Want to know more about the wild animals in France? Here is a list of 21 French animals that you can see in the wild:
Table of Contents
Harbor seal
The harbor seal is one of the cutest animals in France and can be spotted along the French coast of the English Channel.
They are recognized by their brown, grey, or silver white coat with a unique pattern of spots on the back. Harbor seals have short flippers and round heads with V-shaped nostrils. They do not have visible ear flaps, however their ear canals are located behind the eyes.
An adult male harbor seal can grow up to 1.85 m (6.1 ft) in length and weight up to 168 kg (370 lb). Female harbor seals are generally smaller than the males.
- Name: Harbor seal
- Scientific name: Phoca vitulina
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Roe deer
The roe deer is a small species of deer found in the northern part of the country. They can grow up to 135 cm (4.4 ft) in length, 75 cm (82.5 ft) at the shoulder and weight up to 35 kg (77 lb). Roe deers are recognized by their velvet-like fur of brown to reddish color. They have white underparts, big pointy ears, and a big nose.
Roe deer live in the woods of France where they mainly feed on leaves, grass, berries, and young shoots.
- Name: Roe deer
- Scientific name: Capreolus capreolus
- Diet: Herbivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Alpine marmot
The Alpine Marmot is one of the funniest animals in France and are to be found in the mountain regions at elevations between 800-3200 m (2600-10500 ft). They can reach 73 cm (29 in) in body length with a tail of around 13-30 cm (5-8 in), and weight up to 8 kg (17.6 lb).
Alpine marmots eat mostly grass and different kinds of herbs, but also eat insects, spiders and worms. When eating they hold the food in their forepaws.
If you hear a loud whistling sound when out hiking in the alps, it’s most likely an alpine marmot around. Down below you have a video where you can hear the funny sound of this French animal.
- Name: Alpine marmot
- Scientific name: Marmota marmota
- Diet: Omnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Eurasian pygmy shrew
This is one of the smallest animals in France and only weights around 4 g (0,14 oz). It’s found all over France and is one of the animals with the highest metabolic rates in the world, which means that it have to eat every two hours to survive.
The eurasian pygmy shrew lives in undergrowth and leaf litter where it hunts for small insects and invertebrates.
- Name: Eurasian pygmy shrew
- Scientific name: Sorex minutus
- Diet: Insectivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Garden dormouse
The garden dormouse is in my opinion one of the cutest animals in France. Just look at its tiny feet, big eyes, and round ears.
They are tiny rodents and usually reach a body length between 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) and weigh around 60-140 g (2.1-4.9 oz). The garden dormouse have a grey to brown fur with white underparts and black marking around their eyes. They’re also recognized by their large ears, big eyes, and white tassel at the tip of the tail.
In spite of its name, garden dormouses mainly live in forests where they feed on large insects such as grasshoppers and beetles, but also on snails, eggs, small rodents, spiders, fruits, nuts, and berries.
In France, they’re commonly found in the Alps.
- Name: Garden dormouse
- Scientific name: Eliomys quercinus
- Diet: Omnivore
- Threatened: Near threatened
Photo: Shutterstock
European mole
This small mammal lives in underground tunnel systems that they build by digging with their long claws. They eat a variety of insects, mice, shrews, and centipedes. However, earthworms are their main source of food since they can paralyze them with their saliva.
European moles are characterized by their dark grey fur, small ears and eyes that are hidden behind the fur. They usually weight around 130 g (4.6 oz) and can grow up to 16 cm (6.3 in) in body length.
You know that there’s a European mole around if you see the iconic molehills, which is the entrances to their tunnels.
- Name: European mole
- Scientific name: Talpa europaea
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Greater flamingo
Flamingos is probably one of the most exotic animals in France and are mainly found in the marshland of the Camargue National Park in the southern part of the country.
There are 6 different species of flamingo all over the world, and in France you can spot the greater flamingo – which is the largest in the flamingo family.
New borns are grey in color and with age they get this beautiful pink color. The color comes from the carotenoid pigments in the organisms that live in their feeding ground.
