Thailand attracts tourists from all over the world not only with its warm climate, sandy beaches and distinctive culture, but also with its amazingly rich underwater and terrestrial fauna. There are 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 locals especially respect the white elephant. It symbolizes power, prosperity and prosperity. Thai elephants contribute to the state treasury, attracting tourists.
40 years ago, on the peninsula, their number reached 8000 individuals, and in recent years the population has significantly decreased to one and a half thousand. You can admire powerful animals in the Khao Yao National Park or in the Huai Kha Nature Reserve.
These elephants are excellent climbers. With the help of a thick trunk and powerful legs, they easily rise and hold weight on the slopes. Among other things, they swim well and are able to swim across the river.
Dogs
They have a special place in the conversation about which animals live in Thailand.
One of the most beautiful and rare dog breeds - Ridgeback - comes from here exactly. A ridge is a strip of wool on the back that grows in the opposite direction from the main direction. The breed has 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 neat animal, which is why it is ideal for home keeping.
Another dog breed originally from Thailand is called bangkeu. According to one legend in the province of Pittsanulok, the temple monk Wat Bangkeu sheltered a pregnant dog. How she found herself here was not known to anyone, since in those places they had not been found before. The monk raised several puppies with long dark hair. They were the ancestors of modern breed representatives. Outwardly, they resemble Spitz, very friendly, loyal and good guards. Bangkeu is a very rare and expensive breed.
Cats
These are those representatives of the fauna that you will not forget at the mention of which animals live in Thailand. Siamese cats are especially revered here, calling them the "moon diamond." This breed has a spotty color and clear blue eyes. In the days 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 highest court.
In the western part of the country, among the humid jungle and marshland, there is a very rare animal - a cat fisherman or a civet 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 the reed, Bengal cat, golden and bear cats. By the way, the latter 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 long tenacious tail, used as an additional limb. Unlike many other species of the feline family, it does not jump on branches, while it sleeps, eats and breeds in trees. These animals do not stray in flocks, preferring loneliness. Binturong is characterized by a good-natured and playful disposition; he 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 dominate the rainforests. In more arid areas inhabited, you can see a panther with a yellow-spotted color. And in the forests of mountainous regions, a smoky leopard reigns supreme.
While in Thailand, many people seek to visit the Tiger Temple. Once it was an ordinary religious building, in which a small tiger cub stalked. Since then, the monks have bred them and look after these animals. If ministers communicate with predators, like with kittens, then tourists are still better off staying away from them.
On the slopes of the mountain ranges, another representative of Thailand's dangerous animals is managing - the black Himalayan bear. Despite its relatively small size (length 160 cm), among all predators, Thais are most afraid of just this. Biruang also lives here, it is often called a Malay or miniature bear. Its height does not exceed 70 cm at the withers, and weighs only 65 kg. The color is black, which on the face turns into a yellowish tint. On the chest you can see a reddish-white spot in the shape of a horseshoe.
Among the small predators, the marten lives in the foothills and lowlands, the Indian badger settles in hilly areas, the lysang living in tropical forests, the mongoose walking among rice fields.
Deer, wild boars and bulls
This is a fairly representative detachment of local fauna. In the past, a large number of different types of deer inhabited Thailand. Unfortunately, some of them disappear. This happened to a deer of Schomburg. On the verge of extinction - Eldi and Serao. But the deer of Zambara and Askis can be seen in any region of the kingdom.
Near the rivers of Thailand, a cloven-hoofed animal, a deer, typical of this area, lives. Its weight is only 2-2.5 kg with a growth not exceeding 25 cm. It does not have typical antler for a deer, but it has fangs. This animal is distinguished by its intelligence and cunning, akin to the fox, which is probably why it became the hero of many folk tales.
Wild animals in Thailand, such as bulls katinga and bantengi, are the ancestors of livestock. The former are distinguished by black-brown color and are considered the most beautiful of the local representatives of this species of animals. Bunteng is a large proud animal with shiny reddish hair.
Very often wild boars are found in forest areas - the main prey of large predators. They go hunting only at night, preferring to sit in the lowlands between the Ping and Yom rivers during the day. Unlike marshy, mountain boars go in search of prey in the afternoon. Their population is concentrated in the Western Cordillera region. A guide for tourists who prefer hiking in the wilderness are large branches of the den. In them, animals hide from enemies and shelter young animals.
Local birds
Among animals living in Thailand, the world of migratory and non-migratory species is widely represented. They nest in the humid jungle, river areas and fields.
Entire flocks of birds attract rice plantations. Often, riding a mighty buffalo, you can see a white heron looking out for prey. Here, ibis and graceful storks are frequent guests. Cranes prefer to settle along the river banks, their most striking representative is the red-headed species. Doves, snipe and numerous species of parrots hide in the forest thickets. By the rice ripening season, they flock in flocks to the fields to feast on the grains.
Another bright representative of the bird world in Thailand is lanes. Just a few of these birds can be located on the back of a buffalo, looking for ticks in its coat. About 16 species of birds fly to the kingdom during the wintering season, filling the forests with trills and overflows of bright plumage. What are the high-speed with a long blue tail, a green abdomen and a black cap with a colored crest.
Two species of pheasants also live on the peninsula - argus and silver. In the branches of trees along the ponds, a wild peacock likes to relax. With a noise, in the beauty of his plumage, he flaps his wings, flying to another beloved shore. Often in the woods there is a rhinoceros bird, gorging on fresh fruits.
Combed 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 tubercles, hence the animal got its name.
Despite the fact that this reptile is able to live in salty sea water, it can be more often found in river lowlands, deltas and marshy areas. A combed crocodile can easily make long voyages in the sea, far from its habitat.
During the day, the animal prefers to be in a daze in the water or bask on the shore. He goes hunting at dusk. Powerful jaws can crush the head of an adult buffalo, and a tail strike can break a light vessel. Crocodiles often arrange violent fights even inside their species.
Snakes
The biggest danger for a resident of Thailand are snakes. About 175 species and subspecies live here, one third of which is a mortal 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 acquired almost everywhere.
Scolopendra
Skolopendra is widespread not only in the forest, but also in urban areas. Like most insects in Thailand, often in the rainy season it hides in residential buildings. Upon contact with humans, an insect can bite. Its poison is not fatal, but for several days a bitten one can feel sharp pain at the site of the lesion.
Jellyfish and Lionfish
These are representatives of marine animals of Thailand. The bites of the jellyfish living here can be very dangerous, they leave serious scars on the body or cause a 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 this weather should be especially careful.
A prick on the spines of a lionfish or lion fish is very painful. Following acute pain, the condition rapidly worsens, paralysis occurs. This fish is extremely poisonous and cannot be eaten. During the day, the lionfish hides under the coral or in the crevices of the caves, showing activity in twilight.
Spiders, mosquitoes, scorpions
Thailand has a huge variety of large and small insect species. Death as a result of contact with them is an extremely rare occurrence, not more than three cases a year. However, the bites of some species of spiders cause severe inflammation, cramping and pain.
The most dangerous type of mosquito is a black insect with white spots. They suffer a rare, unpleasant disease - dengue fever. It is very similar to severe flu, accompanied by headache, chills and fever, weakness and poor appetite. And worst of all, blood coagulation decreases. The fever lasts up to two weeks and goes away on its own.
Like scolopendras, 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 significantly 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 unpleasant sensations. If you do not seek medical help in a timely manner, an allergic reaction to a bite can lead to disastrous consequences.