21 Wild Animals in Germany [Wildlife in Germany]

Learn All About German Animals

Ready to learn all about German animals?

I’ve always been fascinated by animals, and by how they can be so different from one country to another. In this guide, we’ll focus on the many animals Germany has on the land, in the sky, and under water.

I’ve split the guide into 6 categories:

• Native animals from Germany
• Endangered animals of Germany
• What is the national animal of Germany?
• How many animals native to Germany?
• What is the rarest animal in Germany?
• What are exotic animals in Germany?

Let’s dive in right away with our first category!

Native Animals from Germany

Germany, formally known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a European country located in the central part of the continent. It is the most populous state of the European Union and one of the biggest economies in the world, and it used to be populated by multiple tribes throughout its history. It is bordered by France, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Belgium, and its capital and largest city is Berlin, which counts more than 3,769,000 inhabitants (but more than 6,144,000 if you include the metropolitan area).

An interesting part of the country that I wanted to tackle is its wildlife. In light of that, I have listed the best of it, and I hope you will love learning what animals live in Germany.

Here’s the Germany animals list.

1. White-tailed eagle

• Name: White-tailed eagle
• Scientific name: Haleetus albicilla
• Conservation status: Least concern

The white-tailed eagle, also known as the gray sea eagle, the white-tailed sea-eagle, or the Eurasian sea-eagle, is a very large species of sea eagle native to temperate Eurasia. It has a very wide range and can be found as far as Japan, but it is very scarce and spottily distributed.

Most of the year, this eagle nests next to large bodies of open water such as coastal areas and freshwater lakes and rivers.

2. Eurasian lynx

• Name: Eurasian lynx
• Scientific name: Lynx lynx
• Conservation status: Least concern

Although it is one of the rarest animals in Germany and a very difficult one to spot, the Eurasian lynx can be found in some mountain ranges of the country. It lives in the heights, at up to 5,500 m / 18,000 ft high, and has a wide distribution.

This medium-sized wild cat species is severely threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and depletion of prey. When it comes to its diet, it feeds on small to large mammals and birds, and only fears wolves and wolverines.

3. Fire salamander

• Name: Fire salamander
• Scientific name: Salamandra salamandra
• Conservation status: Least concern

The fire salamander is a common species of salamander native to Europe. It is black with yellow stripes or spots depending on the individual; some of them can even be completely black, or mostly yellow.

Its bright coloration is an interesting case of honest signaling of its toxicity. Surprisingly enough, it can have an incredibly long lifespan, as one specimen lived for more than 50 years inside Museum Koenig, a German natural history museum.

4. Red squirrel

• Name: Red squirrel
• Scientific name: Sciurus vulgaris
• Conservation status: Least concern

The red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel native to Europe and Asia, where it is very common. It is one of the most well-known and easy to spot animals in temperate forests, and even though it is considered of least concern, its population has decreased drastically in some countries such as Italy, Great Britain, and Ireland.

The reason for that is the rise of the eastern gray squirrel, introduced to the region. In Scotland however, the red squirrel population is stabilizing due to pine martens hunting for gray squirrels.

5. Alpine marmot

• Name: Alpine marmot
• Scientific name: Marmota marmota
• Conservation status: Least concern

The alpine marmot is a large species of ground-dwelling squirrel that can be found in high numbers in the mountains of Central and South Europe at up to 3,200 m / 10,500 ft. The biggest marmot populations are in the Carpathians, the Tatras, the northern Apennines, and the Alps.

This animal feeds on plant material such as grasses and herbs, but can also eat spiders, worms, grain, and insects. It creates a burrow and survives extreme conditions in the winter while hibernating.

6. European badger

• Name: European badger
• Scientific name: Meles meles
• Conservation status: Least concern

The European badger is a species of badger native to Europe. It is a powerful black and white animal with a short tail and a small head, but with surprising strength. Despite being classified as a carnivore, it feeds on a very wide variety of plant and animal food such as worms, insects, small mammals, cereals, and even carrion.

A controversial practice in the United Kingdom is badger culling, which is authorized in some areas and under license. The goal of this is to control bovine tuberculosis that badgers can carry.

7. European pine marten

• Name: European pine marten
• Scientific name: Martes martes
• Conservation status: Least concern

The European pine marten, also known as the baum marten or the sweet marten, is a species of mustelid native to North Europe. There, it is widespread and it can be found in dense forests.

Martens are the only mustelid species with semi-retractable claws, which allows them to live a more arboreal lifestyle. They can therefore run and climb on tree branches, and more easily catch birds, eat berries and feed on eggs.

