Thailand Animals - Animals That Live in Thailand
Thailand is a country with beautiful beaches, thick jungles, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and plenty of national parks. The country's landscape is diverse and provides a habitat for several species of flora and fauna. The wildlife in the country ranges from big elephants to much smaller bugs and birds. Some animals can be seen roaming all over the country while some are protected in wildlife reserves. These are some of the animals found in Thailand.
10. Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard is native to Thailand and several countries in Southeast Asia. It spends a large part of its life in trees and dense forest. The leopard is an elegant and agile animal that is a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Thailand. A majority of these animals can be seen at the Khao Sok National Park. They have the longest canines of the living cats. Clouded leopards are categorized as a vulnerable species because their numbers are drastically reducing.
9. Oriental Tree Squirrel
The oriental giant squirrel is a cat-sized tree squirrel found in South and Southeast Asia. The squirrel prefers dense forests where it spends much of its time. The mammal barely leaves the canopy. When faced by danger, the squirrel flattens itself against the trunk of a tree instead of fleeing. It is more active in the early and late hours of the day. Oriental tree squirrels feed on fruits, flowers, bark, and nuts. It can be found in the dense forest of Thailand but they are rarely seen.
8. Common Treeshrew
The common treeshrew is a small mammal that is native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is of least concern because of its ability to adapt to new habitats. Common treeshrews are more active during the day compared to night. They can be seen foraging for food alone or in pairs in tree holes, shrubs, and on the ground. They feed on leaves, seeds, fruits, and insect. They are found all over Thailand in areas with dense trees and bushes.
7. Tiger
There are about 600 Indochinese tigers left in the world. Half of the population can be found in Thailand and a third of the population can be found in zoos. The remaining 200 tigers can be found in tropical rainforests. The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is globally known as the tiger sanctuary of Thailand because of the large number of wild tigers is located in the park. Conservationists are advocating for the release of the captured tigers because they are subjected to an unnatural environment in captivity and are likely to thrive in the wild.
6. Agile Gibbon
Although a large number of the agile gibbon is found in the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, there is a thriving population in the Hala Bala Wildlife Reserve near Thailand's border with Malaysia. As the name states, they are extremely agile animals with long arms that allow them to swing from one tree to another with ease. They spend much of their lifetime in trees and barely come to the ground. When threatened, they will swing and jump from one tree to the other whilst making noises to alert other members. Sadly, these marvelous animals are endangered due to the destruction of their habitat and pet trade.
5. Banded Linsang
The banded linsang is a small but intriguing small mammal found in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, and southern Myanmar. It is a solitary, elusive, and secretive animal that is rarely seen in the open. They inhabit the deciduous and evergreen forests where they spend a large part of the day in the canopy. In Thailand, they are found in the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai and Kaeng Krachan Forest Reserves.
4. Sun Bear
Although sun bear is the smallest of the bear species, it possesses sharp claws and teeth which can inflict serious damage. It is characterized by a black coat with a crest on the neck and slightly bowed legs. Deforestation, loss of the natural habitat, and poaching are the immediate threats to the animal. The wild population is found in the Khao Sok National Park but they are rarely seen without the assistance of a tour guide.
3. Binturong
The binturong is a is a viverrid that is native to the Southeast and SouthAsia. It is commonly known as a bearcat although it is neither a cat nor a bear, but a palm civet. It is an omnivorous mammal that feeds on birds, fish, insect, fruits, and small mammals. They are not uncommon in Thailand but their shy nature and proficiency in climbing trees make them hard to spot. A large number of these animals are found in Khao Yai National Park.
2. Asian Elephant
The Asian elephant is found in the parks and forests of Thailand. They are much smaller compared to the African elephant but they remain the largest animals in the country. The Asian elephant is majestic, playful, and less aggressive compared to the African elephant. The species is listed as endangered because of habitat destruction and poaching. A large number of the Asian elephants are found in the Khao Yai National Park.
1. Irrawaddy Dolphin
The Irrawaddy dolphin is an ocean dolphin found in Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal. The mammal is found in the Khao Sam Roi Yot Marine National Park in Thailand. It is distinguished from other dolphins by the short beak and front-facing blowhole. Although it is an ocean dolphin, the Irrawaddy dolphin prefers brackish water near estuaries and river mouths.
