What are the national first-class protected animals? A complete list at a glance

The "List of National Key Protected Wild Animals" was approved by the State Council on December 10, 1988, and issued and implemented by the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Agriculture on January 14, 1989. The list includes more than 330 species of terrestrial wild animals, among which the national first-class protected terrestrial wild animals include the giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, gibbon, red-crowned crane, and more than 90 species in total. Let's take a look below at what the national first-class protected animals are!

Slow loris (all species)

The slow loris, also known as the loris, pseudo-monkey, wind civet, etc., is a monkey of the genus Nycticebus in the order Primates. It has 9 subspecies, is relatively small in size and slow in movement, with a body length of 28-38 cm. It inhabits tropical rainforests and subtropical monsoon forests, lives entirely in trees, rarely comes down to the ground, and likes to move about alone. Its movements are especially slow, and only when attacked does it speed up somewhat. During the day it curls into a ball and hides in large tree holes or rests on branches, and at night it comes out to forage, feeding on plant fruits, and also preying on insects, small birds, and bird eggs. It is distributed in southern Yunnan and Guangxi, and mostly in Southeast Asia.

Assam macaque

The Assam macaque is a monkey of the genus Macaca in the order Primates, also known as the Rong monkey, Assam monkey, mountain macaque, etc. Its body size is similar to that of the rhesus macaque. It differs from the rhesus macaque in that its face is relatively longer, and its brow ridge is higher and more prominent. It is endemic to the Himalayan region and Indochina, mainly inhabiting monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests, deciduous broad-leaved forests, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, or high-altitude dark coniferous forests. Its habitat and habits are somewhat similar to those of the stump-tailed macaque, etc., but the Assam macaque lives in relatively higher habitats, is more cold-tolerant, and is distributed at more northerly latitudes. It mainly feeds on wild fruits and fresh twigs and tender leaves of plants, and also eats some insects, amphibians, and small birds.

Taiwan macaque

The Taiwan macaque is endemic to China, also known as the Taiwan macaque, black-limbed monkey, rock-dwelling macaque, etc. Its body shape closely resembles the rhesus macaque, but it is grayer, with a dark tail. It inhabits rock walls and mountain forests, is a semi-terrestrial animal, and feeds on various wild fruits, leaves, and insects, and sometimes also steals grain and melons from farmers. It often forms family groups of one male and multiple females, led by a strong adult male, gives birth to 1 young per litter, and can live up to 20 years. It is found in the southern and central parts of Taiwan Province, China.

Pig-tailed macaque

The pig-tailed macaque, also known as the flat-headed monkey, pig-tailed monkey, pig monkey, etc., has a body length of 54-62 cm, is relatively stocky, has a flat top of the head, and has dark brown crown hair arranged in a radiating pattern. Its whole body is light yellowish brown, the hair on the top of the head is short and arranged radially into a brown flat-topped area, resembling a cap, and most of the hair on the tail is short and sparse, shaped like a pig's tail. It inhabits tropical and subtropical forests or lower-altitude coniferous forests, lives in trees, likes to live in groups, feeds on plant fruits, and also preys on insects and small birds.

Langurs (all species)

Langurs are among the most endangered primates in the world, with 11 species in total. They have slender bodies and no cheek pouches, and their coat color is basically uniform throughout, either brown, gray, or black, with a lighter belly. They inhabit tropical or subtropical forests, mainly eat leaves, have very long tails suitable for tree-dwelling, like to move about in tall trees, and sometimes also come to the ground to drink water or look for food. When jumping between trees, the distance can reach 10-12 m. They are active during the day and sleep in large trees at night, without nests. They are distributed in Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and nearby small islands.

Sun bear

The sun bear, also known as the dog bear, sun bear, little dog bear, etc., is a small bear species of the genus Helarctos in the order Carnivora. It is the smallest living bear, with an all-black body, a plump body and short neck, a short round head, small eyes, bare hairless nose and lips, and small ears and a broad neck. There are symmetrical hair whorls on both shoulders, and there is also a hair whorl in the center of the chest patch. The tail is about the same length as the ears, with short webbing at the base. The chest is usually adorned with a conspicuous "U"-shaped marking, which is light brownish yellow or yellowish white. The tongue is very long, suitable for licking termites. The claws are sickle-shaped, making it good at climbing. It is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia and South Asia, with a small distribution in Luchun, Yunnan, and Mangkang, Tibet, China. It is omnivorous, eating leaves, fruits, honey, insects, and small animals.

Giant panda

The giant panda is endemic to China, also known as the cat bear, bamboo bear, silver dog, etc., and its main existing habitats are the mountainous areas of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu in China. Its body color is black and white. It has a round face, two large black eye patches, a sturdy body, a iconic pigeon-toed way of walking, and claws as sharp as scalpels. It has survived on Earth for at least 8 million years, and is known as a “living fossil” and “China's national treasure”, the image ambassador of the World Wide Fund for Nature, and a flagship species for global biodiversity conservation.

Sable

The sable is a species of marten endemic to northern Asia, also known as the black sable, forest sable, sable rat, etc. It is active and hunts during the day, using smell and hearing to capture small prey, including rodents, small birds, and fish, and sometimes also eats berries and pine cones. It mostly builds nests on the forest floor, and in bad weather or when hunted it hides in the nest, and even stores food inside. Its fur is called sable fur, and in China it is produced only in the Northeast region. Together with “ginseng and deer antler”, it is known as one of the “Three Treasures of the Northeast”, and it is widely distributed in the Ural Mountains, Siberia, Mongolia, Northeast China, and Hokkaido, Japan, and other places.

Wolverine

The wolverine, also known as the glutton, moon bear, flying bear, etc., inhabits cold-temperate coniferous forests and tundra steppe zones. Outside the breeding season it usually has no fixed den, and lives in rock crevices or caves abandoned by other animals. It is mostly solitary, hides by day and comes out at night, and is omnivorous, including ungulates, rodents, birds, and forest berries, and also preys on foxes, wild cats, etc. It is good at long-distance running, swimming, and climbing, and can jump freely through dense forests, hence the name “flying bear”. It is alert and fierce by nature and very strong. There are well-developed scent glands near the anus, and it uses urine to preserve food. It has the habit of semi-hibernation.

Binturong

The binturong, also known as the raccoon badger, bear civet, etc., inhabits tropical rainforests or monsoon forests, and is good at climbing and jumping in tall trees, making it a typical tree-dwelling animal. It is relatively active at dawn and dusk, and mainly feeds on fruits, bird eggs, small birds, and small mammals. It can breed year-round, mates in February to March each year, gives birth in mid-May, has 2-3 young per litter, and lives 10-15 years. It is produced in southern Yunnan and is mostly distributed in Southeast Asia. It is a national first-class protected animal in China.