Below you can find a complete list of Lebanese animals. We currently track 222 animals in Lebanon and are adding more every day!
Lebanon is a small country located in the geographical region known as the Levant. This area has long been a crossroads of different empires, including Egypt, Persia, Rome, the Umayyads, and the Ottomans. Situated against the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon shares a land border with Syria to the north/east and Israel to the south.
The country has four main geographical regions: the coastal plains in the west, the snow-capped Lebanon Mountains in the center, the Anti-Lebanon Mountains in the east, and the Bekaa Valley between these two ranges. The country is also home to Tyre, the oldest continually inhabited city in the entire world.
The Official National (State) Animal of Lebanon
The striped hyena is the national animal of Lebanon. Threatened by habitat loss, it is mostly found in the country’s mountainous woodlands.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Lebanon
Lebanon is home to more than 15 unique nature reserves devoted to the preservation of natural wildlife and beauty. Apart from zoos, they are still where you can find the best undisturbed wildlife in the country.
- The Aammiq Wetland, located in the Bekaa Valley, is the largest wetland area in the country. Lying along an important migratory route, it is a birdwatcher’s paradise; more than 250 species can sometimes be found here. Visitors can also see badgers, gazelles, striped hyenas, otters, and possibly even the elusive wolf.
- The Cedars of God, located in the Kadisha Valley of the Bsharri District, contains the remains of a unique and ancient cedar forest. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is subject to very strict protection, but visitors are sometimes allowed here under the watchful eye of a tour guide. It is the most well-known but by no means the only cedar forest in Lebanon.
- The Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, located along the Barouk Mountains near the center of the country, encompasses more than 200 square miles of cedar forests and highlands. It is home to boars, caracals, wolves, deer, jackals, and even the reintroduced Nubian ibex. The Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve in the north is another important cedar forest, set amid the nearby valleys and gorges of the mountains.
- The Tyre Coast Nature Reserve, located just to the southeast of Tyre, covers 940 acres of public beaches, springs, and parts of the old city. It is considered to be an important nesting site for migratory birds and sea turtles. Other common wildlife includes badgers, lizards, bats, and the Arabian spiny mouse.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Lebanon Today
Lebanon is home to only a few species of venomous snakes and other dangerous wildlife. These include:
- Blunt-nosed Viper – Found in meadows, pastures, and rocks across the country, this is a large, brown/copper-colored snake with a blunt nose. If frightened or disturbed, it can deliver a very painful and (in rare cases) potentially fatal venom. Medical attention should always be sought immediately after a bite.
- Palestinian Viper – This species is somewhat smaller than the blunt-nosed viper and has a dark diamond pattern running along its back. It’s also responsible for more snake bites in the region than almost any other species. If left untreated, the venom can sometimes be fatal.
- Lebanon Viper – As an endangered species, the Lebanon viper is not very well understood and somewhat difficult to find amid the country’s rugged mountains, but its venom can be potentially quite dangerous.
Endangered Animals in Lebanon
The lengthy Lebanese Civil War between 1975 and 1990 had a damaging effect on the local wildlife. Since its end, there has been a greater effort to preserve the remaining national wildlife through parks, reserves, and programs. Nevertheless, a few species still face serious threats in the wild.
- Mountain Gazelle – Found in dry, semi-desert mountains throughout the Levant and Turkey, the mountain gazelle is endangered from habitat degradation, hunting, and accidental collisions. It is estimated that only a few thousand of them still remain in the wild.
- Mediterranean Monk Seal – Once a common sight throughout the entire Mediterranean Sea, less than 700 of these seals now remain in the wild. Sightings off the Lebanon cost are quite rare.
- Lebanon Viper – The reclusive Lebanon viper is an endangered species. Its range is restricted to high mountain areas where few people reside. As mentioned previously, not much is known about it.
- Schreiber’s Fringe-fingered Lizard – Sometimes found camouflaged along the sandy shores of Lebanon, this species is in danger of becoming extinct from habitat loss and urban development.
- Sea Turtles – A few species of sea turtles roam through the waters off the coast and then come ashore in the breeding season to establish a nest. Accidents, collisions, and the loss of nesting sites are responsible for a dramatic fall in numbers.
The National Flower of Lebanon
One species proposed to be the national flower of Lebanon is the Lebanon cyclamen, also known by its scientific name Cyclamen libanoticum. The Lebanon cyclamen is a tuberous perennial that produces heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and silver each fall or winter. These leaves have wavy margins and sometimes are variegated with pale green or gray-green patches. By the time these leaves are fully developed, in the late winter or early spring, it is nearly flowering time. Each year, the Lebanon cyclamen blossoms with flowers in the months from February to April. These flowers are typically bright pink and have a spicy or slightly peppery fragrance.
Lebanon cyclamen grow in woodland environments, which experience ample rainfall during the winter rainy season and benefit from humid Mediterranean air. These plants thrive in moist, shady areas under the cover of trees.
The Flag of Lebanon
The flag of Lebanon has upper and lower red bands with a wider white band across the middle. In the center of the flag there is an image of a cedar of Lebanon which symbolizes peace, steadiness, and holiness. This current flag design was adopted in 1943 at the time of Lebanon’s independence from France.
Lebanese Animals
Admiral Butterfly
Stunningly beautiful wings
Angora Goat
Each adult Angora goat produces about 12 inches of mohair annually while kids have about 8 inches.
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
Aurochs
Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!
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!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
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!
Biscuit Beetle
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
Black Widow Spider
They typically prey on insects!
Brazilian Treehopper
“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”
Brown Dog Tick
Can live its entire life indoors
Bumblebee
The most common species of bee!
