No species meet the strict definition of “endemic to Senegal.” There are currently no confirmed animal or plant species found only inside Senegal’s political borders.
Define “endemic” first: a species is endemic when it lives naturally in one place and nowhere else. This strict rule is hard to meet for Senegal. Habitats in Senegal extend across borders into Mauritania, Mali, Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia. Many animals and plants have ranges that cross those borders. Also, species ranges and names change over time with new research. As a result, very few — if any — organisms are known to occur only within Senegal’s lines on a map.
Use technical and historical reasons to explain the empty list. National borders do not match ecological boundaries, so true country-only endemics are rare in West Africa. Scientific surveys and taxonomic updates sometimes move a species from “country endemic” to “regional” or show it also occurs in a neighbour. Close alternatives exist and are useful: regional endemics of the Senegambian region (shared by Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau), Sahelian species that occur across the Sahel belt, and plants restricted to coastal Niayes dunes or to the Senegal River basin. Also consider near-endemics — species found in Senegal and only one or two nearby countries.
Explore related lists instead. Look for West African or Senegambian endemics, the birds and mammals of Senegal, plants of the Niayes coastal zone, and species confined to protected areas like Saloum Delta and Niokolo-Koba. Check trusted databases (IUCN Red List, GBIF, BirdLife, Kew) for up-to-date ranges and citations. These resources give the closest and most useful matches when strict country endemics are absent.