8. Chamois

• Name: Chamois
• Scientific name: Rupicapra rupicapra
• Conservation status: Least concern

The chamois is a peculiar species of goat-antelope native to the mountains of Europe, most notably the Cantabrian Mountains, the Alps, and the Apennines. It lives far up in the heights of rocky areas and was also introduced to the southern part of New Zealand.

Interestingly enough, the chamois can easily be hunted, as its behavior is very scripted: it is always active at the same hours, and most importantly always looks for danger from below; if the hunter is above the animal, it doesn’t stand a chance.

9. Red fox

• Name: Red fox
• Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
• Conservation status: Least concern

The red fox is the largest species of true foxes, and one of the most widely distributed carnivores on the planet: it can be found throughout most of North America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and even North Africa.

It is one of the most successful species of all animals, as it is very versatile in terms of dietary habits and chosen habitat. However, this high success comes at a price: it is now considered one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species, especially in Australia.

10. Alpine ibex

• Name: Alpine ibex
• Scientific name: Capra ibex
• Conservation status: Least concern

The Alpine ibex, also known as the bouquetin, the ibex, or the steinbock, is a species of wild goat native to the mountains of the Alps. It is a good example of sexual dimorphism, as males have much longer, curved horns and a larger body.

The most interesting behavior of the Alpine ibex is when it fights for females: during the breeding season, it becomes particularly aggressive. Besides, it almost became extinct when less than 100 individuals remained.

11. Red deer

• Name: Red deer
• Scientific name: Cervus elaphus
• Conservation status: Least concern

The red deer is one of the most common animals in Germany. In fact, it is also one of the most widespread and common animals in all of Europe, and it has a long history of interactions with humans: its antlers are often sold and displayed as decoration, and it has been held in captivity. It was also depicted in ancient cave art, as early as 40,000 years ago!

The meat of the red deer is called venison, and it is widely available in supermarkets.

12. Greater horseshoe bat

Doug Beckers / CC BY-SA

• Name: Greater horseshoe bat
• Scientific name: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
• Conservation status: Least concern

The greater horseshoe bat is a species of bat native to Europe, Central, and East Asia and North Africa. As its name suggests, it is the largest of the horseshoe bats on the continent, and it can travel from 30 to 180 km (19 to 110 mi) between the winter and summer roosts.

This bat is insectivorous and mostly feeds on moths, which represent almost half its diet. Outside of them, it eats larvae, beetles, and spiders.

13. Bicolored shrew

• Name: Bicolored shrew
• Scientific name: Crocidura leucodon
• Conservation status: Least concern

The bicolored shrew, also known as the bicolored white-toothed shrew, is a species of mammal native to central, eastern, and southern Europe and western Asia. It feeds on insects and small animals and is a nocturnal species. It remains hidden during the day, and young shrews grab their mother when sensing danger.

This animal is born in one of the several litters of young of the warmer months of the year, in a hidden nest of dry grasses.

14. European wildcat

• Name: European wildcat
• Scientific name: Felis silvestris
• Conservation status: Least concern

The European wildcat is a small species of wildcat native to Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, and Scotland. It lives in forests and is usually brownish to gray with stripes. Depending on the area, it is either active by day or nocturnal, and it mostly preys on small mammals and ground-dwelling birds.

In most European countries, this animal has become rare. Despite being legally protected, it is still shot by people mistaking it for a feral cat.

15. Gray wolf

• Name: Gray wolf
• Scientific name: Canis lupus
• Conservation status: Least concern

The gray wolf is a large species of canine native to Eurasia and North America. It is the largest member of the canids, and it is closely related to the golden jackal and the coyote. There are about 300,000 wolves in the world, which is why they are considered of least concern. However, gray wolves must still face threats such as persecution and habitat loss.

It has one of the longest histories of interaction with humans, sometimes considered a pest, some others almost venerated.

16. Wild boar

• Name: Wild boar
• Scientific name: Sus scrofa
• Conservation status: Least concern

The wild boar, also known as the Eurasian wild pig or the wild swine, is a species of mammal native to most of Eurasia and North Africa, where it is one of the most common and widespread species of all. It was also introduced to other continents such as Oceania and the Americas.

This animal is a very important symbol of Germanic culture, as it has been featured on helmets, swords, and shields for centuries.

17. Great bustard

Sergey Yeliseev / CC BY-NC-ND

• Name: Great bustard
• Scientific name: Otis tarda
• Conservation status: Vulnerable

The great bustard is a species of bird native to Central and South Europe, Morocco, and eastern Asia. In Europe, it is mostly resident, but Asian populations tend to migrate farther south during the winter.

