When people think of animals in Bali, monkeys usually come to mind first. Then you probably start worrying about all the dangerous animals you might see.
Well, honestly, Bali wildlife is more than that! From street dogs and sea turtles to unique animals, your vacation will be filled with exciting sightings if you do it right.
Bali, with its rich Asian fauna, together with the Indian Ocean, is home to more than 150 different wild animals, and it makes Bali one of the most beautiful destinations for wildlife lovers and birdwatching.
If you are just planning your Bali itinerary and want to include some Bali animals in it, here are the main species you can come across.
Monkeys (Long-Tailed Macaques)
The most common monkeys in Bali (and to be fair, in SEA) are crab-eating macaques, also called long-tailed macaques, with light to brown fur and an intricate social life.
Although they have lived next to humans for so long, they are all still wild and somewhat dangerous. Their bites can carry rabies, and their hands are very quick to snatch your phone, hat, glasses, or anything else.
Main spots to see monkeys with some sort of supervision (if they steal something, staff might help you) are: Sangeh Forest, Ubud Monkey Forest, and Uluwatu Temple.
Bali Starling & Other Birds
Among 400+ bird species of Bali, Bali Starling, aka Bali Myna, stands out as a rare native bird and a national symbol of the island.
This rare white bird is now endangered, and only about 50 birds live in Bali Barat National Park and Bali Bird Park.
Among other birds in Bali, so many are gorgeous! Different species of colourful pigeons, Java sparrows, flycatchers,Savanna Nightjar, all sorts of Kingfishers, and many more. Bali Bird Park and a few birdwatching tours are amazing starting points to educate visitors about Bali birds.
Deer
West Bali National Park and Menjangan Island are the only places in Bali where you can still see barking deer (Javan Rusa) in the wild.
They are calm and usually keep their distance, and to find one, you will definitely need a local guide who knows the forest. If you’re lucky, you may spot deer on the beach, too!
Snakes & Sea Snakes
Snakes are pretty common in Bali, you are not likely to see them in busy areas like Canggu or Seminyak these days.
If you’re staying somewhere green, like near rice fields or in a villa with a big garden, you might pass through, especially at night.
Rat snakes are the most common ones; they look similar to cobras, but are completely harmless to humans.
Some snakes, unfortunately, are very dangerous. For example, King cobras, green pit vipers (blend well in green wines), and Blue Kraits (black and white banded sea snake) are some of the venomous species you can see in Bali, but to be fair, it is very rare for tourists to see them.
Lizards
Lizards are some of the most common animals in Southeast Asia.
Small geckos hanging on the walls and running for their life the second they see you. They are more active in the evening and are attracted by insects. They probably live inside your house, too, behind a curtain or a painting. They are mostly silent but make noise when they catch a bug.
The bigger geckos that make that loud “tokayyy” sound at night are hard to miss and hard to catch. In Balinese culture, they are believed to bring good luck and fortune, so locals catch them. They are gorgeous and come in a variety of colours.
The largest lizards, monitor lizards, are evasive and live in the subak or around rivers. They keep their distance, but can easily climb a wall if they think you have something tasty in your garden.
Another small outdoor lizard is a skink. They are easy to distinguish because they have smoother, darker skin. They are very fast and avoid humans.
Bali Cats and Bali Dogs
You’ll see stray dogs and cats all the time in Bali. Casually settled in the middle of the road, chilling outside shops, snoozing under the table in a cafe.
Some of them actually have owners, but most are “community dogs” that locals and many foreigners feed and take care of. Many Balinese families love to have dogs and cats.
The most famous Bali Dog is, for sure, Kintamani. This local breed from the highlands (Kintamani area) is known for its thicker coat and more distinct look. They are loyal, smart, somewhat stubborn, and incredibly beautiful.
Bali cats have a very distinct trait as well! They are quite small, and many have crooked tails or even no tail, or just a portion.
Livestock (Bali Cows, Chickens, Pigs, Goats)
Bali cattle are a vital part of Balinese life in small villages outside tourist hubs. Sapi Bali (cows), Ayam (chicken), Babi (pigs), and Kambing (goats) roam the sides of the roads freely.
Although local people practice a branch of Hinduism, Balinese cows are not considered sacred. They are respected and sometimes involved in ceremonies, used to plough rice fields, and people eat them, too.
Chickens and roosters are everywhere and are loud, especially in the morning, which annoys a fair share of foreigners.
Pigs and goats are not as common as cows and chickens, and are mostly raised in Central and Northern Bali.
Wild Boars
Wild boars, called babi hutan, are some of the rarest Bali animals to spot.
They live in forested areas and are mostly active at night, and are probably not the friendliest if you see them. Your best bet would be a night wildlife tour in the West National Park.
In the food niche, black pig meat production is a premium business, and some restaurants source pork from a very few farms in the North.
Luwak (Civet Cats)
You’ve probably heard of kopi luwak, discovered by local farmers during Dutch colonial rule and popularised by the Dutch. That coffee has an extra step in the process: it goes through the civet’s digestive track first.
The luwaks are small, shy, nocturnal creatures that live in forests, and they love to come out to coffee plantations in North Bali to snack on berries.
