While a small country, Montenegro is a world largely packed with adventure and beauty in its tiny region. The country boasts the world’s oldest olive tree. There are over 100 sun-drenched beaches and wondrous mountains. It’s considered a Mecca for bird watchers.
Montenegro is located in the Balkan West central region in the Dinaric Alps’ Southern end. The country is on the southeast end of Albania and on the east by Kosovo. It is also bordered by Croatia and the Adriatic Sea on the Southwest, and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Northwest. Finally, there’s Serbia (Northeast, Albania (Southeast), and Kosovo (East).
Montenegro is also a great place for wild animal lovers. The terrains range from wide plans to high mountains and thick, temperate forests. You can find wildlife almost everywhere you turn. Let’s take a look at Montenegro and what you’ll likely come across with their unique animals.
The Two “Unofficial” Animals in Montenegro
This isn’t an easy question to answer. It would appear Montenegro does not officially have a “national” symbol using some wild dangerous animals or inspired by extinct animals.
Some argue the country’s mascot is the lion. And there appears to be evidence to support the argument. The country’s flag is often augmented with an image of a proud lion that looks to be protecting itself. You can find the wild lion in many pieces of art that pay tribute to the country’s legacy and strength.
When one Montenegrian looks to complement a fellow Montenegrian, they compare that person to the king of wild beasts, often using the phrase “like a lion.” The countries athletes usually receive the epithet “lion” or “lioness.”
But greater evidence indicates the country’s national animal is, like here in the good ol’ U.S.A., is the imperial eagle. While the wild lion appears on the occasional flag, the eagle is prominently on display on ALL Montenegrian flags.
The flag proudly shows a pair of brave eagles framed like a shield. They sport a crown over a background of at least one of Montenegro’s national colors (red, white, and blue). It’s said since ancient times, the imperial eagle has been a vital part of the country’s culture.
The bird is highly respected by Montenegrians for its majesty and bravery. In the Eastern Roman Empire, it wasn’t uncommon for great leaders and influencers to carry an eagle. The eagle too appears in a great number of Montenegrian art. In many of those pieces, the eagle is alongside the lion.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Montenegro Today
The wild truly run free in Montenegro. You’ll find wildlife that includes wolves, bears, snakes. While there are dangerous animals, the country is tourist-friendly. As long as you have a local guide, it’s safe to transverse any of the national parks and have safe encounters with wildlife.
Here are a few of the most dangerous animals in Montenegro.
- Brown Bear – Hands down, the brown bear lands at the top of the list of Montenegro’s most dangerous animals. They populate many areas in Montenegro and Bosnia. Weight can start at 200 pounds and spiral well over 800. These unique animals have powerful frames and extremely sharp claws. These are aggressive wild animals and tend to terrorize any species it comes in contact with. The brown bear is omnivorous with plants a big part of its diet.
- Black Widow Spiders – Like the viper, the black widow doesn’t become a threat until it perceives one. On average though, there are far fewer spider widow fatalities (in the U.S.) compared to dogs, insects, or horses. Still, the powerful neurotoxins are damaging. Symptoms include cramping, headaches, fever, and nausea.
- Wild Boar – The wild boar is an extremely dangerous animal. They are not only aggressive and willing to attack on sight, they carry a range of diseases. Humans exposed to them can contract TB, influenza A or hepatitis E. These wild animals are responsible for thousands of road accidents a year. They look like pigs but they are stronger and are capable of chasing anything that moves.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Montenegro
The sparsely populated country is an vast wildlife ecosystem. There is a variety of predatory wild animals, peaceful creatures, insects, fish, and birds. The country has a wide variety of reptiles, birds, and fish. The animal lover will never tire of exploring the Montenegro wild. Here are some animals to look for and where to find them.
- Deer – There are two types of deer in Montenegro, the fallow and the red. They are common in the Caucasus Mountains.
- Mouflon – The Mouflon is a species of sheep found in the country’s wild mountain regions. They’re noted for their huge horns.
- Balkan Lynx – Located in the western regions of the Balkans, these unique animals are native to Montenegro.
- Aesculapian Snake – Inhabitants of the local forests, the Aesculapian will be hard to miss. It can grow to over 60 inches.
- Vipera Ammodytes – Considered one of the most dangerous animals in Montenegro forests, the Vipera’s venom is the highest priority in central Europe.
Endangered Animals in Montenegro
Unfortunately, a variety of wild animals found in Montenegro are endangered. Like many extinct animals, the common threats to the Montenegro animal populace ranges from risks to ecosystems that include hunting, man’s expansion, pollution, and global warming.
From Earth’s Endangered Creatures, here are 10 endangered animals looking to be extinct in Montenegro.
- Salmon – fish
- Greater Spotted Eagle – bird
- Great White Shark – fish
- Horseshoe Bat – mammal
- Red-footed Falcon – bird
- Rock Lizard – reptile
- Stone Crayfish – fish
- Rosalia Longicom – insect
- Marbled Polecat – mammal
- Egyptian Vulture – bird
The Flag of Montenegro
The flag of Montenegro consists of a red field with a gold border and the country’s coat of arms in the middle. An orb and scepter are held in a crowned golden eagle’s talons with two heads appearing on the coat of arms. A lion-themed shield is also positioned over the eagle’s chest.