Thailand attracts tourists from all over the world not only with its warm climate, sandy beaches and original culture, but also with a surprisingly rich underwater and terrestrial fauna. It is home to many rare species of animals and birds, dangerous predators and insects. Photos of animals of Thailand and their description can be seen in the article.
Thai elephant
He is a sacred animal in Thailand, a symbol of the country and the highest state award. The white elephant is especially revered by the locals. It symbolizes power, prosperity and well-being. Thai elephants contribute to the state treasury by attracting tourists.
40 years ago, on the territory of the peninsula, their number reached 8,000 individuals, and in recent years the population has significantly decreased to one and a half thousand. You can admire the mighty animals in the Khao Yao National Park or in the Huay Kha Nature Reserve.
These elephants are excellent climbers. With the help of a thick trunk and powerful legs, they easily rise and hold their weight on the slopes. Among other things, they swim well and are able toswim across the river.
Dogs
They have a special place in the conversation about what kind of animals live in Thailand.
One of the most beautiful and rare breeds of dogs - Ridgeback - comes from here. Ridge is a strip of hair on the back, growing in the opposite direction from the main direction. The breed is distinguished by a complaisant disposition, the pet is a good friend and companion. From ancient times, these dogs protected houses from snakes, accompanied and guarded the owner everywhere. In addition, the Ridgeback is a very clean animal, so it is ideal for keeping at home.
Another breed of dog native to Thailand is called the Bangkeu. According to one legend, in the province of Phitsanulok, a monk of the temple of Wat Bangkeu adopted a pregnant dog. How she came to be here, no one knew, since they had not been found in those places before. The monk raised several puppies with long dark hair. They were the ancestors of modern representatives of the breed. Outwardly, they resemble Spitz, very friendly, loyal and good guards. The Bangkeu is a very rare and expensive breed.
Cats
These are the representatives of the fauna that you will not forget when you mention what animals live in Thailand. Siamese cats are especially revered here, calling them "moon diamond". This breed has a spotted color and the purest blue eyes. In the times of ancient Siam, these animals were considered the property of the ruler and were called royal sacred cats. Until the middle of the last century, they could only be seen at the highestyard.
In the western part of the country, among the humid jungle and swampy terrain, there is a very rare animal - a cat fisherman or viverra cat. To get food for herself, she has to dive and swim. She can do this with her front paws, between the fingers of which there are membranes.
The cat world of Thailand is diverse, among its representatives are reed, Bengal cat, golden and bear cat. By the way, the last variety is actually more like a bear and is called binturong. This animal weighs from 9 to 14 kg, has a thick, short coat and a long prehensile tail used as an additional limb. Unlike many other species of the cat family, it does not jump on branches, but sleeps, eats and breeds on trees. These animals do not stray into packs, preferring loneliness. Binturong has a good-natured and playful disposition, it makes good contact with people. Many Thais tame them and keep them at home.
Predators of large and small species
These animals mostly live deep in the jungle, in mountainous regions, on uninhabited islands. In the north, black panthers and Indian tigers manage in the rainforests. In more arid areas, you can see a panther with a yellow-spotted color. And in the forests of the mountainous regions, the clouded leopard dominates.
When in Thailand, many people tend to visit the Tiger Temple. Once it was an ordinary religious building, into which a small tiger cub strayed. Since thenthe monks breed them here and take care of these animals. If acolytes treat predators like kittens, tourists should still stay away from them.
On the slopes of the mountain ranges, another representative of the dangerous animals of Thailand is managing - the black Himalayan bear. Despite their relatively small size (length 160 cm), among all predators, Thais are most afraid of this. The biruang also lives here, it is often called the Malayan or miniature bear. Its height does not exceed 70 cm at the withers, and its weight reaches only 65 kg. The color is black, which turns into a yellowish tint on the muzzle. A reddish-white horseshoe-shaped spot can be seen on the chest.
Small predators include the marten that lives in the foothills and the plains, the Indian badger that lives in hilly areas, the lizang that lives in tropical forests, and the mongoose that walks among rice fields.
Deer, boars and bulls
This is a fairly representative detachment of the local fauna. In the past, a large number of different species of deer lived in Thailand. Unfortunately, some of them disappear. This happened to the Schomburg deer. On the verge of extinction - Eldi and Serao. But the deer of Zambara and Askisa can be seen in any region of the kingdom.
Near the rivers of Thailand lives a typical for this area artiodactyl animal - a deer. Its weight is only 2-2.5 kg with a height not exceeding 25 cm. It does not have horns typical of a deer, but it does have fangs. This animal is distinguished by intelligence and cunning akin to a fox,perhaps that is why he became the hero of many folk tales.
