Below you can find a complete list of Sulawesi animals. We currently track 173 animals in Indonesia (Sulawesi) and are adding more every day!
Sulawesi, also known as Celebes, is one of the four Greater Sunda Islands. It is a large island that is governed by Indonesia. Sulawesi borders Borneo to the west, the Philippines to the north, Maluku to the east, and Flores and Timor to the south.
Sulawesi is a mountainous island. It has only a few lowland areas and consists largely of montane rain forests. A montane rainforest is a forest that grows on mountains above 3,300 feet. These are also known as “cloud forests” because they collect water from mist and fog on the uplands.
The Official National Animal of Sulawesi
Sulawesi does not have its own national animal. The national animal of Indonesia is the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). This large reptile is a member of the monitor lizard family. The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. It can grow up to 10 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds.
Komodo dragons are the apex predators in most ecosystems where they live. Their size has made them fearless, and they have attacked humans.
Komodo dragons are classed as “vulnerable” for conservation status. In 1980, the Indonesian government established Komodo National Park to help conserve them. There are many Komodo dragons in captivity.
Where To Find the Top Wild Animals in Sulawesi
The island of Sulawesi has six national parks and nineteen wildlife reserves. Sulawesi has three marine protected areas.
Some of the best places to see tarsiers, macaques and maleos are the Tangkoko National Park. Lore Lindu National Park is a good place to see tarsiers, cuscus, and anoas. Bogani National Park conserves nesting sites for maleos and other rare birds.
The ocean waters surrounding Sulawesi are home to some of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the world. They provide feeding areas for barracudas, dolphins, whales, eagle rays, manta rays, marlins, and sea turtles.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Sulawesi Today
The most dangerous animal in Sulawesi is the Komodo dragon. Its size and strength make it dangerous to predators, and its venomous bite makes it dangerous to humans.
Sulawesi has venomous snakes, and it is also home to deadly pythons. In 2017, a python swallowed an adult male whole. When villagers killed the snake and opened it, they found the man’s body inside.
Endangered Animals in Sulawesi
Unfortunately, many animals in Sulawesi are endangered. Hunting, the illegal pet trade, and deforestation have caused habitat loss and population declines among many of its unique animals. Without serious intervention, some of them will become extinct.
- Anoa: Also known as the midget buffalo, the anoa looks like a miniature version of the water buffalo. Sulawesi has two species, the mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) and the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis). Both are classed as endangered.
- The bear cuscus (Phalangista ursina) is an endemic marsupial that lives in the island’s mountain rainforests. This sweet-looking animal resembles a sloth. Frequent targets of the illegal pet trade, these gentle mammals are classed as vulnerable.
- The crested black macaque (Macaca nigra) is a monkey that forages on the coastline and in the trees of Sulawesi. This intelligent, sociable monkey is critically endangered.
Because of its unique animal life, Sulawesi is considered part of the global biodiversity hotspot known as Wallacea. This hotspot includes several islands, of which Sulawesi is the largest. It is also home to the highest number of endangered birds and mammals in this hotspot.
Sulawesi’s Unique Wildlife
Sulawesi is home to many beautiful animals that only exist on the island. The Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program has been working with the government of Indonesia to protect the last remaining macaques, anoas, maleos, and other rare, precious animals of Sulawesi.
Sulawesi Animals

Admiral Butterfly
Stunningly beautiful wings

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

Asian Palm Civet
It mainly eats mangos and coffee!

Aurochs
Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Babirusa
The babirusa is the only mammal with vertically growing canine teeth!

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!

Bear
There are 8 different species!

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

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 17,500 species!

Camel Cricket
The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.

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!

Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cockatoo
Highly social, smart, and chatty bird.

Cockroach
Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Common Buzzard
The most common raptor in the UK!

Common House Spider
House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Spotted Cuscus
Has a long, strong prehensile tail!

Cormorant
They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.

Cow
There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!

Cow Reticulated Python
Cow reticulated pythons hatch solid white, then develop spots as they mature.

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.

Deer
There are around 40 different species!

Dog
First domesticated in South-East Asia!

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

Eagle
Has exceptional eyesight!

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!

Elephant
Spends around 22 hours a day eating!

Emerald Tree Monitor
They lay their eggs in termite nests!

Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fire-Bellied Toad
Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

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!

Flying Squirrel
Can glide up to 90 meters!

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!

Glass Lizard
Can grow up to 4ft long!

Glowworm
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!

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!

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.

Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies

King Cobra
They are the longest venomous snake in the world.

Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Liger
The offspring of a lion and tiger parents!

Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!

Long-Eared Owl
Ear tufts make it look bigger!

