Endemic Species Of Timor-Leste: The Complete List
There are no species that meet the strict definition of “endemic to Timor-Leste” (meaning found only inside the modern national borders of Timor-Leste).
Define the rule first. Demand that a species occur nowhere outside Timor-Leste. Apply that political boundary strictly and see an empty result. Understand that most scientific lists record endemism by island or bioregion, not by modern states. Expect species that are unique to the island of Timor or to the Lesser Sundas, but not unique to the country of Timor-Leste alone.
Recognize the technical reasons. Set boundaries by politics, and you break natural ranges. Species follow habitat and geology, not border lines. Many animals and plants occur across both Timor-Leste and West Timor (Indonesia). Note also that surveys, taxonomic changes, and limited field data make national-only claims rare and quickly revised. Check authoritative sources (IUCN, BirdLife, GBIF) and find island-level endemics rather than national endemics.
Consider close alternatives and useful lists. Look for species endemic to the island of Timor or to the Lesser Sundas, and for near-endemics that have most of their range inside Timor-Leste but cross the border. Look for offshore-island endemics (Atauro or Jaco), endemic subspecies, and taxa with highly restricted habitats. For example, the Timor monitor (Varanus timorensis) is an island-level native. Use island and regional checklists, IUCN range maps, and local surveys to build a meaningful “complete” list instead.
Explore island-level endemics, regional (Lesser Sundas) endemics, and species recorded in Timor-Leste next.
