Cuc Phuong National Park

🇻🇳 Vietnam

🦎 Scale-bellied Tree Lizard Sanctuary
🌍 #243 Global · 3.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #13 in Southeast Asia #105 in Tropical Forest
Southeast Asia, Vietnam 995 spp. recorded

Cuc Phuong National Park is a dense tropical rainforest located in northern Vietnam, featuring ancient limestone mountains, deep valleys, and shaded jungle trails. This protected expanse is famously home to the vibrant scale-bellied tree lizard, a signature reptile that clings to mossy tree trunks along the main paths during warm afternoon hours.

20.338° N   105.606° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

🦎 No photo available
★
LC

Cuc Phuong Bent-toed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis

Insufficient data
Fork-tailed Sunbird ★
LC

Fork-tailed Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Aethopyga christinae

50–60% · Likely
Scale-bellied Tree Lizard ★
LC

Scale-bellied Tree Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthosaura lepidogaster

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Indian Toad
LC

Common Indian Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

60–70% · Likely
White-bellied Yuhina
LC

White-bellied Yuhina

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Erpornis zantholeuca

50–60% · Likely
Oriental Whipsnake
LC

Oriental Whipsnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Ahaetulla prasina

50–60% · Likely
Japanese Thrush
LC

Japanese Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Turdus cardis

50–60% · Likely
Emma Gray's Forest Lizard
LC

Emma Gray's Forest Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calotes emma

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-throated Fulvetta

Rufous-throated Fulvetta

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alcippe rufogularis

50–60% · Likely
Puff-throated Bulbul
LC

Puff-throated Bulbul

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alophoixus pallidus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-browed Warbler
LC

Yellow-browed Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Phylloscopus inornatus

40–50% · Likely
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
LC

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Culicicapa ceylonensis

40–50% · Likely
Common Tailorbird
LC

Common Tailorbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Orthotomus sutorius

40–50% · Likely
Green-eared Barbet
LC

Green-eared Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon faiostrictus

40–50% · Likely
North China Green Snake

North China Green Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Ptyas multicincta

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Perny's Long-nosed Squirrel
LC Endemic

Perny's Long-nosed Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Dremomys pernyi

30–40% · Possible
Maritime Striped Squirrel
LC Endemic

Maritime Striped Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tamiops maritimus

30–40% · Possible
Northern Treeshrew
LC

Northern Treeshrew

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tupaia belangeri

30–40% · Possible
Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel
LC Endemic

Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Belomys pearsonii

30–40% · Possible
Exotic Leaf-nosed Bat
LC

Exotic Leaf-nosed Bat

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Hipposideros gentilis

20–30% · Possible
Pallas's Squirrel
LC Endemic

Pallas's Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus erythraeus

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available

Mekong White-bellied Rat

Mammal

Niviventer mekongis

Insufficient data
Inornate Squirrel
LC

Inornate Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Callosciurus inornatus

Insufficient data
intermediate roundleaf bat
LC

intermediate roundleaf bat

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Hipposideros larvatus

Insufficient data
Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat
LC

Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macroglossus sobrinus

Insufficient data
Masked Palm Civet
LC Endemic

Masked Palm Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paguma larvata

Insufficient data
Great Roundleaf Bat
LC Endemic

Great Roundleaf Bat

Mammal

Hipposideros armiger

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Fork-tailed Sunbird ★
LC

Fork-tailed Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Aethopyga christinae

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

White-bellied Yuhina
LC

White-bellied Yuhina

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Erpornis zantholeuca

50–60% · Likely
Japanese Thrush
LC

Japanese Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Turdus cardis

50–60% · Likely
Rufous-throated Fulvetta

Rufous-throated Fulvetta

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alcippe rufogularis

50–60% · Likely
Puff-throated Bulbul
LC

Puff-throated Bulbul

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Alophoixus pallidus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-browed Warbler
LC

Yellow-browed Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Phylloscopus inornatus

40–50% · Likely
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
LC

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Culicicapa ceylonensis

40–50% · Likely
Common Tailorbird
LC

Common Tailorbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Orthotomus sutorius

40–50% · Likely
Green-eared Barbet
LC

Green-eared Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon faiostrictus

40–50% · Likely
Red-vented Barbet
LC

Red-vented Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon lagrandieri

40–50% · Likely
Great Iora
LC

Great Iora

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Aegithina lafresnayei

40–50% · Likely
Puff-throated Babbler
LC

Puff-throated Babbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pellorneum ruficeps

40–50% · Likely
Dark-necked Tailorbird
LC

Dark-necked Tailorbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Orthotomus atrogularis

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

🦎 No photo available
★
LC

Cuc Phuong Bent-toed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis

Insufficient data
Scale-bellied Tree Lizard ★
LC

Scale-bellied Tree Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthosaura lepidogaster

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Oriental Whipsnake
LC

Oriental Whipsnake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Ahaetulla prasina

50–60% · Likely
Emma Gray's Forest Lizard
LC

Emma Gray's Forest Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Calotes emma

50–60% · Likely
North China Green Snake

North China Green Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Ptyas multicincta

40–50% · Likely
Formosa Slug Snake
LC

Formosa Slug Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pareas formosensis

40–50% · Possible
Taiwanese Habu
LC

Taiwanese Habu

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Protobothrops mucrosquamatus

30–40% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

30–40% · Possible
Chinese Green Tree Viper
LC Endemic

Chinese Green Tree Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trimeresurus stejnegeri

30–40% · Possible
Palm Gecko
LC

Palm Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gekko palmatus

30–40% · Possible
Guangxi cat snake
LC

Guangxi cat snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Boiga guangxiensis

