The 15 Most Fascinating Animals That Call China Home

China is only one of a few megadiverse countries in the world, featuring thousands of unique and endemic species. In fact, about one-sixth of its mammals are found nowhere else on Earth, like the giant panda. China also has many endangered species within its borders and more than 2,300 nature reserves to help preserve its diverse and abundant wildlife. Check out 15 of the most fascinating animals that call China home and learn about their behaviors and habitats.

Giant Panda

While giant pandas are one of the most well-known animals in China, they still earn a spot as one of the most fascinating in the country. Panda bears are endemic to China, where they live in several mountain ranges in the central part of the state. Unfortunately, this species is vulnerable and relies heavily on conservation efforts to keep its population in check.

Snub-Nosed Monkey

These guys definitely win cutest animals to call China home. Snub-nosed monkeys are rare and cover a range from Southern China to the northern regions of Vietnam and Myanmar. These monkeys live in mountain forests and venture into deeply secluded areas during winter. This species lives in large groups of up to 600 individuals and spends much of their time in the trees.

Tibetan Macaque

The distinguished-looking Tibetan macaque is the largest species of macaque and one of the largest monkeys in Asia. It lives from Eastern Tibet to Guangdong and Shaanxi. These monkeys live in subtropical forests and participate in complex social systems with hierarchies that can become dangerous, especially for competing males.

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard is native to Southeast Russia and Northern China, where it is critically endangered, although its population is slowly increasing. These leopards have thick, cream-colored fur and widely spaced rosettes. These wild cats are adapted to the snow and cold climate, and they live in mountainous areas.

Chinese Mountain Cat

Chinese mountain cats are wild felines endemic to the Tibetan Plateau of Western China. These small wild cats are rare and vulnerable, and they inhabit grasslands and alpine meadows at an elevation of at least 8,000 feet. These cats are so rare and hard to spot, the first photograph of it was obtained in 2007.

Racoon Dog

This unusual-looking creature is a small canid from East Asia, named after its raccoon-like appearance. Despite its similar features, raccoon dogs are more closely related to foxes. Unique to the Canidae family, these animals hibernate during winter and can climb trees.

Sika Deer

The sika deer is native to a large portion of East Asia. The North China sika deer is a large subspecies from China, where it’s known for its prominent spots. It’s common to spot these deer either alone or in single-sex groups.

Dugong

These unusual marine mammals are cousins of the manatee and are native to the Indo-West Pacific, including China. However, the dugong is functionally extinct in the country, meaning its remaining population is likely to disappear soon. Dugongs are unique animals that completely rely on seagrass for sustenance. They are the only marine mammals with this type of diet.

Takin

Located in the Eastern Himalayas, the takin is a majestic animal and the largest member of the Caprinae subfamily, which includes goats and sheep. The takin lives in forested valleys and grassy alpine areas at high elevations.

Lesser Mouse Deer

This may be one of the weirdest animals that calls China home. You can find the lesser mouse deer in Yunnan Province in Southwest China, as well as in many other Southeast Asian countries. Mouse deer are the smallest hoofed animals, and this species is only 18 inches long and weighs just over four pounds.

Guar

Also known as the Indian bison, guar is a bovine native to South Asia, including China. Guar is the largest species of wild cattle and the Bovidae family. This massive bovine inhabits evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests in the wild.

Black Giant Squirrel

This large tree squirrel is native to Southern China and is one of the largest squirrel species in the world. This species is dark above and pale below and measures around 17 inches long. Giant black squirrels live in forest canopies, where they feed on seeds, pinecones, and fruit.

Mongolian Five-Toed Jerboa

Not much is known about the Mongolian five-toed jerboa, other than it’s a species of rodent that is found in China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Jerboas are hopping desert rodents known for their impressive running speeds of up to 15 miles per hour!

Large Flying Fox

The large flying fox is a megabat and one of the largest in the world. This fruit bat has excellent eyesight but lacks echolocation. Flying foxes live in forests, mangroves, and fruit orchards.

Chinese Giant Salamander

The Chinese giant salamander is one of the largest amphibians on Earth and is only found in the Yangtze River basin in Central China. However, due to pollution and habitat loss, this giant salamander is critically endangered in the wild.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Wim Wyloeck/iStock via Getty Images