The Philippines is composed of more than 7000 islands which makes it the second largest archipelago country in Asia. The country is divided into 3 island regions namely Luzon, Visaya and Mindanao and does not have a direct land border with any other country with many of its distinctive animals found only on specific islands. There are more than 111 species of amphibians and 270 species of reptiles in the Philippines, 80% of the amphibians and 70% of the reptiles of the Philippines are endemic. Thankfully it is believed that just 14 of the 114 total species of snakes, including flying snakes, are venomous.
The Philippines has the third highest number of endemic birds ranking behind only the much larger countries of Australia and Indonesia.
There are 67 globally threatened species. These include the rufous hornbill and the critically endangered national bird of the Philippines, the Philippine eagle.
The Philippines is also home to the Sulu hornbill, one of the most endangered animals in the world with a population of just 27 and the Calayan rail, the most endangered rail species in the world, found only on a small island in the Babuyan Group of Islands.
The National Bird, pictured above, is the Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle. It has brown and white-colored plumage, a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg (8.9 to 17.6 lb). The Philippine eagle is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length and wing surface area, with only Steller's sea eagle and the Harpy eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk. The most significant threat to the species is loss of habitat, a result of high levels of deforestation throughout most of its range.
There are 67 globally threatened species. These include the rufous hornbill and the critically endangered national bird of the Philippines, the Philippine eagle.
The Philippines is also home to the Sulu hornbill, one of the most endangered animals in the world with a population of just 27 and the Calayan rail, the most endangered rail species in the world, found only on a small island in the Babuyan Group of Islands.
The National Bird, pictured above, is the Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle. It has brown and white-colored plumage, a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg (8.9 to 17.6 lb). The Philippine eagle is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length and wing surface area, with only Steller's sea eagle and the Harpy eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk. The most significant threat to the species is loss of habitat, a result of high levels of deforestation throughout most of its range.
Blue-winged racket-tail
The blue-winged racket-tail is endemic to Tawi-Tawi island and is one of the most endangered parrots in the world, threatened by habitat loss and poaching for the cage-bird trade. They are usually seen in pairs in the high canopy of trees and feed on the fruit and flowers of fruiting trees. Once prevalent throughout all the islands of the Sulu Archipelago, the blue-winged racket-tail is now only found in isolated places on Tawi-Tawi due to rapid habitat destruction during the past 200 years. 
Tamaraw
Also known as the Mindoro dwarf buffalo it is native to that one island in the Philippines. The Tamaraw is much smaller than other buffalo. The height up to its shoulders is only about 1 metre while its body length is just 2 metres. It also has a tail about 60 cm in length. Uniquely, it has straight horns. 
Cebu Flower-pecker
Also called the Quadicolor, referring to the colours of its plumage, blue, red, yellow and white, this bird is listed as endangered due to illegal settlement, road construction, illegal logging and the encroachment of agriculture. Feared to have become extinct early in the 20th century, it was rediscovered in 1992 in a small patch of limestone forest in the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. Its diet consists of small fruits and flowers. 
Dome Planthopper
70% of 21000 insects in the Philippines are endemic. One of the most colourful is the dome planthopper which lives in urban gardens. It is quite small, about 5 mm in length. 
Philippines Flat-headed Frog
Usually found floating near the surface of the water this amphibian inhabits unpolluted swift-flowing mountain streams and rivers in lowland rainforests, hiding under submerged rocks if disturbed. Very sensitive to habitat alteration, pollution and human disturbance it is unfortunately also collected by locals for consumption. 
Carabao
A freshwater buffalo found in Southeast Asia the carabao enjoys a significant position in Philippine mythology, representing hard work and perseverance, and thus became the Philippines’ national animal. Strong enough to plow rice fields and other crop fields, they may also be found pulling timber and other goods on carts called kariton, and are an important part of the Philippine economy. |
Tarsier
Although fossil records show that Tarsiers were once found in mainland Asia, Europe, North America and in Africa, modern Tarsiers are today restricted to just a handful of islands in Malaysia, Indonesia and the southern Philippines. The Tarsier has evolved a number of specific features to aid its nocturnal and arboreal lifestyle. They have a small, stocky body and long tail that is either sparsely covered in fur or has just a tuft at the end. Their immensely soft fur varies from grey, to brown or ochre in colour depending on the species, but all Tarsiers share the characteristic long hind legs which enable them to leap distances of up to 5 meters between branches. The long fingers and toes of the Tarsier are tipped with pads and have nails to help them grip onto branches and prey, with long, curved claws on their second and third digits which are used for grooming. The most distinctive features of the Tarsier though can be found on their heads which (thanks to specially adapted vertebrae) are able to turn 180 degrees in both directions so that this primate can see behind it without moving its body. Their enormous eyes can be up to 16mm across and enable the Tarsier to hunt for prey and watch out for predators in the dark. Tarsiers also have large bat-like ears which are incredibly sensitive, able to detect even the slightest sounds close-by. 
Philippines Mouse-deer
The Philippines Mouse-deer, called Pilandok in Tagalog, is endemic to Balabac Island. It is only about 40 cm long and stands just 18 cm tall. They are nocturnal and solitary animals. Contrary to its common name, the Philippine mouse-deer does not belong to the deer family Cervidae, but is a member of the chevrotain family. The Philippine mouse-deer is usually portrayed as a trickster in Philippine folklore. In a Maranao tale, the Philippine mouse-deer tricks a prince into giving up his bag of gold. He is depicted as a clever guardian of the environment, using his wisdom as an advantage against those who destroy forests, seas, and wildlife. Due to this, Filipino Muslims, notably the Molbog people of southern Palawan, consider the mouse-deer as sacred 
Red-bodied Swallowtail
This rare native butterfly of the Philippines. The bodies of these butterflies are really well-coloured in dark red to brown and velvety black or gray with a black stripe pattern. Collectors have found the red-bodied swallowtails difficult to kill. Pinching the thorax, a method which kills most butterflies, is withstood and apparently only stuns the butterfly temporarily. 
Philippines Crocodile
The endemic freshwater crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis is critically endangered and is considered the most threatened crocodilian in the world. In 1982, wild populations were estimated to be only 500–1,000 individuals; by 1995 a mere 100 crocodiles remained in the wild. The recent discovery of a population of this species in the Sierra Madre mountains of Luzon brings new hope for its conservation. The Crocodile Rehabilitation, Observance and Conservation (CROC) Project of the Mabuwaya Foundation is active in managing projects to save this species. Other unique and threatened reptiles include Gray's monitor and the Philippine forest turtle. 
Dugong
The dugong is one of the few herbivorous marine mammals still remaining in the world. This species is a familiar sight to any inhabitants or tourists who visit the coastal waters of the world’s tropical regions. It moves through the water with a slow, languid pace and chews the grass on the bottom of the ocean floor to survive. Its herbivorous lifestyle and moderate temperament have earned it the nickname of the sea cow. Though not yet endangered, the dugong is vulnerable to human activity and coastal development. They were sometimes mistaken by European sailors for the legendary Greek mythological figures, the sirens |
