Animals In Venezuela

Below you can find a complete list of Venezuelan animals. We currently track 292 animals in Venezuela and are adding more every day!

Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet because it spreads across so many geographically diverse habitats. Among Venezuelan animals, you’ll find the crocodiles of the Orinoco Delta, the Spectacled Bear of the Andean highlands, the capybaras of the Llanos plains, the monkeys and sloths of the Amazon basin, and the Scarlet Ibis of the Caribbean coast. More than 4,000 species of animals live in Venezuela, including more than 350 discrete mammal and reptile species, more than 1,400 avian species, and nearly 2,000 marine species. Animals native to Venezuela include jaguars, the crab-eating fox, the giant anteater, and the giant otter.

The Official National Animal Of Venezuela

The national animal of Venezuela is the troupial (Icterus icterus), a member of the oriole family. These black-headed, orange-bodied birds are found throughout Venezuela’s drier forests and grasslands and are also known as bugle birds. Properly speaking, troupials are animals native to this country but they’re also found in Colombia and some Caribbean islands.

The troupial is not a social bird and will defend their territory very fiercely. They do not build nests but prefer to use the nests of other birds as their own.

Where To Find The Top Wildlife In Venezuela

The sloth's relaxed vibe might just be contagious! *yawn* — The sloth’s relaxed vibe might just be contagious!
©iStock.com/Christopher R Mazza

More than 20 percent of the country is comprised of national parkland where animals can flourish. National parks are mostly found in the country’s mountainous and coastal regions. Canaima National Park, home to Venezuelan animals such as the giant armadillo, the cougar, the jaguar, and the two-toed sloth, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canaima National Park, or Parque Nacional Canaima, is located in Bolivar, in southeastern Venezuela, and is bordered by Brazil and Guyana where it spreads over 7 million acres. Of the 43 national parks, this is the main one. It is home to the highest continuous waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, at 3,211 feet high. At Canaima, in addition to the numerous activities, you will find the two-toed sloth.

The two-toed sloth is typically found in Central and South America and can be found in the tropical rainforests of Venezuela. They reside in the trees, where they spend most of their time eating twigs, buds, and leaves. They spend an average of 15 to 20 hours a day sleeping.

The Most Dangerous Animals In Venezuela Today

What Do Piranhas Eat - Piranha Teeth — There is little scientific data to show that the piranha has ferociously attacked a human.
©simongee/Shutterstock.com

The jaguars that roam the Amazonian jungles and the piranhas that swim in Amazonian streams are among the most dangerous animals in this country. Venezuela has its share of poisonous snakes, too, such as the Venezuela Coral Snake and the Horned Palm Viper.

While the total number of species of piranha is unknown, Venezuela is home to 13 species of piranhas that are found in five out of the seven freshwater basins in the country. Also known as caribe, they have incredibly sharp teeth and despite their reputation, can be omnivorous as well as carnivorous. The average size of this fish is 6 to 10 inches in length and their single row of sharp teeth is used for quick puncturing.

Endangered Animals In Venezuela

Spider monkey mother and baby — The brown spider monkey is critically endangered.
©StanBullett/Shutterstock.com

More than 50 percent of Venezuela’s unique avian and mammalian species can be found in the Amazonian forests south of the Orinoco Delta. Many of these species are at risk of becoming extinct in Venezuela because of habitat destruction related to the oil industry. Other animals facing extinction are the giant armadillo and the giant otter. Though more than 20 animals here are in danger of becoming extinct, there is no definitive list of extinct animals in Venezuela.

The brown spider monkey is found in the forests of northwestern Venezuela and is listed as critically endangered. As one of the 25 most endangered primates, their numbers are decreasing due to illegal hunting and loss of habitat. They have an average lifespan of 27 years in the wild. Like humans, this monkey likes to greet members of its species with hugs.

Rarest Animal In Venezuela

Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog isolated on white background — Poison dart frogs are threatened by climate change.
©Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

The poison dart frog, like many frogs and toads of its species, is currently threatened by climate change and is becoming increasingly rarer to see. Because Venezuela has such a diverse rainforest and coastal habitats, it is a great location for these amphibians to call home but rising temperatures are increasing the difficulty of reproduction, which may cause their numbers to fall off.

