30 ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN VENEZUELA - BIOLOGY

Among the endangered animals of Venezuela we can highlight felines such as the tigrillo, birds such as the cardinal, whales such as the fin whale or reptiles such as the Orinoco caiman.

Diversity is the keyword when it comes to describing the fauna of Venezuela. The country is home to around 341 species of reptiles, 284 amphibians, 1,791 fish, 351 mammals, and a large number of butterflies and other invertebrates. More than 1,360 species of birds reside in the country and 46 of these species are endemic.

Venezuela is considered one of the 17 countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world according to the International Conservation Organization. However, environmental pollution, deforestation and extensive hunting and fishing have put the survival of some of these animals at risk.

The Swiss naturalist Henri Pittier was the first person to point out the ecological problems in Venezuela and the need to protect natural habitats. Unfortunately, protection against illegal settlement and exploitation is complex due to the vast expanses of land that are the habitat of many species.

Ranchers cut down trees along the roads to create open land that facilitates cattle grazing, and farmers build illegal roads that allow hunters to enter remote and protected areas.

Exotic animal traders break into sheltered areas to catch their prey in search of animal skins, feathers or body parts. In marine habitats, fishermen use motor boats, which is damaging the survival of the species.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Venezuela is home to the following number of species that are classified by the organization as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable:

Species in danger of extinction in Venezuela

1- West Indian manatee (

Few current studies are available to know the location and status of the manatee in Venezuela. The realization of area surveys that help to know its distribution are conditioned by the reduced existence of the species.

However, through land expeditions it has been possible to know the presence of manatees in Lake Maracaibo, in the Gulf of Paria and in the Orinoco Delta.

Hunting this species reduced manatee populations in the country. Recent protection laws, education efforts, and manatee shortages have generated increasing interest in controlling their hunting.

Venezuela is a quintessential manatee habitat and a continued decline in its hunting could lead to an optimistic outlook for future populations of the species.

According to the IUCN (2008), the manatee is in danger of extinction because its current population is estimated at less than 2,500 mature specimens.

2- Giant Otter (

The giant otter is considered endangered in Venezuela according to research published by the IUCN in 2015. The global population of giant otters is low and individual subpopulations are fragmented and small.

The giant otter is inherently vulnerable to extinction as only a quarter to a third of the total population reproduce. The species also shows late maturity, late reproductive age, low transient survival, and low cub survival, traits that limit recolonization.

These specimens inhabit many types of rivers, streams and lakes in the tropical forests, plains and wetlands of South America, from Guyana through Venezuela and Colombia, in Argentina and west of the Andes Mountains.

In Venezuela, it can be found in the rivers of Monagas, Barinas, Amazonas, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro and Apure.

3- The Cardinal (

The little cardinal is native to Colombia, Guyana and Venezuela. This species classified as endangered in extension (IUCN-2016) as it is suffering a very rapid population decline as a result of its capture for trade.

It is extremely attractive for its ability to hybridize with canaries. Intensive agriculture also affects their survival due to the reduction of their natural habitat.

The Carduelis Cucullata is one of the most threatened birds in Venezuela, but it can still be found in some places in Falcón, Lara, Barinas, Miranda, Guárico, Anzoátegui and Zulia.

Population estimates range from a minimum of 700 to 5,000 birds. It has been identified as one of the four highest priority bird species for conservation in the country.

4- Giant Armadillo (

This terrestrial species is found near water within undisturbed habitats of the primary forest. Dig the burrows, usually in grasslands or open areas of the forest. The gestation period is four months and females usually give birth to only one offspring.

The species is hunted for its meat consumption and its shell, tail and claws are used to manufacture cradles, tools and pans, among others.

The giant armadillo is greatly affected by the loss of its habitat. It is also captured to be kept as a pet or to be sold as a "living fossil" on the black market, but it does not usually survive long in captivity.

These threats have led to an estimated population decline of at least 30% in the last three generations. IUCN Status: Vulnerable (2014).

The armadillo lives in Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay and Argentina. In Venezuela it is found along the Andean Cordillera and the Littoral and south of the Orinoco River.

5- Multicolor Parakeet (

This small parrot lives in the cloud and rain forests of the Andes of Táchira and Mérida. It feeds mainly on fruits, flowers and seeds.

