Animals in Bangladesh

Below you can find a complete list of Bangladeshi animals. We currently track 140 animals in Bangladesh and are adding more every day!

Many different animals live in Bangladesh, but sadly that number is diminishing. There are 138 species of threatened mammals, 566 bird species, 167 reptile species, 49 amphibian species, 253 freshwater fish species, 141 crustaceans, and 305 butterfly species in the country. Overexploitation and habitat degradation are the two main reasons why 390 species are critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. In the last 15 years, officials have documented 31 species as being regionally extinct in this fauna.

The Official National Animal of Bangladesh

In 1971, the royal Bengal tiger became the national animal of Bangladesh. It replaced the lion. Experts believe that about 440 royal Bengal tigers live in the forests of the Sundarbans and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. These animals live a solitary lifestyle, and they often walk miles in search of prey. Officials made it the national animal because of the way it royally carries its body, its fearlessness, and its wrath.

Where To Find The Top Wildlife in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to 17 national parks, 20 wildlife sanctuaries, and one special biodiversity conservation area, so there are many places to go to see mammals in their natural fauna. While you have many choices, three rises to the top as being offering some of the best fauna and for being accessible.

If you want to see wildlife in Bangladesh, consider going to Lawacherri National Park. There you can see Northern pig-tailed macaques, Phayre’s leaf monkeys, and capped langurs. The forest is also home to Western Hoolock gibbons, which is the only ape that lives in the country. Additionally, you may see many bird species, including Oriental pied hornbills and Kalij pheasants, along with several flowerpeckers species, which is the smallest bird in the country.

Satchari National Park is also a great place to go if you want to see wildlife. You are likely to see Northern pig-tailed macaques, Pharyre’s leaf monkeys, capped langurs, and Western Hoolock gibbons. One reason people come to this location is to see the breeding pairs of cuckoos and hooded pittas, but if you want to see them, then come during the early monsoon season, which usually lasts from March to May.

Rema-Kalenga Reserved Forest is another great place to see wild animals in Bangladesh. Visiting this location may allow you to see endangered fishing cats and nationally rare black giant squirrels, along with several species of monkeys. This reserved forest is also a great place to see breeding pairs of critically endangered white-rumped vultures.

The Most Dangerous Animals In Bangladesh Today

While many Bangladesh animals are non-threatening, there are some that you will want to watch for as they can be deadly. These include:

  • Royal Bengal tigers – Tigers in the Sundarbans region seem to be more aggressive than in other parts of the world.
  • Russel vipers – One of the fastest biters globally, this snake lives on land and in the water.
  • King cobras – The king cobra is the longest poisonous snake globally, and it lives in the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh.

Endangered Animals In Bangladesh

While some animals have gone extinct in Bangladesh, there is still time to protect many others. The mugger or marsh crocodile is the sole reptile to become extinct. Many animals listed on the extinct list were actually combined with other listed animals during the 1800s. Bangladesh is home to many endangered animals, including:

Bangladeshi Animals

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Antelope

Renew their horns every year!

Asian Elephant

Domesticated for hundreds of years!

Asian Palm Civet

It mainly eats mangos and coffee!

Aurochs

Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Barb

There are over 2,000 known species!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bengal Tiger

The most numerous species of tiger!

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Bumblebee

The most common species of bee!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 species!

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!

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cicada

Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans

Clouded Leopard

Has canines that can be two inches long!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Common Buzzard

The most common raptor in the UK!

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crane

Many are critically endangered species!

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Deer

There are around 40 different species!

Desert Locust

Solitary locusts are grey while gregarious locusts are yellow with stripes.

Dhole

Only 2,000 left in the wild!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dormouse

Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Elephant

Spends around 22 hours a day eating!

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fire-Bellied Toad

Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

Fishing Cat

Scoops fish out of the water using it's paw!

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Fox

There are 12 different species in the world!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Gerbil

Originally known as the Desert Rat!

Gibbon

Found in dense jungles and tropical forests!

Glass Lizard

Can grow up to 4ft long!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Goat

Most closely related to the Sheep!

Golden Oriole

Migrates between Europe and Asia!

Goose

There are 29 different species!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Green Bee-Eater

Mainly eats honeybees!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Hedgehog

Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

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!

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Indian Elephant

Found throughout south-east Asia!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jackal

Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!

Jerboa

Tiny rodent with a kangaroo-like jump!

King Cobra

They are the longest poisonous snake in the world.

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leopard

Spends much of the time high in the trees!

Leopard Cat

There are 11 different species!

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.

Long-Eared Owl

Ear tufts make it look bigger!

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Masked Palm Civet

Found throughout Asia, India and China!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

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!

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Neanderthal

Roamed Asia and Europe for around 100,000 years!

Newt

Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!

Nightingale

Named more than 1,000 years ago!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

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!

Pig

Thought to have been domesticated in 9,000 BC!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Pika

Found in mountainous regions and rocky areas

Pond Skater

There are 500 different species!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rabbit

There are more than 50 different species!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

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!

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Slow Worm

Found widely throughout British gardens!

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Stoat

Average adults weigh about 200 grams!

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Tiger

The largest feline in the world!

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Water Buffalo

Has been domesticated for thousands of years!

Water Dragon

Spends most of it's time in the trees!

Weasel

The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!

White Tiger

None have been seen in the wild for 50 years!

Wild Boar

Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!

Wolf

Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Woodlouse

Actually a crustacean, not an insect!

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Zebu

There are around 75 different species!

Bangladeshi Animals List

Animals in Bangladesh FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kind of animals are in Bangladesh?

There are many different species of unique animals in Bangladesh. Scientists are discovering new ones all the time. Recently discovered unique animals include common pipistrelle bats, Indian round leaf bats, wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats, least leaf-nosed bats, dawn bats, lesser false vampire bats, cook’s mice, Edward’s rats, Himalayan rats, white-toothed rats, red climbing mice, yellow-throated martens, particolored flying squirrels, Himalayan striped squirrels, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, pan-tropical spotted dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, false killer whales, sperm whales, and Bryde’s whales.

How many animals are there in Bangladesh?

There are over 22 species of unique amphibians, 708 species of fish, 126 -species of reptiles, 628 species of birds, and 113 species of mammals 1,720 species of animals in Bangladesh.

What is the most dangerous animal in Bangladesh?

One of the most dangerous animals in Bangladesh is the royal Bengal tiger. These animals tend to be more aggressive in this country than in any place else in the world. Yet, most people still want them protected.

Are there any lions in Bangladesh?

No, lions do not live in Bangladesh. You can find other big cats, including tigers, clouded leopards, fishing cats, marbled cats, Asiatic golden cats, leopard cats and jungle cats.