Benin sits at the crossroads of West Africa’s coastal, forest and savanna zones, so its wildlife reflects a mix of regional ecosystems rather than strict, country-only occurrences. Fieldwork and museum records show many species with ranges that cross national boundaries, shaped by rivers, vegetation corridors and shared climate patterns.
There are 1 Animals Only Found in Benin, currently recorded as No confirmed country-level endemics — meaning no species is known to occur exclusively within Benin’s political borders. For clarity, each entry is organized with Scientific name,IUCN status,Range in Benin so you can see taxonomy, conservation status and how widely the species occurs; details you’ll find below.
Why are there no confirmed species found only in Benin?
Political borders rarely match ecological boundaries, so species often extend into neighboring countries; limited survey coverage and taxonomic uncertainty can also hide narrow-range species. As more targeted surveys and genetic studies are done, researchers may identify local endemics or distinct populations, but for now conservation planning benefits most from protecting habitats and cross-border corridors rather than assuming country-only species.
Animals Only Found in Benin
| Name | Scientific name | IUCN status | Range in Benin |
|---|---|---|---|
| No confirmed country-level endemics |
Images and Descriptions
No confirmed country-level endemics
Extensive reviews (IUCN, peer-reviewed literature) find no animal species restricted solely to Benin. Many taxa are near-endemics shared with Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso or Nigeria; conservation priority is protecting habitats like Pendjari and W National Park.
