Below you can find a complete list of Taiwanese animals. We currently track 234 animals in Taiwan and are adding more every day!
Because of its wide range of topography, the island of Taiwan is home to a surprisingly large number of wildlife species. More than 120 species of mammals have been identified as well as more than 650 species of birds. There are many species other than mammals in Taiwan as well, including the dangerous Chinese Cobra and several other venomous reptiles.
Although they are not strictly animals, it should be noted that Taiwan is also home to huge numbers of butterflies and is regarded as somewhat of a paradise for Lepidoptera aficionados.
National Animals Of Taiwan
While there is no official National Animal of Taiwan, the symbol is generally attributed ex-officio to the Formosan Black, or Sun, Bear. The Taiwan Blue Magpie is similarly regarded as the unofficial national bird species symbol. Two other native species, the Formosan Rock Macaque, a primate, and the majestic Mikado Pheasant are also tightly associated with the island since they are not found elsewhere in the world.
The Taiwan blue magpie lives in broadleaf forests, and lower foothills and is a member of the crow family. This bird is considered intelligent, social, loud, and cooperative and it was voted to symbolize the spirit of the Taiwanese people. It is a small and noisy bird, with long tail feathers that reach up to 17 inches in length.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Taiwan
The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world’s largest hornet.
Various invasive types of dangerous hornets have been in the news lately, and Taiwan is home to two ferocious Asian Hornet species. The first is the Tiger Head Hornet, which builds its nests primarily in trees, and the second is the ground-dwelling Ground Hornet.
Other small but deadly creatures include the Funnel-web Spider and the Giant Centipede. Among the mammals, the Formosan Black Bear could be considered deadly under the right circumstances as well.
Yet the really deadly animals are found in Taiwan’s collection of reptile species. The Bamboo Viper, Chinese Cobra, and Many Banded Krait are among the most deadly snakes found anywhere on the planet.
Where To Find The Top Wildlife In Taiwan
The best places to find wild animals in Taiwan are in the country’s nine National Parks.
Dongsha Atoll, Taijiang, Kenting, and South Pengu Marine National Parks offer wide varieties of marine, coastal, and avian wildlife species.
Yanmingshan National Park is home to many bird and reptile species. It is also a favorite spot for butterfly observation.
Yushan and Shei-Pa National Parks encompass the species of Taiwan’s mountainous central spine. Starting in the lowlands and rising up to about 4000 meters, these parks display wide varieties of animal life in a great many diverse ecosystems.
Bird watchers enjoy the relatively unpopulated confines of the small islands of the Kinmen National Park. The country’s most popular park, Taroko National Park, offers many excellent opportunities to view native riverine wildlife as well as the spectacular scenery of the Taroko Gorge.
Endangered Animal Species In Taiwan
A Clouded
Leopard
is now believed to be extinct.
©Charles Barilleaux / Flickr – Original
On a highly-populated island, it is no surprise that there are a number of endangered species present. The Taiwan government has been diligent in listing and protecting these species. In addition, they are engaged in serious habitat maintenance and recovery efforts to avoid having any new additions to the extinct animal list.
Unfortunately, the most important entry on this list, the Formosan Clouded Leopard, is now believed to be extinct. The only other large predator on the island, the Formosan Black Bear, is very endangered and subject to stringent preservation efforts.
Other Taiwan species on the endangered list include the Formosan Flying Fox, or Formosan Fruit Bat, the Chinese Otter, the Oriental White Stork, the Black Eagle, a number of sea and land turtle species, the Hundred Pace Snake, and the magnificent Mikado Pheasant.
The Rarest Animal In Taiwan
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis).
©wasanajai/Shutterstock.com
The Taiwanese white dolphin, also known as the Taiwanese Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is one of the rarest dolphins found today. There are less than 100 remaining in existence and sightings are rare. The white dolphin is found only in the shallow waters of the western coast of Taiwan and sightings of them are very few. This Indo-Pacific dolphin has an average weight of up to 600 pounds and reaches heights of over 11 feet.
