Below you can find a complete list of Brazilian animals. We currently track 243 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
Amazon Parrot
These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech
Anaconda
They are the heaviest snake in the world
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!
Armyworm
They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food
Banjo Catfish
The banjo catfish is extremely shy and known for hiding from onlookers.
Barb
There are over 1768 known species!
Barn Owl
Found everywhere around the world!
Barn Swallow
Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.
Bat
Detects prey using echolocation!
Bear
There are 8 different species!
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!
Blind Snake
The blind snake is often mistaken for a worm.
Bobolink
In spring, the male bobolink is the only North American bird who is dark below and light colored above. This makes identification easy.
Brazilian Terrier
Small body and tri-coloured coat!
Brown Dog Tick
Can live its entire life indoors
Burrowing Owl
The burrowing owl lives in underground burrows
Butterfly
There are thought to be up 20,000 species!
Caecilian
Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin
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
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!
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!
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.
Coral Snake
There are over 80 species of coral snake worldwide.
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
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.
Discus
One of the only schooling Cichlids!
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!
Dubia Cockroach
The most popular species of feeder roach
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!
Eel
Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!
Electric Eel
Despite its powerful shock, electric eels have terrible vision.
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.
False coral snake
The false coral snake mimics both the coral snake and the cobra to scare away predators
False Water Cobra
There are several color morphs, including lavender!
False Widow Spider
False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders
Fer-de-lance Snake
The Most Dangerous Snake in the Americas
Fiddler Crab
The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.
Fila Brasileiro
The breed has a unique, cat-like gait, while females have a finer gait than males.
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!
Frog
There are around 7,000 different species!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world
Gecko
There are thought to be over 2,000 species!
German Cockroach
The most common type of urban roach
Giant Armadillo
Armadillos have a smell that’s described as strong, sweet and acrid.
Glow Worm
Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!
Gnat
Males form large mating swarms at dusk
Golden Lancehead
Golden lancehead snakes climb trees to prey on birds.
Golden Lion Tamarin
Native to the eastern rainforests of Brazil!
Grasshopper
There are 11,000 known species!
Green Anaconda
Females are often five times longer than males.
Grouper
Many grouper can change their sex, and it is always from female to male.
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!
Harris Hawk
Their vision is eight times better than a human's
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.
Hercules Beetle
This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.
Heron
Inhabits wetlands around the world!
Hognose snake
Prima Donnas of the Snake 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.
House wren
The wren’s epithet, aedon, comes from a Greek queen who accidentally killed her only son. She was actually aiming for her nephew, and Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a nightingale.
Housefly
The fly has no teeth
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!
Jacana
The jacana has the ability to swim underwater
Jaguar
The largest feline on the American continent!
Jumping Spider
Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies
Kinder Goat
Best jumper of all goats
King Vulture
The king vulture is the second largest New World vulture species
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!
Leech
Has 10 pairs of eyes!
Lizard
There are around 5,000 different species!
Lizardfish
The lizardfish can camouflage itself against the sandy bottom to avoid predators.
Locust
Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.
Lone Star Tick
Only females have the ‘lone star’ marking
Macaw
The largest species of parrot in the world!
Maggot
Will only live in wet areas
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!
Mealybug
They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Mexican Eagle (Northern crested caracara)
The northern crested caracara mates for life with its partner
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
Some colonies have millions of bats
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.
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!
Mosquito
Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood
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!
Needlefish
no stomach to digest food
No See Ums
There are more than 5,000 species.
Ocelot
Also known as the Painted Leopard!
Orb Weaver
Females are about four times the size of males
Oscar Fish
The Oscar fish has teeth in its throat!
Otter
There are 13 different species worldwide
Owl
The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees
Panther
Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!
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!
Parrotlet
Parrotlets aren't the world's tiniest parrot — that would be the pygmy parrot of Australasia.
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!
Platinum Arowana
The male broods the eggs and baby fish in his mouth.
Poison Dart Frog
Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!
