List of Japanese Animals with Pictures • 7ESL

Japanese animals are not only beloved by the people but also hold symbolic significance in the culture. In this reference, you will discover the unique species that inhabit Japan and learn the vocabulary associated with these amazing creatures.

Contents

List of Japanese Animals

Macaque monkeys
Tanuki
Pika
Asian black bears
Tsushima leopards
Ussuri brown bear
Foxes
Sables
Japanese boars
Japanese serow
Sika deer
Green pheasants
Red-crowned cranes
Finless porpoise
Leopard cat
Giant salamanders
Mamushi snakes
Spider crabs
Iriomote cat
Japanese flying squirrel

Japanese Animals Names with Facts & Pictures

Macaque Monkeys

The Japanese macaque (also called “snow monkey”) lives for about 27 years.
Macaques have a range of fascinating behaviors, such as making snowballs and bathing together just for fun. They also have different accents when “speaking” to one another!
Japanese macaques are the national animal of Japan!

Tanuki

Tanuki may strongly resemble raccoons, but they’re nowhere near related. They are more closely related to dogs and wolves.
Japanese folklore is abundant with Tanuki symbolism. They are commonly portrayed as either cunning or a symbol of fortune. They’re popular in art, literature, film, and even video games.
Tanuki are much older than modern dog species. Today’s domestic dogs were more likely to resemble Tanuki thousands of years ago.

Tanuki

Pika

The Northern pika is a species of pika native to Japan. Others are found in different parts of Asia and North America.
Despite their resemblance to mice and rats, pikas are not rodents. If anything, they’re a type of rabbit. They belong to the lagomorph family, which is represented primarily by rabbits and hares.
Does the name sound familiar? One of the most popular characters in Japan (and the world) was inspired by the pika. However, real pikas don’t discharge bolts of electricity!

Pika

Japanese Boars

Boars in Japan are viewed as “wild” and “reckless” animals. However, Japanese hunters see boars as a symbol of courage and are greatly admired.
They can be found all over Japan except for two regions: Hokkaido and Ryukyu.

Japanese Giant Salamanders

The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest salamander species in the world. Their Chinese counterparts come in first. Both species are endangered to some degree, with the Chinese variant being critically endangered.
Giant salamanders breathe through their skin and have only one lung.
They can be found in Japan’s highlands near cold bodies of water. While most reside on the mainland, few have been discovered on smaller islands.

Spider Crabs

Spider crabs are perhaps the most terrifying creatures in Japan! Their long legs make them the largest crab species in the world. They are also the longest-living.
They shed their exoskeleton regularly and a new one forms in its place. Their exoskeletons are formed by hardened seawater.
In some restaurants in Japan, spider crabs are a popular delicacy. Fishermen find them easy to catch because of their size and slow speed.

Sika Deer

Sika deer are native to East Asia and can be found in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. They are adaptable to a range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and mountains.
Sika deer are smaller than most other deer species and are known for their distinctive spotted coat. They have a reddish-brown coat in the summer and a dark brown coat in the winter. Male Sika deer also have antlers, which they shed annually.
In Japan, Sika deer are considered a national treasure and are often featured in traditional art and literature. They are also a popular attraction for tourists, particularly in Nara Park where visitors can feed and interact with the deer. However, Sika deer can also cause damage to crops and forests, leading to conflicts with humans in some areas.

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