
- Owl
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Patas Monkey
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Praying Mantis
- Puff Adder
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Red-Billed Quelea Bird
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rock Hyrax
- Rock Python
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Serval
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Spinosaurus
- Spitting Cobra
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Striped Hyena
- Suchomimus
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Tsetse Fly
- Turtles
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Vulture
- Warthog
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Zebra
- Zebu
- Zonkey
- Zorse
Animals in Niger FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live in Niger?
Niger is home to a diverse range of different animals, including giraffes, monkeys, gazelles, crocodiles, snakes, spiders, scorpions, hyenas, and many birds.
What is the national animal of Niger?
Niger does not have an official national animal.
Are there lions in Niger?
Yes, the lion is native to the southern part of Niger.
Are there tigers in Niger?
No, tigers are only found in Asia.
Are there giraffes in Niger?
Yes, Niger has a small population of the West African giraffe subspecies in the southwest of the country. It is characterized by lighter-colored spots.