- Name: Greater flamingo
- Scientific name: Phoenicopterus roseus
- Diet: Omnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
False killer whale
This marine mammal is a large species of dolphin that’s found in most oceans around the world, as well as in the waters outside of France.
The name false killer whale comes from the similar skull characteristics that they share with the killer whale.
They can reach a length of 6 m (20 ft) and weight around 2200 kg (4900 lb). False killer whales are good swimmers and have been recorded at depths of 927.5 m (3043 ft), and speeds up to 29 km/h (18 mph).
- Name: False Killer Whale
- Scientific name: Pseudorca crassidens
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Near threatened
Photo: Shutterstock
Marbled newt
The marbled newt is found in most parts of France and are recognized by their dark brown / black bodies with beautiful green patterns.
Their bellies are black with white specks, and the females are recognized by the orange stripe running down from the back of their head to the tip of the tail. All young marbled newts have this stripe, but it fades away on males with age. They can grow up to 13-17 cm (5-6.5 in) in body length.
An interesting fact about this animal is that they use the stars to navigate the breeding pools.
- Name: Marbled newt
- Scientific name: Triturus marmoratus
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Lynx
The lynx is one of the rarest and most beautiful animals in France, and is a species of wild cat. They are very shy and hard to spot, so if you would see one in the wild you would be very lucky.
In France they live in high altitude forests with cover of shrubs, reeds and tall grass – where they can live a quiet and isolated life.
They only come out when hunting for food that mainly consists of deer and chamois, but also smaller preys such as hares, foxes, sheep, squirrels, mice, turkeys, and different kinds of birds.
They’re characterized by their short reddish to brown coat with lighter underparts and black spots. They have long legs, large round paws, a bobbed tail, and black tufts on their ears.
A fully grown lynx can reach a body length of 130 cm (51 in), 75 cm (30 in) at the shoulder and weight up to 30 kg (66 lb).
- Name: Eurasian lynx
- Scientific name: Lynx lynx
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Chamois
The Chamois is a species of goat-antelope that’s found in the Alps, Jura in Franche-Comté, southern Vosges Mountains, and in the high parts of Massif Central.
A fully grown chamois can reach a height of 80 cm (31 in) and get 137 cm (54 in) long. Males are larger than female chamois can can weight between 25-45 kg (55-99 lb).
They’re characterized by their brown colored fur with white marks on the sides of the head, as well as the long horns.
- Name: Chamois
- Scientific name: Rupicapra rupicapra
- Diet: Herbivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Eurasian wolf
The Eurasian wolf is a subspecies of grey wolf and is native to Europe. Wolves used to be extinct in France, but today there are an estimate of 300 wolves living in the country.
This species of wolf varies in size depending on where they live in Europe. In France they can grow up to 148 cm (58 in) in length, 70 cm (27.5 in) at the shoulder, and weight around 25-35 kg (55-77 lb).
They are mostly found in packs of 6-12 wolves where they hunt together. They usually hunt deer, chamois, and hares.
- Name: Eurasian wolf
- Scientific name: Canis lupus lupus
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Wild Boar
Wild Boars are seen in most rural areas of France, mostly in woodland and agricultural areas. It’s a bulky animal with short legs and a short massive trunk. They have a large head that they use to dig in the ground. It works like a plough and can be capable of digging 8-10 cm (3.1-3.9 in) into frozen ground.
This animal is fast an can run up to 40 km/h (25 mph) and jump up to 1.5 m (59 in). They are known for being quite aggressive animals, so if you would see one in the wild, do not approach them.
Attacks towards humans are rare, but can be real serious if it would happen since they can do much damage to the lower part of your body. It attacks with its tusks towards the victim, and will attack until it stops moving.
- Name: Wild boar
- Scientific name: Sus scrofa
- Diet: Omnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle is known for being a fast flyer as well as having strong feet that it use to catch its prey in the air.
