What are the Amazing Animals You Can Find in Thailand?

Introduction

Thailand, also known as the Land of Smiles, is located in the middle of Southeast Asia and is home to a population known for being warm and welcoming. Outside of the more populated areas, it is possible to find incredible landscapes and a wide variety of wildlife. Many tourists spend their time in cities like Bangkok or on tropical islands such as Phuket. There is a diverse population of animals that can be found in Thailand. Many of these animals can be observed in their natural habitats, conservation areas, and zoos. Animal lovers who are interested in going on an exotic vacation will want to make it a point to see as many of Thailand’s native animals as they can while they are there.

Thailand is home to a remarkably varied collection of plant and animal life. It is a beautiful country with a rich variety of flora and fauna spread far and wide throughout it, from picture-perfect islands and beaches to dense jungle rainforests and expansive national parks. The country is also home to several national parks. It is only natural that the list of animals you can find there is just as diverse as the country itself, given how diverse the country is. The following is a list of some of the most incredible animals that can be found in Thailand.

Elephants

These magnificent mammals are one of the few species of megafauna that are still alive today. Even though they are smaller than African Elephants, Asian Elephants still reach heights of between 2.4 and 3 meters and weigh close to 4 tons. The largest one that has ever been documented measured close to 3.5 meters in height, 8 meters in length, and well over 7.5 tons in weight.
There are approximately 4,000 wild elephants that are free to roam the grasslands and forests of Thailand. These elephants spend the majority of their day eating enough food to maintain their enormous size. Consuming an average of 150 kilograms of food per day is required for this.
Traveling through Thailand almost guarantees that you will have the chance to ride an elephant at some point during your time there. It is recommended that you participate in this activity while you are there as a tourist.
The elephant is subjected to repeated acts of cruelty over the course of several weeks, during which time only one person tends to its wounds. The elephant eventually develops a bond of trust with this one particular person, who will eventually become their trainer. It has been reported that during the breaking-in process, up to fifty percent of the elephants will perish.
Several excellent ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand are working to turn the animal tourism industry around, so if you want to make sure you see an elephant while you’re there, visit Thailand.
And when you finally get the chance to stand in awe before these enormous monsters, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to observe them. After all, how frequently do you get the chance to get so close to an elephant? You may notice that certain elephants have large pink patches all over their skin. This lack of pigmentation is not the result of any kind of mistreatment but rather the natural result of aging. The absence of pigmentation on the skin can make it more sensitive to the effects of sun exposure. Elephants are well aware of this fact, and as a result, they regularly apply mud to their backs by flinging it with their trunks, which is one of their most distinguishing characteristics.
The trunks of Asian Elephants can grow to be up to two meters long and are capable of holding up to four liters of water within them. Elephants in the wild are typically very playful with each other, especially when they are young, and it is not uncommon to see them using their long trunks to squirt water at each other. This behavior is especially prevalent among younger elephants.

The King Cobra

The King Cobra is both an admired and feared animal due to its status as the longest venomous snake in the world. The king cobra is a species of snake that is native to Southeast Asia and can be found in India. It favors living in dense highland forests. These long snakes can frequently be found in areas with water nearby, such as lakes and streams. A chance encounter with a king cobra in its natural habitat might be exciting for some people, but most people would rather observe their venomous reptiles in a controlled setting. The Bangkok Snake Farm is a venom research facility as well as a zoo, and it is very easy to spot the enormous king cobras that live there.

Tigers

It is extremely unlikely that you will come across an Indochinese Tiger in its natural habitat. It would take an incredible stroke of luck to come across one of these animals in their natural habitat in Thailand, where there are only between 200 and 250 of them left. Or unlucky, depending on how recently it consumed its previous meal. Even though there are fewer than 300 of them to be found in the wild, recent reports that they are breeding have given rise to renewed optimism regarding the possibility of an increase in their population size. Consider carefully whether you want to support establishments that offer tiger interactions because captive tigers are often subjected to inhumane and deplorable conditions.
When compared to Bengal or Siberian Tigers, Indochinese Tigers are noticeably more diminutive. The typical Indochinese Tiger can reach a length of close to three meters and weigh just a hair under two hundred kilograms; however, females are approximately twenty-five percent smaller than males. Their primary food source has always been herbivores of medium size, but because humans are destroying their habitat to make room for them, these herbivores are becoming extinct, which forces tigers to look for other sources of nutrition to survive. Although smaller mammals like wild pigs and smaller deer are sufficient to provide food for a single tiger, they are not sufficient to provide food for a breeding population of tigers because they are not large enough.
There are over two thousand tigers residing in zoos and sanctuaries in Thailand alone. This is because tigers are considered to be iconic creatures all over the world. Therefore, there should be an opportunity to repopulate the wild populations at some point in the future. It’s common knowledge that Thailand is the place to go if you want to get your picture taken with a tiger and for good reason. Tiger cubs can be held and played with for a fee that is less than the cost of a meal at Pizza Hut, and a member of the staff will take pictures of you interacting with the cubs while they are doing so. Photos with fully grown tigers are also available to purchase in case a tiger cub isn’t quite enough for you and you’re looking for something more impressive.