The Largest Animal In Taiwan
©Vladimir Wrangel/Shutterstock.com
The only bear native to Taiwan is also the largest land animal – the sun bear, also known as the Formosan black bear. It is the smallest of the bear family, with a stocky build, weighing up to 145 pounds and standing 2 1/2 feet tall, they are half the size of an American black bear. Their numbers are declining, with only around 1000 left in the wild. Shy and reclusive, this black bear prefers to reside in swamps and tropical forests.
National Flower Of Taiwan
Plum blossoms are round when in bloom.
©iStock.com/ruiruito
The national flower of Taiwan is the plum blossom, which was given its official title in 1964. The plum blossom, also known as Prunus mei or Prunus memu, is able to withstand sub-zero temperatures and still blossoms during winter, often blooming most vibrantly during this harsh weather. It is this ability that makes the plum blossom a worthy symbol of Taiwan’s resiliency and ability to persevere.
Flag Of Taiwan
The Taiwanese people fly their flag proudly.
©railway fx/Shutterstock.com
The flag of Taiwan features a red background with a blue square. The three colors represent the core principles of the country. The blue, symbolizing nationalism and liberty, is in the upper left corner. Inside the blue square, sits a white sun with 12 rays which stands for justice and democracy. Each ray represents a month in the Chinese calendar. The red background symbolizes the blood lost by the Taiwanese people who lost their lives fighting for their freedom.
Taiwanese Animals
Taiwanese Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Amano Shrimp
- Ant
- Antelope
- Armyworm
- Asian Giant Hornet
- Asian Lady Beetle
- Atlas Moth
- Aurochs
- Banana Spider
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bear
- Beauty rat snake
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Blue Dragon Sea Slug
- Brahminy Blindsnake
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Chinese Cobra
- Chinese Geese
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Coral Snake
- Corella
- Cormorant
- Cosmic Caterpillar
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Deer
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Elephant
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Firefly
- Flea
- Flowerhorn Fish
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Formosan Mountain Dog
- Fox
- Freshwater Eel
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gazelle
- Gecko
- Gerbil
- German Cockroach
- Giant Salamander
- Giant Trevally
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Green Bee-Eater
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Herring Gull
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Insects
- Joro Spider
- Jumping Spider
- Keelback
- King Quail
- King Rat Snake
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Leopard Cat
- Liger
- Lizard
- Locust
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Macaque
- Magpie
- Mandarin Rat Snake
- Masked Palm Civet
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Merganser
- Milkfish
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mourning Gecko
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Nematode
- Neptune Grouper
- Newt
- Nightingale
- No See Ums
- Orb Weaver
- Osprey
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Parrot
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pit Viper
- Pompano Fish
- Pond Skater
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Quahog Clam
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Rat
- Rat Snakes
- Rhinoceros
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Rough-Legged Hawk (Rough-Legged Buzzard)
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Sambar
- Sand Crab
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Short-Eared Owl
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Sika Deer
- Skink Lizard
- Slow Worm
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Spotted Garden Eel
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stoat
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger
- Tiger Beetle
- Tokay Gecko
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Tree Viper (Bamboo Viper)
- Turtles
- Uguisu
- 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 Taiwan FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live on Taiwan?
In addition to those listed above, Taiwan is home to numerous other species such as wild boar, the Crab-eating Mongoose, the Chinese Pangolin, several species of flying squirrels including the Red and White Giant Flying Squirrel, a dozen bat species including the Formosan Flying Fox, and the Reeve’s Muntjac – a small deer.
Are there tigers on Taiwan?
No. The only large predator found in Taiwan is the endangered Formosan Black Bear.
Are there elephants on Taiwan?
There are no native species of elephants in Taiwan.
Are there monkeys on Taiwan?
Yes. The Formosan Rock Macaque is a small gray or brown primate that grows to about 2 ft. (50-60 cm) in height (less tail) and weighing anywhere from 11 to 25 pounds (5-12 kg). This animal is perhaps the most visible symbol of wildlife in Taiwan since so many people have interacted with it. The Formosan Rock Macaque is somewhat at risk of survival but not in danger of going extinct any time soon.
This is largely the result of human-macaque interaction where Taiwanese inhabitants feed macaques and encourage them to live closer to civilization. Here, their normal eating habits become a threat to local farmers and result in their being hunted down.