Most Biodiverse Country 2026

Brazil has received recognition as the most biodiverse country in the world at least since 2016-2019. Most of the wildlife inhabits the Amazon, 60% of which sits on Brazil lands.

Plants

Brazil houses at least 55,000 plants. About 30% of these species are endemic (native or restricted to here). A total of one-fourth of the world’s plant species are found on this land.

The Princess Flower, Lady Ackland’s Cattleya, Spanish Cedar, Eggnut and Brazilwood are some native plants from here. Edible plants grown here include coconut, guava and jackfruit trees. Mango and caju are also found here, and historically this area cultivated sugar and cotton plants.

Land Animals Including Amphibians

Data calculations for land animals fluctuates between 2016 and 2022. The number of reptiles totals about 744. Amphibians that spend time on both water and land equals to at least 524 as reported from 2020-2021.

Species include the Pit Viper, which is a poisonous snake that either nests in trees or stays on the ground and the Argentine Black and White Tegu Lizard. This Tegu normally lives in the grass and often found by the roadside, but it also can swim.

The mammal count reaches about 689, or at least 524 according to a report updated in 2021 by A-Z Animals. The people of Brazil unofficially have designated the jaguar as the country’s national animal. Some other terrestrial mammals include monkeys, dogs, cats, wolves, cougars and deer.

Water Creatures

Brazil has about 3,000 freshwater fish in its waters, some of which are Peacock Bass, Arowana, Piraiba and Redtail Catfish. In addition, it has several creatures with seashells, such as conches and snails.

Water reptiles include Loggerhead Sea Turtles and some varieties of snakes and saltwater crocodiles. One notable mammal is the Giant River Otter, and others include 100s of amphibian frogs, Caecilians (a wormlike amphibian that looks like a small snake), and the Pink Dolphin.

Birds

About 1,832 birds live in Brazil. The Amazon Parrot remains one of the most popular. Its national bird, however, is the Rufous-bellied Thrush. You’ll also find some Toucans, Burrowing Owls, Hyacinth Macaw and White-bearded Manakin. If you visit here, you’ll notice an array of bright colors for many of the flying species.

Other Animals

Brazil also has about 70,000 species of insects living on its land. It also is home to the Goliath Birdeater, which is the second-largest spider in the world. This spider eats birds, worms and amphibians – not something you would probably expect from creatures of its kind. About 2100 butterfly species also live here.