Below you’ll find a complete list of Italian animals with pictures. We currently track 133 animals in Italy and add more daily!
- National Animal of Italy: Italian Wolf
- Approximate Number of Animal Species in Italy (Excluding Bacteria, Viruses): 57,000
- Most Dangerous Animal in Italy: Marsican Brown Bear
Italy Wildlife and Geography
Italy is a biodiversity hot spot that’s home to more animal species than any other European country. Impressively, a third of the continent’s fauna is represented in Italy. Why? Because the boot-shaped peninsula is the joint connecting Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. As such, it’s a cornucopia of ecological features that includes the Alps and Apennine mountain ranges, central woodlands, and southern shrublands. The fauna-rich cherry on top is Italy’s 4,900 miles (8,000 kilometers) of coastline that falls smack in the middle of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity zone.
Italy’s wildlife is so impressive that UNESCO declared the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park a World Heritage Site in 2009.
Italy Animals
Excluding bacterias, viruses, and most microscopic invertebrates, Italy is home to about 57,000 known species, 4,777 of which are endemic to the region.
Italian Mammals
Between 102 and 126 mammal species live within Italy and its surrounding waters. According to the IUCN, of those mammals, four are Near Threatened, nine are Vulnerable, two are Endangered, and one, the North Atlantic right whale, is Critically Endangered.
Commonly spotted mammals in Italy include several types of shrews, Alpine marmots — which look like chubby squirrels — European snow voles, wild boars, and steinbocks.
Notably, Etruscan shrews — the smallest known mammal by mass — resides in Italy. The tiny and solitary animals weigh only .063 ounces, which is about half as heavy as a pencil. Another standout Italian mammal is the Alpine ibex. Found in northern Italian mountain ranges, males of the goat-antelope species are known for their gigantic, backward-hooking horns.
Italian Birds
How many bird species are in Italy? The latest count stands at 516, but only about 267 nest in the nation. Bluethroats, hoopoe, and the stunning European roller, with its turquoise and electric blue feather patterns, are common. Birds of prey in the region include Bonelli’s eagles, Eurasian eagle-owl, and the griffon vulture.
Italian Reptiles and Amphibians
Scientists cannot agree on the number of reptiles and amphibians in Italy. Numbers range between 44 and 59 each. Common reptiles and lizards found in the country include spectacled salamanders, Italian newts, Italian stream frogs, Sicilian pond turtles, and the Italian Aesculapian snakes.
Italian Fish
Hundreds of fish and marine mammals swim through Italian waters. Common species include the Italian loach and Italian barbel. Jellyfish, porcelain crabs, and octopus are also plentiful.
Italian Insects
Researchers and naturalists have observed about 37,303 insects in Italy, and nearly 200 butterfly and moth species flit through the nation’s skies. Scarlet dragonflies, Cleopatra butterflies, and Praying mantis are all at home in the southern European country.
Endangered Animals in Italy
Below is a table that details a sampling of Italian animals deemed threatened, to some degree, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This Italian endangered animals list is not exhaustive.
Animal | Alternative Names | IUCN Classification | Region | Threats | Interesting Fact |
Corsican Hare | Apennine Hare, Italian Hare | Vulnerable | Southern and Central Italy | Habitat Loss, Hunting, Food Competition | Once Regarded As a Subspecies of the European Hare |
Sardinian Long-Eared Bat | NA | Vulnerable | Three Caves in Central Sardinia | Tourism Disturbance, Habitat Loss | Only Surviving Mammal Species Endemic to Sardinia |
Corsican Red Deer | Corsican Deer, Sardinian Deer | Near Threatened | Corsica Island, Sardinia Island | Habitat Loss | Smallest of the Red Deer Subspecies |
Brown Cave Salamander | Gene’s cave salamander, Sardinian cave salamander, Sardinian salamander | Vulnerable | Sardinia | Habitat Loss | Habitat Loss |
Italian Cave Salamander | NA | Near Threatened | Northern and Central Apennine Mountains | Habitat Loss | Prefers to Live around Limestone Rock |
Monte Albo Cave Salamander | Stefani’s salamander | Near Threatened | Sardinia | Habitat Loss | Reproduces Through Direct Development of Terrestrial Eggs |
Sardinian Brook Salamander | Sardinian mountain newt | Endangered | Sardinia | Habitat Loss, Pollution, Tourism Disturbance | Stays Close to Water at All Times |
Apennine Yellow-Bellied Toad | NA | Endangered | Throughout Italy | Habitat Loss | Hibernates from November to April |
Aeolian Wall Lizard | Raffone’s Wall Lizard | Critically Endangered | Aeolian Islands | Competition with Italian Wall Lizard | Only Four Populations Remain |
Salmo Carpio | Carpione, Carpione del Garda | Critically Endangered | Only in Lake Garda | Overfishing, Pollution, Competition | Didn’t Survive in any Other Lakes to which it Was Introduced |
Salmo Fibreni | Fibreno Trout | Vulnerable | Lago di Posta Fibreno | Habitat Loss | Freshwater Trout |
Common Bent-Wing Bat | Schreibers’s Long-Fingered Bat, Schreibers’s Bat | Vulnerable | Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East | Pesticides, Habitat Loss | Named after Austrian Naturalist Carl Franz Anton Ritter von Schreibers |
Italian Wolf | Apennine Wolf | Vulnerable | Apennine Mountains, Western Alps | Human-Wolf Conflict, Poaching | Protected Since 1970s |
Marsican Brown Bear | Apennine Brown Bear | Critically Endangered | Apennine Mountains | Human-Bear Conflict, Habitat Loss | Has a Different Hibernation Routine than Other Brown Bears |
Italian officials keep an eye on conservation and the country supports 20 national parks and 130 regional parks. Additionally, lawmakers have carved out 150 federally protected wildlife territories, 270 state ones, and 16 marine reserves.
Most Dangerous Animals in Italy
Italy is bursting at the seams with fauna species, and some are dangerous! Although, compared to a country like Australia, which is awash in lethal animals, Italy’s creatures are comparatively tame.
The six most dangerous animals in Italy are:
- Marsican Brown Bears
- Eurasian Lynx
- Asp Vipers
- Jellyfish
- Weever Fish
- Black Widow Spiders
National Animal of Italy
The Italian wolf — also known as the Apennine wolf — is the national animal of Italy. It’s symbolism dates back to the mythological story of Romulus and Remus. According to legend, a shewolf discovered the infant twins and kept them alive via interbreed suckling. Eventually, humans took the boys in, and they went on to found Rome.
Italian wolves are a subspecies of grey wolves and native to the Italian Peninsula. Today, between 600 and 700 individuals are alive and well. But in the not too distant past, only about 70 Italian wolves were left. Thanks to public and private conservation efforts, the species is making a comeback.
Italian Animals

Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!

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!

Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!

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!

Bolognese Dog
From the northern Italian city of Bologna!

Brown Bear
A dominant predator in it's environment!

Bumblebee
The most common species of bee!

Butterfly
There are thought to be up 20,000 species!

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 Loon
Also known as the Great Northern Diver

Common Toad
Most active in wet weather!

Cow
There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Crab
There are 93 different crab groups

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!

Dragonfly
It's larvae are carnivorous!

Duck
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

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!

Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!

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!

Human
Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!

Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a miniature dog with a big motor and personality!

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

Long-Eared Owl
Ear tufts make it look bigger!

Magpie
They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Maltese
Originally bred in Europe!

Marmot
A marmot spends 80% of its life below ground

Marsh Frog
Has bright green skin!

Mayfly
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

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!

Neapolitan Mastiff
Fearless and extremely protective of it's home!

Newt
Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!

Nightingale
Named more than 1,000 years ago!

Olm
Inhabits dark underwater caves

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!

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!

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!

Shrimp
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Slow Worm
Found widely throughout British gardens!

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!

Squirrel
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stag Beetle
More than 1,200 different species!

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!

Tortoise
Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Tree Frog
Found in warmer jungles and forests!

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!

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
Actually a crustacean, not an insect!

Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Italian Animals List
- Ant
- Aurochs
- Avocet
- Badger
- Barn Owl
- Bat
- Beetle
- Bird
- Black Widow Spider
- Bolognese Dog
- Brown Bear
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chamois
- Chicken
- Cockroach
- Common Buzzard
- Common Frog
- Common Loon
- Common Toad
- Cow
- Crab
- Crane
- Deer
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Eagle
- Earwig
- Edible Frog
- Eel
- Falcon
- Ferret
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Glass Lizard
- Glow Worm
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Highland Cattle
- Honey Bee
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Human
- Insects
- Italian Greyhound
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Lemming
- Lizard
- Loach
- Long-Eared Owl
- Magpie
- Maltese
- Marmot
- Marsh Frog
- Mayfly
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongrel
- Moorhen
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Newt
- Nightingale
- Olm
- Otter
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pike Fish
- Pond Skater
- Pool Frog
- Porcupine
- Purple Emperor Butterfly
- Puss Moth
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Raccoon Dog
- Rat
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Salamander
- Sand Lizard
- Scorpion
- Seahorse
- Shrimp
- Slow Worm
- Snail
- Snake
- Snowy Owl
- Spadefoot Toad
- Sparrow
- Squirrel
- Stag Beetle
- Stick Insect
- Stoat
- Swan
- Tawny Owl
- Termite
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Vole
- Weasel
- Wild Boar
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker