Below you can find a complete list of Haitian animals. We currently track 200 animals in Haiti and are adding more every day!
The country of Haiti is found in the Caribbean, sharing an island with the Dominican Republic where many of the Hispaniolan Trogons – Haiti’s national animal – lives. Much of the land is still in recovery after an earthquake over a decade ago, and the flooding and deforestation of the area leave much of Haiti’s wildlife endangered.
Haiti is home to one of the only venomous mammals in the world, though seeing one is incredibly rare.
The Official National Animal of Haiti
The Hispaniolan trogon is under threat of extinction owing to deforestation
©Elliotte Rusty Harold/Shutterstock.com
Haiti has a rather beautiful and vibrant national animal – the Hispaniolan Trogon. This bird has a rich assortment of bright feathers along its wings and breast, though the blend along its tail offers a unique pattern. Though they have a rather slow song, it can be heard within quite a large area.
While the species is relatively common in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, it is specifically found in Hispaniola, which is an island that the two areas share. It is also one of the only two trogons found in the entirety of the Caribbean.
The main reason that the Hispaniolan Trogon was chosen as the national bird is due to the threat of extinction. By declaring it to be a national symbol, this bird was granted protection against deforestation in Haiti.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Haiti
©Ramos Keith, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / public domain – Original / License
Since Haiti is largely surrounded by water, the marine mammal fauna is part of what makes the country so unique. Some of the most popular wildlife in Haiti includes:
- West Indian manatees – These mammals are the largest type of manatee in the area, though it is considered vulnerable. They are most easily found around the entire Caribbean, though some are frequently spotted in Florida and Central America as well.
- Pygmy sperm whales – These whales prefer the warm waters of the oceans, often living right off the tropical coast.
- Candy Cane Snail – This snail is only found within Haiti, and it specifically lives on only one tree species. The multi-colored shell attracts many people, but the country has criminalized the sale to preserve the species.
- There are a large number of species of bats in the area, and many are native to Haiti. With the incredible diversity in Haiti, it is difficult to go anywhere without discovering the natural habitat of one animal or another.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Haiti Today
Tarantulas are known for their ability to deal painful bites that may cause nausea and fever
©Tobias Hauke/Shutterstock.com
Due to the unique wildlife found in Haiti, you may not be surprised to find that there are multiple dangerous (and even deadly) animals that live in the area. The majority of these animals thrive peacefully together, but there are a few to look out for, including:
- Tarantula spider. While the painful bite may not be fatal to humans, most people experience intense effects like nausea and fever. Dogs, however, may not be so lucky against this creature.
- Banana spider. With an incredibly painful bite, the banana spider is easily identifiable by its yellow body. Luckily, they don’t go after humans unless someone tries to hold them or they feel threatened, so stay away!
- Haiti chery. This mammal is one of the most venomous creatures in the area, and it is currently endangered as the result of deforestation. However, very little is known about the creature.
- Even though fear of the snakes in Haiti is common, you can find solace in the fact that none of them actually have dangerous levels of venom if they were to bite a human. That’s not to say that the snakes aren’t venomous – they are! However, the venom in these snakes is usually reserved for the prey it plans to eat, rather than nearby tourists.
The Largest Animal in Haiti
American crocodiles prefer the warmth and are incapable of tolerating the cold like alligators
©iStock.com/CStorz
The largest animal in Haiti is the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The apex predator which is known for its ability to tolerate salty water and even live in hypersaline lakes, is capable of growing to 2,000 lbs and 20 feet.
It is also known for its preference for warmer climes owing to a lower cold tolerance compared to its relative, the American alligator.
In Haiti, the American crocodile can be found in one single location alone. These reptiles live in the Caribbean nation’s largest freshwater lake, Etang Saumatre (also referred to as Lake Azuei). The body of water itself is located in Haiti’s southeastern region close to the Dominican border. The population of its scaly residents is rapidly shrinking owing to heavy hunting.
The Rarest Animal in Haiti
The Cuviers hutia is facing a reduction in its range and threat from predators such as cats and dogs
©iStock.com/wrangel
Cuviers Hutia is one of the rarest animals in the island nation. The rodent which is also known as Plagiodontia aedium is capable of reaching one foot in length with a tail which is half that length as well. The mammal is generally nocturnal and herbivorous and nibbles fruit and roots. They generally take five months to deliver their young and give birth to one to two of them at a time.
