Animals in Thailand

Below you can find a complete list of Thai animals. We currently track 303 animals in Thailand and are adding more every day!

Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is a populous country of lush rainforests, wetlands, mountains, highlands, and floodplains with a rich natural bounty of strange and exotic primates, birds, cats, insects, and snakes. It is a popular tourist destination for people around the world.

The Official National Animal of Thailand

The national animal of Thailand is the Asian elephant.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Thailand

The best locations from which to discover Thailand’s exotic wildlife are its national parks and protected areas, including Khao Sak, Khao Yai, Khao Sam Roi Yot, Kaeng Krachan, and Erawan.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Thailand Today

Thailand has many large predators and strange venomous animals that pose a danger to human life.

Scorpions – Thailand has several exotic species of scorpions with painful, venomous stings. While this venom is usually not too dangerous, a small number of people may have an allergic reaction and require some medical attention.
Snakes – Thailand is home to a large variety of dangerous sea snakes, coral snakes, cobras, and vipers with painful venom, some of which can cause strange neurological symptoms such as vertigo, blurred vision, and paralysis. Death is uncommon but possible.
Saltwater Crocodile – The largest and most fearsome of the crocodiles, this species is also the most likely to attack people that wander into its territory.

Endangered Animals in Thailand

Gibbons – Thailand is home to the white-handed gibbon, an arboreal but tailless primate with incredible speed and agility.
Asian Elephants – The country’s national symbol is also now in danger of becoming extinct from habitat loss and poaching. Only a few thousand remain in the wild.
Indochinese Tiger – This subspecies of the tiger only has a few hundred survivors remaining.

Fish In Thailand

Thailand is filled with exotic marine wildlife, especially in the Mekong River, which is home to record-breaking species. In Thailand, you’ll find huge stingrays, climbing perches, alligator gars, and many more!

National Parks in Thailand

This country features white, sandy beaches lined with palm trees, tropical forests, mist-covered peaks, stunning architecture, and ancient ruins. And what better way to experience the scenery than to visit one of the ten most beautiful parks in Thailand?

Thai Animals

Admiral Butterfly

Stunningly beautiful wings

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Antelope

Renew their horns every year!

Archerfish

Archerfish can shoot a stream of water up to five feet with amazing accuracy.

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Asian Arowana

The male Asian arowana raises the eggs in its mouth

Asian Elephant

Domesticated for hundreds of years!

Asian Giant Hornet

The largest wasp in the world!

Asian Palm Civet

It mainly eats mangos and coffee!

Asian Vine Snake

This snake chews on its victims to release venom.

Assassin Snail

The snail-eating snail.

Aurochs

Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Bamboo Rat

They make a "boop, boop, boop" sound when danger draws near their burrow.

Bamboo Worms

Bamboo worms are the larvae of moths that are eaten as a delicious snack in some parts of Asia.

Banana Spider

People spin clothing and fishing nets out of these spiders’ silk.

Banded Krait

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.

Banded Palm Civet

Markings give it camouflage!

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!

Beauty rat snake

Beauty Rat Snakes are relatively harmless if left undisturbed, only attempting to bite out of fear.

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

Binturong

Also known as the Asian Bearcat!

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Biscuit Beetle

The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast

Black Dragon Lizard

Their black color is due to a genetic mutation!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Blind Snake

The blind snake is often mistaken for a worm.

Blood Python

Blood pythons are so called because of the blood red markings on their skin.

Boiga

Box Jellyfish

Venomous marine animals

Brahminy Blindsnake

These snakes have been introduced to all continents, except Antarctica!

Brazilian Treehopper

“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”

Bronze-winged Jacana

Fathers pick up their young and carry them under their wings

Brown Dog Tick

Can live its entire life indoors

Bumblebee

The most common species of bee!

Burmese Python

These snakes can swallow their prey as whole.

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.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!

Cashmere Goat

Cashmere goat are named after Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan

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!

Chinese Geese

They are excellent “guard geese”

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.

Clouded Leopard

Has canines that can be two inches long!

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 Green Magpie

Magpies are aggressive when threatened, often “dive-bombing” at intruders

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.

Coral Snake

There are over 80 species of coral snake worldwide.

Cormorant

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

Cosmic Caterpillar

Cosmic caterpillars have spots on their back that look like eyes to scare off predators.

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-Eating Macaque

Found throughout the South-East Asian jungles!

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.

Crow

A group of these birds is called a Murder.

Cuckoo

Danios

These fish make a popular choice for aquarium hobbyists due to their hardy nature.

Deer

There are around 40 different species!

Dhole

Only 2,000 left in the wild!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dog Tick

Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dormouse

Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!

Draco Volans Lizard

Beneath the lizard’s “wings” are a pair of enlarged ribs for support.

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

Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf gourami can live for over four years with proper care.

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!

Equatorial Spitting Cobra

Its hood is actually made of many elongated ribs.

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.

Fire-Bellied Toad

Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

Fire Eel

Fire Eels are not true eels.

Firefly

The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world

Fishing Cat

Scoops fish out of the water using it's paw!