A great threat to its conservation is hunting for the pet market and the destruction of the Andes forest. In Venezuela, the clearing of forests for intensive cattle grazing, frequent burning and coffee cultivation continue to diminish their available natural habitat.

There are few references that allow estimating the quantity of multicolored parakeets in the country. This species has been declared an endangered extension according to studies published by the IUCN in 2016 and is included among the top ten priorities for bird conservation in Venezuela.

6- Giant Anteater (

The Giant Anteater is found in humid tropical forests, dry forests, savanna habitats, and open grasslands. These animals are usually solitary.

For wild females, sexual maturity usually begins around the age of 2 years and it is notable that during childhood, they carry their offspring on their back for approximately six months. Few studies exist on its longevity, survival rates, and reproduction rates.

Myrmecophaga tridactyla is a species that can still be found in Central and South America. The particularity of their diet, their large body size, together with the threats to habitat degradation, have proven to be important factors in the decline of their existence.

The species was classified as vulnerable to extinction in Venezuela according to the IUCN (2014). A reduction of this species of at least 30% has been estimated in the last 10 years globally.

In Venezuela its presence extends north to Falcón and northeast of Lake Maracaibo. They can also be found in Bolívar and Amazonas.

7- Andean Bear (

Endemic to the Tropical Andes, the Andean bear is the only species of bear in South America. It can be found in the Sierra de Perijá, the Macizo de El Tamá and the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuela.

Andean bear populations are likely to decline by more than 30% within the next few years. Due to recent conservation efforts, many protected areas have been established and more are expected to be added, although these perimeters only protect a fraction of their natural habitat.

Even within safeguarded areas, bears are vulnerable due to improper patrolling. The development of roads and the advancement of agriculture are particularly insidious in the survival of the species, since in addition to diminishing and fragmenting the habitat, they also attract bears, which die trying to prey on crops.

Increased mining and oil exploitation poses significant additional threats to this species.

Due to the population density trends of these animals, the IUCN (2008) declared the Andean bear as vulnerable to extinction.

8- The Spider Monkey (

Its habitat is associated with forests of clay soils and firm lands. Spider monkeys move and feed in the upper levels of trees, spend a lot of time in the canopy and are rarely seen on the forest floor.

They are highly suspensive animals, preferring to swing from one branch to another to move than to walk or run on all fours. They feed largely on fruits.

This species is considered native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its presence extends to the north of Venezuela towards the Orinoco and Caura rivers, it also inhabits the humid forests of the Lake Maracaibo basin.

The progressive destruction of mountain forests is the main threat to their wild populations. The species has been listed as endangered by the IUCN in 2008.

9- Fin Whale or Fin Whale (

Fin whales are the second largest mammals, after blue whales. They grow up to 20 meters in length and weigh approximately 70,000 kilograms.

Overhunting is responsible for the currently low number of fin whale populations. Since whales use low-frequency sounds to call females, human disruption of sound waves can lead to a reduction in the species' birth rates.

The global population of Balaenoptera Physalus is estimated to have decreased by more than 70% in the last three generations.

In Venezuela sightings of the species have been recorded on Margarita Island, in Falcón, Sucre and in the Mochima National Park. Hunting of this specimen is penalized by the Venezuelan authorities. The fin whale has been listed as an endangered species according to the IUCN in 2013.

10- Torrent Duck (

Torrent ducks live in some of the most powerful and fastest rivers in the Andes of South America, which are surrounded by steep, steep mountain slopes. Water flowing from the ice-covered mountains runs creating waterfalls and rivers, where torrent ducks live and thrive.

Torrent ducks live in a habitat that is difficult for most animals to navigate, and they build nests in inaccessible locations.

It is estimated that in Mérida and Táchira there is a population of between 100 and 1,500 specimens. The destruction of Andean habitats and intensive hunting are its main threats. In Venezuela the species is considered in danger of extinction.

11- Harpy Eagle (

In Venezuela this species is found in the states of Carabobo, Aragua and in the Cordillera de las Costa. It is extremely threatened north of the Orinoco River.

The destruction of the habitat and the disintegration of the species are the main threats to its survival. IUCN Status: Vulnerable (2016).

12- Tigrillo (

The populations of this specimen are declining due to the induced conversion of forests for agriculture and the construction of development infrastructure.

