While some countries use different shades of colors or other objects to symbolize their country, there are quite a few countries that use animals to express their pride. Each animal with unique meaning and definition which represents that country.
Most of these animals originate from the country from which it is from, while some are not. Such as Singapore having a lion as its nation’s animal symbol. The truth behind that is that no lions ever originates or ever comes from Singapore.
Well, the reason behind that is simple. These countries simply chose the best animal to describe their country. Such as the previously mentioned Singapore, it is true that they don’t have lions. But on the other hand, the symbol of animals itself symbolizes its national values.
- Indonesia
Other countries may only have one national animal as a symbol. Different from Indonesia, this country has two particular animals that are indigenous to Indonesia itself.
The first animal is a Komodo Dragon or the largest lizard on Earth. The Komodo Dragon symbolizes power, aggression and also strength.
The second animal is a bird named Javan hawk-eagle. This national bird is also a highly endangered species that are heavily guarded by laws.
The other name of this bird is “Garuda”. This animal can only be found in Java, Indonesia and it symbolizes power and strength as well as glory.
- India
Known for its various wildlife, India’s national animal is a vicious and strong brute. It is named a Royal Bengal Tiger. Who doesn’t fear a tiger? It symbolizes power, fear, courage, and intelligence.
This species of a tiger can only be found in India, which lives in the forest of West Bengal. This animal is a strong hunter, and there is a difference between a lion and this tiger. This tiger hunts alone and it is without a doubt stronger than a lion.
- Italy
Our next country also uses an animal that sits on top of the food chain. Due to the environment situating Italy, their choice of national animal is a wolf.
This is because a wolf is a strong animal that can adapt to several habitats and the environment. Some of those habitats are deserts, woodlands, tundra, and grasslands.
Wolves are a very social animal as well as very aggressive towards any threat it faces. It hunts for food and is a nocturnal animal, but it will also attack humans nearby. For example, it will go to nearby villages and bother people the people near it.
- Scotland
This next may surprise you because its name comes straight out of a storybook. Yep, Scotland’s national animal is a Unicorn. You may have seen this animal from movies and fantasies, but Scotland takes it to another level.
The Unicorn, which is a magical horse with one horn on its head is declared as the national animal of Scotland in the 1300s.
This is due to the old legends surrounding this mystical animal. Another reason is that Scotland has strong beliefs in supernatural and superstitions.
There are even references that say a Unicorn can live up to 8.9 million years. Hence, the magical beast as its national animal.
- Brazil
Brazil’s national animal is known as a Jaguar. It is hard to differentiate between a leopard due to the spots that cover its beautiful fur. This fur is widely hunted by human beings due to the beauty it has.
And due to that, it has known became an endangered species. This animal can be seen everywhere in Brazil. From cultural events, ceremonies, national events and more.
- Bolivia
Continuing our list, this next animal’s name may confuse you a bit. It is called a llama, and it is a mammal that has a long neck like a horse. This animal is known for its thick fur, which will protect it in harsh and cold environments.
But besides that, a llama is tough and has great strength to help humans carry things. This animal has contributed a lot to the Bolivian culture, hence it is declared as the nation’s animal.
- Canada
Not all majestic animals are considered as national animals. Even rodents, a family of mouses can be a national animal. Next is a beaver, an animal with an amazing knowledge of architecture and also a monogamous animal.
Beaver is known for its strong front teeth that can chop down trees, and they are an amazing builder that could build meters high of the beaver dam. Speaking of beaver dam, do you by any chance know the reasons why they build dam in the first place?
This animal gets recognized as a national animal due to the trade-in beaver pelts that had boosted Canada’s economy in the 17th century.
- Gibraltar
Last but not least, is a magnificent endangered primate known as the Barbary macaque. This species of macaque is rare to find, and can only be found around the Atlas Mountains, Gibraltar. Around the country of Gibraltar, the Barbary macaque is a useful animal to the people nearby.
Not only these macaques are calm and social beings, but they are also liked by tourists. This animal is loved by the people, that is why it is declared as the national animal.