Animals in Denmark

Below you can find a complete list of Danish animals. We currently track 155 animals in Denmark and are adding more every day!

Denmark is a small Nordic country that emerged as an independent state in the Middle Ages. It shares a land border with Germany in the south; the rest of the country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, including the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Denmark is comprised of a large peninsula called Jutland, which connects directly to the European mainland, and more than 400 smaller islands. The most populous Danish islands are Zealand (which contains the capital of Copenhagen) and Funen. Other territories include Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Once heavily forested, Denmark today is covered by flat, arable land and sandy coasts.

The Official National (State) Animal of Denmark

Denmark does not have a single national animal, but it is represented by a national mammal (the red squirrel), a national bird (the mute swan), and a national butterfly (the small tortoiseshell).

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Denmark

Denmark is home to six national parks, one of which resides in Greenland, where you can experience some of the country’s best wildlife.

• The Thy National Park, located in the west of the main peninsula, Jutland, was formed from centuries of drifting sands and dunes. It is home to deer, toads, cranes, wood sandpipers, and rare breeding birds.
• The Mols Bjerge National Park, centered on the Mols Hills in eastern Jutland, features a rich suite of foxes, hares, deer, lizards, snakes, nesting birds, sea birds, wading birds, and birds of prey.
• The Wadden Sea National Park, which constitutes part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Wadden Sea, is a prime location for millions of migrating birds that pass through on their way to and from their winter grounds. It’s also home to a large number of fish and semi-aquatic mammals.
• The Kongernes Nordsjælland, also known as the Royal North Zealand National Park, is located to the north of Copenhagen on the island of Zealand. Amid the medieval ruins, castles, and royal palaces, two of which are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this park contains the forest of Gribskov and the lake of Esrum Sø. Visitors can experience deer, red foxes, badgers, woodpeckers, owls, eagles, and many other species of birds.
• The Skjoldungernes Land National Park to the immediate west of Copenhagen encompasses local fjords, forests, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Roskilde Cathedral. The forest contains plenty of deer and foxes, while the fjords attract all kinds of gulls, terns, swans, eiders, geese, and ducks.
• Finally, the Northeast Greenland National Park, which protects about 375,000 square miles, is the largest national park in the entire world. Unique animals like polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, collared lemmings, Greenland wolves, and seals all reside within the massive confines of the park. Visitors can also find great northern divers, barnacles geese, king eiders, gyrfalcons, and snowy owls.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Denmark Today

Besides a few insects like ticks and mosquitos that spread diseases, Denmark is free of all but a few dangerous animals.

• Common European Adder – As the only venomous snake in all of Denmark, the European adder will sometimes take people by surprise and deliver a painful bite. Common symptoms of its venom include pain, swelling, tingling, and blisters, but hospitalization is only required in a small percentage of all cases. More systemic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever, blindness, and loss of consciousness are generally signs of a serious reaction. They can appear within the first few hours after a bite and should be treated as soon as possible. Cardiovascular failure occurs in only the most severe cases.
• European Hornet – The largest wasp native to Europe, the European hornet may sting people if it feels threatened. Most stings are painful but should not require medical attention. However, in a small number of cases, serious symptoms may include tingling, shortness of breath, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

Endangered Animals in Denmark

While the Danish government does extend protection to its current endangered animals, there are still several species that may be at risk of becoming extinct.

• Hooded Seal – Featuring a unique inflatable balloon-like sac on the head of the male, the hooded seal is native to the North Atlantic, from Canada to Greenland. As a result of accidental bycatch and overhunting (their bodies are used to produce leather and oil), numbers declined throughout the 20th century. This species currently classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
• Eurasian Beaver – The beaver went extinct from Denmark around the year 1000 AD. It was later reintroduced back into the country in 1999 and spread quickly from there. However, it’s still endangered enough to warrant protection.
• Polar Bear – The mighty polar bear roams across the frigid snow and ice of Greenland. While it’s still listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, the number of polar bears may fall further due to the combined effect of climate change, pollution, and oil and gas development in the Arctic.

Danish Animals

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

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!

Avocet

Has a curved, upturned beak!

Badger

Can reach speeds of 30 km/h!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Beaver

Builds a dam from sticks and leaves!

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Bumblebee

The most common species of bee!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 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!

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!

Chamois

Natively found in the European mountains!

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Common Buzzard

The most common raptor in the UK!

Common Frog

Found throughout the European continent!

Common House Spider

House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Loon

Also known as the Great Northern Diver

Common Raven

A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.

Common Toad

Most active in wet weather!

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings

Crane

Many are critically endangered species!

Deer

There are around 40 different species!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dormouse

Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!

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!

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Edible Frog

Are known to guard the muddy banks!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Ermine

A very bold and ferocious predator!

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

False Widow Spider

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

Ferret

Ferrets can be trained to do tricks like dogs!

Fire-Bellied Toad

Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Fox

There are 12 different species in the world!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Glass Lizard

Can grow up to 4ft long!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Goat

Most closely related to the Sheep!

Golden Oriole

Migrates between Europe and Asia!

Goose

There are 29 different species!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Hedgehog

Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Highland Cattle

Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!

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.

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.

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Lemming

Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!

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!

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Marsh Frog

Has bright green skin!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

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

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

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

Pike Fish

Apex freshwater predators with fearsome teeth!

Pine Marten

A pine marten can jump from tree to tree similar to a squirrel.

Pond Skater

There are 500 different species!

Pool Frog

The rarest amphibian in the UK!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Purple Emperor Butterfly

Inhabits deciduous forests!

Puss Moth

Caterpillars squirt formic acid!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rabbit

There are more than 50 different species!

Raccoon

Known to wash their food before eating it!

Raccoon Dog

The only hibernating canine!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

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.

Roe Deer

The roe is one of the most popular game animals in Europe

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Sand Lizard

Males turn green in spring!

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

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

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snowy Owl

One of the largest owl species in the world!

Spadefoot Toad

They spend most of their time underground!

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!

Stoat

Average adults weigh about 200 grams!

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tawny Owl

The most widespread owl in Europe!

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.

Tiger Beetle

The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world

Tiger Moth

The bright colors of this moth are a signal to predators that it has a terrible taste.

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.

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 Vole

The largest Vole species in the UK!

Weasel

The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!

White-Tailed Eagle

It is one of the biggest birds of prey.

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!

Danish Animals List