Below you can find a complete list of Moldovan animals. We currently track 222 animals in Moldova and are adding more every day!
Moldova is a rather small country with a unique array of wildlife, sharing its borders with Ukraine and Romania. Current research reveals that it is only home to approximately 33 mammal species, though one of these species is currently at great risk of becoming extinct.
The Aurochs is the national animal of Moldova, though there are many other common animals in the region, like wild boar, wolves, polecats, foxes, wildcats, and ermines.
The Official National Animal of Moldova
Moldova’s official national animal is the Aurochs, which is found in many other regions in the world, spread throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. These unique animals can also be found in Oceania and certain areas of North America, but they are still only the national animal to the small country of Moldova, Madagascar, and Nepal.
Female and male aurochs have slightly different coloring in their coat. While the female is reddish-brown, the males have a distinctive black or brown coat with a long light stripe on the back. Their shaggy coat is hard to miss, complemented by their six-foot height at just the shoulder. As an adult, aurochs are up to 8 feet long, living up to 30 years in the wild. Though the males of other horned mammal species often only have this unique feature, females also have horns.
Much of the reason that aurochs have a special place the hearts of Moldovan citizens is due to the swift and fearless nature that is described in a book by Julius Cesar – “The Gallic War.” The unique and large animals were considered sacred in the Iron Age, and the closely related cow is still sacred in Eastern religion today.
In many regions of the world, certain aurochs are now extinct. However, two brothers in Germany sought to bring them back by breeding modern cattle in 1920.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Moldova
Finding wild animals in Moldova is relatively easy, due to the many nature reservations that are protected by the government.
- The Codru Natural Reservation, for example, is filled with lush greenery, valleys, and ravines that are home to nearly 50 different species, like boars, deer, golden eagles, and badgers. The purpose of this reservation is to provide a home for endangered species.
- The Padurea Domneasca (“Royal Forest”) Natural Reservation is found near Romania, giving you the opportunity to see a high number of herons in the wild. The oldest tree in this region is 450 years old, even though the reservation was only founded in the early 1990s.
- The Plaiul Fagului (“Land of Beeches”) Natural Reservation is rich with a variety of wildlife that comes to feed and live in the Codru forest ecosystem. The clear spring water is highly attractive to local deer.
- For anyone looking to check out the southern region of the country, the Prutul De Jos (“Lower Prut”) Natural Reservation has over 241 different animal species, and it is particularly attractive the unique migratory birds that come into the country.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Moldova
Wolves are one of the most dangerous threats in Moldova today. While the gray wolf is relatively common in Moldova and neighboring countries, they have only recently returned to the area after 40 years of absence. The population is protected, and there were only 50 wolves found in Moldova in 2014.
Overall, the potentially dangerous species of Moldova include:
- Gray wolves, though a hybrid species is currently linked to many domestic animal attacks.
- European wildcat, which preys on small carnivores, rodents, and birds.
- Wild boars, which is also one of the most common species to hunt in Moldova.
Endangered Animals in Moldova
Of the unique wildlife that is native to Moldova, there is only one animal that seems to be endangered – the European mink. The European mink is a mammal, featuring a slim body and a bushy tail. Due to how similar the female and male are in their coloring, the main way to tell the difference is the size (since the males are larger). It is only spotted in a few areas in Eastern Europe, France, and Spain, but the population is already dwindling.
These solitary animals are typically found near freshwater sources, but the decline in safe forest areas has taken their typical habitat from them. Despite typically living along riverbanks, lakes, marshlands, and streams, these animals don’t stay in one place for long, which may be why they are still surviving in low numbers. They are at great risk of becoming extinct.
The only native animal to go extinct in Moldova was a type of bison called the Carpathian wisent. It formerly lived in Ukraine and Hungary as well. The action taken by the government has helped to preserve the slow changes in the forest areas. At one time, the majority of Moldova was covered in forests. Now, only 35% is still around, leaving local wildlife with fewer and fewer places to live.
The Flag of Moldova
The flag of Moldova is made up of three vertical stripes in blue, yellow and red inspired by their long history with Romania. In the center of the flag is the country’s coat of arms which includes a golden eagle holding a cross in its beak referring to Moldova’s relationship with Orthodox Christianity. The eagle is holding an olive branch in one talon and a scepter in the other, representing peace and sovereignty.
Moldovan Animals
Stunningly beautiful wings
First evolved 100 million years ago!
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!
Has a curved, upturned beak!
Can reach speeds of 30 km/h!
Found everywhere around the world!
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Detects prey using echolocation!
Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.
Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years
There are more than 350,000 different species
Not all birds are able to fly!
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
They typically prey on insects!
Can live its entire life indoors
The most common species of bee!
There are thought to be up 17,500 species!
The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.
Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!
May have been domesticated up to 10,000 years ago.
The larvae of a moth or butterfly!
There are nearly 3,000 different species!
There are about 3,000 documented species!
Natively found in the European mountains!
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Dated to be around 300 million years old!
Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.
The most common raptor in the UK!
European adders are the only snake that lives above the Arctic Circle.
Found throughout the European continent!
The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood
House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.
Also known as the Great Northern Diver
A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.
Most active in wet weather!
They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.
There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!
There are 93 different crab groups
Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings
Many are critically endangered species!
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Can survive drought by burying itself in mud.
There are around 40 different species!
The Devil’s coach horse beetle can emit a noxious substance to deter predators
First domesticated in South-East Asia!
Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals
First domesticated 5,000 years ago!
Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!
It's larvae are carnivorous!
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Has exceptional eyesight!
They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs
There are nearly 2,000 different species!
Are known to guard the muddy banks!
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Elasmotherium might have had a monstrous horn, giving it the name "The Siberian Unicorn."
A very bold and ferocious predator!
The Eurasian Eagle-owl is the second largest owl in the world with a wingspan up to six feet!
The Eurasian jay has the ability to mimic other sounds
They can eat up to 250 bees per day!
They are frequent visitors to backyard feeders, especially those containing niger seeds.
Male robins are so aggressive and territorial that they will attack their own reflections.
The fastest creatures on the planet!
The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Ferrets can be trained to do tricks like dogs!
Found across mainland Europe and Asia!
The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world
Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air
There are more than 240,000 different species!
Can glide up to 90 meters!
Only 12 species are considered "true foxes"
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
They make many sounds when trying to attract a mate.
The most common type of urban roach
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Most closely related to the Sheep!
The goldcrest never starts moving and needs to consume for most of the day to survive. Therefore, in the colder months, it's best that eat 90% a day.
Their calls sound like high-pitched screams, but they are quiet most of the time.
Migrates between Europe and Asia!
There are 29 different species!
There are 11,000 known species!
One of the most invasive species in the world
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!
Many hawk moth caterpillars eat toxins from plants, but don’t sequester them the way milkweed butterflies do. Most toxins are excreted.
Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!
There are only 8 recognized species!
Honey buzzards are medium-sized raptors that earned their names by raiding the nests of bees and wasps.
Stunning bird with a stinky way to deter predators!
Has evolved over 50 million years!
Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.
Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!
Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.
There are an estimated 30 million species!
The jackdaw tends to mate for life with a single partner
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Does not hibernate during the bitter Arctic winter!
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.
There are around 5,000 different species!
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Ear tufts make it look bigger!
Often hangs upside down while feeding!
They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!
A marmot spends 80% of its life below ground
There are 2,500 known species worldwide!
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
They line their nests with their feathers
Some species have a poisonous bite!
Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!
Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!
Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood
There are 250,000 different species!
Found on every continent on Earth!
The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!
Roamed Asia and Europe for around 100,000 years!
Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long
Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!
Named more than 1,000 years ago!
There are more than 5,000 species.
Northern pintails migrate at night with speeds reaching 48 miles per hour!
Depending on the habitat and climate, these beetles can live between 2 to 10 years, often staying in their larval stage for several years, making them extremely dangerous to wooden structures.
Females are about four times the size of males
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.
They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!
There are 13 different species worldwide
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Thought to have been domesticated in 9,000 BC!
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Found in mountainous regions and rocky areas
A pine marten can jump from tree to tree similar to a squirrel.
There are 500 different species!
The rarest amphibian in the UK!
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Inhabits deciduous forests!
Caterpillars squirt formic acid!
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
There are more than 300 different species!
Known to wash their food before eating it!
The only hibernating canine!
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.
A male red deer shows his age in his antlers, which become longer and more branched every year.
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!
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.
The roe is one of the most popular game animals in Europe
Will mate with the entire flock!
Its scientific name, lagopus, is Ancient Greek for “hare” and “foot,” referring to its feathered feet and toes.
Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.
There are more than 700 different species!
Males turn green in spring!
There are around 2,000 known species!
The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner
Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!
The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.
The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.
There are 2,000 different species worldwide!
Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.
Found widely throughout British gardens!
They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce
Has up to 45 eggs per egg case
There are nearly 1,000 different species!
There are around 4,000 known species worldwide
One of the largest owl species in the world!
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.
They spend most of their time underground!
There are 140 different species!
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Average adults weigh about 200 grams!
They can’t sing like other birds.
Populations have been affected by pollution!
The most widespread owl in Europe!
Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!
The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.
They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite
The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world
The bright colors of this moth are a signal to predators that it has a terrible taste.
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
The Ural owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees
Vipers are one of the most widespread groups of snakes and inhabit most
There are 30 different species worldwide!
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
Has been domesticated for thousands of years!
The largest Vole species in the UK!
The Wax Moth larvae are more dangerous than the adult.
The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!
There are two different types of white ferrets!
Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!
Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
This animal can roll up into a ball
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
There are 200 different species!
The woolly rhinoceros roamed the earth between three and a half million and 14,000 years ago.
They feign death by making their bodies limp and closing their eyes.
It interbreeds with the pine bunting
Moldovan Animals List