Below you can find a complete list of Bruneian animals. We currently track 188 animals in Brunei Darussalam and are adding more every day!
Brunei Darussalam has a rich diversity of wildlife within its rain forests and along its ocean coasts. Birds, monkeys, rare creatures, mammals that swim and fly – Brunei has it all for a wildlife watcher with a taste for adventure.
Brunei Darussalam Animal Summary
Brunei Darussalam is home to all types of animals – birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. Some live there year-round, and others use Brunei’s rain forests as a stop to their seasonal migrations.
Brunei shares much of its unique wildlife with nearby Borneo and other islands of Southeast Asia. It is home to many endangered species as well as a few dangerous ones.
When someone calls Brunei’s wildlife unique, they’re not exaggerating. Read on to discover lizards that glide on “wings,” monkeys with comical noses, and more.
The Official National Animal of Brunei Darussalam
The white-bellied sea eagle or fishing eagle is the national animal of Brunei. As its name suggests, it is an adept hunter of fish.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Brunei Darussalam
There are two places to find Brunei’s top animals: snorkeling the coastal waters or trekking the rain forests.
- The one-stop region for discovering many of Brunei’s famous and unique animals is the Ulu Temburong National Park. There, you may see hornbills, proboscis monkeys, and horned frogs.
- The Labi Forest Reserve is the largest stretch of preserved rainforest in the country. Other key locations include the Paradayan Recreational Forest and parts of Kuala Balai. In these areas, you may catch a glimpse of the rhinoceros hornbill.
- Snorkeling or scuba diving the oceanic reefs will reveal colorful fish, sharks, and the slow-moving, peaceful dugongs, one of the most unique mammals in the world. These sea cows spend their entire lives in the water, grazing on seaweed and algae with the help of prehensile lips.
Endangered Wildlife in Brunei Darussalam
Habitat destruction has threatened many species of the island of Borneo with becoming extinct. The intact forests of Brunei serve as a refuge for these endangered species.
- The proboscis monkeys may be the most endangered animals in Brunei. They are named for their large, comical noses. The proboscis monkey is sought after by sightseers due to its strange appearance.
- Brunei considers another strange animal – the pangolin or scaly anteater – to be a “threatened treasure.” These anteaters have long tongues, sharp claws, and large, fleshy scales all over their body. The scales resemble a suit of armor. Public campaigns currently call to protect pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade and the tropical forests they call home from destruction.
- The Sunda clouded leopard is one of the most elusive Brunei species. It was not recognized as a distinct species until 2006. It has been infrequently spotted near Sungai Ingei Forest and the Belait district.
- Other species endangered of becoming extinct include the black hornbill bird, the painted batagur turtle, a fish similar to the familiar betta called Betta macrostoma, a primate called the Borean slow loris, the highfin coral grouper, coral trout, spiny terrapin, the dugong, and seep frog.
- Brunei was the first nation in Asia to place a complete ban on the practice of shark finning. What is shark finning? The fins of sharks are prized for food and medicine. Fishermen catch sharks, remove their fins, and dispose of the rest of the animal. Brunei’s stand against shark finning helps protect the 110 species of sharks known to reside in the South China Sea from becoming endangered or extinct.
Most Dangerous Animals in Brunei Darussalam Today
The saltwater crocodile is the most dangerous animal in Brunei today. They are the largest crocodilians in the world, reaching up to 7 meters in length. “Salties” are rare in the area, but be careful. They are known for exploding out of the water to take prey – occasionally humans – from the banks of rivers.
Flag of Brunei Darussalam
The national flag of Brunei features a bright yellow background, which represents royalty in many southeast Asian countries. Across the flag lie two diagonal stripes, one black, one white. The white stripe stands for the First Chief Minister, while the black stripe beneath represents the Second Chief Minister.
Bruneian Animals
Bruneian Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Ant
- Antelope
- Archerfish
- Armyworm
- Asian Palm Civet
- Atlas Moth
- Aurochs
- Banana Spider
- Banded Palm Civet
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Binturong
- Bird
- Black Widow Spider
- Borneo Elephant
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common House Spider
- Common Spotted Cuscus
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Cow Reticulated Python
- Crab
- Crab-Eating Macaque
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crocodylomorph
- Cuckoo
- Deer
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Elephant
- Falcon
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Firefly
- Fishing Cat
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Gibbon
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Green Rat Snake
- Hamster
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jumping Spider
- Junglefowl
- Kinabalu Giant Red Leech
- King Quail
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leopard Cat
- Liger
- Lizard
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Magpie
- Malayan Civet
- Masked Palm Civet
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Nematode
- Newt
- Nightingale
- Orb Weaver
- Osprey
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Parrot
- Peacock
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pika
- Pond Skater
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Proboscis Monkey
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Redback Spider
- Reticulated python
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Salamander
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Short-Eared Owl
- Shrimp
- Slow Worm
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spiny Hill Turtle
- Spotted Garden Eel
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stoat
- Sunbeam Snake
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Tarsier
- Termite
- Tiger
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Dragon
- Weasel
- White Tiger
- Wild Boar
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Zebu
Animals in Brunei Darussalam FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where in the World is Brunei Darussalam?
Called Negara Brunei Darussalam in the Malay language, this country’s name means Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace. It may be referred to simply as Brunei. This small country is located on the northern coast of the Island of Borneo, north of Australia and southeast of Asia.
The land area of Brunei is only 5,765 square kilometers or 2,226 square miles. It is a land of mountains and coastlines, lowland rain forests, and mountain rain forests.
What Animals Live in Brunei Darussalam?
Great varieties of animals live in Brunei. Various species of hornbills sport large, colorful beaks. Other birds include the crested fireback, a colorful pheasant resembling a small peacock; the grey-headed fishing eagle or tank eagle; and the white-breasted waterhen or ruak-ruak, named for the sound it makes when it gives a warning call.
The Bornean horned frog is known for its intelligence and camouflage. The flying lizard leaps from trees, using flaps of skin as “wings.” This small lizard may even show up in your hotel room!
Mammals are also found in abundance. These include the sun bear, the wide-eyed Bornean slow loris, the proboscis monkey, several small spotted cats, the binturong (which smells like popcorn), flocks of enormous flying fox bats, and the aquatic dugong or sea cow.
Are There Tigers in Brunei Darussalam?
Yes, there are tigers in Brunei. Bengal tigers are held in the private zoo of the Suntan of Brunei, a favorite of the Queen. A successful breeding program has increased its numbers from nine individuals to 30. Wild tigers do not live in Brunei.
Are There Orangutans in Brunei Darussalam?
Orangutans live throughout the island of Borneo. The neighboring state of Sabah, Malaysia is considered the best place in the world to see orangutans in the wild.