Whale Shark

Whale Sharks are instantly recognizable due to their status as the largest living fish in the world. They have a length of approximately 10 meters and weigh close to 9 tons on average. On the other hand, there have been sightings of individuals that are nearly twice as large as this one. Whale sharks have mouths that are 1.7 meters wide and can consume over 20 kilograms of plankton in a single day.
Despite their enormous size, whale sharks are peaceful and obedient filter feeders. They accomplish this by swimming directly into clouds of microscopic organisms, and by opening their mouths at precisely the right moment, they can consume gallons of seawater. Before the water is expelled out of their gills, the filter pads in their mouths remove all of the delicious treats that are in the water.
Divers in and around Thailand frequently go in search of whale sharks during particular times of the year. They are so accustomed to the presence of people that it is possible, if you find the right individual, to hitch a ride on their back by holding onto their dorsal fin. Be aware that shark biologists strongly discourage this practice, and that it is also prohibited in many countries around the world. Experts believe that riding a whale shark can put the animal under a significant amount of stress and that restricting its movement could lead to the animal suffocating from lack of oxygen.
There is no reason to be afraid of these enormous fish because they are completely harmless to humans and there has never been a recorded instance of a whale shark killing a human being. Young whale sharks are known to be particularly curious and playful with divers. Not only can Whale Sharks be found in Southeast Asian waters, but they can also be found in warm waters all over the world. Their lifespans can range anywhere from 80 to 130 years. When it comes to whale sharks, there are still a great many things that aren’t fully understood, even though these animals are enormous.

Bears

Thailand is home to both sun bears and Asian black bears, though there aren’t very many of either species living there. Bears are not considered to be in imminent danger of extinction; however, their status is vulnerable. However, foundations are working to ensure that bear populations increase and are helping others learn more about bears. Bear populations can be found all over Thailand, including in popular tourist destinations like Khao Sok national park in Surat Thani and Khao Yai national park in the north of the country.

The Siamese Crocodile

The Siamese crocodile is a species of freshwater crocodile that, consistent with its name, is native to the geographic region comprising Southeast Asia. Siamese crocodiles can still be found in the wild; however, there are only a very small number of them left, and the majority of them can be found in Cambodia. On the other hand, Thailand is in the enviable position of being the caretaker of several Siamese crocodiles.
Although the Pang Sida National Park is home to a small population of young Siamese crocodiles that have been released into the wild, visitors to the park are unlikely to have the opportunity to see them. However, if you go to the Samut Prakarn crocodile farm just outside of Pattaya, you will have the opportunity to observe the reptile in captivity along with as many as 60,000 other crocodiles that are considered to be more typical.

The Dusky Leaf Monkeys

The Dusky Leaf Monkey is a cute and fluffy primate that, no matter how you look at it, is irresistible. When compared to other monkeys of a similar size, they appear to have a much more expressive face due to the large white circles that surround their eyes and the lighter coloring that surrounds their mouths. One of their common names is the spectacled langur. They can weigh up to 10 kilograms and typically measure between 50 and 80 centimeters from nose to tail.
The vast majority of their diet consists of plant matter, fruit, and vegetables, which is similar to the diets of most primates. They can consume up to two kilograms of food in a single day and have different sections of their stomachs, similar to those of cows, that are designed to digest tough foods like leaves and shoots. That is equal to 20% of their total body weight.
These shy but sociable creatures live in groups of up to 20 individuals and are known as Dusk Leaf Monkeys. Even when another group approaches, the majority of these monkeys would rather engage in play than engage in territorial conflict, presuming that the other group is not acting aggressively.

The Asian Water Monitor Lizard

The Asian water monitor is the longest species of lizard that can be found in Thailand, and it can typically reach lengths of up to two meters. In addition to being seen on islands, in rainforests, and on beaches, you can also find them in urban settings. It is well known that Lumphini Park in Bangkok is home to a large population of water monitors. Dozens of these gargantuan reptiles can be seen living in harmony in the park’s lake, and visitors frequently come across them going about their business in the park itself.

Conclusion

Thailand is a country that contains a wide variety of natural landscapes. Animals in Thailand are among the most diverse in Southeast Asia as a result of the country’s diverse habitats, which include dense, wet jungles, high mountain peaks, a mix of beach and marine habitats, and more. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for bizarre lizards, fluffy monkeys, or massive mammals, Thailand’s animal life is just as varied as the country’s landscapes. Even though it is possible to see many of these wondrous creatures in zoos and other types of zoos, the best place to see any animal is in its natural environment, which is the wild.