It’s characterized by its dark brown feathers and the golden color around the back of their necks. They have white streaks on their tails and white marks on their wings. This is the fifth largest bird among eagle species in the world.
An interesting fact is that the female golden eagles has almost double the wingspan and weighs around 5 times more than the males.
- Name: Golden eagle
- Scientific name: Aquila chrysaetos
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Fox
In France it’s also possible to spot foxes in the wild, if you’re lucky. They are isolated animals and also good at hiding, and therefore they can be quite hard to spot.
In France they live in forests and can be found in most wildlife parks around the country. They are fast animals and can run up to 70 km/h (43 mph) .when hunting for food or being chased by predators.
They usually hunt alone for preys like birds, small rodents, eggs, and insects.
- Name: Fox
- Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
European Mink
The European mink is a species of mustelid and is native to Europe. They primarily live by forest streams where they hunt voles, frogs, fishes, crustaceans, and various insects.
European minks have long bodies with short legs and large broad heads. They are fast animals, and also good swimmers and divers – they can stay underwater for 1-2 minutes.
It’s recognized by its thick and dense fur of dark brown to blackish-brown color with white spots around their lower lip and chin.
- Name: European mink
- Scientific name: Muscle lutreola
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Critically endangered
Photo: Shutterstock
Mouflon
The mouflon is one of the animals in France that are today listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It’s a subspecies of wild sheep and are found in the woods of France where they mainly feed on grass, shrubs, and different kinds of herbs.
They’re characterized by their beautiful brown coat and ribbed curvy horns. In the wild, they are easy to recognize because of their special looks.
A fun fact about the mouflon is that they yearly grow a new ring on their horns, which helps to determine their age.
- Name: Mouflon
- Scientific name: Ovis orientalis
- Diet: Herbivore
- Threatened: Vulnerable
Photo: Shutterstock
Brown Bear
The brown bear is one of the most powerful animals in France, as well as one of the most dangerous. In France they’re mainly found in the Pyrenees Mountains, and are recognized by their big size and furry brown coat and big paws with up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long claws.
Thanks to their claws they are great diggers and use their claws to build dens and hunt preys that are hiding in the ground. With their long and sharp claws they’re also able to climb up trees.
Brown bears are big animals and can weight as much as 300 kg (661 lb) and reach up to 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) in head and body length.
- Name: Brown bear
- Scientific name: Ursus arctos
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Vulnerable
Photo: Shutterstock
European Mantis
The European mantis is a large species of the mantis family. They are commonly called “praying mantis” due to the posture of their legs which looks like they’re praying.
They have long bodies with two pairs of wings and a triangular shaped head with large eyes.
An interesting fact about the European mantis is that after mating, the female mantis eat the male – which is known as sexual cannibalism.
It’s believed that they do this because it will give them a faster production of a large ootheca with large eggs, which means that there’s a bigger chance for their babies to survive.
- Name: European mantis
- Scientific name: Mantis religiosa
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Badger
Badgers have wide short bodies with short legs that they use for digging. They have long heads with small ears, and a big nose.
This animal is characterized by it’s grey fur with black and white stripes on the head. They can grow up to 90 cm (35 in) in length including the tail, and weigh around 9-18 kg (20-40 lb).
Badgers lives in burrows called setts, that can be very extensive – often with several underground passages and chambers with multiple entrances.
A fun fact about this animal is that they are very clean. They remove soiled material and brings in fresh bedding to their burrows. They even poop outside – strategically to mark their territory.
- Name: European badger
- Scientific name: Meles meles
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
Beech marten
This is one of the French animals that can be found all across the country. It’s a species of marten that lives in the forests of France, as well as various other countries around the world.
Beech martens are recognized by their long bodies, long tails, pointy muzzles, and widely spaced ears. They have a grey / brown- colored fur with white marks around the throat.
They do not dig their own burrows, nor do they occupy other animals burrow. Instead they nest in spaces between stones in rock slides, clefts in rocks, and uninhabited stone structures. They can also live in tree holes at heights up to 9 m (30 in).