This bustard is considered vulnerable due to agricultural expansion, hunting, and power lines, among many others. The majority of the global population of great bustards is located on the Iberian Peninsula, with about 60 percent of all individuals.

18. Aesculapian snake

• Name: Aesculapian snake
• Scientific name: Zamenis longissimus
• Conservation status: Least concern

The Aesculapian snake is a species of non-venomous snake native to Europe. It can grow up to 2 m / 6.6 ft and is one of the largest European snakes. The most important fact about this snake is its importance in local culture and history, mostly in ancient Greek and Illyrian mythologies.

This reptile feeds on rodents up to the size of rats, but can also eat shrews and moles.

19. Asp viper

• Name: Asp viper
• Scientific name: Vipera aspis
• Conservation status: Least concern

The asp viper, also known as the European asp or the aspic viper, is a species of venomous viper native to southwestern Europe. Its bite can be severe, as about 4 percent of untreated bites are fatal; and even outside of that, they can be very painful!

This snake can be found in southwestern Germany, and it tolerates a wide variety of habitats and has a wide range, which is why it is listed as least concern for now.

20. Boreal owl

• Name: Boreal owl
• Scientific name: Aegolius funereus
• Conservation status: Least concern

The boreal owl, also known as Tengmalm’s owl, is a species of small owl native to Europe and North America. However, it is very hard to see, as it is very shy, evasive, is nocturnal, and lives in inaccessible temperate and taiga forests.

This owl feeds on small mammals, but also birds, insects, and other invertebrates. Occasionally, it will hunt during the day because of the very short summer nights. The average lifespan of this owl is decreasing because of predation, and it can live up to 16 years.

21. Carrion crow

• Name: Carrion crow
• Scientific name: Corvus corone
• Conservation status: Least concern

The carrion crow is a species of passerine bird native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic. While females live in groups and nest high in trees, males are often solitary. Like other corvids, they show a certain intelligence, being able to recognize human and crow faces and discriminate between numerosities.

As its name suggests, it is an eater of carrion of all kinds, but it will also feed on worms, grain, fruits, small mammals, amphibians, and insects.

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So there you have them, these were my 21 animals of the German wildlife. I hope you enjoyed this list and that you learned something new today.

In case you want to learn more about animals in the country, feel free to keep reading, as I still have lots of things to tell you about:

Endangered Animals of Germany

This is definitely the saddest part of the list, but it is very important to raise awareness. Because of this, let’s go through the list of endangered animals in Germany.

Here are the animals in danger of extinction in Germany.

Extinct in the wild

• Salvelinus profundus
• Houting
• Coregonus gutturosus

Critically endangered

• Angelshark
• Sociable lapwing
• Common blue skate
• Atlantic sturgeon
• Bavarian pine vole
• and 11 more…

Endangered

• Basking shark
• European souslik
• Steppe eagle
• Northern bald ibis
• Bramble shark
• and 6 more…

To see the full list of endangered species in Germany, head over to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

What is the National Animal of Germany?

Germany national animal is the black eagle.

The black eagle is a very famous symbol of pride, power, and freedom. It is a bird of prey that soars over the forests of southern and southeastern Asia, in hopes to find birds and small mammals to feed on.

It has a characteristic slow flight and silhouette, as well as yellow legs and ceres that contrast with its dark feathers.

How Many Animals Native to Germany?

What is the diversity of native animals in Germany?

Let’s look at the total number of species of Chordata (mammals, birds, fishes, and reptiles).

Total number of animal species in Germany: 880 (3,149 in total in Europe)

What is the rarest animal in Germany?

While it is difficult to be completely sure of what the rarest animal is, it could very well be the European bison.

After almost becoming extinct, the bison can now be found in the Rothaar Mountains, in Hesse. Thanks to conservation programs, its numbers have now increased to about 20.

What are exotic animals in Germany?

Although Germany mostly has classic European animals in the wild, some exotic species can be kept as pets. Kangaroos, monkeys, and even pumas and cheetahs can all legally be kept at home!

In the wild, species like lynxes, gray seals, fire salamanders, and white-tailed eagles are probably the most unusual and spectacular animals you could encounter.

More About Animals in the World!

Loved these German wild animals facts? Want to see what animals live in other countries?

Then check out these posts:

• Wild Animals in Italy
• Wild Animals in France
• Wild Animals in Ireland

Or click here to see ALL the facts up on the blog! Spoiler alert: there’s A LOT of them.

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