Largest Animals In Venezuela

The cute capybara in the farm is taking a bath — The cute capybara is the largest rodent.
©wushoung wang/Shutterstock.com

The capybara is not only the largest rodent in Venezuela but in the world. Also known as the water hog and the carpincho, this rodent grows up to 4.3 feet in length and can weigh up to 174 pounds. It lives in forests and wetlands and has a lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

The jaguar falls into two categories – the rarest and largest animal in Venezuela – and is currently listed as a near-threatened species. They have lost more than 40 percent of their natural territory and have disappeared from many areas. It is believed that there are around 4,000 of these big cats remaining in the country. The average size for a male is 209 pounds, females are 124 pounds.

Flag Of Venezuela

The flag of Venezuela is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red, with eight stars at the center of the blue stripe. This design dates to the original flag that was introduced in 1811 during the Venezuelan War of Independence. The colors represent the nation’s independence, courage, and wealth of the country. The eight five-pointed stars that are featured on the center of the flag represent the eight provinces – Barcelona, Barinas, Caracas, Cumana, Guayana, Margarita, Merida, and Trujillo.

Venezuelan Animals

Acadian Flycatcher

Their nests are sloppily held together and have an abandoned appearance

Agouti

The agouti is one of the only animals that can crack open Brazil nut pods!

Amazon Parrot

These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech

Amazon Tree Boa

Amazon tree boas come in a rainbow of colors.

Amazonian Royal Flycatcher

They use their bright royal-looking crests during mating season

Anaconda

They are the heaviest snake in the world

Anhinga

Their name means snake bird

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Anteater

Has the longest tongue of any animal in relation to its body size!

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

Aruba Rattlesnake

This rattlesnake only lives on the island of Aruba.

Asian Lady Beetle

Asian lady beetles infest indoor spaces, but they do not reproduce indoors.

Barb

There are over 1768 known species!

Barinasuchus

Largest terrestrial predator of the Cenozoic era

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Basilisk Lizard

Can run/walk on water.

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 and White Warbler

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

They have bright pink bills.

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Blackburnian Warbler

They are the only songbird in North America with an orange throat!

Blue Tanager (Blue-Grey Tanager)

They travel and forage in pairs or groups

Blue Tang

One of the most colorful members of the genus Acanthurus

Booby

Seabirds found across the South Pacific!

Brazilian Treehopper

“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”

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 17,500 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!

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.

Canada Warbler

These birds travel more than 3,000 miles during migration!

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!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

They inhabit regrowing forests

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!

Codling Moth

Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.

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.

Cormorant

They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab-Eating Fox

The crab-eating fox is extremely adaptable, living in all sorts of habitats and eating almost any available food.

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!

Crocodylomorph

Crocodylomorphs include extinct ancient species as well as 26 living species today.

Crow

A group of these birds is called a Murder.

Cuckoo

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

Dusky Shark

The Dusky Shark sometimes eats trash discarded by humans.

Dwarf Boa

Some species can change color from dark to light, and back again.

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earthworm

They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eastern Meadowlark

They can live up to 9 years.

Eel

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

Electric Eel

Despite its powerful shock, electric eels have terrible vision.

Emerald Tree Boa

Their teeth are as long as a fully-grown reticulated python

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

False coral snake

The false coral snake mimics both the coral snake and the cobra to scare away predators

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

Firefly

The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

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!

Freshwater Eel

Freshwater eels are actually catadromous, meaning they migrate to saltwater to spawn

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

Fulvous Whistling Duck

They build a ramp from their nest, which leads to a nearby water source

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.

Giant Leopard Moth

When giant leopard moths mate, their mating sessions last over 24 hours.

Glowworm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gnat

Males form large mating swarms at dusk

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Gray Fox

The gray fox has retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allow it to climb trees with some proficiency

Great Crested Flycatcher

This species makes use of some truly unusual nesting material, including snakeskin and garbage

Great Potoo Bird

At night, they make a terrifying low call that sounds like a distressed moan or growl.

Green Anaconda

Females are often five times longer than males.

Green Bottle Blue Tarantula

The spiderlings look very different than the adults.

Guinea Pig

Natively found in the Andes Mountain range!

Gulper Catfish

Gulper catfish can consume prey twice its size

Guppy

Also known as the Millionfish!

Gypsy Moth

One of the most invasive species in the world

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 50 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.

Hepatic Tanager (Red Tanager)

Parents and their young sing sweetly to each other

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!

Argentine 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!

IMG Boa Constrictor

The first IMG boa was born in a litter of anerythristic boas.

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jabiru

They form lifelong pair bonds and live in groups near water sources.

Jacana

The jacana has the ability to swim underwater

Jack Crevalle

One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus

Jaguar

The largest feline on the American continent!

