Below you can find a complete list of Swedish animals. We currently track 216 animals in Sweden and are adding more every day!
Sweden is a Scandinavian country on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It borders Norway to the west and Finland to the east. It is the third-largest country in Europe, but it has the second-lowest population density. Sweden’s weather is milder than the weather of other Scandinavian countries.
Its temperatures range from cool and humid in its southern lowlands to subarctic in its northern mountain ranges. Its location on the Arctic Circle means it has long, harsh winters. There are many wild, open spaces in Sweden. It has vast expanses of unspoiled forests and scenic Alpine lakes.
The Official National Animal of Sweden
Sweden’s national animal is the Eurasian elk (Alces alces), which is known as a moose in American English. The moose is the largest member of the New World deer family. Unlike other deer, moose are solitary and don’t travel in herds.
The moose’s thick skin and dense fur allow it to thrive in cold temperatures. Moose travel long distances to find the food they need. Moose are not endangered in Sweden. There are 300,000 to 400,000 of them, and the government permits hunting of them to control populations.
The reindeer is important culturally to the indigenous Sami people who live in Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. They were formerly known as Laplanders, but they consider that name offensive now. Although they are wild, reindeer are treated as domestic animals by the Sami, who herd them, use them for work and sell their meat. The Sami believe they and the reindeer have a pact to take care of each other forever.
Where To Find the Top Wild Animals in Sweden
Most wildlife is easy to spot in Sweden. If you hike in the forests, you are likely to encounter moose, but keep a respectful distance. They prefer to forage in the early evenings.
You can see beavers in most lakes and rivers in Sweden. Beavers are nocturnal. Traveling by boat at sunset allows you to come upon them as they’re building and fishing. If you see gnaw marks on nearby trees, you are probably near a beaver lodge.
Wolves are shy and difficult to spot. They live in densely forested areas. You can often hear them howling when you hike or camp. Some professional guides offer tours of the forests where you may spot these elusive creatures. Wolves are a protected species in Sweden.
Arctic foxes live in the northern mountains near Norway. They live in remote, hilly areas that most people and cars can’t reach. There is a guided tour on Helags Mountain that allows you to watch their dens from a distance.
The lynx is even shyer than the wolf. Although there is a large, healthy population of Eurasian lynxes in every part of Sweden, they are excellent at staying out of human sight. Lynxes are active at dusk and in the early morning hours. Some people have spotted a lynx while driving around the edge of the forest at sunrise.
Sweden has 30 national parks. Farnebofjarden National Park is a gorgeous place to see otters and other marine animals. It is on the Dalalven River and is a protected wetlands area. You can spot all kinds of wildlife visiting the river for a drink.
Abisko National Park is home to Scandinavia’s largest alpine lake. It is a wondrously scenic place to spot arctic foxes, reindeer, Eurasian elk, and lemmings.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Sweden Today
Sweden’s largest predators are the brown bear, wolf, and lynx. It also has wolverines, wild boars and moose. These animals can all be dangerous when provoked, but there are very few recorded attacks on humans.
Endangered Animals in Sweden
- The European bison (Bison bonasus) is listed as near threatened in Sweden.
- The European otter (Lutra lutra), also known as European otter and Old World otter, lives in Sweden’s lakes and rivers. Unlike sea otters, European otters don’t live in the water. Hunting caused otters to become nearly extinct, but otter populations are now recovering in many parts of Europe.
- Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) were almost extinct, but they have been reintroduced in Sweden. Wild boars were also hunted to extinction in Sweden, but they have been reintroduced and are now rated “least concern” for wildlife conservation status.
- The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), also known as finback whale, is the second largest species after the blue whale. It was hunted almost to extinction and has been slow to recover. The International Whaling Commission has outlawed commercial hunting of the fin whale, but Iceland and Japan continue to hunt it.
- Two bat species are almost extinct in Sweden. The pond bat (Myotis dasycneme) is a medium-sized bat that nests near areas of water. Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteini) is a long-eared bat that roosts in trees. It is one of the most rare and endangered bats in the world.
Sweden’s Unique Animals
Sweden’s scenic landscapes are home to many of the world’s most beautiful animals, including lynxes, arctic foxes, gray wolves and otters. Majestic elk, bears and wild boars roam the forests, and whales and seals swim in the oceans. Sweden has made a commitment to conserving its unique wildlife. Most of these animals enjoy healthy, stable populations in their wild natural habitats. With care and conservation, these magnificent animals will continue to thrive.
Swedish Animals
Angora Ferret
Was created as an accident.
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Arctic Fox
Extremely thick winter fur!
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!
Beaver
Builds a dam from sticks and leaves!
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.
Caribou
Males and females grow antlers
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!
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 European Adder
European adders are the only snake that lives above the Arctic Circle.
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!
Drever
Uncommon outside of Europe!
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!
Ermine
A very bold and ferocious predator!
Eurasian Jay
The Eurasian jay has the ability to mimic other sounds
Eurasian Nuthatch
Its song has been compared to a toy horn.
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!
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!