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 17,500 species!
Camel
Can survive without water for 10 months!
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.
Camel Spider
Fast, carnivorous arachnid with a painful bite.
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!
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!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Cicada
Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans
Cinereous Vulture
This vulture can fly at great heights. At least one was found a few thousand feet from the top of Mount Everest.
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.
Common Raven
A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.
Cormorant
They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.
Cow
There are nearly 1.5 billion 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.
Deer
There are around 40 different species!
Desert Wolf
These tiny wolves prefer to cohabitate in pairs or groups of three (generally two males and a female).
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
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!
Egyptian Vulture
They steal large ostrich eggs and use rocks and pebbles to crack the shells.
Elephant
Spends around 22 hours a day eating!
Eurasian Eagle-owl
The Eurasian Eagle-owl is the second largest owl in the world with a wingspan up to six feet!
Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian jay has the ability to mimic other sounds
European Robin
Male robins are so aggressive and territorial that they will attack their own reflections.
Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!
False Widow Spider
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Fire-Bellied Toad
Found across mainland Europe and Asia!
Firefly
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
Flamingo
Sleeps on just one leg!
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!
German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach
Glass Lizard
Can grow up to 4ft long!
Glowworm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Goat
Most closely related to the Sheep!
Goldcrest
The goldcrest never starts moving and needs to consume for most of the day to survive. Therefore, in the colder months, it's best that eat 90% a day.
Golden Eagle
Their calls sound like high-pitched screams, but they are quiet most of the time.
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!
Griffon Vulture
Can spot a dead animal from thousands of feet away
Gypsy Moth
One of the most invasive species in the world
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 50 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!
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Hoopoe
Stunning bird with a stinky way to deter predators!
Horned Viper
Horned vipers sidewind across the desert sands of their home.
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.
Ibex
Can jump over 6 feet straight up from a standstill
Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Jackal
Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!
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!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
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!
Long-Tailed Tit
Often hangs upside down while feeding!
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!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Merganser
They line their nests with their feathers
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mole
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Mole Cricket
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.
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!
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!
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Ortolan Bunting
The tradition of hiding your face with a napkin or towel while eating this bird was begun by a priest who was a friend of the great French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.
Osprey
They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!
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!
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
Pompano Fish
They are bottom-feeders
Pond Skater
There are 500 different species!
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Rabbit
There are more than 300 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!
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.
Salamander
There are more than 700 different species!
Saluki
The Saluki is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world.
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
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!
Short-Eared Owl
The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.
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.
Slow Worm
Found widely throughout British gardens!
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 4,000 known species worldwide
Song Thrush
A male song thrush can have over 100 phrases in his repertoire of songs and can imitate pet birds, telephones and other man-made objects.
Sparrow
There are 140 different species!
Spider Wasp
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Stiletto Snake
Because of their unique venom delivery system, stiletto snakes are almost impossible to hold safely in the usual way (with fingers behind the head) without being bitten.
Stoat
Average adults weigh about 200 grams!
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.
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!
Thornback Ray
The skate with the biggest spines!
Tick
They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite
Tiger
The largest feline in the world!
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.
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 Ferret / Albino Ferrets
There are two different types of white ferrets!
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
Woodlouse Spider
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Zebu
There are around 75 different species!
Lebanese Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Angora Goat
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Aurochs
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brahminy Blindsnake
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel
- Camel Cricket
- Camel Spider
- Caracal
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chameleon
- Chicken
- Cicada
- Cinereous Vulture
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Common Raven
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Deer
- Desert Wolf
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Egyptian Vulture
- Elephant
- Eurasian Eagle-owl
- Eurasian Jay
- European Robin
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Firefly
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Goldcrest
- Golden Eagle
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Griffon Vulture
- Gypsy Moth
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horned Viper
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibex
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jackal
- Jerboa
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Liger
- Lizard
- Locust
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Magpie
- Masked Palm Civet
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Merganser
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mole Cricket
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Newt
- Nightingale
- No See Ums
- Orb Weaver
- Ortolan Bunting
- Osprey
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Pantaloon Bee
- Parrot
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pompano Fish
- Pond Skater
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Saluki
- Sand Crab
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Short-Eared Owl
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slow Worm
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Song Thrush
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stiletto Snake
- Stoat
- Stork
- Striped Hyena
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thornback Ray
- Tick
- Tiger
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Vinegaroon
- Viper
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Dragon
- Weasel
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- White Tiger
- Wild Boar
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Zebu
Animals in Lebanon FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animal is Lebanon known for?
Outside of zoos, Lebanon is known for animals like the striped hyenas, gazelles, wild cats, rodents, vultures, falcons, hawks, and migrating birds. The country also sits at the northernmost range of the rock hyrax, a unique medium-sized mammal that looks a bit like a marmot (though they’re not closely related at all).
What dangerous animals live in Lebanon?
Lebanon is home to several species of poisonous vipers, which are responsible for the occasional death. Wolves and hyenas are fairly common in Lebanon, but actual attacks on people are exceptionally rare. The Syrian brown bear was long thought to be extinct from Lebanon. While it may occasionally wander across the border with Syria, encounters are exceptionally rare.
Are there lions in Lebanon?
The Asiatic lions (a subspecies of regular lions) once lived in the region as late as the 18th and 19th centuries, but they became extinct in West Asia as a result of human activity. This species is now limited to a very small part of India.
Are there monkeys in Lebanon?
Lebanon does not have any native species of monkeys outside of zoos. With only a few exceptions, monkeys are not generally found north of the Sahara.
