Below you can find a complete list of Georgian animals. We currently track 199 animals in Georgia and are adding more every day!
Straddling the line between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia is a small country located in the mountainous Caucasus region. It is bounded by Russia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Turkey and Armenia to the south, and the Black Sea to the west.
Within such small territory, there is a remarkable amount of geographic variety and biodiversity, from the subtropical coastline to the fertile plains of the Kolkhida Lowland, where the legendary Argonauts supposedly sought the Golden Fleece. Much of the country is dominated by the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains, which run in parallel between the Black and Caspian Seas. Forests and brush-lands also coat most of the land. Throughout these unique territories, many types of animals make their homes. Native species of Georgia include tur, chamois, deer, lynx, harriers, and wild goats.
The Official National (State) Animal of Georgia
While the country does not necessarily have an official animal, Georgia’s coat of arms is adorned by two golden lions flanking a man on a silver domesticated horse.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Georgia
The government of Georgia has set aside dozens of distinctive national parks, nature reserves, and protected landscapes, representing around 7% of the entire landmass, where visitors can catch glimpses of iconic national wildlife.
- The Tbilisi National Park covers nearly a hundred square miles near the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. Across three winding trails, visitors can sometimes catch glimpses of red foxes, deer, jackals, lynxes, and even the elusive brown bear.
- The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, which covers more than 400 square miles of central Georgia, is the largest protected area in the entire country. With 12 hiking trails for visitors to explore, this unique park is home to wolves, lynxes, deer, foxes, chamois, bee-eaters, and the black grouse.
- The Javakheti National Park is a transnational protected area that joins together with Armenia’s Lake Arpi National Park on the southern border. Famous for its many lakes, the park is home to various species of local birds, including the pelican, duck, sandpiper, stork, mountain finch, stone sparrow, and hawk.
- The Lagodekhi protected area borders Russia and Azerbaijan in the densely forested northeast. While part of the park is only intended for researchers, the managed nature reserve area contains various trails winding through the alpine forests and waterfalls. The tur, deer, chamois, eagle, vulture, and lynx all live here.
- Finally, the Tusheti National Park is located a mere hundred miles away from Lagodekhi. Some of the most interesting fauna found here are the chamois, golden eagles, falcons, wild goats, wolves, lynxes, kestrels, and harriers.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Georgia
Within the many types of animals in Georgia, several species of deadly snakes and dangerous carnivores are located in the more remote parts of Georgia.
- Caucasus Viper – Also known as Kaznakov’s viper in honor of Russian naturalist Aleksandr Nikolaevich Kaznakov, this black-colored species is found in ravines and the forested slopes of the Caucasus. When it strikes, this snake delivers a potent and deadly venom. Bite victims always should seek immediate medical attention.
- Caucasian Meadow Viper – This dangerous snake is identified by the grayish-brown body and black patterns on the back. Usually found at higher elevations, this snake delivers a potent venom that travelers should best avoid.
- Eurasian Brown Bear – Despite its fearsome reputation, the brown bear does not usually attack people unless it feels personally threatened or provoked. Hikers should always be on the lookout, however, in order to avoid surprising it.
- Wolves – Georgia is home to the steppe wolf and possibly the Eurasian wolf subspecies. Wolves very rarely attack people because they either fear humans or feel uninterested toward them, but deadly encounters have been known to occur. One curious fact is that the name of the country itself derives from an old Persian term that means land of the wolves.
Native Birds
Flying and nesting among the various ecosystems of Georgia are hundreds of unique and exquisite bird species. The country itself is 40 percent covered in forest, 5 percent of which has been unaltered by humans. Almost half of this forest has also retained its original structure. These forests are home to around 330 species of bird. Visiting birdwatchers tend to seek “the big five:”
- Caucasian snowcock
- Caucasian black grouse
- Great rosefinch
- Güldenstädt’s Redstart
- Caucasian Chiffchaff
Other exciting species include:
- Bearded Vulture
- White-winged Snowfinch
- Water Pipit
- Long-legged Buzzard
- Horned Lark
Some of the hotspots for birding are Batumi, Tergi Valley, Djandara Lake, Zekaris Pass, and Lagodekhi NR. Springtime is the ideal time to visit, as most of the sought-after species are viewable at lower altitudes than during off season.
Native Fish
Contributing to the presence of unique and popular wildlife are the various environments of Georgia, including the lakes, rivers, and oceans present within. Despite its border relationship with the Black Sea, freshwater fishing is especially prominent in the country. Mountain rivers teem with trout, however, carp may be a more plentiful species to find in lakes and in rivers. Overall, common fish species in freshwaters of Georgia include:
Catching trout is best done through fly fishing in rivers. Sea fishing is also available in the Black Sea for popular species like horse mackerel.
Native Snakes
As in most nature-filled places, snakes exist along with the other magnificent wildlife. Out of the 26 species in the country, the most venomous is the Vipera lebetina. Snake bite reports are rare but do occur.
Zoos in Georgia
While the country offers plentiful natural flora and fauna, visitors may also want to check out the native and exotic species on exhibit in the zoos and botanical gardens of the country.
- Tblisi Zoo – Centrally located, this is the oldest and largest zoo in Georgia. An unfortunately devastating flood took out part of the zoo and its inhabitants back in 2015, leaving it to rebuild. Now the zoo hosts hundreds of species of bird, reptile, mammal, and insect along with extravagant plant life.
- Zootopia – A paradise for animal lovers, this zoo allows visitors to interact with certain species like rabbits and hedgehogs.