The frugivorous mammal which is called zagouti on Haiti has seen its habitat shrink owing to deforestation, competition from other rodents such as mice and rats, and certain predators such as cats, dogs, and mongooses. Its current circumstances are a direct reversal of its teeming numbers which occurred in the absence of few predators.
Endangered Animals in Haiti
With the deforestation and floor in Haiti, there are a substantial number of species that have become endangered in the region. Some of the animals that are currently endangered (which could lead to them becoming extinct) include:
- Ball bearing frog
- Bicknell’s thrush
- Bigeye tuna
- Buff-breasted sandpiper
- Black rockfish
- Cuban lesser funnel-eared bat
- Cuvier’s hutia
- Giant Hispaniola galliwasp
- Plain pigeon
- Oceanic whitetip shark
- Yellow cave grouper
The local government has made efforts to conserve some of these species. Unfortunately, there are several extinct species that have not been so lucky, including the creole pig and the Acratocnus (a species of sloth).
Researchers estimate that, without changes, it is possible that Haiti will no longer have its primary forest in less than 15 years. In fact, over 40 of the 50 largest mountains have no primary forest area anymore, so there are many species that have already likely gone extinct before they were ever researched by the public.
Haitian Animals
Admiral Butterfly
Stunningly beautiful wings
Amazon Parrot
These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech
American Eel
Don't eat raw eel! Their blood is poisonous to humans when consumed raw.
Anole Lizard
There are just under 400 species, several of which change color.
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Armadillo
Can curl into a hard, protective ball!
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
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!
Blue Tang
One of the most colorful members of the genus Acanthurus
Booby
Seabirds found across the South Pacific!
Brazilian Treehopper
“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”
Brown Dog Tick
Can live its entire life indoors
Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl lives in underground burrows
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 17,500 species!
Caecilian
Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin
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!
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!
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
They inhabit regrowing forests
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
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.
Collared Peccary
Form bands of up to 12 individuals!
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 Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat stays close to the ground and uses stealth to survive!
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
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.
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!
Dubia Cockroach
The most popular species of feeder roach
Duck
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
Dung Beetle
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Dusky Shark
The Dusky Shark sometimes eats trash discarded by humans.
Dwarf Boa
Some species can change color from dark to light, and back again.
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!
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.
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!
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Gar
Can grow to more than 3m long!
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach
Glowworm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Gray Catbird
Their songs have cat-like qualities and can mimic other birds and animals, like tree frogs.
Great Blue Heron
Their wingspan is larger than an eagle’s; both males and females help hatch the eggs; rich in symbolism
Guppy
Also known as the Millionfish!
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!
Harpy Eagle
Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!
Harris’s Hawk
Their vision is eight times better than a human's
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.
Hercules Beetle
This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.
Herring Gull
They are loud, spirited birds with raucous cries that sound like bursts of laughter.
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
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!
Hummingbird
Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!
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!
Iguana
Uses visual signals to communicate!
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Jacana
The jacana has the ability to swim underwater
Jack Crevalle
One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus
Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Kentucky Warbler
The Kentucky Warbler appears to wear bright yellow cat-eye glasses!
Kingfisher
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Lone Star Tick
Only females have the ‘lone star’ marking
Macaw
The largest species of parrot in the world!
Maggot
Will only live in wet areas
Magnolia Warbler
They line their nests with fungi strands
Marine Toad
Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!
Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Millipede
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Mole Cricket
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.
Molly
Known for their calm and peaceful nature!
Monarch Butterfly
During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.
Mongrel
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
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!
Mountain Lion
Has no real natural predators!
Mourning Warbler
The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!
Mouse
Found on every continent on Earth!
Mule
The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!
Nematode
Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Northern Harrier
They can reach speeds of 25 Mph but prefer to soar low and slow.
Northern Parula
They live in coffee and citrus plantations during the winter
Northern Pintail
Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!
Northern Potoo
You can find them near golf courses in urban areas
Ocelot
Also known as the Painted Leopard!
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
Panther
Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!
Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!
Peregrine Falcon
Fastest animal on Earth
Pheasant
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Pigeon
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Pit Viper
Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.