They are not meant to live in captivity or be farm animals. Just a heads up: not all coffee Luwak places treat them well, so make sure to read up before you go, if you want to try it at all.
Bats
Bali’s sunset skies are often swamped not with birds, but with bats!
Fruit bats are the most common: small and cute bats that are attracted to fruit in your garden. A type of fruit bat named Geoffroy’s Rousettes made one of the Balinese temples world-famous. It is the Goa Lawah Temple, where about a thousand bats live in the cave behind the temple and fly out every sunset!
The largest bats in Bali, with a huge wingspan, are called flying foxes. We have not seen them in the wild, but you will see them set up for photos in Bedugul and around Twin Lakes viewpoints.
There are no bats in Bali that drink blood or are dangerous to humans.
Marine Life
Bali’s underwater world is full of vibrant life, a true tropical paradise.
25+ Bali’s coral reefs are packed with colourful tropical fish, seahorses, and octopuses, and you can see them just by snorkelling off the shore in areas like Amed, Candidasa, or Pemuteran.
Jellyfish and sea snakes are not very common. Turtles, on the other hand, often pay a visit to surfers and snorkelers.
Manta Ray & Mola Mola
Manta rays are one of the most fascinating animals you can see in Bali’s waters. These majestic creatures glide through dark waters and pose no threat to humans.
Around Nusa Penida, especially at Manta Point, is the best place to dive or snorkel with them.
Bali is also known for the Mola Mola (sunfish), which usually appear in deeper waters around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida during the dry season.
Turtles
Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green, and Olive Ridley turtles are the most common in Bali, and all, unfortunately, range from endangered to threatened species.
Olive Ridley turtles are often seen along the beaches laying eggs, and are easy to recognise by some green on their shells and a somewhat heart-shaped body.
Many education centres and laws are in place to protect the turtle population, save eggs, and safely release newborns into the ocean.
Sharks
Sharks do exist in Bali waters, but they’re not as scary as you may think. There are no Great white sharks in Bali.
Caves and reefs are home to small reef sharks, like blacktip reef sharks. It is extremely hard to find them. There are a few night diving tours on the East Coast that take you shark watching, but it is not a guarantee that you will see any.
Dolphins
The most popular place to see dolphins in Bali is around Lovina Beach in the north. Most tours go out early in the morning to see families of Spinner Dolphins in the ocean.
However, we have to be honest: not all these tours are ethical and many chase dolphins for the sake of tourists’ videos. Choose responsibly.
Small Creatures You Might Miss
Every day in Bali is filled with small creatures we pay little attention to.
Frogs are a big part of the nightlife here, especially near rice fields. Their mating songs are quite loud!
During the day, butterflies and dragonflies are most commonly seen in gardens, forests, and green spaces.
Some of the most annoying creatures you will see are mosquitoes. They carry dengue, so make sure to have repellent packed.
You’ll also come across tiny jumping spiders, myriads of ants, and small coastal creatures like tiny crabs on the beach.
FYI, animals you can’t see in Bali are Komodo dragons (only inhabit Komodo island), Orangutans and Proboscis monkeys (Borneo), Birds of Paradise (Papua, or in a zoo in Bali in captivity), tigers or rhinoceros (Sumatra).
Where To See Animals In Bali
If you want to see animals in Bali in the wild, your best bet is a private guide, a birdwatching tour, or a visit to the National Park.
There are a few options to see animals from Bali, other Indonesian islands, and around the globe in captivity, too.
Ubud & Gianyar
Central and Northern Gianyar, including Ubud, are some of the easiest places to see animals naturally.
At the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and the streets leading to it in Ubud, you will watch monkeys roam freely, and outside of that, you’ll notice dogs, chickens, and ducks in the rice fields just as part of daily life.
Living in a more remote villa around Ubud, you can even spot a pangolin!
West Bali National Park & Menjangan Island
Bali Barat National Park on the North-West shore of Bali is a unique natural habitat for wild animals in Bali.
It naturally combines mangroves, dense forest, former volcanic formations, montane forest, and coral islands, providing a home for dozens of species.
It is the only place to see the famous Bali Myna, deer, wild boars, Green turtles, and Balinese black monkeys (East Javan Langur).
Where Is It? VFCG+X44, Sumber Klampok, Gerokgak, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81155, Indonesia
Nusa Penida & Coastal Areas
For marine life and scuba, Nusa Penida is a top spot. You can see manta rays, turtles, and lots of fish while snorkelling or diving.
If you don’t want to take a boat ride, in Bali, the best beaches and areas to see the coral reefs, fish, and sea turtles are Amed, Candidasa, Padang Bai, Pemuteran, and Tulamben.
Bali Zoo
Bali Zoo is a part zoo, part conservation with more than 450 rare animals, including lions, zebras, gibbons, and more.
They offer a few interactive experiences like lemur or deer feeding, breakfast with orangutans, or engaging bird shows, and are the best place to visit with younger kids or if you are limited in time but still want to see some animals.
In response to public demands, the zoo has stopped all elephant riding, which is a huge step towards more ethical animal encounters in Bali.
Remember that elephants were not native to Bali.
