Indonesia is an amazing country which has wild volcanoes, dramatic landscapes, mesmerizing beaches and rich history and cultures. Not only that, it is also a blend of wildlife. You can find various animal species in Indonesia, including the rare breeds of wild animals and birds.
The wildlife in Indonesia is unique and varied as the biodiversity level is on the higher side here. If you’re curious of what kinds of animals you can find in Indonesia, then you can spend time reading these venomous snakes in Indonesia and endangered species of birds in Indonesia.
Indonesia is home to various animal species, including the rare ones. Let’s see the animals that you can find only in Indonesia along with their unique characteristics!
- Komodo Dragon
Who doesn’t know Komodo dragon, the mascot of Indonesia? This dinosaur-like reptile is one of the native animals in Indonesia. It can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh over 150 kgs! No wonder, Komodo dragons win the title as the biggest lizard globally.
They mark their habitat in the Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara islands. Not only home for Komodo dragons, the islands in East Nusa Tenggara are starkly rugged hillsides of dry savanna, thick vegetation and pristine beaches. These islands provide the best home for these animals.
- Orangutan
In Bahasa Indonesia, orangutan means the man of the forest. Orangutans are considered as the highly intelligent animals which roam the rainforests of Indonesia. Many orangutans are protected in Tanjung Puting National Park. It is because their population is declining due to several reasons, such as habitat destruction and illegal hunting.
Orangutans move from one place to another place by climbing with their long and strong arms. They mainly feed on lychees, mangosteens and figs. If you have time to visit Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, then meet these animals and learn about them!
Orangutans can also be found in Sumatra islands. If you want to know more about them, you can also read facts about Sumatran orangutans.
- Anoa
Anoa is the next native animal you can find in Indonesia. Anoas are often described as midget buffalos due to their physical appearance that resembles a scaled-down water buffalo. There are many species of anoa and each of them lives in different places: mountain and lowland. They mainly inhabit rainforests in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Unfortunately, the number of anoas in the wild is declining due to illegal hunting and habitat destruction. The locals hunt them for their meat.
- Sumatran Tiger
There are a lot of tiger species in the world, but one species that is native to Indonesia is Sumatran tiger. Despite the fact that it is a tiger, the Sumatran tiger is generally a shy creature. It lives in the lush wildlife of Sumatra.
Unfortunately, the Sumatran tigers are now critically endangered with only a few hundred living in Indonesia. Kerinci Seblat National Park is one of the conservation places for protecting the Sumatran tigers.
- Sumatran Rhinoceros
Another animal coming from the Sumatra island is Sumatran rhinoceros. The Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns and armor plating-like skin. You will be able to spot them easily with these features.
However, there are only around 80 animals left in Way Kambas National Park, so you won’t be able to find them in the wild. Way Kambas National Park is a perfect place for them because it is a wide area of savannah, the natural habitat of rhinoceros.
Beside the Sumatran rhinoceros, there’s also Javan rhinoceros or known as Badak Jawa. This species of rhinoceros is also protected in Ujung Kulon National Park because of their scarcity.
- Bali Starling
Bali starling or also known as Jalak Bali is a species of birds which is endemic within the Bali islands. What makes Bali starling different is the distinctive white feathers with blue skin around the eyes. You can find this bird in West Bali National Park.
You won’t only be able to spot this beautiful bird, you can also enjoy the view of natural paradise with thick green forests, picturesque mountain range, crystal blue water and the beaches!
- Black Ape or Black Macaque
Black ape or macaque is a species of primate which is almost entirely black. There are some silver-ish feathers on the shoulder range too. Black macaques are social animals, meaning that they live in groups of 5 to 25 or even more. The female adults usually outnumber the males.
You can find them in Tangkoko National Park. Unfortunately, they are critically endangered due to human population. However, if you’re lucky, you can find them more freely in the small neighboring islands of Sulawesi.
It’s interesting to get to know the native animals of Indonesia, isn’t it? If you want to know more about animals in Indonesia, you can also spend time reading these animals in Indonesia’s rainforests.