Poison Dart Frog
Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!
Pompano Fish
They are bottom-feeders
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Puma
Has longer back legs than front legs!
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Quetzal
The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes may have evolved their rattle to warn bison away from them.
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
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!
Roseate Spoonbill
The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbirds can beat their wings more than 50 times per second.
Saber-Toothed Tiger
Canines up to 7 inches long!
Sable Ferret
Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.
Salamander
There are more than 700 different species!
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!
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
In captivity, sharp-shinned hawks can live up to 13 years. However, in the wild, this number is significantly reduced to 3 years!
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.
Sloth
It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!
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.
Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Summer Tanager
They remove bee stingers by rubbing them against a tree
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!
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 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!
Toucan
There are more than 40 different species!
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.
Umbrellabird
Migrates up and down the mountains!
Vampire Bat
Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!
Vinegaroon
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
Vulture
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
Whiptail Lizard
Many whiptail species reproduce asexually.
White-Faced Capuchin
One of the world's most intelligent monkeys!
White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
There are two different types of white ferrets!
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Woodlouse
This animal can roll up into a ball
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
The males are responsible for choosing the nesting tree most of the time. Luckily, cavity nests are often reused for multiple breeding seasons (up to 7 years.)
Haitian Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Amazon Parrot
- American Eel
- Anole Lizard
- Ant
- Armadillo
- Armyworm
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black and White Warbler
- Black Widow Spider
- Blue Tang
- Booby
- Brazilian Treehopper
- Brown Dog Tick
- Burrowing Owl
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chestnut-Sided Warbler
- Chicken
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Collared Peccary
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Common Yellowthroat
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crocodylomorph
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dragonfly
- Dubia Cockroach
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Dusky Shark
- Dwarf Boa
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Flamingo
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gar
- Gecko
- German Cockroach
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Grasshopper
- Gray Catbird
- Great Blue Heron
- Guppy
- Hamster
- Hare
- Harpy Eagle
- Harris’s Hawk
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hercules Beetle
- Herring Gull
- Honey Bee
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Hummingbird
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Iguana
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jack Crevalle
- Jumping Spider
- Kentucky Warbler
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Lizard
- Lone Star Tick
- Macaw
- Maggot
- Magnolia Warbler
- Marine Toad
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole Cricket
- Molly
- Monarch Butterfly
- Mongrel
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mountain Lion
- Mourning Warbler
- Mouse
- Mule
- Nematode
- No See Ums
- Northern Harrier
- Northern Parula
- Northern Pintail
- Northern Potoo
- Ocelot
- Orb Weaver
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Panther
- Parrot
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Pit Viper
- Poison Dart Frog
- Pompano Fish
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Puma
- Quail
- Quetzal
- Rat
- Rattlesnake
- River Turtle
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Sand Crab
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sharp-Shinned Hawk
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Sloth
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Summer Tanager
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Toucan
- Tree Frog
- Turkey
- Turtles
- Umbrellabird
- Vampire Bat
- Vinegaroon
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Whiptail Lizard
- White-Faced Capuchin
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Worm
- Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kind of animals live in Haiti?
Haiti is home to plenty of interesting and diverse wildlife. Among the marine mammal fauna, it is easy to find manatees, whales, and dolphins in the region. Haiti is also home to many unique bat species that can only be found in this country.
What is the most dangerous animal in Haiti?
Haiti is the home to several dangerous species, like the tarantula spider and the centipede. Many locals and tourists alike fear the painful bite of the banana spider as well.
Are there monkeys in Haiti?
No. Surprisingly, neither Haiti nor any other Caribbean country is home to any indigenous monkey species.
Are there dangerous animals in Haiti?
Yes. Many insects pose a serious and fatal threat to locals, include several spiders and poisonous centipedes.
Are there tigers in Haiti?
While saber-tooth tigers used to exist in nearby regions, the ecosystem is far too harsh for the tiger to live there today. Some researchers believe that saber-toothed tigers used to roam in the region before they went extinct.
What are the chief animals raised in Haiti?
Some of the chief animals raised in Haiti include the Tiburon Banded Racer, the Port-au-Prince Blindsnake, and the La Hotte Long-snouted Anole. The unique fauna also includes many endemic bats.
