The leader of the Third Reich met his fate on April 30, 1945
Native to North Africa and the Sahara, the fennec fox, instantly recognizable with its massive ears that seem to be larger than its head, is the smallest species of fox on Earth and the national animal of Algeria.
One of the most distinctive animals of the African savanna, the giraffe is the national animal of Tanzania. The giraffe is the tallest mammal on the planet, and uses its long neck to reach the nutritious vegetation on the tops of trees.
While the bald eagle is the legendary national bird of the United States, it's not the country's only national animal. The national mammal in the US is the American bison, an elegant and fearsome species of bovine that once ruled the plains of North America and is spiritually important to many Native American cultures.
This beautiful Andean bird, known as the tunki in the Quechua language, calls the ethereal cloud forests of the Andes its home. The tunki is the national bird of Peru, and the males are easily recognizable by the protruding crest on the top of their heads.
The Indian peafowl, known colloquially as the peacock, can be found all across the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. Technically, "peacock" only refers to male peafowl, while females are referred to as peahens. It is only the males who possess the brilliant, hypnotic hind feathers that make them one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
A bird that looks as though it comes from an alternate dimension of neon and crayon, the scarlet macaw is the national bird of Honduras. While their coloration seems counterproductive to hiding and surviving in their native rain forest habitats, their bright colors actually assist in a survival technique called disruptive coloration. When flocks of macaws fly together, their bright, jarring feathers can confuse and disorient any potential predators.
The best carpenter in the animal kingdom, the North American beaver is the national animal of Canada. Although today they are genetically different from their cousin, the Eurasian beaver, fossil evidence suggests that the North American beaver actually crossed from the Eurasian continent into North America via the Bering Strait land bridge that once connected the two landmasses.
European red squirrels might get a bad rap because of their association with their invasive and destructive cousin, the eastern gray squirrel, but these beautiful tree-dwelling herbivores have been a welcome part of the Northern European ecosystem for hundreds of thousands of years. The red squirrel is also the national animal of Denmark.
Native to the plains and deserts of southern Africa, this small species of antelope has been named the official animal of the nation of South Africa. Abundant both in the wild and on farms, the springbok also inhabits the back of some South African coins.
The national animal of Costa Rica is the West Indian manatee, affectionately called the sea cow because of its gentle behavior and affinity for grazing. Although it might seem like a stretch, these aquatic mammals are more closely related to elephants than they are to other aquatic or semi-aquatic mammals.
The national animal of Pakistan, the markhor is easily distinguishable by its large and beautiful corkscrew-shaped horns. Sadly, it has been labeled a threatened species since 2015. This is in part due to their reputation as a particularly evasive game animal, and the meat of the markhor is also believed in some cultures to have medicinal parties.
Although found in many other places in Asia, the Asian elephant is most closely associated with Thailand, and is in fact the nation's national animal. The Asian elephant is the only surviving member of the Elephas genus, and is on the endangered species list.
Prominently displayed on their flag and their coat of arms, the resplendent quetzal is the proud national animal of Guatemala. Found in tropical rain forests across Central America, this beautiful bird lives in the holes of trees hollowed out by woodpeckers.
One of the most unique species in the animal kingdom, kangaroos are equally loved and feared for their penchant for hopping, their precious-looking babies, and their strength. The national animal of Australia, the kangaroo is equally abundant in the wild as on kangaroo farms.
The national bird of Venezuela, the Venezuelan troupial is a small but strikingly beautiful bird native to Central America and a number of Caribbean islands.
A distant relative to the domestic chicken, Sri Lanka's national animal, the Sri Lankan junglefowl, is endemic to the forests of the small island nation. Elevation is of no concern to these sturdy ground birds, and they can be found from sea level to heights of up to 6,561 feet (2,000 meters) in the Sri Lankan mountains.
Found in various regions of Central and South America, the Baird's tapir is the largest land mammal native to the two continents. It is also the national animal of Belize, where it is locally referred to as a mountain cow.
Although the two-spotted ladybird, or ladybug, can be found all across the Northern Hemisphere, the Eastern European country of Latvia has claimed it as their national species. Distinguishable from other ladybugs by their two symmetrical spots, their sighting is considered good luck.
Saker falcons hold an extremely important place in the traditions of Mongolian nomads, so it is only fitting that the Northern Asian country would make the bird its national animal.
One of the most beautiful and recognizable species of sea turtle, the Hawksbill turtle is the national animal of the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
The turquoise-browned motmot, locally known as the guardabarranco, is the national bird and animal of Nicaragua. These medium-sized birds are easily recognized by their tale rackets that are used in both mating rituals and evasion from predators.
Siberian tigers, interchangeably referred to as amur tigers or Korean tigers, are the largest species of cat on the planet. Although they are the official national animal of South Korea, Korean tigers are an endangered species and can no longer be found on the Korean peninsula.
One of the most beautiful and truly wild animals on the planet, the plains zebra has been adopted by Botswana as its national animal, although it can be found all across southern and eastern Africa.
One of the largest species of eagle in the world, the harpy eagle is the avian king of the rain forest, and dominates the canopies of the Panamanian jungles. The Central American country has adopted it as its national animal.
The national animal of Uganda is the gray crowned crane, one of the most beautiful species of waterfowl in the world. The gorgeous crests on the tops of their heads truly make them look like royalty.
Moose, by far the largest animals in the deer family, are found all across the Northern Hemisphere, but they are most heavily concentrated in Sweden, where they are honored as the European country's national animal.
Sources: (Animalia) (Britannica) (The Living Coast Discovery Center)
See also: Fascinating ways animals communicate
The majestic golden eagle is the national animal of Austria, although the European nation does have a different national bird, the barn swallow. The golden eagle has long been an important symbol for the country, and is often pictured superimposed on the Austrian flag.
One of the largest freshwater turtles in Asia, the northern river terrapin is the national animal of Cambodia. As you can see, they grow significantly over the course of their life.
While Brazil doesn't have an officially designated national animal, the jaguar is widely considered to be a symbol of the country. A silent, deadly hunter, the jaguar is an apex predator in the jungles of Brazil.
Countries around the world are associated with all sorts of things, from culinary specialties to flowers that can't be found anywhere else. Whether it is the deliberate work of the country or the collective effort of the rest of the world, certain objects of beauty and admiration easily become representative of the wonderful places they come from. Most countries have also assigned to themselves an official national animal, usually a creature that they believe represents them best. Some of the choices seem obvious, but others might surprise you!
Read on to learn about the national animals from around the world.
Nifty national animals from around the world
Critters that make their countries proud
LIFESTYLE Nature
Countries around the world are associated with all sorts of things, from culinary specialties to flowers that can't be found anywhere else. Whether it is the deliberate work of the country or the collective effort of the rest of the world, certain objects of beauty and admiration easily become representative of the wonderful places they come from. Most countries have also assigned to themselves an official national animal, usually a creature that they believe represents them best. Some of the choices seem obvious, but others might surprise you!
Read on to learn about the national animals from around the world.