The species is the subject of intensive hunting. This little feline is found in the Coastal Mountain Range (Macizo de Nirgua). IUCN Status: Vulnerable (2015).

13- Andean Matacán Deer (

Its presence extends through Táchira, Mérida, Trujillo and is considered the most threatened species in Venezuela.

The high conversion rate of Andean habitats is alarming, which combined with their severe hunting has resulted in a reduction in their population. IUCN Status: Vulnerable (2016).

14- Night Monkey (

Primate distributed in Venezuela along the Maracaibo lake basin and the Andean mountains of Táchira and Trujillo.

Its hunting is high, since it is valued as a pet, as food and as a model for biomedical research. IUCN Status: Vulnerable (2008).

15- Orinoco Cayman (

In Venezuela it extends through the lowlands of the Orinoco basin. The total population is estimated at 1,500 crocodiles. The main threat is the destruction of habitat, the trafficking of their eggs and newborn crocodiles. IUCN Status: Critical Hazard (1996).

16- Painted or Elusive Turtle (

It is limited to a small coastal area to the northwest of the Falcón state and nearby areas, its population being estimated at 500 individuals.

The main threats to their survival are poaching and loss of habitat due to pollution. In Venezuela the species is considered in danger of extinction.

17- Arraú or Charapa Turtle (

It is the largest known water turtle in Venezuela and is found along the Orinoco River and its tributaries. The main threat is the overexploitation of its population for consumption purposes. IUCN Status: Lower Risk (1996).

18- Ñangaro ( Aratinga Acuticaudata Neoxen a)

It is found in arid areas adjacent to the La Restinga lagoon on Margarita Island in Northeast Venezuela. Its extinction is likely in the medium term. The main threats to its preservation are its captivity as a pet and the destruction of its natural habitat.

19- Earwig Hummingbird (

It is one of the most famous Venezuelan endemics, only found in the cloud forest of the Paria Peninsula in Sucre. This species is in danger of extinction due to the loss of its natural habitat. IUCN Status: Endangered (2016).

20- Stone Tuft Curassow (

This great bird is native to Colombia and Venezuela, located in the Sierra Andina, the Central Coast and the Paria Peninsula. A moderate and continuing population decline is suspected based on rates of habitat loss and hunting levels.

The plumage of these birds is very attractive in handmade jewelry. It is one of the four priority species for bird conservation in Venezuela. IUCN Status: Endangered (2016).

21- Cuckold (

su neko / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Also known as hammerhead fish or hammerhead shark, it is found distributed along the coasts that bathe the Atlantic, including the Caribbean ones of Venezuela. Its status is Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

It is a large fish whose main characteristic is its hammer-shaped head. It is believed that about 80% of the population that inhabited Venezuela and the Gulf of Mexico has been lost since the beginning of the 21st century.

Although it has not been studied in depth, it is believed that the main reason for its critical situation is due to its excessive fishing (most of it before reaching sexual maturity) and the destruction of its habitat.

22- Wetmore's Cock (

BirdLife International 2016. Rallus wetmorei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692476A93355035. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692476A93355035.en. Downloaded on 19 February 2020.

It is an endemic bird from Venezuela. It is distributed along the Caribbean coast, mainly from the Morrocoy National Park to Puerto Cabello. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 200 mature specimens left, so their status is Endangered.

It belongs to the genus Rallus and its main habitat is the saline-coastal one. They are small in size and have an elongated beak.

Its population is declining, the main problem of its loss being the destruction of its habitat due to the construction of cities, pollution and deforestation.

23- Red Yapacana toad (

Minyobates steyermarki (photo: Karl-Heinz Jungfer). Enrique La Marca, Celsa Señaris 2004. Minyobates steyermarki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T55202A11264562.

This endemic amphibian from Cerro Yapacana is also known as the demonic poison frog. It is the only one of its kind and is characterized by its small size and its bright red color that stains most of its back.

Its natural habitat is the forest, which is affected by deforestation, fires, and energy and mining exploitation. This causes a loss of habitat for the frog, which leads to a constant decline in its population. The IUCN red list indicates that it is Critically Endangered.