- Name: Beech martens
- Scientific name: Martes foina
- Diet: Carnivore
- Threatened: Least concern
Photo: Shutterstock
More about French animals
There’s a big variety of animals in France ranging from big to small animals. When exploring the wilderness of France it’s not 100% sure that you will spot several of these animals since many of them are shy and prefer to stay away from humans.
However, if you travel with an experienced guide you might be lucky to spot some of these French animals. Some are more common than others to spot in the wild, and some can also be quite dangerous if you cross paths with them.
What’s France’s national animal?
The Gallic Rooster, also known as ”Le Coq Gaulois” in French, is the unofficial national animal of France.
Photo: Shutterstock
What are the most dangerous animals in France?
In France there are a couple of animals that could be dangerous towards humans. Snakes are one of the most dangerous animals in France, however, with todays knowledge a bite can be treated.
Down below you have a small list of dangerous French animals that are good to know about before exploring the French wilderness:
- Wild boar
- Wolf
- Bear
- Cows – Yes, cows have killed hikers in the Pyrenees, so be careful around them and do not disturb them. Be especially careful around mother cows with their calves.
- The common lancehead
- Montpellier snake
- Pacu fish
- Jellyfish
- Weever fish
- Tiger mosquito
- Asian hornet
- Black widow
- Ticks
Photo: Shutterstock
Do you have more questions about the wild animals in France? Leave a comment below!
FAQs
What wild animals might be found in France? ›
You will be able to find different kinds of wildlife in France that are quite uncommon including Lynx, Chamois, Wolves, Wild Boar, Marmots, Golden Eagles, Roe Deer, Fox, European Mink and many more. Why cats found in France are different than the cats found in any other places?
What animal is France known for? ›The Latin word “gallus” means both "rooster" and "inhabitant of Gaul". Certain ancient coins bore a rooster, but the animal was not used as the emblem of the tribes of Gaul. Gradually the figure of the rooster became the most widely shared representation of the French people.
What is the large rat like creature in France? ›In France, the nutria is known as a ragondin. In Dutch, it is known as beverrat (beaver rat). In German, it is known as Nutria, Biberratte (beaver rat), or Sumpfbiber (swamp beaver).
Does France have wild wolves? ›France's population as of 2021 is 580 individuals, with most packs residing in the forested areas of the Jura and the Alps region. Wolves crossed over into Southern France from Italy through the Alps in the 1990s. Under the Berne Convention, wolves are listed as an endangered species and killing them is illegal.
Is there wild bears in France? ›Bears have been present in the Pyrenees for hundreds of thousands of years, but were almost hunted to extinction in the Middle Ages. It has been illegal to hunt bears in France since 1962, and since 1979, brown bears have been considered an official protected species.
What is the most popular animal in Paris? ›| Characteristic | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| The dog | 51% |
| The cat | 49% |
| The horse | 24% |
| The dolphin | 17% |
Le lion (m) Lion.
What is a French dog name? ›| French Female Dog Names | French Male Dog Names |
|---|---|
| Adela | Abel |
| Adelaide | Abi |
| Adele | Ace |
| Adelie | Achille |
Poodle:Although it is the national dog of France, the poodle actually originated in Germany. They were originally bred as waterfowl hunting and retrieving dogs in the 15th century.
Do French love animals? ›French people love pets, and with more than 44 million of them, France is the European country that has the the greatest number of pets.
What are the fat rats called? ›
Psammomys obesus (Sand Rat)
The sand rat (Psammomys obesus) is a nutritionally induced obesity model of T2DM. Genetically, the animal is in reality a gerbil, and it usually lives on a low-calorie vegetable diet. 726.
Feral pigeons are also known as city doves or street pigeons, they are descents of the wild rock doves. Many people appropriately call them rats of the sky as they can carry more diseases than rats therefore they are a serious risk to health.
What is a queen rat? ›Only one female in a colony of naked mole-rats produces offspring; this female is called the queen. She mates with only a few of the colony's males, and these relationships can remain stable for many years.