There are also multiple aquariums sporting tropical fish and sea mammals. The zoos in Georgia aim to educate locals and foreign visitors on native and exotic species in order to help better protection efforts made for important animals.
Endangered Animals in Georgia
The remote landscapes of Georgia are home to many unique species found in few other places. But habitat loss, overhunting, and competition with domesticated animals have endangered some native Georgian animals.
- Persian Leopard – The Persian leopard once had a historic range that stretched all over the Caucasian region. But extensive trophy hunting and habitat loss have taken their toll on this subspecies. Only a few individuals are known to remain in Georgia.
- West Caucasian Tur – This is a unique species of mountain-dwelling goat-antelopes native to the Caucasus. Now endangered from unrestricted hunting, it is estimated that only 5,000 to 6,000 individuals remain in the wild.
- Caucasus Viper – One of the most dangerous animals in Georgia is also one of the most endangered. Population numbers are in decline from tourism, agriculture, and urban development.
- Bastard Sturgeon – Once abundant throughout the Black and Caspian Seas, it’s believed that a small population may still remain in the Rioni River.
Read about the best national parks in Georgia. Also, read about the most beautiful waterfalls in Georgia.
Georgian Animals
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!
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!
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!
Brown Bear
A dominant predator in it's environment!
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 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!
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 Frog
Found throughout the European continent!
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 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!
Cricket
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
Crow
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Deer
There are around 40 different species!
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!
Edible Frog
Are known to guard the muddy banks!
Eel
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian jay has the ability to mimic other sounds
European Bee-Eater
They can eat up to 250 bees per day!
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
Ferret
Ferrets can be trained to do tricks like dogs!
Fire-Bellied Toad
Found across mainland Europe and Asia!
Firefly
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
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
There are 12 different species in the world!
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach
Glass Lizard
Can grow up to 4ft long!
Glow Worm
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!
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 40 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!
Highland Cattle
Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Honey Buzzard
Honey buzzards are medium-sized raptors that earned their names by raiding the nests of bees and wasps.
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.
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.
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Jackdaw
The jackdaw tends to mate for life with a single partner
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!
Lemming
Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!
Linnet
While linnets are monogamous during mating season, they do not mate for life. While breeding pairs are together, the males are highly territorial and will defend the nesting site and the surrounding area.
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!
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!
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.
Nose-horned viper
The fangs of a nose-horned viper can be as long as half an inch
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.
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Owl
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
Peppered Moth
Teachers in schools often use the evolution of the peppered moth as a good example of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
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
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!
Rat Snakes
Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.
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
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!
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Sand Lizard
Males turn green in spring!
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!
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 3,000 known species worldwide
Snowy Owl
One of the largest owl species in the world!
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.
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!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
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.
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
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.
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 Vole
The largest Vole species in the UK!
Weasel
The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!
White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
There are two different types of white ferrets!
Wild Boar
Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!
Winter Moth
Only the males fly and the females walk.
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.
Georgian Animals List
- Angora Goat
- Ant
- Armyworm
- Aurochs
- Avocet
- Badger
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brown Bear
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chamois
- Chicken
- Cinereous Vulture
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Frog
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Common Loon
- Common Raven
- Common Toad
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Deer
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Edible Frog
- Eel
- Eurasian Jay
- European Bee-Eater
- European Robin
- Falcon
- False Widow Spider
- Ferret
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Highland Cattle
- Honey Bee
- Honey Buzzard
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Insects
- Jackdaw
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Lemming
- Linnet
- Lizard
- Locust
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Magpie
- Marsh Frog
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongrel
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Newt
- Nightingale
- No See Ums
- Nose-horned viper
- Orb Weaver
- Ortolan Bunting
- Otter
- Owl
- Peppered Moth
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pine Marten
- Pond Skater
- Pool Frog
- Porcupine
- Purple Emperor Butterfly
- Puss Moth
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Raccoon Dog
- Rat
- Rat Snakes
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Roe Deer
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Sand Crab
- Sand Lizard
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Skink Lizard
- Slow Worm
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Snowy Owl
- Song Thrush
- Spadefoot Toad
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Squirrel
- Stick Insect
- Stoat
- Stork
- Swan
- Tawny Owl
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tiger Moth
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Viper
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Vole
- Weasel
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wild Boar
- Winter Moth
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Worm
Georgia FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What animals live in the country of Georgia?
Georgia contains a rich panoply of mammalian wildlife, including rodents, bats, hares, deer, wild boar, goats (both wild and domesticated), and carnivores (like weasels, raccoons, and foxes). Common birds include eagles, hawks, falcons, ducks, plovers, larks, warblers, sparrows, and finches. Reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other invertebrates are abundant almost everywhere. The freshwater areas also teem with fish.
Are there bears in the country of Georgia?
The remote mountains and forests of Georgia form a perfect habitat for the Eurasian brown bear. Although it was once threatened by hunting and habitat loss, numbers have now increased back to respectable levels of a few hundred.
Are there lions in the country of Georgia?
One thing that many people may not know is that the Asiatic lion (a subspecies of the lion) once lived as far north as the Caucasus. It probably became locally extinct from Georgia a few hundred years ago.
Are there moose in Georgia?
The Caucasian moose subspecies once lived in Georgia as recently as the 18th and 19th centuries. It eventually became extinct from habitat loss and overhunting.
Are there tigers in Georgia?
The Caspian tiger survived in Georgia all the way to the early 20th century. The subspecies went completely extinct in 2003.
