- The 20 most important animals in China
- 1- Giant panda
- 2- Golden monkey
- 3- Chinese alligator
- 4- Red-crested Crane
- 5- snub-nosed monkey
- 6- China white dolphin
- 7- Pangolins
- 8- Asia black bear
- 9- Golden pheasant
- 10- Yak
- 11- Snow leopard
- 12- Tigers
- 13- Elephants
- 14- Macaques
- 15- Pekingese dog
- 16- Red panda
- 17- Tibetan antelope
- 18- Bactrian camel
- 19- Baiji
- 20- Chinese sturgeon
- References
The animals of China are abundant and varied. More than 100 species of animals are endemic to China. They have a great variety of exotic animals; sadly many are in danger of extinction.
The best known Chinese animals are the giant panda, which lives in bamboo forests; and the Chinese white dolphin, also known as the Yangtze River dolphin, which is one of the few freshwater dolphins in the world.
China's wildlife is very diverse; it has more than 4000 species of vertebrates. Due to the immense range of climates and regions found in the country, there are different types of habitats that can serve as a home for many animals and plants.
However, the rapid economic and urban development of the country has led to the deterioration of the environment and the loss of habitat for many endemic species in China.
The 20 most important animals in China
1- Giant panda
It is one of the most popular native animals of China; comes from the southeastern region of the country. Their diet consists of bamboo, a plant native to this area.
Currently there are less than 2,500 adult pandas left in their natural environment, so this species of bear is one of the animals that is in greater danger of extinction.
2- Golden monkey
There are three species of golden monkeys native to the forests and mountains of Yunna, Szechuan and Guizhou provinces.
These monkeys have become a very rare animal to observe, as the areas where they live are being destroyed by urban development.
3- Chinese alligator
The Chinese alligator is native to the fresh waters and rivers of China, especially around the lower Yangtze River.
It is a small member of the crocodile species as it only reaches 6 feet in length. These animals are in serious danger of extinction and are almost extinct in the wild.
4- Red-crested Crane
It is a tall bird with long legs and neck; It is approximately five feet tall. It is considered a symbol of longevity in East Asia.
Although ancient folklore claimed that this bird lived to be 1,000 years old, this crane has a life expectancy of 70 years, which is quite impressive for a bird.
5- snub-nosed monkey
It is a native of Szechuan. This monkey lives in temperate forests in mountainous areas and feeds on leaves, fruits, seeds, buds, herbs, tree bark, and flowers.
They live in groups of 5 or 10 members, but sometimes they reach 600 individuals. Male adults have long, golden hairs. They are in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat.
6- China white dolphin
This dolphin is gray when young and turns pink when it reaches maturity. Live to age 40 and eat fish.
It is one of the few freshwater dolphins and lives in the waters of Hong Kong. Is in danger of extinction.
7- Pangolins
They are burrowing folidotes and have a peculiar appearance: they are covered in scales, have a large trunk and with their long tongue they catch the ants and termites they eat.
They have no teeth, and when threatened they can wrap themselves into a ball.
8- Asia black bear
These animals have a thick coat of black fur with a white moon-shaped marking on their chest.
They have strong legs and sharp claws that allow them to climb trees.
9- Golden pheasant
It is native to the mountainous forests of western and central China; it is one of the most popular pheasants.
Males have a red and gold crest, which extends from head to neck. The females are less colorful: they are brown.
10- Yak
It is a mammal domesticated in Tibet similar to a bull. Wild yaks have long, black hairs that keep them warm in extreme temperatures of -40 ° C. Domesticated yaks generally have white spots.
They have thick shoulders and horns that reach 80 centimeters in males and 50 centimeters in females.
This animal is used to carry weight, as well as for its meat and skin.
11- Snow leopard
These leopards have a thick coat of grayish-yellow hair, with black spots on the rest of their body.
They also have thick tails that help them balance on rocks and protect themselves from the cold.
This animal has evolved to live in difficult conditions. They prowl the snow-capped mountains of central Asia; they are lonely and in danger of extinction.
12- Tigers
There are still some wild tigers in China, although very few.
The Siberian tiger is the largest predator in China and is also known as the Amur tiger because it lives in the snow-capped mountains of northeast China. Is in danger of extinction.
On the other hand, the Indo-Chinese tiger is found in the tropical forests of southwestern China.
13- Elephants
Like tigers, there are very few elephants left in China. They can generally be found in the forests of the southwest of this nation, very close to the border of Vietnam and Laos.
14- Macaques
They are the most common monkeys in this region. They are especially popular on Emei Shan, a mountain where people go hiking.
Visitors should be careful as these monkeys are known to steal people's snacks or food.
15- Pekingese dog
It was the preferred breed of dog of the imperial family of China for centuries. It originated in this region and is believed to have been around for over 2000 years.
They have small noses, wrinkled faces, and long, straight hair. They are very intelligent and excellent companion dogs.
16- Red panda
This small mammal native to China is found in the forests of Szechuan and Yunnan.
It generally spends its life in trees and bears a resemblance to raccoons. It is a vulnerable species.
17- Tibetan antelope
It is native to the plains of Tibet. This animal prefers open and flat terrain with little vegetation.
18- Bactrian camel
It is found in the dry deserts of northern China and has two humps.
They have been domesticated and are used to transport objects over large areas.
19- Baiji
It is known as the Yangtze River dolphin, since it is only found in this part of the world.
It is a freshwater dolphin and is listed as in great danger of extinction; It is not known if it is already extinct as specimens have not been seen for some time.
20- Chinese sturgeon
It is considered a "living fossil". These creatures have been around since prehistoric times - they lived at the same time as the dinosaurs - and they have managed to survive all this time.
They are currently in danger of extinction and are only found in the waters of the Yangtze River.
References
- Wildlife in China. Recovered from china-family-adventure.com
- Asiatic black bear. Recovered from kidcyber.com.au
- Pekingese dog breed. Recovered from dogtime.com
- Golden pheasant. Recovered from animalcorner.co.uk
- Chinese white dolphin. Recovered from wwf.org.hk
- Animals of china for kids. Recovered from oddizzi.com
- Where do snow leopards live? Recovered from wordlife.org
- Yak. Recovered from britannica.com
- Native plants and animals of china (2017). Recovered from sciencing.com
- China: animals and plants. Recovered from kidcyber.com.au
- What is a pangolin? Recovered from savepangolins.org