List of national animals

National animals are important symbols that represent a country's cultural identity, heritage, and natural environment. National animals are typically chosen for qualities, such as strength, courage, or resilience, and they reflect the values or historical, mythological and cultural significance of a nation.^[1][2][3] Recognition of a national animal is typically formalized through legislation or an official document by which the community or collectivity operates.^[4]

The use of national animals goes back to ancient totemism. According to Émile Durkheim, totemism involves the veneration of a totemic animal as sacred, which also serves to organize social structures within the clan. Members of the clan are believed to embody the attributes of their totemic animal. Animals are typically chosen over plants or rocks because of the natural relationship between humans and animals, especially in economic life. Some of these dynamics persist in the concept of national animals.^[3]

National animals can be determined through both bottom-up and top-down approaches, that is, can be created, imported, or inherited. The characteristics of the national animal are altered to portray the self-perception of the nation. They symbolize and uphold the ideal shared values of the country's population.^[3] The country's other national symbols, such as the coat of arms and currency, usually bear the national animal.^[2]