Does France have wild cats? ›In addition to the Pyrenees, the northeastern quarter of France is home to the largest population of wild cats in France, where they have never disappeared from either.
Are there wild boar in France? ›The number of wild boars in France is estimated at more than one million. Once rare in the French countryside, the wild boar is now considered a nuisance to be actively hunted.
How big are wolves in France? ›Canis lupus lupus
It is the largest of Old World grey wolves, averaging 39 kg (86 lb) in Europe; however, exceptionally large individuals have weighed 69–79 kg (152–174 lb), though this varies according to region.
Vipera aspis are found in almost all of France, and have a venomous and extremely painful bite, despite rarely being fatal. Watch out for them near the city of Montpellier, in the Lorraine region, and in parts of the Pyrénées.
Do you get snakes in France? ›The most common snakes in France are couleuvres, which are not poisonous to humans, although they do have a venom which kills mice and other small creatures.
Are there any poisonous snakes in France? ›Vipera aspis aspis (V.a.a.) is the most dangerous poisonous snake in South-Eastern France.
What are some strange laws in France? ›- Snails must have their own ticket on French trains.
- You can't name your pig Napoléon.
- Don't kiss in a French train station.
- Women who want to dress like a man must first ask the police.
- You must listen to French music.
- Don't let the kids have ketchup.
- You have to say bonjour.
What is a popular dog in France? ›
The Australian Shepherd is still stealing the spotlights as he remains the favourite breed in France, with 20 449 registrations in 2021! Right behind the Australian Shepherd, once more at the top of the ranking, the Golden Retriever has a great comeback to top 3 with 14 444 registrations in 2021.
What is Paris National animal? ›The Gallic rooster (French: le coq gaulois) is a national symbol of France as a nation, as opposed to Marianne representing France as a state and its values: the Republic.
What do French call cats? ›How do you Say Cat in French? The common synonym for “un chat” is “un minou”. The common synonym for “une chatte” is “une minette”.
What is Panda in French? ›Le panda (m)
What is a coyote in French? ›noun. [ masculine ] /kɔjɔt/ (animal) animal d'Amérique qui ressemble à un loup.
Do French dogs love? ›Their high, uncompromising regard for them is pretty much world legend. Dogs are a mainstay of French public life. Almost everywhere the French go, dogs go.
What is the royal dog of France? ›They Became Royalty in France
In 1675, King Louis XIV's royal court declared the Great Pyrenees the Royal Dog of France.
The Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff, French Mastiff or Bordeauxdog is a large French mastiff breed. A typical brachycephalic mastiff breed, the Bordeaux is a very powerful dog, with a very muscular body.
Do French prefer cats or dogs? ›In case you didn't already know, the French love cats! With 13.5 million domesticated cats (compared to 7 million dogs), France has the highest number of cats in Europe.
What country is kindest to animals? ›World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index (API) focuses on legislation that has been passed to recognize animal sentience and to prohibit animal suffering, as well as other legal safeguards. At the top of their list are the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland.
Do French people cuddle? ›
Hugging in France
The French very rarely hug. In France, hugs are not a part of daily life. Unlike Americans, the French do not use hugging as a greeting. Instead, they kiss cheeks (faire la bise) informally and shake hands in formal settings.
Rat-on-a-stick, also referred to as rat kebab, is a dish or snack consisting of a roasted rat served on a stick or skewer. The dish is consumed in Thailand and Vietnam. Prior to roasting, the rat is typically skinned and washed, after which it is gutted to remove its internal organs and then roasted.
What are edible rats called? ›Ricefield rat (Rattus argentiventer) meat is eaten in Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Cambodian,Chinese and Spanish cuisine. Rat-on-a-stick is a roasted rat dish consumed in Vietnam and Cambodia.
What is the largest living rat? ›Description. The Gambian pouched rat is native to Africa and is the world's largest rat, reaching up to 9 pounds. The average size is 3 pounds, measuring 20-35 inches from the head to the tip of the tail.