The elephants you see in Bali are Sumatran Elephants. They were either brought here to rescue them from poaching or, unfortunately, for the entertainment of foreign tourists. According to many international wildlife associations, there is no ethical way to see elephants in Bali at this moment.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Singapadu, Singapadu, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia
Bali Safari & Marine Park
An absolute highlight here is the opportunity to explore animals in Bali safari-style, both during the day and at night!
Hundreds of animals! You can definitely see rhinos, tigers, elephants, lions, giraffes, komodo dragons, different monkey species, tapir, and a dedicated aquarium to house penguins, manta rays, reptiles, and even a capybara.
Where Is It? Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra No.19, Serongga, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80515, Indonesia
Bali Bird Park
The biggest bird park in Bali, with thousands of birds from Bali and all over Indonesia. A beautiful place to see a variety of bird species.
Visitors can also participate in pelican feeding, take photos with colourful parrots, and watch free flights of the birds across the park.
Where Is It? Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir Singapadu, Jl. Bird Park, Batubulan, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia
Bali Reptile Park
Bali Reptile Park is a conservation centre located right next door to the Bali Bird Park.
Here you can learn more about snakes, hot and cold-blooded reptiles, and lizards on a guided tour, join a herping program in the wild, or take their own education course.
Where Is It? Batubulan, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80582, Indonesia
Bali Butterfly Park
This is the biggest butterfly park in Southeast Asia with more than 300 butterfly species.
The coolest part for kids and curious adults here is the metamorphosis room, where you can watch the whole butterfly life cycle.
Besides butterflies, the park has a lot of insects, too.
Where Is It? Jl. Batukaru No.76, Sedandan, Kec. Tabanan, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82115, Indonesia
Balinese Temples
At Goa Lawah Temple, you’ll find a cave full of bats, while at Uluwatu Temple, you can spot wild long-tailed macaques.
Sangeh Forest and temple also house large monkey families, as well as some squirrels!
Around temples, birds, cats, and dogs are always in abundance, too!
Rice Fields
Rice fields you see everywhere are home to catfish (people catch them to eat), all sorts of rodents, snakes, frogs, snails, Eastern Cattle Egrets, Javan Pond Herons, and even ducks deployed by farmers to weed out any pests.
Sometimes locals even spot a mud crab there!
Extinct & Endangered Animals In Bali
Not all animals that once inhabited Bali are still roaming the jungle.
Intensive hunting, illegal trade, development, pollution, as well as a general lack of ethical ways to interact with wildlife, played a big role in the disappearance of many bird species and mammals.
The most famous extinct animal of Bali is the Bali Tiger. Tigers went extinct in the middle of the 20th century because of hunting and habitat loss. As Bali developed and forests shrank, there was no place for tigers to go.
Birds were affected the most. Several species of Myna, including the iconic Bali Starling with its white feathers, are critically endangered today. There are only a few left in the wild, with the protected area of West Bali National Park and park rangers trying to bring the population back up.
You may notice a few turtle conservation efforts around Bali. Hawksbill turtles, the ones with dotted flippers, are considered critically endangered, too, due to the plastic and general pollution crisis in Bali.
FAQs
What Animal Is Bali Famous For?
Bali is most famous for its monkeys, especially the long-tailed macaques found in temple areas like the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Uluwatu Temple, and Sangeh Forest.
The island is also known for the rare Bali Starling bird, fluffy Bali Kintamani dogs, and vibrant marine life like manta rays, turtles, and tropical fish.
Are There Wild Tigers In Bali?
No, there are no wild tigers in Bali today. The Bali tiger went extinct decades ago, and there are no remaining populations on the island.
Are There Crocodiles In Bali?
Crocodiles are not native to Bali; however, they can live in mangrove swamps and rivers. The sightings are almost impossible, and there have been no recent crocodile attacks registered.
Are There Dangerous Animals in Bali?
Most animals in Bali are not dangerous if you behave responsibly. The main risks come from:
- Monkeys (can bite if provoked), especially on the left side of the park in Sangeh Forest and wild monkeys on the mountain roads up north. Ubud Monkey Forest is generally safe, but you still have to act smart. Balinese monkeys can carry rabies, too.
- Stray dogs are usually calm, but Bali falls into an active rabies zone, so be careful with petting even cute puppies and kittens.
- Sea creatures like jellyfish or sea snakes.
- Snakes, including cobras, are the most dangerous animals in Bali. Sometimes spotted in gardens or villas, especially located close to the river, jungle, or with lush gardens and open-air living rooms. Serious incidents are not common.
Are There Possums In Bali?
There are no possums in Bali. Possums are native to countries like Australia and are not part of Bali’s ecosystem.
However, Bali does have other small nocturnal animals: owls, pythons, wild pigs, Tokay geckos, small species of civets, loris, and even pangolins. The latter are incredibly rare to spot!
Final Thoughts On Animals In Bali
Meeting wild animals in Bali is easy and quite rewarding, and best of all, to see some of them, you don’t even need to go far!
Make sure to avoid tourist traps that use animals in Bali as a source of income and entertainment, be respectful of the natural habitats, and be patient while exploring remote areas.
