Below you can find a complete list of Oceanian animals. We currently track 215 animals in Oceania and are adding more every day!
Oceania is a geographic region consisting of many large and small islands. These include Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and other islands of the Pacific.
This region is known for its unique and sometimes bizarre wildlife, as well as its dangerous animals. Keep reading to discover some of the coolest animals in the world!
Oceania Wildlife Summary
Oceania is known for its unique wildlife. It has the world’s highest concentration of marsupials, animals like the kangaroo, koala, and wombat that carry their young in a pouch. Monotremes also live in this area. They are the only mammals in the world that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.
Tropical weather makes Oceania suitable for many parrots and other colorful birds. Some of the islands are home to birds of paradise, the males of which have bright colors, long, usual feathers, and elaborate mating dances. Flightless birds include the large emu and cassowary and the small brown kiwi.
Oceania is also home to some of the most dangerous wildlife in the world. In the oceans are sharks, poisonous fish and octopi, and jellyfish. On land are venomous snakes and spiders. The toothy saltwater crocodile inhabits both realms.
The Official National Animals of Oceania
Oceania is made up of many countries, each of which has its own national animals. In Australia, the national animal is the red kangaroo, and the national bird is the emu. In Indonesia, the Komodo dragon is the national animal. Indonesia’s national bird is the mythical garuda, which could be based on the kite or eagle. New Zealand’s national animal is the kiwi, and Papua New Guinea’s is the dugong.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Oceania
One of the best things about Oceania is that you can see wildlife everywhere. In Australia, for example, grey kangaroos and wallabies commonly wander into suburban backyards. Lorikeets, cockatoos, and butcher birds may perch overhead as you dine at an outdoor cafe. At certain times of the year, you can view humpback whales from the beach. A huge huntsman spider may even run across the window of your car! In Papua New Guinea, don’t be surprised to find a gecko in your hotel room or a flock of flying foxes in the trees above.
You can also visit zoos or hiking trails to see specific animals. Australia Zoo is a popular attraction that allows you to view many species native to Australia, Oceania, and continents around the world. Oceanic species include fresh and saltwater crocodiles, wombats, dingoes, echidnas, and Tasmanian devils. You can even feed and pet grey kangaroos! Australia Zoo was famously founded by Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, and it is still operated by his wife and children.
Other fantastic zoos and wildlife parks are located throughout Oceania. In Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for example, there are two fine wildlife parks – the Port Moresby Nature Park and Adventure Park PNG. Wild flying fox bats roost overhead. Aviaries are filled with birds of paradise and giant Victoria crowned pigeons. You can also view crocodiles feeding, cassowaries, and rare tree kangaroos.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Oceania Today
Oceania is famous for its host of dangerous animals. In the ocean, watch out for saltwater crocodiles, great white sharks, blue-ringed octopus, stonefish, lionfish, cone shells, box jellyfish, and man-o-wars.
On land, there are venomous animals that vary depending on the location. Some include the common brown snake, tiger snake, Sydney funnel-web spider, redback spider, and jack jumper ants.
The cassowary has been called the “world’s most dangerous bird,” and the Komodo dragon has also been responsible for human fatalities.
While many dangerous animals call Oceania home, keep in mind that wildlife attacks are still rare. When people are educated about native wildlife and potential dangers, they are usually able to keep a safe distance and live in peace with the animals.
Endangered Animals In Oceania
Many Oceania animal species are endemic or native to just one or a few small islands. With limited range and habitat, these animals can easily become endangered of becoming extinct.
Tasmania, for example, is a refuge to many endangered species that once roamed Australia. This southern, heart-shaped island avoided colonization by some invasive species, such as the dingo. Without competition from feral animals, endangered Tasmanian devils, wedge-tailed eagles, and others continue to survive.
The island of New Guinea is also home to many endangered species, including rare and beautiful birds. Endangered tree kangaroos, pademelons, and the Queen Alexandra birdwing butterfly – the largest butterfly in the world – also live there.
There are also a number of famous extinct animals from Oceania. The thylacine or Tasmanian tiger is perhaps the most famous.