Polka Dot Stingray
Can detect electrical fields from other creatures
Porcupine
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Praying Mantis
The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.
Puma
Has longer back legs than front legs!
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!
Rainbow Boa
The rainbow boa is named for its iridescent skin that refracts light and creates a rainbow-colored effect.
Rat
Omnivores that eat anything!
Rat Snakes
Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.
Rattlesnake
It's venom digests it's prey before it even swallows it!
Red-handed Tamarin
Red hair on hands on feet!
Redtail Catfish
One of three giant catfish species
River Turtle
Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!
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!
Roseate Spoonbill
The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!
Saber-Toothed Tiger
Canines up to 7 inches long!
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
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!
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!
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!
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
Snapping Turtle
Only found in North America!
Sparrow
There are 140 different species!
Spider Monkey
Found in the tropical jungles of South America!
Spider Wasp
They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.
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!
Stork
They can’t sing like other birds.
Swan
Populations have been affected by pollution!
Tapir
Most closely related to horses and rhinos!
Tarantula Hawk
Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.
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.
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!
Toucan
There are more than 40 different species!
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.
Uakari
Have a very short tail for their size!
Umbrellabird
Migrates up and down the mountains!
Unau (Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth)
Its top speed is 0.17mph
Urutu Snake
The female Urutu snake grows longer and heavier than males of the same species
Vampire Bat
Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!
Vinegaroon
Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted
Vulture
There are 30 different species worldwide!
Wasp
There are around 75,000 recognised species!
Whiptail Lizard
Many whiptail species reproduce asexually.
White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
There are two different types of white ferrets!
Wolf Spider
Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.
Wood Turtle
Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs
Woodlouse
This animal can roll up into a ball
Woodpecker
There are 200 different species!
Woolly Monkey
Has a long, strong prehensile tail!
Worm
Doesn’t have eyes.
X-Ray Tetra
Yellow, black and white striped fins!
Yarara
Females are much larger than males
Yellow Anaconda
Anacondas take prey much bigger compared to body weight than other snakes.
Zebra Pleco
The zebra pleco is a bottom feeder with a sucker mouth.
Brazilian Animals List
- Amazon Parrot
- Anaconda
- Ant
- Anteater
- Arapaima
- Armadillo
- Armyworm
- Banjo Catfish
- Barb
- Barn Owl
- Barn Swallow
- Bat
- Bear
- Bed Bugs
- Bee
- Beetle
- Bird
- Biscuit Beetle
- Black Widow Spider
- Blind Snake
- Bobolink
- Brazilian Terrier
- Brown Dog Tick
- Burrowing Owl
- Bushmaster Snake
- Butterfly
- Caecilian
- Caiman
- Caiman Lizard
- Camel Cricket
- Capybara
- Carpenter Ant
- Cat
- Caterpillar
- Catfish
- Centipede
- Chicken
- Cichlid
- Coati
- Cockroach
- Collared Peccary
- Common Furniture Beetle
- Common House Spider
- Coral Snake
- Cow
- Crab
- Crab Spider
- Cricket
- Crocodile
- Crow
- Cuckoo
- Discus
- Dog
- Dog Tick
- Donkey
- Dragonfly
- Dubia Cockroach
- Duck
- Dung Beetle
- Eagle
- Earthworm
- Earwig
- Eel
- Electric Eel
- Emperor Tamarin
- Falcon
- Fallow deer
- False coral snake
- False Water Cobra
- False Widow Spider
- Fer-de-lance Snake
- Fiddler Crab
- Fila Brasileiro
