Palau

The Republic of Palau is located in the western Pacific in Asia, and it has a wealth of animals. The country is made of over 340 islands, and the population has close relationships and deals with other countries such as the United States. Palau has over 1,500 species of fish in its various bodies of water along with hundreds of birds and a handful of mammals.

The National Animal of Palau

The Palau fruit dove is the national animal of Palau. This birds’ species is Ptilinopus pelewensis. This bird measures about 9 to 10 inches long and weighs about 3 ounces. This bird is naturally found on many of the islands that make up Palau, and they’re a protected species with a high population.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Palau

Despite being a very small country, Palau is home to some very dangerous animals. The most dangerous animals in Palau include:

• The blue-ringed octopus– a cephalopod that lives from the Sea of Japan to the southern shores of Australia. These creatures produce a powerful venom capable of killing humans and other animals.
• Saltwater crocodile- a large reptile with an extremely powerful bite that kills roughly 1,000 people per year around the world.
• Yellow-lipped sea krait- a sea snake that uses a powerful neurotoxin to hunt. They spend a fair amount of time on land, and their bites can cause significant harm if not properly treated.

These are the three most dangerous animals in the country, but they’re not the only ones.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in the Nation

The best place to find the wild animals in Palau is by going to the Ngardok Nature Reserve. This area was established in 2017 and covers 4 hectares of land. The nature reserve protects over 70 species of animals. However, this is a protected area, so it may not be open to the public.

People can also find interesting sea animals at the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, a 457,000 square kilometer area focusing on protecting the local wildlife.

Zoos in the Country

While Palau has few, if any, official zoos on its many islands, it does have an aquarium. The Palau Aquarium has five tanks focusing on different marine environments to demonstrate the diversity of the animals in the region. They include mangroves, seagrass, inner reef, reef crest, and outer reef areas.

Endangered Animals in the Palau

Several endangered animals live in Palau. They include:

• Hawksbill sea turtle
• Dugong
• Large Palau flying fox
• Acropora coral
• Crab-eating macaque

Palau is home to a wide assortment of different animals. Some of them are dangerous, and some of them are even endangered. This small Pacific country has a few unique areas where a person can seek wildlife. However, it’s best to contact locals to find out what permissions an individual needs to legally visit them.  

Animals

Nematode

Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long

Animals List