Other well-known extinct animals from this region include the Moa, dwarf emu, dodo bird, and numerous reptiles, bats, birds, and mollusks.
Oceanian Countries Animals Lists
Click any of the countries below to see a detailed list of animals located in that country!
Oceanian Animals
Albatross
The largest wingspan of any bird in the world!
Angora Goat
Each adult Angora goat produces about 12 inches of mohair annually while kids have about 8 inches.
Ant
First evolved 100 million years ago!
Australian Bulldog
The Aussie is a strong swimmer, a good workout in nice weather.
Australian Cattle Dog
High energy levels and active minds!
Australian Gecko
Geckos have 100 teeth and continually replace them.
Australian Kelpie Dog
Friendly, intelligent and energetic!
Australian Labradoodle
The "Australian" just refers to where the breed originated
Australian Mist
First bred in the 1700s!
Australian Shepherd
Sweet, faithful and affectionate!
Australian Terrier
Spirited, alert and courageous!
Avocet
Has a curved, upturned beak!
Banana Spider
People spin clothing and fishing nets out of these spiders’ silk.
Bandicoot
Bandicoot Many species are endangered or extinct!
Barn Owl
Found everywhere around the world!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!
Beaglier
These dogs have great sniffer abilities
Bearded Dragon
Can grow to up 24 inches long!
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
Bichpoo
Despite its small size, the alert nature and sharp bark of this canine make it a good watch dog.
Bilby
In Australia, the chocolate bilby replaces the chocolate bunny for Easter.
Bird
Not all birds are able to fly!
Bird Of Paradise
There are around 50 different species!
Biscuit Beetle
The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast
Black Widow Spider
They typically prey on insects!
Budgerigar
Natively found in Australia!
Burrowing Frog
Found close to marshes, streams and lakes!
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 20,000 species!
Camel
Can survive without water for 10 months!
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!
Cashmere Goat
Cashmere goat are named after Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan
Cassowary
Can reach speeds of 30mph!
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!
Chicken
First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!
Christmas Island Red Crab
During the breeding season, roads can dangerous for cars as well as the crab. Their shells are so hard they can puncture tires.
Cicada
Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans
Cockatiel
They have crests that rise or fall depending on their emotions
Cockatoo
Highly social, smart, and chatty bird.
Cockroach
Dated to be around 300 million years old!
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.
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!
Crested Penguin
Has long yellow eyebrows!
Cricket
Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together
Crocodile
Have changed little in 200 million years!
Crow
A group of these birds is called a Murder.
Cuscus
Has a long, strong prehensile tail!
Deathwatch Beetle
The adult deathwatch beetle taps on the wood to find a mate.
Dingo
Natively found on the Australian continent!
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!
Dung Beetle
The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight
Earthworm
They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs
Earwig
There are nearly 2,000 different species!
Echidna
Also known as the Spiny Anteater!
Eel
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Emu
The largest bird in Australia!
Ermine
A very bold and ferocious predator!
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
Fiddler Crab
The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.
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!
Frilled Lizard
Mainly lives in the trees!
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Bat
Among the largest bats in the world
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
Glow Worm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Golden Masked Owl
While flying high above this owl can hear a mouse moving in the tall grass of field!
Gouldian Finch
The male Gouldian finch bobs its head and fluffs its feathers to court a female.
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Green Tree Frog
Green tree frogs breathe through their skin
Hamster
Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!
Hare
Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!
Heron
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Highland Cattle
Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!
Honey Bee
There are only 8 recognized species!
Hornbill
The bird has a massive horn on its bill!
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!
Huntaway
Huntaways have a strong instinct for herding.
Huntsman Spider
Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.
Ibis
Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!
Insects
There are an estimated 30 million species!
Jacana
The jacana has the ability to swim underwater
Kakapo
The heaviest species of parrot in the world!
Kangaroo
Females have a deep pouch on their front!
Kiko Goat
Kiko goats breed year-round, and they are not good at defending themselves.
