Animals in Taiwan
Asiatic Black Bear
Ursus thibetanus
The Formosan black bear, a subspecies of the Asiatic black bear, is widely recognized as the national animal of Taiwan. Native to the island’s central mountain ranges, it symbolizes strength, independence, and the delicate balance between humans and nature. Although elusive and vulnerable, it remains an iconic species in conservation efforts and cultural identity, featured prominently in local folklore and ecological campaigns aimed at protecting Taiwan’s native wildlife.
View details→Wildlife in Taiwan
Taiwan’s wildlife is a vibrant reflection of its subtropical climate, mountainous terrain, and rich marine surroundings. The island hosts a remarkable variety of endemic and migratory species, thriving in environments ranging from dense forests to coral reefs. National parks and protected areas provide essential refuge for mammals, birds, and marine life, making Taiwan a unique hotspot of biodiversity where ecosystems flourish despite increasing urban development and climatic challenges.
Most Dangerous Animals in Taiwan
Though most of Taiwan’s wildlife poses little threat to humans, a few species demand caution, particularly in rural or marine areas. Asiatic black bears and wild boars, while rare, may react defensively when surprised. Offshore, venomous sea snakes and large predatory sharks inhabit deeper waters, with occasional sightings near the coast. Awareness of these species and respectful distance ensure safe interaction with Taiwan’s wild beauty.
Top 10 Animals in Taiwan
Taiwan’s most emblematic animals emerge from both its forests and its surrounding seas, with species often tied to conservation, cultural meaning, or endemic uniqueness. While this selection is constantly evolving, it highlights creatures that resonate through their ecological roles or symbolic weight. From mountain mammals to ocean giants, each contributes to the country’s rich natural narrative and environmental awareness.
Asiatic Black Bear
Ursus thibetanus
Taiwan is home to the Formosan black bear (Ursus thibetanus formosanus), an endemic subspecies and the largest native land mammal on the island. It inhabits mountain forests across the Central Mountain Range, generally above 1,000 meters in elevation. The species is protected under Taiwanese law and is considered a national symbol. The main threats are habitat disturbance from human activity and accidental capture in traps set for other animals. Population estimates suggest between 200 and 600 individuals remain in the wild.
Macaque
Macaca spp.
The Formosan rock macaque is found only in Taiwan and lives across mountain forests and river valleys throughout the island. It is a protected species under Taiwanese law, and populations have grown steadily in recent decades. Troops often venture into farmland and tourist areas, particularly around Shoushan Nature Park near Kaohsiung. Feeding wild macaques is discouraged, as it changes their natural behavior and increases conflict with people.
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
Wild boars are found throughout Taiwan's mountainous forests, where they remain an important traditional game animal for several indigenous communities who have hunted them for generations. They feed on roots, fruit and crops, often raiding farmland near forest edges and causing damage to mountain agriculture. Wild boars also play a role in the island's forest ecosystems through their soil disturbing foraging behavior.
Sambar Deer
Rusa unicolor
The sambar deer in Taiwan lives in mountain forests across much of the island, from low elevations up into higher terrain. Once heavily hunted and greatly reduced in number, the population has recovered following legal protections put in place in recent decades. Today it is the largest wild deer on the island and plays an important role in the forest ecosystems of Taiwan's national parks.
Iguana
Iguana iguana
The green iguana is invasive in Taiwan, where pets released in the early 2000s founded breeding populations in the south and center, especially around Pingtung, Kaohsiung, Tainan and Chiayi. The government estimated around 200,000 and removed more than 100,000 in 2024 alone, with paid hunters and community teams. Iguanas damage crops and dig into riverbanks and dikes. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Green turtles nest on Taiwan's offshore islands, mainly on Lanyu (Orchid Island) and the Wangan Island of the Penghu Archipelago, where a green turtle conservation center protects the nesting beach, and they forage around Xiaoliuqiu Island, famous for the many turtles that snorkelers see grazing close to shore. All sea turtles are protected under Taiwanese law, and tourism around Xiaoliuqiu is now regulated. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Sea Snake
Laticauda colubrina
Around Taiwan, the banded sea krait lives on the reefs and rocky coasts of the south and the offshore islands, especially Orchid Island and Green Island, where it is a well known sight. Studies here showed that sea kraits cannot drink seawater and depend on fresh water on land. It comes ashore to rest and lay eggs in rock crevices. Fishing nets and traps put pressure on local populations. IUCN status: Least Concern.
White tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
The white tailed eagle is a rare winter visitor to Taiwan, occasionally recorded at wetlands, river mouths and reservoirs in the north and east of the island. These birds come from breeding grounds in northeast Asia, which makes Taiwan one of the southernmost points of its winter range in East Asia. Birdwatchers treat every sighting as a notable event. IUCN status: Least Concern.
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
In Taiwan the white wagtail is mainly a common winter visitor, with several subspecies from northeast Asia arriving in autumn to feed on riverbeds, rice paddies, fish ponds and city streets. The black backed Amur wagtail also breeds in small numbers along rivers in the north and on offshore islands such as Kinmen and Matsu. Winter roosts in city trees can hold hundreds of birds. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
In Taiwan, the peregrine falcon is recorded as a winter visitor and passage migrant, appearing along the coast, over wetlands, and around mountain ridges between autumn and spring. Some individuals of the subspecies found across East Asia are regularly seen hunting shorebirds and pigeons. Taiwan's diverse landscapes provide good stopover habitat. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern.
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
The mute swan is a rare winter visitor to Taiwan, appearing occasionally at wetlands and reservoirs, particularly in the northern and western parts of the island. It is not a regular breeding bird here. Most records involve single birds or very small groups during the cooler months. Its presence in Taiwan sits at the southeastern edge of the species' wintering range in East Asia. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica
In Taiwan, the magpie is the Oriental magpie, which the IUCN counts as part of the Eurasian magpie but many bird lists now treat as its own species. It is common in the western lowlands, in farmland, parks and cities such as Taipei and Taichung, where it often nests in tall trees in parks and along roads. It stays all year and eats almost anything. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Taiwan once ran a large fishery for whale sharks, nicknamed the tofu shark for the texture of its meat, until it banned catching and selling them in 2008. They still visit the east coast in spring and summer, carried by the warm Kuroshio Current, and are often caught by accident in the fixed nets along the coast near Hualien and Yilan. Fishers now release them, and researchers tag some of them before they swim away. IUCN status: Endangered.
Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
In Taiwan the great barracuda lives in the warm waters of the south and the offshore islands. Divers see it in Kenting National Park at the southern tip of the island, around Green Island and Orchid Island, where the Kuroshio Current brings clear tropical water, and in the Penghu Islands. Juveniles shelter in coastal mangroves and seagrass, and it is caught by fishers along the east and south coasts. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
In Taiwan the tiger shark lives in warm coastal and offshore waters, around the island and especially off the warm east and south coasts, hunting fish, rays, sea turtles and sea snakes, often close to shore at night. It is landed in Taiwanese ports by the island's large fishing fleet. Large sharks have been heavily fished across the region for their fins, and tiger sharks are now seen far less often than in the past. IUCN status: Near Threatened.
Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
In Taiwan the ocellaris clownfish lives in the warm waters of the south and the offshore islands, where the Kuroshio Current brings tropical water. Divers find it in its anemones in Kenting National Park, at the southern tip of the island, and around Green Island and Orchid Island off the east coast. Taiwan is also known for aquaculture, and its research centers have bred clownfish in captivity, easing pressure on wild reefs. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
In Taiwan the bull shark lives along the coasts of the island, especially the west coast facing the Taiwan Strait, with its shallow, muddy waters and river mouths, and around the estuaries of the south. Young sharks use these brackish waters as nurseries. Taiwan has a large fishing fleet and fin trade, and sharks, including bull sharks, are landed in its ports. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
Researched and written by Juan Pablo. Sources: IUCN Red List, scientific literature and regional field guides. Last updated: .