Long-Tailed Tit
Often hangs upside down while feeding!

Macaque
Macaque females will pass on their social rankings to their daughters

Magpie
They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Masked Palm Civet
Found throughout Asia, India and China!

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!

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!

Nematode
Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long

Newt
Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!

Nightingale
Named more than 1,000 years ago!

Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males

Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide

Owl
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees

Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!

Peacock
Most commonly found on the Indian mainland!

Pheasant
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pig
Thought to have been domesticated in 9,000 BC!

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 300 different species!

Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!

Rat Snakes
Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.

Redback Spider
The redback spiders found in New Caledonia differ from other populations in that they don’t practice sexual cannibalism and don’t bite people as much.

Reticulated python
These popular pets can get big enough to kill their owner.

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!

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!

Salamander
There are more than 700 different species!

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!

Sheep
Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrimp
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Skunk
Also known as the Polecat!

Slow Worm
Found widely throughout British gardens!

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!

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!

Tarantula Hawk
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Tarsier
Each eye weighs more than their whole brain!

Termite
Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

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!

Turtles
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

Vampire Crab
Vampire crabs do not depend on saltwater for their development; instead, they live near freshwater rivers and in forests amongst rocks and dense vegetation.

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!

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
This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!

Zebu
There are around 75 different species!
Sulawesi Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Asian Palm Civet
- Aurochs
- Babirusa
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Black Widow Spider
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Cockatoo
- Cockroach
- Common Buzzard
- Common House Spider
- Common Spotted Cuscus
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Cow Reticulated Python
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crocodylomorph
- Cuckoo
- Deer
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Elephant
- Emerald Tree Monitor
- Falcon
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Hamster
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jumping Spider
- King Cobra
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Liger
- Lizard
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Macaque
- Magpie
- Masked Palm Civet
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Moth
- Mourning Gecko
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Nematode
- Newt
- Nightingale
- Orb Weaver
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Parrot
- Peacock
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pika
- Pond Skater
- Porcupine
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Rat Snakes
- Redback Spider
- Reticulated python
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Salamander
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrimp
- Skunk
- Slow Worm
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stoat
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Tarsier
- Termite
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Vampire Crab
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Dragon
- Weasel
- White Tiger
- Wild Boar
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Zebu
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Animals Live in Sulawesi?
Sulawesi is noteworthy for the many endemic animals that call it home. An “endemic” animal is unique to the country it lives in and can’t be found anywhere else. Many of Sulawesi’s animals only live there.
- There are 127 mammals in Sulawesi. Of these, 79 are endemic.
- Sulawesi has 350 native birds, and about 50 of them are endemic.
- It has over 70 freshwater fish species, and more than half are endemic.
Because of its climate and topography, you can expect to find animals that thrive in warm, wet forests here. Animals in Sulawesi share characteristics with the animals of Asia and Australia. Here are some of its most interesting native animals.
- Kingfishers: Sulawesi has two native species of these gorgeous birds. They are the green-backed kingfisher (Actenoides monachus) and the Sulawesi lilac kingfisher (Citura cyanotis). The lilac kingfisher is classed as near threatened.
- North Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis): This endemic wild pig, sometimes called a deer-pig, has a curved tusk and hooves. Its face looks like a cross between a pig and a deer, which is where it gets its nickname. Babirusas almost became extinct because of hunting and other threats. Recent conservation efforts have helped them rebound.
- Tarsius (Lemur tarsier): The world’s smallest primate, this tiny guy has a sweet face, enormous eyes and pointed ears. Tarsius are only found on Sulawesi or other nearby islands in Indonesia and the Philippines. These primates spend their whole lives in the trees, where they build nests and mate. They mate for life, and a tarsius will not mate again if its partner dies. These miniature mammals are threatened by habitat destruction.
- Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo): This distinctive bird has black feathers with a pink breast. Maleos live on the beaches and sandy areas of Sulawesi. They mate for life. The Bronx Zoo is the only other place in the world that has maleos, and it is developing programs to breed them in captivity. Maleos are critically endangered.
What Is the Biggest Animal in Sulawesi?
The Komodo dragon and the Sumatran tiger are the biggest animals in Sulawesi.
Although it is small for a tiger, the Sumatran tiger can weigh up to 260 pounds.
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) is a specific subspecies of tiger known as the Sunda Island subspecies. This group formerly included the Javan and Bali tigers, but they are both extinct.
The Sumatran tiger is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where it lives in the forests. It has webbed feet that allow it to navigate through rivers and coastal forests. The species is listed as critically endangered. In 2016, the government of Indonesia declared the Sumatran tiger a top priority for conservation efforts.