Kiwi
Only found in the forests of New Zealand!
Koala
Spends up to 80% of the time sleeping or resting!
Kookaburra
The laughing kookaburra is one of four kookaburra species.
Koolie
The name "koolie" comes from the German mispronunciation of "collie."
Labradoodle
Friendly and energetic mix-breed!
Ladybug
There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Little Penguin
The smallest species of penguin!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Locust
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Lorikeet
The lorikeet has a long brush-like tongue with fine hairs on it
Lungfish
The lungfish first evolved almost 400 million years ago.
Lyrebird
Lyrebirds mimic birds of prey to deter predators such as birds of prey.
Magpie
They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!
Mallard
With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day
Maltese Shih Tzu
Both parent breeds, the Maltese and Shih Tzu, once entertained royalty
Marine Toad
Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!
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.
Monarch Butterfly
During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.
Mongrel
Has characteristics of two or more breeds!
Monitor Lizard
Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!
Monkey
There are around 260 known species!
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!
Myna Bird
For a nice price, the mynah bird makes a good pet.
Nicobar pigeon
Unlike other pigeons, Nicobar pigeons don't fly in haphazard flocks but in columns or single file.
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Numbat
There are less than 1,000 left in the wild!
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Pademelon
Inhabits the jungles of the far east!
Parakeet
Monk parakeets are the only parakeets that actually build nests. They’re also the only parakeets to nest in great colonies.
Parrot
Can live for up to 100 years!
Peacock Spider
They can jump up to 10 centimeters (40 times their body size) and see the full rainbow spectrum of light, including UV.
Peregrine Falcon
Fastest animal on Earth
Pheasant
Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!
Pigeon
They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.
Platypus
One of the only mammals to lay eggs!
Poochon
The Poochon was first bred in Australia.
Possum
There are 69 species on the Australian continent!
Potoroo
They can carry items with their tail.
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Quail
Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!
Quokka
Makes runways through the long grasses!
Quoll
Found across Australia and Papua New Guinea!
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Red Fox
The red fox actually has many different variations of fur, including silver and brown.
Redback Spider
The redback spiders found in New Caledonia differ from other populations in that they don’t practice sexual cannibalism and don’t bite people as much.
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
Robin
There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!
Rockhopper Penguin
There are 3 different species!
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.
Rooster
Will mate with the entire flock!
Sand Crab
The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail
Savanna Goat
Savanna goats have only existed since 1957.
Scorpion
There are around 2,000 known species!
Sea Dragon
Inhabits tropical coastal waters of Australia!
Sea Eagle
The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner
Seagull
Some gulls are capable of using tools
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!
Silky Terrier
Silky terriers can be trained to participate in many events, including herding, agility, rally, tracking and fly ball.
Skink Lizard
Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.
Slug
They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce
Snail
There are nearly 1,000 different species!
Snake
There are around 3,000 known species worldwide
Sparrow
There are 140 different species!
Spider Wasp
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
Stick Insect
There are more than 3,000 different species!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
Striped Rocket Frog
Long powerful hind legs!
Swan
Populations have been affected by pollution!
Tarantula Hawk
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.
Tarsier
Each eye weighs more than their whole brain!
Tasmanian Devil
Exclusively found on the island of Tasmania!
Tasmanian Tiger
The Tasmanian tiger could open its mouth almost 90 degrees.
Tenterfield Terrier
These terriers have quick minds and fast feet making them excellent for agility competitions.
Termite
Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!
Terrier
Terriers were once the greatest dogs in the world.
Thorny Devil
Found only on mainland Australia!
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
Tortoise
Can live until they are more than 150 years old!
Tree Frog
Found in warmer jungles and forests!
Tree Kangaroo
It’s the only macropod that lives in trees.
Tuatara
Only found on a few of New Zealand's islands!
Turtles
Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.
Wallaby
There are roughly 30 different species!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
Water Buffalo
Has been domesticated for thousands of years!
Water Dragon
Spends most of it's time in the trees!
White Butterfly
This butterfly determines the smell and taste of a flower with its feet.
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Wombat
Spends most of the day underground!
Woodlouse
This animal can roll up into a ball
Woodlouse Spider
Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
Yellow-Eyed Penguin
The rarest species of penguin!
Zebra Finch
The male zebra finch creates a unique song by drawing inspiration from its parent or tutor
Oceanian Animals List
- Albatross
- Angora Goat
- Ant
- Australian Bulldog
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Gecko
- Australian Kelpie Dog
- Australian Labradoodle
- Australian Mist
- Australian Shepherd
- Australian Terrier
- Avocet
- Banana Spider
- Bandicoot
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Beaglier
- Bearded Dragon
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bichpoo
- Bilby
- Bird
- Bird Of Paradise
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Budgerigar
- Burrowing Frog
- Butterfly
- Camel
- Camel Cricket
- Carpenter Ant
- Cashmere Goat
- Cassowary
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Christmas Island Red Crab
- Cicada
- Cockatiel
- Cockatoo
- Cockroach
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Crane
- Crested Penguin
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Cuscus
- Deathwatch Beetle
- Dingo
- Dog
- Donkey
- Dragonfly
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Echidna
- Eel
- Emu
- Ermine
- Falcon
- Fallow deer
- False Widow Spider
- Fiddler Crab
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Frilled Lizard
- Frog
- Fruit Bat
- Fruit Fly
- Gecko
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Golden Masked Owl
- Gouldian Finch
- Grasshopper
- Green Tree Frog
- Hamster
- Hare
- Heron
- Highland Cattle
- Honey Bee
- Hornbill
- Horse
- Horsefly
- Housefly
- Human
- Huntaway
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Insects
- Jacana
- Kakapo
- Kangaroo
- Kiko Goat
- Kiwi
- Koala
- Kookaburra
- Koolie
- Labradoodle
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Little Penguin
- Lizard
- Locust
- Lorikeet
- Lungfish
- Lyrebird
- Magpie
- Mallard
- Maltese Shih Tzu
- Marine Toad
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mole Cricket
- Monarch Butterfly
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mouse
- Myna Bird
- Nicobar pigeon
- No See Ums
- Numbat
- Orb Weaver
- Otter
- Pademelon
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Peacock Spider
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pigeon
- Platypus
- Poochon
- Possum
- Potoroo
- Praying Mantis
- Quail
- Quokka
- Quoll
- Rat
- Red Fox
- Redback Spider
- River Turtle
- Robin
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Sand Crab
- Savanna Goat
- Scorpion
- Sea Dragon
- Sea Eagle
- Seagull
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Silky Terrier
- Skink Lizard
- Slug
- Snail
- Snake
- Sparrow
- Spider Wasp
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Striped Rocket Frog
- Swan
- Tarantula Hawk
- Tarsier
- Tasmanian Devil
- Tasmanian Tiger
- Tenterfield Terrier
- Termite
- Terrier
- Thorny Devil
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Tree Frog
- Tree Kangaroo
- Tuatara
- Turtles
- Wallaby
- Wasp
- Water Buffalo
- Water Dragon
- White Butterfly
- Wolf Spider
- Wombat
- Woodlouse
- Woodlouse Spider
- Worm
- Yellow-Eyed Penguin
- Zebra Finch
Animals in Oceania FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Animals Live in Oceania?
Oceania is home to all types of animals – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and birds. Some of the animals are very unique – marsupials that carry their babies in pouches and monotremes (echidnas and the duck-billed platypus) that lay eggs.
Which Animals Can You See in Oceania, Specifically Australia?
Popular animals include kangaroos, wallabies, dingos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, crocodiles, large fruit bats, koalas, and dingos. Whale watching is also popular. Australia is one of the few countries in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
How Many Species of Animals Live in Oceania?
Hundreds of thousands of animal species live in Oceania. In Australia alone, scientists estimate that there are 250 native mammal species, 550 species of birds, 680 different types of reptiles, 190 species of frogs, and more than 2,000 species of fish. Even more unique species live on Oceania’s other islands.