Can rats recognize you? ›3. Rats make lifelong bonds with their owners Ask any rat owner, and he or she will tell you: Rats recognize their owners and respond to their sight and voice. They are very social and love to hang out with human family members on the couch or on peoples' shoulders or in their laps.
Can rats see humans? ›They can only see a few feet at best and are relatively nearsighted critters, so if your pet rat is not reacting to your presence across a large room, it is because they cannot see you.
Why do people not like pigeons? ›They're certainly noisy, and they defecate on people and property with abandon (and in great volume—a pigeon produces a hefty 25 pounds of excrement per year), but you can say the same about lots of animals. The threat of pigeon-borne diseases could explain our hatred, but there's not much of a threat to speak of.
How do you tell a rat you love them? ›- Feed them a healthy diet (….. ...
- Find new ways to play with them – Intellectual stimulation is so important for our ratties since they're extraordinarily intelligent. ...
- Give them as large a cage as you possibly can.
- Keep their cage super clean.
The king rat (Uromys rex) is a large species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is endemic to the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Like the two other species of rodent in Guadalcanal, it is placed in the genus Uromys. It lives in trees and is larger than Uromys porculus but smaller than Uromys imperator.
Can you sleep with a rat? ›Conclusions. Sleeping with mice/rats in your home is not safe, and you should get rid of them as soon as you find out they've been visiting your home.
Are there stray animals in France? ›
Between 100,000 and 200,000 pets are abandoned in France each year, with 60% of these incidents occurring over the summer. By comparison, the RSPCA animal charity told the BBC that the figure is close to 16,000 in the UK.
Are there any poisonous animals in France? ›Vipera aspis are found in almost all of France, and have a venomous and extremely painful bite, despite rarely being fatal. Watch out for them near the city of Montpellier, in the Lorraine region, and in parts of the Pyrénées.
What animals are extinct in France? ›| scientific_name | common_name | taxonid |
|---|---|---|
| Bythinella gibbosa | 155997 | |
| Coregonus bezola | 135556 | |
| Viola cryana | 165210 | |
| Siettitia balsetensis | Perrin's Cave Beetle | 20207 |
In addition to the Pyrenees, the northeastern quarter of France is home to the largest population of wild cats in France, where they have never disappeared from either.
What happens to stray dogs in France? ›After a veterinarian has given notice, the animal is transferred free of charge to a foundation or animal protection association or euthanized. You can also contact an animal protection association near you to find out if they can take care of it or check if it is identified.
Which country has no stray animals? ›There are around 200 million stray dogs worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. Impressively, the Netherlands is not part of this statistic. It has become the first country in the world without any stray dogs!
Are snakes a problem in France? ›'There is a deep and irrational fear of snakes in France'
There was an exception in the law which allowed people to kill vipers but now anyone who does so risks up to two years in prison and a €150,000 fine.
The vast majority of spiders in France can't actually penetrate human skin and of those that can most will result in nothing more than minor localised discomfort. However there are a couple of species whose bite may require medical attention and you can read more here with photos.
Are there grizzlies in France? ›Answer and Explanation: No, there are no bears in the French Alps. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) was once common in the region, but was driven to extinction in the area. This species does live in other parts of the Alps, but even there it is extremely rare.
Were there tigers in France? ›The Czech Republic had the most tigers in captivity, 180, followed by Germany's 164. More than 100 animals were also documented in the United Kingdom, Slovakia and France.
Does France have kangaroos? ›
France. A population of feral red-necked wallabies, often mis-identified as "kangourous", lives near the township of Émancé, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest of Paris. These wallabies are descended from a breeding population which escaped a zoological reserve in the 1970s.
How many tigers are in France? ›Along with Italy, France is one of Europe's top tiger trafficking hubs (Photo: Gerhard G., Pixabay, License)Investigative environmental outlet Oxpeckers reported that as of December 2020 there are 635 registered tigers in France, some 500 of which belong to travelling circuses.