Jumping Spider

Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies

Keel-Billed Toucan

It's beak can reach nearly 20 cm long!

Kentucky Warbler

The Kentucky Warbler appears to wear bright yellow cat-eye glasses!

Keyhole Cichlid

When these fish feel stressed, their skin color will change from yellow-cream to brown.

Killdeer

The killdeer feigns injury to draw a predator away from its nest.

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!

Leopard Frog

They can jump up to three feet

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

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

Margay

Margays are one of the world’s most highly adapted cat species for climbing trees!

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.

Megatherium

Megatherium probably used its lips more than its tongue when feeling for choice leaves in the treetops.

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

Some colonies have millions of bats

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are incredible mimics that can learn hundreds of songs!

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!

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

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!

Mourning Warbler

The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Muscovy Duck

Unlike most duck species, the Muscovy is silent and only makes noise when excited or threatened.

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Northern Harrier

They can reach speeds of 25 Mph but prefer to soar low and slow.

Northern Screamer

They are closely related to magpie geese

Ocelot

Also known as the Painted Leopard!

Orange Tanager (Orange-Headed Tanager)

They inhabit the lowlands of the Amazon rainforest

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Orchard Oriole

They use rapid wingbeats to hover over foliage as they search for food.

Osprey

They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Ovenbird

The ovenbird is named for its unusual nest, which is shaped like an oven!

Owl

The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees

Ox

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.

Peacock Bass

Peacock bass is known for their aggressive behavior and predatory instincts, making them a challenging target for sport fishermen.

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pictus Catfish

Pictus catfish are social fish that should be kept in groups of 4 or more

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!

Pit Viper

Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.

Poison Dart Frog

Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!

Pompano Fish

They are bottom-feeders

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!

Purussaurus

Purussaurus had a bite force that is higher than that of any creature that has ever lived

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

Rattlesnakes may have evolved their rattle to warn bison away from them.

Red-Footed Tortoise

Male and female Red-Footed Tortoises move their heads to communicate.

Red-handed Tamarin

Red hair on hands on feet!

Redhump Eartheater

The redhump eartheater are very passive fish and do well in aquariums with non-cichlid species

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!

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This bird is also called cut-throat because the male looks like his throat has been cut and has bled over his breast.

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

Scale-Crested Pygmy Tyrant

They raise their crests to ward off predators

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!

Senepol Cattle

Senepol cattle have a distinctive red color and no horns.

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

In captivity, sharp-shinned hawks can live up to 13 years. However, in the wild, this number is significantly reduced to 3 years!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Short-Eared Owl

The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.

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 4,000 known species worldwide

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Monkey

Belongs to the only family of primates in the world with full prehensile tails!

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.

Stupendemys

The largest freshwater turtle known to have ever lived!

Summer Tanager

They remove bee stingers by rubbing them against a tree

Swainson’s Hawk

Their wings form a “V” shape when flying.

Swallowtail Butterfly

N/A

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!

Tufted Coquette

They are tame and easy to approach

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!

Uaru Cichlid

The color of the Uaru cichlid changes during the spawning season

Umbrellabird

Migrates up and down the mountains!

Unau (Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth)

Its top speed is 0.17mph

Upland Sandpiper

They make jerky movements as they walk through the grass, searching for food.

Vampire Bat

Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vermilion Flycatcher

They have a fast song that lasts up to 10 syllables at max.

Vicuña

Vicuñas have some of the softest wool in the entire animal kingdom

Vine Snake

A slender body and elongated snout give the vine snake a regal look.

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!

Wattled Jacana

They are typically noisy birds but take on a soft tone with their young.

Whiptail Lizard

Many whiptail species reproduce asexually.

White Ferret / Albino Ferrets

There are two different types of white ferrets!

White-tail deer

White-tail deer are good swimmers

Whitetail Deer

Although deer are herbivores, they will sometimes eat mice and birds when they can catch them.

Willow Flycatcher

These birds live in the understory and are named for their propensity for flitting between willows and shrubs.

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!

Venezuelan Animals List

About the Author

Melissa Bauernfeind

I was born in NYC, got my degree in Journalism from BU, took a detour to San Diego and am now back in NYC. I love to travel with my husband but always miss my favorite little man Peanut, half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. We got dive-certified so we could dive with the Great White Sharks some day and I'm hoping I can swim with the Orcas as well. If my house would fit it, I'd add a pig to the mix - or a sloth.