24- Comb sawfish (

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Belonging to the family Pristidae, the comb sawfish is quite large, being able to measure up to 5.5 meters and weigh up to 350 kg. It is very shy and is rarely seen despite living near the coasts, this has caused it to be a poorly studied animal.

Its presence is already quite uncertain in Venezuela, being a species that is Critically Endangered according to the IUCN. In fact, the latest records date from 2013 near the Paraguaná peninsula. The main reason for its extinction is the destruction of its ecosystem, as well as overfishing.

25- Perico Frentiazul (

Félix Uribe / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

It is a subspecies of the Thectocercus acuticaudatus endemic to Isla Margarita. On average it weighs about 170-175 grams and measures approximately 33-38 cm. The most characteristic thing is his blue head and his yellow eyes.

Also known as Blue-fronted Parrot, it usually lives in bushes, arid bushes, forests or jungles. Although the risk of extinction is lower than that of other species, in recent years the alarm has been raised by overhunting due to the illegal trade as pets.

26- Striped toad (

Albert Charles Lewis Günther (1830-1914) / Public domain

It is an endemic amphibian of Venezuela, distributed by different wetlands and forests of Aragua, Sucre, Miranda, Yaracuy or Carabobo, among other territories.

Its popular name is due to the black lines that are drawn on its back and head, contrasting with the yellow tone of the rest of the body. It presents sexual dimorphism, being the females larger than the males.

At the time it was an abundant species in Venezuela, but the decrease in its members has been extreme, leading to being Critically Endangered according to the IUCN since 1996.

27- Staghorn Coral (

Roban Kramer / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

A coral species typical of the Caribbean Sea, although there are also reefs that host them in Australia, the Seychelles or the Mauritius Islands. They stand out because their skeleton is used to rebuild reefs.

They are Critically Endangered by the IUCN, which gives an extremely serious fact about their situation: since the 80s, their population has decreased between 80 and 98%. As hope, indicate that the population remains stable and it is believed that there is a beginning of recovery.

The main threats are the destruction of their habitat, climate change or the introduction of invasive species.

28- Great northern tile (

See page for author / Public domain

Also known as golden bluebird, it lives along the east coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean Sea, although in the latter only on the marine coasts of Venezuela.

It is the largest fish in its family, reaching 112 centimeters in the case of males. This has made it a very attractive marine being for fishing enthusiasts, the main reason why it is part of the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

For a long time, the United States has tried to regulate its excessive capture, since it is affecting its environment very negatively. In the Venezuelan case, conservation actions are non-existent.

29- Lizard from Cerro el Humo (

Endemic species of Venezuela, located at more than 800 meters above sea level in the Cerro Humo forests, located in the Peninsula de Paria National Park (Sucre). Small in size, it is arboreal and stands out from the rest of the lizards of its family due to its snout located in dorsal view.

It is Critically Endangered, its greatest threats being the degradation of its habitat, the construction of roads and, above all, agriculture and aquaculture.

30-

Freshwater fish belonging to the Loricariidae family. It is endemic to Venezuela and is distributed along the foothills of the San Juan and Guarapiche rivers. It measures about 8 inches.

It is in Danger due to the destruction of its habitat by pollutants such as oil, construction of roads or houses or even by the deforestation of the area.

Articles of interest

Animals in danger of extinction in the world.

Animals in danger of extinction in Mexico.

Animals in danger of extinction in Peru.

Animals in danger of extinction in Chile.

Animals in danger of extinction in Argentina.

Animals in danger of extinction in Spain.

References

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016-3. Recovered from: iucnredlist.org.
Trichechus Manatus, West Indian manatee. Recovered from: animaldiversity.org.
Kohnstamm, T. et al. (2007). Lonely Planet Venezuela. Melbourne, Lonely Planet Publications.
Houser, A. (2011). Venezuela. Minnesota, ADBO Publishing Company.
Collen, B. et al. (2013). Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation. Bridging the Gap between Global Commitment and Local Action. Hoboken, Wiley-Blackwell.
Crooker, R. (2006). Venezuela. New York, Chelsea House Publishing.
Maddicks, R. (2011). Venezuela: The Bradt Travel Guide. St. Peter, Bradt Travel Guides.
Endangered Species in Venezuela. Recovered from: ecoportal.tripod.com.

30 ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN VENEZUELA - BIOLOGY - 2025