The Endemic Species of Myanmar

By June Franco

In August 2019, a team of local and international scientists discovered 4 new species and 4 new subspecies of freshwater mussels in Ayeyarwady, Haungtharaw, Sittaung and Dawei rivers. The discovery was revealed by Fauna and Flora International, a wildlife conservation organisation.

Thanks to its varied natural habitats – forests, rivers, sea, highlands and other natural resources – Myanmar is home to an amazing range of animals, birds and aquatic species. Many of these species are endemic to Myanmar and the surrounding region, making it a primary destination for wildlife lovers.

Endemic Bird Species

Myanmar features at least 6 endemic species of birds – Jerdon’s minivet, Burmese bushlark, hooded treepie, white-throated babbler, Burmese tit and white-browed nuthatch.

Besides native birds, research by conservationists in the northern mountains has led to several Southeast Asian species to be found for the first time in Myanmar, such as the long-tailed rosefinch, Brandt’s mountain finch, red-fronted rosefinch and smoky warbler. Presently, 46 globally threatened bird species are found in Myanmar, out of which 8 are critically endangered, 12 are endangered and 26 are vulnerable species.

The Myeik Archipelago in the south is also home to an array of birds that are endemic to the region, including the plain-pouched hornbill, red-throated sunbird, Wallace’s hawk-eagle, crested partridge and brown-winged kingfisher.

Endemic Land Animal Species

Blessed with thousands of acres of natural forest, numerous land animals also make Myanmar and the region around it their home. While walking through the forests, you will often see uncommon-looking little langurs with white rings around the eyes. These are spectacled leaf monkeys. The subspecies Trachypithecus obscurus sanctorum can only be found in the dense forests of the islands of Myeik Archipelago. They roam in groups of 20, consisting of one dominant male, several females and their children.

A species that is endemic to Southeast Asia is the Sunda pangolin, which is very difficult to sight. While walking through the forests, you might spot large holes in the ground. Chances are that those have been dug by a Sunda pangolin with its powerful claws. Fun fact: a pangolin eats around 200,000 ants or termites per day.

An unusual species of otter, the oriental small-clawed otter, is also native to the region. These friendly and playful creatures live in the mangrove swamps of Ayeyarwady delta and Myeik Archipelago. They live as small families. Their feet are less webbed than other types of otter, which is why they catch their prey with their paws instead of the mouth. They are the only otters in the world to do so.

The lesser mouse deer, which is the smallest hoofed animal in the world, can be found in abundance on the Lampi Island of Myeik Archipelago. According to some scientists, these mouse deer are the ancestors of whales and dolphins and have been around for 34 million years. Some of them dive into the water when threatened and can stay underwater for up to 4 minutes.

Endemic Aquatic Species

Endowed with an extensive coast, several rivers and 2 enormous natural lakes, Myanmar is home to innumerable endemic aquatic species. In 2018 alone, Flora and Fauna International-Myanmar found 21 new species of freshwater fish in Indawgyi Lake, Malikha river beside Putao and Tanintharyi Region.