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Flying Squirrel
- Frog
- Fruit Fly
- Gecko
- German Cockroach
- Giant Armadillo
- Glow Worm
- Gnat
- Golden Lancehead
- Golden Lion Tamarin
- Grasshopper
- Green Anaconda
- Grouper
- Guppy
- Hamster
- Hare
- Harpy Eagle
- Harris Hawk
- Hawk Moth Caterpillar
- Hercules Beetle
- Heron
- Hognose snake
- Honey Bee
- Horned Frog
- Horse
- Horsefly
- House wren
- Housefly
- Howler Monkey
- Human
- Hummingbird
- Huntsman Spider
- Ibis
- Iguana
- Insects
- Jacana
- Jaguar
- Jumping Spider
- Kinder Goat
- King Vulture
- Kingfisher
- Kinkajou
- Ladybug
- Leech
- Lizard
- Lizardfish
- Locust
- Lone Star Tick
- Macaw
- Maggot
- Mallard
- Maned Wolf
- Marine Toad
- Marmoset
- Mayfly
- Mealybug
- Mexican Eagle (Northern crested caracara)
- Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
- Millipede
- Mole
- Mole Cricket
- Molly
- Mongrel
- Monkey
- Moorhen
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mountain Lion
- Mouse
- Mule
- Needlefish
- No See Ums
- Ocelot
- Orb Weaver
- Oscar Fish
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Panther
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Parrotlet
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pheasant
- Pied Tamarin
- Pigeon
- Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)
- Piranha
- Platinum Arowana
- Poison Dart Frog
- Polka Dot Stingray
- Porcupine
- Praying Mantis
- Puma
- Pygmy Marmoset (Finger Monkey)
- Quail
- Quetzal
- Raccoon
- Rainbow Boa
- Rat
- Rat Snakes
- Rattlesnake
- Red-handed Tamarin
- Red Tail Boa (common boa)
- Redtail Catfish
- River Turtle
- Rodents
- Rooster
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Sable Ferret
- Salamander
- Sand Crab
- Scarlet Macaw
- Scorpion
- Seahorse
- Sheep
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Silver Dollar
- Skink Lizard
- Skunk
- Sloth
- Slug
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Snail
- Snake
- Snapping Turtle
- Sparrow
- Spider Monkey
- Spider Wasp
- Squirrel
- Squirrel Monkey
- Stick Insect
- Stork
- Swan
- Tapir
- Tarantula Hawk
- Termite
- Tetra
- Thrush
- Tick
- Tiger Beetle
- Tortoise
- Toucan
- Tree Frog
- Turtles
- Uakari
- Umbrellabird
- Unau (Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth)
- Urutu Snake
- Vampire Bat
- Vinegaroon
- Vulture
- Wasp
- Whiptail Lizard
- White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
- Wolf Spider
- Wood Turtle
- Woodlouse
- Woodpecker
- Woolly Monkey
- Worm
- X-Ray Tetra
- Yarara
- Yellow Anaconda
- Zebra Pleco
Animals in Brazil FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What Kind of Animals Live in Brazil?
Many different kinds of animals live in Brazil because of the diverse ecosystems found there. The country is home to the world’s largest rodent, the capybara. It is also home to the world’s second-largest flightless bird, the rhear and the pink dolphin, one of the world’s largest river dolphins.
What Exotic Animals Live in Brazil?
Many exotic animals live in Brazil. Many people travel here to see Brazil’s Big Five, the Brazilian tapir, giant anteater, maned wolf, giant river otter, and jaguar.
What is the Biggest Animal in Brazil?
One of the biggest animals in Brazil is the spectacled bear. This bear can weigh up to 355 pounds and stand up to almost 6-feet tall. This species lives mainly in the cloud forests in southeastern Brazil. It dines on fruit and is a solitary animal. Researchers estimate that there are only about 18,000 spectacled bears left in the wild.
What Animals Live in the Brazilian Amazon?
The Brazilian Amazon is home to many animals. Many of these animals are just now being discovered, and scientists have a lot more work to do. Since 1999, they have found more than 2,000 new plants and animals.
What Animals Live in the Brazilian Rainforest?
Many different types of animals live in the rainforest, and scientists are discovering more all the time. One of the most amazing is the Caqueta titi monkey, whose young purr like cats when they are content. Another is the Tometes camunani, a fish that can be up to 20-inches wide and weigh 9 pounds.