Flea

Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air

Flowerhorn Fish

The Flowerhorn fish is an artificial species; it does not exist naturally

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 Bat

Among the largest bats in the world

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

Ghost Catfish

You can see its heart beating

Giant Trevally

The largest fish in its genus

Gibbon

Found in dense jungles and tropical forests!

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!

Golden Oriole

Migrates between Europe and Asia!

Goose

There are 29 different species!

Gourami

Gourami fishes show parental care for their young

Grass Carp

The grass carp is considered to be a natural weed control agent.

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Green Bee-Eater

Mainly eats honeybees!

Green Rat Snake

The green rat snake catches its meals in midair!

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!

Herring Gull

They are loud, spirited birds with raucous cries that sound like bursts of laughter.

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.

Horseshoe Crab

Changed little in over 500 million years!

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!

Indian Elephant

Found throughout south-east Asia!

Indochinese Tiger

Now thought to be extinct in China!

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

Khao Manee

The Khao Manee is one of the rarest cat breeds in the world.

King Cobra

They are the longest venomous snake in the world.

King Quail

Females look similar to males but don’t come in shades of blue

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Kissing Gourami

The kissing gesture that the kissing gourami displays is not a mating gesture

Kouprey

The kouprey is one of the rarest mammals in the world

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leech

Has 10 pairs of eyes!

Leopard

Spends much of the time high in the trees!

Leopard Cat

There are 11 different species!

Liger

The offspring of a lion and tiger parents!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Loach

Have sharp spines below their eyes

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!

Lorikeet

The lorikeet has a long brush-like tongue with fine hairs on it

Loris

Like all lorises, slow loris has a cute wide-eyed look, but it also has a venomous sting that can rot human flesh.

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Malayan Krait

It's called the five-step snake because if a person is bitten, they can walk about five steps before dying.

Mangrove Snake

Mangrove snakes have small fangs that are more like enlarged teeth at the back of their jaw.

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.

Mekong Giant Catfish

The Mekong giant catfish is the largest purely freshwater fish in the world

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!

Monocled Cobra

The monocled cobra is responsible for the highest fatality rate of any snake in all of Thailand.

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!

Muntjac

The muntjac is the smallest type of deer in the world

Myna Bird

Many people believe the hill myna bird is better at mimicking humans than a parrot!

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!

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Northern Pintail

Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!

Oranda Goldfish

Oranda goldfish are one of the most popular fancy goldfish breeds

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

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

Ox

Pangolin

Bad eyesight, but great sense of smell

Paradise Flying Snake

Paradise Flying Snakes can glide over 100 yards!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Peacock

Most commonly found on the Indian mainland!

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

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

Pink-Necked Green Pigeon

They make whistling and quacking noises

Pipe Snake

Some of these snakes flatten their neck and raise their heads to imitate cobras if they’re threatened.

Pit Viper

Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.

Platinum Arowana

The male broods the eggs and baby fish in his mouth.

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.

Psittacosaurus

These parrot-headed dinosaurs had beaks and feather-like quills on their tails!

Psittacosaurus

The Psittacosaurus dinosaurs had four limbs but were mostly bipedal.

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.

Red-Headed Vulture

Not exclusively carrion eaters, these birds are also opportunistic hunters

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.

Rhesus Macaque

Rhesus Macaques are the most widely distributed primate in terms of geographic diversity

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!

Sambar

Male sambars will compete for mates by clashing together with their antlers

Sand Crab

The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail

Sarus Crane

Parents use low calls to tell their chicks to freeze and lie still when danger lurks.

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!

Siamese

Originated from temple cats in Thailand!

Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)

Can live in low-oxygen environments!

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

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp

They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.

Spinosaurus

The Spinosaurus is the biggest carnivorous dinosaur ever discovered!

Spiny Hill Turtle

The shell serves as both a defense and camouflage!

Spitting Cobra

Spitting cobras are types of cobras that can spit venom at predators and prey.

Spotted Garden Eel

Males battle each other over females and territory

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Stoat

Average adults weigh about 200 grams!

Stork

They can’t sing like other birds.

Sun Bear

The smallest species of bear in the world!

Sunbeam Snake

Sunbeam snakes have two lungs instead of just a single lung like most snake species.

Swallowtail Butterfly

N/A

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tapir

Most closely related to horses and rhinos!

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Tentacled Snake

Their tentacles have nerves that attach directly into the area of the brain that processes visual information.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Thai Ridgeback

In their native Thailand, Thai Ridgebacks were used to hunt cobras.

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

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

Tire Track Eel

They like to burrow into aquarium sand.

Tokay Gecko

The Tokay gecko gets its onomatopoeic name from its "To-kay!" barking call.

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Tree Cricket

They make music with their wings

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.

Vine Snake

A slender body and elongated snout give the vine snake a regal look.

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!

Walking Catfish

The walking catfish can move on land while breathing air

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!

Wax Moth

The Wax Moth larvae are more dangerous than the adult.

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 Snake

Harmless, but with fangs like a wolf.

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.

Wryneck

They feign death by making their bodies limp and closing their eyes.

Yellow Crazy Ant

One of the top 100 worst invasive species!

Zebu

There are around 75 different species!

Thai Animals List

About the Author

A-Z Animals Staff

AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and -- of course -- pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.