20–30% · Possible
Tawny Cat Snake

Tawny Cat Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Boiga multomaculata

20–30% · Possible
Common Mock Viper
LC Endemic

Common Mock Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

20–30% · Possible
Chinese Kukri Snake
LC

Chinese Kukri Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oligodon chinensis

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Indian Toad
LC

Common Indian Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

60–70% · Likely
Chinese Flying Frog
LC

Chinese Flying Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Zhangixalus dennysi

30–40% · Possible
Orlov's Treefrog
LC

Orlov's Treefrog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rhacophorus orlovi

30–40% · Possible
Arcuate-spotted Pygmy Frog
LC

Arcuate-spotted Pygmy Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Microhyla heymonsi

30–40% · Possible
Dotted Bubble-nest Frog
LC

Dotted Bubble-nest Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Theloderma albopunctatum

30–40% · Possible
Spot-legged Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Spot-legged Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates megacephalus

20–30% · Possible
🐸 No photo available
VU

Guangxi Pseudomoustache Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Leptobrachium guangxiense

20–30% · Possible
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
LC

Vietnamese Mossy Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Theloderma corticale

20–30% · Possible
🐸 No photo available
LC

John's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Rana johnsi

Insufficient data
Bony-headed Toad
LC

Bony-headed Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ingerophrynus galeatus

Insufficient data
Asian Painted Frog
LC

Asian Painted Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Kaloula pulchra

Insufficient data
Beautiful Pygmy Frog
LC

Beautiful Pygmy Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Microhyla pulchra

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Cuc Phuong Bird Migration Festival

OctNov

Thousands of migratory birds, including Japanese Thrush and Rufous-tailed Robin, pass through the park during autumn migration.

Japanese Thrush
LC

Japanese Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Turdus cardis

50–60% · Likely
Stripe-throated Bulbul
LC

Stripe-throated Bulbul

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pycnonotus finlaysoni

20–30% · Possible
Rufous-tailed Robin
LC

Rufous-tailed Robin

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Larvivora sibilans

30–40% · Possible
🦎

Endemic Reptile and Amphibian Night Walks

MarAprMayJul

The park’s dense forests host high densities of reptiles and amphibians, including the Scale-bellied Tree Lizard and Chinese Flying Frog.

Scale-bellied Tree Lizard
LC

Scale-bellied Tree Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acanthosaura lepidogaster

70–80% · Very likely
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
LC

Vietnamese Mossy Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Theloderma corticale

20–30% · Possible
Chinese Flying Frog
LC

Chinese Flying Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Zhangixalus dennysi

30–40% · Possible
🦌

Primates and Civets of Cuc Phuong

FebAprMayOct

The park is a stronghold for primates like the Hatinh Langur and civets such as the Masked Palm Civet, often seen at dawn or dusk.

Rhesus Macaque
LC

Rhesus Macaque

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macaca mulatta

Insufficient data
Masked Palm Civet
LC Endemic

Masked Palm Civet

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paguma larvata

Insufficient data
Hatinh Langur
EN

Hatinh Langur

Mammal

Trachypithecus hatinhensis

Insufficient data

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
Cuc Phuong Bent-toed Gecko
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
30–40
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
Fork-tailed Sunbird
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
70–80
Scale-bellied Tree Lizard
20–30
30–40
70–80
50–60
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
40–50
30–40
50–60
Common Indian Toad
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
White-bellied Yuhina
60–70
70–80
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
80–90
40–50
50–60
Oriental Whipsnake
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
10–20
10–20
70–80
30–40
60–70
40–50
60–70
Japanese Thrush
70–80
70–80
60–70
10–20
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
10–20
50–60
60–70
Emma Gray's Forest Lizard
50–60
60–70
10–20
40–50
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
Rufous-throated Fulvetta
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
Puff-throated Bulbul
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
50–60
Yellow-browed Warbler
60–70
50–60
40–50
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
60–70
50–60
30–40
10–20
30–40
30–40
50–60
20–30
40–50
70–80
70–80
50–60
Common Tailorbird
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
60–70
50–60
40–50
Green-eared Barbet
30–40
30–40
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
10–20
30–40
30–40
North China Green Snake
10–20
10–20
30–40
60–70
70–80
50–60
30–40
10–20
60–70
40–50
10–20
10–20
Animal Events
🐦 Cuc Phuong Bird Migration Festival
🦎 Endemic Reptile and Amphibian Night Walks
🦌 Primates and Civets of Cuc Phuong

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦎 Scale-bellied Tree Lizard Sanctuary

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
605
🐒 Mammals
176
🦎 Reptiles
154
🐸 Amphibians
60
995 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
68 Threatened 2 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
54%
📊
Coverage (202 species at ≥5% of 995 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 3 reptile, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
65%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
107
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
3
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
18

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Cuc Phuong National Park?

The most likely sightings are Scale-bellied Tree Lizard (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Indian Toad (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Sunbird (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), White-bellied Yuhina (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Oriental Whipsnake (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 995 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Cuc Phuong National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Cuc Phuong Bent-toed Gecko in Cuc Phuong National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 8% of wildlife watchers report a Cuc Phuong Bent-toed Gecko sighting in Cuc Phuong National Park, based on 1 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Fork-tailed Sunbird in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Yes — about 56% of wildlife watchers report a Fork-tailed Sunbird sighting in Cuc Phuong National Park, based on 156 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Scale-bellied Tree Lizard in Cuc Phuong National Park?

Yes — about 71% of wildlife watchers report a Scale-bellied Tree Lizard sighting in Cuc Phuong National Park, based on 48 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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