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Animals in Fiji

Below you can find a complete list of Fijian animals. We currently track 91 animals in Fiji and are adding more every day!

The Fiji Islands are as close as an island oasis as it gets. Swaying hammocks, coconut trees, vibrant culture, and fascinating villages and people. Fiji rests in the South Pacific. Over 330 islands make up Fiji. On its borders are New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand.

Fiji hosts many of the world’s most preserved rainforests. And, of course, there are the jungle and wild animals that start where the bright beaches end. There are over 160 species of unique animals. Many of those specific to Fiji and found nowhere else in the world.

The Official National Animal of Fiji

Fiji’s national animal is the Collared Lory. This is a beautifully colored parrot that’s endemic to the islands of Fiji.

The national animals are easily recognized by their brilliant reds, lime greens, purples, orange-yellow bill, dim purple crown, and (wait for it!) pink-orange feet.

Spotted on rare occasions in cultivated fields, the exotic bird prefers the tropical or subtropical moist wooded lowland areas. The Collared Lory usually makes its home in deeply forested Fiji regions, surrounded by flowering trees. But bird watchers will also find them flying over gardens with coconut palms or see them on plantations and the tree-lined streets of Suava.

In the coconut palms, you’ll spot the Collared Lory performing fluttering hops, alighting out of the fronds, to descend through the stalks. These are energized wild animals, always moving, flying branch to branch or flower to flower. Its rapid wingbeats fill the air with a whirring noise.

The bird feeds on fruits, seeds, blossoms, nectar and caterpillars. The animals eat upside down.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Fiji

Fiji boasts a broad range of unique animals out there in the wild. Here are some of the wildlife you can expect to come across on the Fiji Islands.

  • Turtles – There are five species of turtles to enjoy here. You can find them almost anywhere but especially if you take a tour.
  • Fijian Monkey-Faced Flying Fox – One of the many unique animals you’ll find on the islands, this animal is on the list of potentially extinct animals. The only spot where you’ll find the Fijian Monkey-Faced Flying Fox is in the mountains of Taveuni Island.
  • Mongoose – You can find various types of land animals along the coasts of Fiji, including the mongoose, wildlife introduced to the islands to manage the rodent population.
  • Bolo Snake – You’ll find the bolo snake on the Viti Levu Island. But don’t get too close. These exotic reptiles are dangerous animals.
  • Woodswallow – Cut out the Lau and Kadavu Islands and you’ll find the woodswallow almost anywhere in Fiji. Bird lovers get a real kick out of these beautiful animals.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Fiji Today

It’s often amazing to think how some animals can be flat-out dangerous. The haven of beauty that is the Fiji Islands is no different. Among its many wonders are threats you want to keep away from.

  • Banded Sea Krait: Noted for its black and white banded skin, the sea krait lives in the waters of Fiju’s lagoons and shores. They’re not aggressive but will bite if provoked. They have a wide bite and venom 20 times more powerful than other land snakes.
  • Lionfish: Along with the Scorpionfish and stonefish, the lionfish has a venom that you want nothing to do with. They inject their poison with dorsal, pointy spikes on their backs. The spikes look frail but easily pierce wetsuits, gloves, and booties. They’re docile but steer clear of them.
  • Saltwater Crocodile: Fijians consider the saltwater crocs the most dangerous animals on the islands. They are extremely aggressive and ready to make you extinct.
  • Box Jellyfish: The box jellyfish takes its 10 feet long tentacles and uses them to detonate up to a half-million explosive cells on your skin. These cells erupt like darts, injecting a potent cocktail that attacks the heart and nervous system.

Endangered Animals in Fiji

Fiji is home to a range of dangerous animals, unspoiled animals, and unique animals. But the islands also host a range of endangered animals. The possibility of these animals one day being extinct is unfortunate. Here’s a list of species of endangered animals in the Fiji Islands.

Fijian Animals

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Budgerigar

Natively found in Australia!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 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.

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!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

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!

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

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!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

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.

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

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!

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!

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Possum

There are 69 species on the Australian continent!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

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.

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

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Striped Rocket Frog

Long powerful hind legs!

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

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!

Turtles

Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

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!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Woodlouse

This animal can roll up into a ball

Fijian Animals List

Animals in Fiji FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kind of animals live in Fiji?

Fiji’s flora includes mangroves, hardwood trees, bamboo, and palm trees. That makes the islands perfect for mammals like skinks and bats. You’ll find reptiles like iguanas, a variety of snakes, lizards, and fish. There are over 160 species of bird. You can also find Bar owls, ants, dogs, magpies, stick insects, and much more.

What dangerous animals live in Fiji?

A wide variety of dangerous animals live in Fiji’s waters. There’s the yellow-lipped sea krait, the blue-ringed octopus, a variety of jellyfish, and the cane toad. On land, you can find the saltwater crocodile.

Are there bears in Fiji?

The Bula brown bear inhabits the Ovalau Island. They have been slowly growing in population since the turn of the 21st century.

Does Fiji have snakes?

Yes, there are plenty of snakes, both marine and terrestrial, in Fiji. The bolo snake is endemic to Fiji. There’s also the Pacific boa, a constrictor. You’ll find most snakes living in the waters.

How many fish are in Fiji?

With over 330 islands, there’s a lot of water in the region. That probably makes fish the prevalent lifeform here. In fact, outside of humans, the islands contain few mammals.

What animals are unique to the Fiji Islands?

There are a variety of exotic animals in Fiji. You have the orange fruit dove, the Fiji Crested Iguana, the Pink-billed Parrotfinch, and the Rotuma Forst Gecko.

What animals live in the coral reef in Fiji?

The wildlife in the coral reefs includes butterfly fish, angelfish, the Napoleon wrasseacks, treallies, parrotfish, damselfish, surgeonfish, sweetlips, and stingrays. There are only a few species of mammals.