Thai wild animals such as kating and banteng bulls are the ancestors of domestic cattle. The former are distinguished by a black-brown color and are considered the most beautiful of the local representatives of this species of animals. The banteng is a large, proud animal with shiny reddish fur.
Very often in the forest area there are wild boars - the main prey of large predators. They go hunting only at night, preferring to sit out in the lowlands between the Ping and Yom rivers during the day. Unlike marsh boars, mountain boars go in search of prey during the day. Their population is concentrated in the Western Cordillera region. A reference point for tourists who prefer hiking in the wilderness are large dens of branches. In them, animals hide from enemies and shelter their young.
Local birds
Among the animals living in Thailand, the world of migratory and non-migratory species is widely represented. They nest in humid jungles, riverine areas and fields.
Whole flocks of birds attract rice plantations. Often, riding a mighty buffalo, you can see a white heron looking out for prey. Ibis and graceful storks are also frequent guests here. Cranes prefer to settle along the banks of the rivers, their most striking representative is the red-headed species. Pigeons, snipe and numerous species of parrots hide in the forest thickets. By the rice ripening season, they fly in whole flocks to the fields to feast on grains.
Moreone bright representative of the bird world in Thailand is the lanes. Several of these birds can immediately settle on the back of a buffalo, looking for ticks in its fur. About 16 species of birds fly to the kingdom for the winter, filling the forests with trills and play of bright plumage. What are the wide mouths with a long blue tail, a green belly and a black cap with a colored tuft.
The peninsula is also inhabited by two species of pheasants - argus and silver. In the branches of trees along the ponds, a wild peacock likes to rest. Noisily, in the beauty of its plumage, it flaps its wings, flying to another chosen shore. Often in the forests there is a hornbill feasting on fresh fruit.
Rocked crocodile
The largest coastal predator and reptile is the combed crocodile. Some individuals can reach a weight of 2000 kg and have a length of about seven meters. The head of an adult crocodile is covered with pronounced bumps, hence the animal got its name.
Despite the fact that this reptile can live in s alty sea water, it can be found more often in the lowlands of rivers, deltas and swampy areas. S alted crocodile can easily make long voyages in the sea, away from its habitat.
During the day, the animal prefers to be in the water in a daze or bask on the shore. Goes hunting at dusk. Powerful jaws can crush the head of an adult buffalo, and a blow from the tail can break a light vessel. Even within their own species, crocodiles often arrangeviolent contractions.
Snakes
The biggest danger to a resident of Thailand are snakes. About 175 species and subspecies live here, a third of which are a deadly threat. As a rule, they do not attack first, but only defend themselves. Since this problem has existed for a long time, various antidotes can be purchased almost everywhere.
Scolopendra
Scolopendra is widespread not only in the forest, but also in urban areas. Like most insects in Thailand, it often hides in residential buildings during the rainy season. Upon contact with a person, an insect can bite. Its poison is not fatal, but for several days the bitten may feel a sharp pain at the site of the lesion.
Jellyfish and Lionfish
These are representatives of marine animals of Thailand. The stings of the jellyfish living here can be very dangerous, they leave serious scars on the body or cause the swimmer to lose consciousness. As a rule, they rise to the surface of the water on cool, cloudy days. People who prefer to swim in such weather should be especially careful.
The prick on the thorn of the lionfish or lionfish is very painful. Following acute pain, the condition rapidly worsens, paralysis occurs. This fish is extremely poisonous and should not be eaten. During the day, the lionfish hides under corals or in cave crevices, being active at dusk.
Spiders, mosquitoes, scorpions
Thailand has a huge variety of large and small insect species. death inas a result of contact with them - an extremely rare occurrence, no more than three cases per year. However, the bites of some spider species cause severe inflammation, spasms and pain.
The most dangerous type of mosquito is a black insect with white patches. They carry a rare, unpleasant disease - dengue fever. It is very similar to a bad flu, accompanied by headache, chills and fever, weakness and poor appetite. And worst of all, it reduces blood clotting. The fever lasts up to two weeks and goes away on its own.
Just like centipedes, scorpions are found not only in the jungle, but also in the city. It is believed that the concentration of poison of small individuals is much higher than that of large ones. Scorpions in Thailand are not as dangerous as in the countries of the East and Mexico, however, they can bring a lot of discomfort. If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, an allergic reaction to a bite can lead to disastrous consequences.