Grey Heron
Male grey herons are picky about their mates. They'll reject a female that they don't fancy.
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!
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!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Loach
Have sharp spines below their eyes
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!
Moose
Renews it's enormous antlers every year!
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!
Natterjack
Can lay up to 7500 eggs
Neanderthal
Roamed Asia and Europe for around 100,000 years!
Newt
Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!
Night Heron
When they feel threatened juvenile night herons vomit their stomach contents.
Nightingale
Named more than 1,000 years ago!
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
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
Pike Fish
Apex freshwater predators with fearsome teeth!
Pine Marten
A pine marten can jump from tree to tree similar to a squirrel.
Polar Bear
Could be extinct within the next 30 years!
Pond Skater
There are 500 different species!
Pool Frog
The rarest amphibian in the UK!
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Porpoise
Surprisingly, not a dolphin!
Puffin
Can remain in the water for up to 2 minutes!
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!
Reindeer
Also known as the Caribou
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.
Ural owl
The Ural owl can rotate its head up to 270 degrees
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!
White-Tailed Eagle
It is one of the biggest birds of prey.
Wild Boar
Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!
Willow Warbler
This bird molts twice a year.
Wolf
Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Wolverine
Releases a strong smelling musk in defence!
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!
Woolly Rhinoceros
The woolly rhinoceros roamed the earth between three and a half million and 14,000 years ago.
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Zebra Mussels
A female zebra mussel can deposit 30,000 to 1,000,000 eggs each year!
Swedish Animals List
- Angora Ferret
- Ant
- Arctic Fox
- Armyworm
- Aurochs
- Avocet
- Badger
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Beaver
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Brown-banded Cockroach
- Brown Bear
- Brown Dog Tick
- Bumblebee
- Butterfly
- Camel Cricket
- Caribou
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chamois
- Chicken
- Cockroach
- Codling Moth
- Common Buzzard
- Common European Adder
- 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
- Drever
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Edible Frog
- Eel
- Ermine
- Eurasian Jay
- Eurasian Nuthatch
- European Robin
- Falcon
- Fallow deer
- 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
- Grey Heron
- Hamster
- Hare
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Highland Cattle
- Honey Bee
- Honey Buzzard
- Hoopoe
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntsman Spider
- Insects
- Jumping Spider
- Kingfisher
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Lemming
- Lizard
- Loach
- Locust
- Long-Eared Owl
- Long-Tailed Tit
- Magpie
- Marsh Frog
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mongrel
- Moorhen
- Moose
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Mule
- Natterjack
- Neanderthal
- Newt
- Night Heron
- Nightingale
- No See Ums
- Orb Weaver
- Ortolan Bunting
- Otter
- Owl
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pig
- Pigeon
- Pika
- Pike Fish
- Pine Marten
- Polar Bear
- Pond Skater
- Pool Frog
- Porcupine
- Porpoise
- Puffin
- Purple Emperor Butterfly
- Puss Moth
- Quail
- Rabbit
- Raccoon
- Raccoon Dog
- Rat
- Reindeer
- 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
- Swedish Vallhund
- Tawny Owl
- Termite
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tiger Moth
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Ural owl
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Vole
- Weasel
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- White-Tailed Eagle
- Wild Boar
- Willow Warbler
- Wolf
- Wolf Spider
- Wolverine
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Woodpecker
- Woolly Rhinoceros
- Worm
- Zebra Mussels
Animals in Sweden FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Animals Live in Sweden?
Sweden’s animals thrive in cool, wintry conditions. You can expect to see moose, beavers and gray wolves. Sweden has arctic foxes and red foxes.
Reindeer are native to Sweden. So are red deer, fallow deer and roe deer.
Frogs, newts and toads are among the reptiles you’ll find. Its small mammals include lemmings, pine martens and squirrels.
Gray seals, harbor seals and ringed seals swim in Sweden’s coastal waters.
Besides wildlife, Sweden has domestic animals, including goats, sheep and donkeys. The Yule goat is an important part of Swedish Christmas celebrations.
Sweden has Europe’s highest rate of insurance for domestic pets. More than 50% of cats, dogs and horses have pet insurance.
How Many Animals Are There in Sweden?
Sweden has many unique native animals, including:
- 73 mammal species.
- 240 breeding birds and 60 non-breeding birds.
- 12 species of amphibian and 6 of reptile.
- 56 freshwater fish.
- Over 100 marine animals.
What Dangerous Animals Live in Sweden?
There are few animal attacks on humans in Sweden. There are no recorded deaths from wild boars, wolverines, lynxes or wolves.
Wasp: Wasps kill more humans than any other animal in Sweden. About one person dies each year from a wasp sting.
Brown bear: Although bears won’t seek people out to attack them, they are aggressive fighters. If they feel threatened, they will attack and kill. Official reports note that bears have been involved in 61 attacks on humans from 1977 to 2019. These usually occurred during hunting trips.
Does Sweden Have Poisonous Snakes?
Sweden is home to the common European adder (Vipera berus). It is the only poisonous snake in Sweden. Its bite is usually not fatal, but it is very painful.
