Below you can find a complete list of Indonesian animals. We currently track 286 animals in Indonesia and are adding more every day!
Indonesia contains some of the most diverse and unique wildlife on the planet. Covered in lush rainforests, dry volcanic terrain, alpine forests, coastal forests, and wetlands, the country consists of thousands of different islands, including the largest: Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and western New Guinea.
The rainforests of Borneo alone are a source of immense biodiversity. Many of its native species are found nowhere else on the planet.
The Official National Animal of Indonesia
The Komodo dragon, which holds the distinction of being the largest species of lizard in the world, is the official animal of Indonesia. However, the national emblem of Indonesia actually contains a mythical bird called a Garuda.
Rarest Animals Found in Indonesia
On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, there is a population of Panthera tigris sondaica that are recognized as the Sumatran tiger.
The Sunda Islands, where the tigers of Bali and Java are extinct, are home to the only surviving tiger population.
Additionally, one of the many endangered species protected by the Indonesian government is this species of Sumatran tiger.
Furthermore, here are three of the rarest animals calling Indonesia home:
Komodo Dragons, the largest reptiles on earth and stealthy hunters, are the main supporter of Indonesian tourism. Mostly on the islands of Komodo and Rinca, they are seen mostly on the islands of Rinca and Komodo.
There are two species of elephant in the globe, and the Sumatran Elephant is a subspecies of the Asian Elephant. They inhabit the Sumatran lowland forest. Sadly, the majority of this is not within a protected area. These areas are in the provinces of Riau, West Sumatra, and Lampung.
The Indonesian island of Java is home to the Javan leopard a subspecies of the leopard. Since 2021, it has been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The population is thought to consist of 188-571 adult individuals spread among 22 dispersed subpopulations with a declining territory.
Because people have been forced to explore areas that may otherwise be the animals’ native habitat, Indonesian wildlife is known to coexist with humans. That is why it is very important to be cautious when visiting the Indonesian region.
Indonesia is home to many venomous animals, including:
Sea Wasp – This species of box jellyfish, which is native to the oceans near Indonesia, can deliver an intense, burning sting that only rarely results in death.
Saltwater Crocodile – As the largest living reptile on the planet, the dangerous saltwater crocodile also has a tendency to attack humans as prey.
Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait – This sea snake can deliver a powerful and dangerous neurotoxin that severely affects nerve function.
The Flag of Indonesia
The flag of Indonesia is one of the simplest flag designs of any country in the world. It is made up of two horizontal stripes of red and white.
The red on the flags represent bravery and blood, while the white symbolizes spirit and purity. The flag’s official name, Sang Merah-Putih, which translates to “the Red and White,” is used.
Endangered Animals in Indonesia
Many of Indonesia’s most iconic species are now threatened by urbanization and deforestation, particularly from agriculture.
Sumatran Tiger – This subspecies of the tiger is one of the most powerful carnivores on the planet. Less than a thousand Sumatran tigers remain in the wild.
Sumatran Rhino – Prized for its two massive horns, the Sumatran rhino was once native to a massive range as far north as China, but it is now completely gone from the Asian mainland.
Orangutans – All three living species of orangutan which occupy the wild forests of Indonesia – the Sumatran orangutan, the Borneo orangutan, and the Tapanuli orangutan – are in critical danger of becoming extinct.
What often prevents more people from falling victim is that the banded krait does not always inject venom in a defensive bite. It saves the venom for hunting prey instead.
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.
When strawberry hermit crabs find shells that are larger than their own, they gather in a line from biggest to smallest. Once the biggest one sheds its shell, the next one in line will claim it, which is repeated down the line.
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Animals in Indonesia FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are some extinct animals in Indonesia?
The list of extinct animals includes the Sulawesi dwarf elephant, giant rats, a giant boar, and a few subspecies of the tiger.
What is the largest animal in Indonesia?
The largest animal is the Sumatran elephant, which also happens to be endangered.