Below you can find a complete list of Kosovan animals. We currently track 214 animals in Kosovo and are adding more every day!
Kosovo is a small country with abundant biodiversity. The mountains, plains, and rivers of this landlocked nation provide unique habitats for many animals native to Europe. These include wild pigs, deer, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, and many types of birds. A few famous predators live there – the golden eagle, the bear, and the lynx.
Let’s dive deeper and learn the facts about the famous, dangerous, endangered, and extinct species of this unique country.
The Official National Animal of Kosovo
Kosovo does not have an official national animal. Even its coat of arms does not contain an animal symbol, which is unique and unusual. However, the European beech tree and a species of peony flower are unofficial symbols. In the wild, these plants contribute to the country’s unique ecology.
While they are not considered national symbols, the bear, lynx, eagle, and wolf are some of the most famous wild animals of Kosovo.
Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Kosovo
Forests are among the most biodiverse regions in Kosovo – you will find most of the popular types of wild animals there. At least thirty-nine percent of the land in Kosovo is covered by forests, so these places are not hard to find.
Kosovo is home to two beautiful national parks and over one hundred protected areas. These are good places for wildlife viewing. The Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, for example, features stony mountains and lush, green, tree-dotted rolling hills. Sharr Mountains National Park covers over 500 square kilometers.
If you’re looking for Kosovo’s most famous wildlife, such as the golden eagle, the bear, the lynx, or the wolf, the mountains are the place to go. They can be found in remote parts of the Prokletije and the Å ar Mountains.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Kosovo Today
Kosovo’s most dangerous animals are not the popular large carnivores. If you are hiking in Kosovo, watch where you put your feet! The long-nosed or horned viper is the most notable of the venomous snakes found throughout the region. Its large size, long fangs of up to 13 mm, and toxic venom make it a dangerous animal to watch out for in rocky areas.
Endangered Animals In Kosovo
Kosovo is home to two endangered species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Both are insects – the Ampedus quadrisignatus click beetle and Ropalopus ungaricus beetle. If you see a yellow beetle with black spots or a shiny greenish-black beetle, you may be looking at an endangered species! The click beetle is already extinct in other parts of Europe. Endangered species – even small ones such as these – must be protected so they do not become extinct entirely.
Kosovan Animals

Admiral Butterfly
Stunningly beautiful wings

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!

Balkan Lynx
The Balkan lynx communicates mostly with its ears

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-banded Cockroach
Females glue egg cases to furniture

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
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!

Chamois
Natively found in the European mountains!

Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cicada
Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans

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!

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

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.

Dalmatian
Have an energetic and playful nature!

Dalmatian Mix
These canine’s spots are distinctive in their placement, including different shaped markings, making them unique.

Deer
There are around 40 different species!

Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle
The Devil’s coach horse beetle can emit a noxious substance to deter predators

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 Goldfinch
They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, especially those containing niger seeds.

European Robin
Male robins are so aggressive and territorial that they will attack their own reflections.

Falcon
The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fallow deer
The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.

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!

Fire Salamander
Its name comes from the fact that people once believed it was born in fire

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
Only 12 species are considered "true foxes"

Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!

Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world

Gadwall
They make many sounds when trying to attract a mate.

German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach

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!

Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!

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!

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!

Ivy Bee
N/A

Jackal
Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!

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!

Lazarus Lizard
Lazarus Lizards can communicate through chemical and visual signals.

Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!

Lemming
Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!

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!

Mole Cricket
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

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!

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.

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

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!

Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.

Purple Emperor Butterfly
Inhabits deciduous forests!

Puss Moth
Caterpillars squirt formic acid!

Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rabbit
There are more than 300 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 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!

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 4,000 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!

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!

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!

Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Kosovan Animals List
- Admiral Butterfly
- Ant
- Armyworm
- Aurochs
- Avocet
- Badger
- Balkan Lynx
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brown-banded Cockroach
- Brown Bear
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chamois
- Chicken
- Cicada
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common Frog
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Common Loon
- Common Raven
- Common Toad
- Cormorant
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Cricket
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Dalmatian
- Dalmatian Mix
- Deer
- Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Edible Frog
- Eel
- Eurasian Jay
- European Bee-Eater
- European Goldfinch
- European Robin
- Falcon
- Fallow deer
- False Widow Spider
- Ferret
- Fire-Bellied Toad
- Fire Salamander
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Fox
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gadwall
- German Cockroach
- Glass Lizard
- Glowworm
- Gnat
- Goat
- Golden Oriole
- Goose
- Grasshopper
- Gypsy Moth
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Highland Cattle
- Honey Bee
- Honey Buzzard
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Insects
- Ivy Bee
- Jackal
- Jackdaw
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Lazarus Lizard
- Leech
- Lemming
- Lizard
- Locust
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Magpie
- Marsh Frog
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mole Cricket
- Mongrel
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Neanderthal
- Nematode
- Newt
- Nightingale
- No See Ums
- Nose-Horned Viper
- Orb Weaver
- Ortolan Bunting
- Otter
- Owl
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pike Fish
- Pine Marten
- Pond Skater
- Pool Frog
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Purple Emperor Butterfly
- Puss Moth
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Raccoon Dog
- Rat
- Rat Snakes
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rodents
- Roe Deer
- Rooster
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Sand Lizard
- Scorpion
- Sea Eagle
- Seahorse
- 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
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swan
- Tawny Owl
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tiger Moth
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Viper
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Vole
- Wax Moth
- Weasel
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wild Boar
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Worm
Animals in Kosovo FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where in the World is Kosovo?
The Republic of Kosovo is a small country in southeastern Europe, in the Balkan region. It is located north of Greece and the Mediterranean Sea.
What Is the Habitat and Climate Like in Kosovo?
Kosovo’s terrain includes vast plains and rugged mountains. The climate is highly variable. The southern mountains are cold, with summer temperatures reaching only moderate warmth. The plains regions are dry, with hot summers and frigid winters.
Are There Wolves in Kosovo?
Yes! Wolves are rare in Kosovo, but the nation is part of the historic range of the grey wolf. Wolves were once common throughout Europe, but they were hunted by humans due to mythological beliefs and competition for resources. Seeing a wolf in Kosovo today is a rare treat.
What Animals Live in Kosovo?
Kosovo’s wildlife represents all the major animal types, including mammals, birds (255 species!), fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Let’s consider some facts about each group.
Kosovo’s forests support mammals such as the boar or wild pig, deer, rabbits, and squirrels. The mountains are home to rare animals like the brown bear, roe deer, wolves, and the Eurasian or Balkan lynx. The chamois is also found there. It is a type of goat-antelope that lives in rocky regions, hopping from stone to stone.
The forests and plains are also home to large numbers of birds. These include raucous ravens, familiar sparrows, woodpeckers, magpies, starlings, turtle doves, partridges, pheasants, quail, eagles, vultures, and hawks. One notable species is the golden eagle. It is the most widely distributed and perhaps most recognizable bird in the Northern Hemisphere. A rare type of bird found there is the hen grouse.
Rivers and lakes provide the needed environment for still other animals. You might spy storks hunting along the edges of the water. Their prey could include such freshwater fish as the small herring, torpedo, carp, catfish, gudgeon, eel, scuba, trout, or salmon.
Another unique animal you may see in Kosovo is the Qeni i Sharrit or Illyrian sheepdog. This is a rare domestic dog breed that is very popular in the country of Kosovo, kept by a majority of people in the region. This large dog resembles a German Shepherd with a wide, boxy head and long fur.
The horned or long-nosed viper, one of Kosovo’s snakes, is reputed as the most dangerous animal in Kosovo.
What Is the National Animal of Kosovo?
Kosovo does not have an official national animal.