Animals in Brazil

Below you can find a complete list of Brazilian animals. We currently track 152 animals in Brazil and are adding more every day!

You can see many exotic animals in Brazil if you visit the forests, savannahs, and wetlands as each has different wildlife living in them. Brazil has one of the highest numbers of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates of any country in the world. At least 524 species of mammals, 3,000 fish species, and 78 species of primates. Additionally, there are at least 517 amphibian species, 3,150 butterfly species, and 1,622 bird species. There are over 200 endangered species in the country, with over 80% of them living in the Atlantic Forest. Yet, over 90% of this forest has been cleared. Poaching remains a massive problem in the country.

The Official National Animal of Brazil

Brazil does not have an official national animal. Yet, many people consider it the jaguar, which is also called the Brazilian panther. This national animal is seen as the top animal of the forest ecosystem. It is a solitary animal that quietly stalks its prey. In many ways, the national animal is like the people of Brazil. The country tends to be very independent and takes great pride in its territorial resources.

Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Brazil

Tourists often come to Brazil to see the top wildlife. Unfortunately, some of the weird and unique animals are in danger of becoming extinct. These unique animals include:

• Jaguar –The jaguar lives in various ecosystems in Brazil, including rainforests, savannas, and grasslands. Look for them in the Amazon Basin and the Brazilian Pantanal.
• Giant armadillo – You can find this elusive animal in many areas of Brazil, including the Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Cerrado biomes. Still, it may be going extinct in the southern part of Brazil.
• Brazilian tapir – This species of the rhinoceros family is in great danger of going extinct, but look for them in the Pantanal.
• Giant anteater – You can find giant anteaters in many parts of Brazil, including Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Minas Gerais and the Federal District.
• Maned wolf – You may be able to catch a glimpse of this solitary nocturnal hunter in Brazil’s grasslands, scrub prairies, forests, or savannas, especially in the Carrado.
• Giant otter – This animal lives along creeks and rivers in the Amazon rainforest
• Ocelot – Look for ocelots stalking prey from trees or grasslands in the Amazon Rainforest.
• Common marmoset – This small primate that seldom grows to be over 7-inches tall lives in Sugarloaf Mountain and Tijuca National Park.
• Capybara – Look for capybaras, the largest member of the rodent family in many locations, including the Amazon Rainforest and city rivers.
• Southern Tamandua – Look for southern tamanduas dining on insects in the tropical forests, mangroves, and savannas, like the Brazilian Pantanal.

The Most Dangerous Animals In Brazil Today

Most people visit Brazil and have no trouble with its unique animals. Of course, you will want to avoid visiting Ilha da Queimada Grande because it has the world’s highest concentration of poisonous snakes, and people are forbidden to go there. Yet, there are a few dangerous animals that you will want to be careful of encountering. In most cases, it is not the weird or unique animals that are dangerous, but those that live in residential areas.

• Dogs – Approximately 544,000 people are bitten annually by dogs in Brazil.
• Cats – Approximately 86,500 people are bitten annually by cats. Additionally, their scratches can cause deadly fungus diseases.
• Bats – Approximately 4,900 people are bitten annually by bats.
• Primates – Different primates bite about 4,000 people annually.

Endangered Animals In Brazil

Brazil is home to many endangered animals. The vast majority of them are found in the Amazon Rainforest. Many of these amazing and weird animals live nowhere else on earth. They include:

• Glaucous macaw
• Brumback’s night monkey
• Nancy Ma’s night monkey
• Blue-throated macaw
• White-bellied spider monkey
• Variegated spider monkey
• White-cheeked spider monkey
• Carabaya stubfoot toad
• Quito stubfoot toad
• San Martin titi monkey
• Ka’apor capuchin
• Amazon giant glass frog
• White-nosed saki

Brazilian Animals

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Anteater

Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere!

Arapaima

One of the largest freshwater fish

Armadillo

Can curl into a hard, protective ball!

Banjo Catfish

The banjo catfish is extremely shy and known for hiding from onlookers.

Barb

There are over 2,000 known species!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

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!

Brazilian Terrier

Small body and tri-coloured coat!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 species!

Caiman

Can grow to up 6 meters long!

Caiman Lizard

Caiman lizards are among the largest lizards.

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.

Capybara

Excellent at both diving and swimming

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!

Cichlid

There are more than 2 000 known species!

Coati

Found in dense forests and wet jungles!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Collared Peccary

Form bands of up to 12 individuals!

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

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Discus

One of the only schooling Cichlids!

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!

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eel

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

Electric Eel

Can generate a 500 volt electric shock!

Emperor Tamarin

Has an elegant white moustache!

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fallow deer

The fallow deer has more variation in its coat colors than most other deer.

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Giant Armadillo

Armadillos have a smell that’s described as strong, sweet and acrid.

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Golden Lion Tamarin

Native to the eastern rainforests of Brazil!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Guppy

Also known as the Millionfish!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Harpy Eagle

Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!

Hercules Beetle

This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Horned Frog

Natively found in South America!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

Horsefly

Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.

Howler Monkey

Spends 80% of it's time resting!

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Hummingbird

Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!

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!

Iguana

Uses visual signals to communicate!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jaguar

The largest feline on the American continent!

Kinder Goat

Best jumper of all goats

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Kinkajou

The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America.

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Locust

Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

Mallard

With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day

Maned Wolf

Despite its name, the Maned Wolf is not actually a wolf.

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

Some colonies have millions of bats

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Molly

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mountain Lion

Has no real natural predators!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Ocelot

Also known as the Painted Leopard!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Panther

Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pied Tamarin

Only found in one area of Brazil!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)

Also known as the 'Pink Dolphin'

Piranha

Generally found in fast-flowing streams!

Poison Dart Frog

Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Puma

Has longer back legs than front legs!

Pygmy Marmoset

The smallest species of monkey in the world!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Quetzal

The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!

Raccoon

Known to wash their food before eating it!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Rattlesnake

It's venom digests it's prey before it even swallows it!

Red-handed Tamarin

Red hair on hands on feet!

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Roseate Spoonbill

The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Canines up to 7 inches long!

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Scarlet Macaw

Like many parrots, the scarlet macaw is capable of vocal mimicry.

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

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!

Silver Dollar

Closely related to the Piranha

Skink Lizard

Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.

Skunk

Also known as the Polecat!

Sloth

It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snapping Turtle

Only found in North America!

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Monkey

Found in the tropical jungles of South America!

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Squirrel Monkey

Lives in groups of up to 500 individuals!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tapir

Most closely related to horses and rhinos!

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Tetra

Native to the freshwater streams of South America!

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Toucan

There are more than 40 different species!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Uakari

Have a very short tail for their size!

Umbrellabird

Migrates up and down the mountains!

Vampire Bat

Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Wood Turtle

Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs

Woodlouse

Actually a crustacean, not an insect!

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Woolly Monkey

Has a long, strong prehensile tail!

X-Ray Tetra

Yellow, black and white striped fins!

Brazilian Animals List