English name of common Filipino animals (Tagalog) with notes

Here is a list of animals found or used in the Southern Luzon, Philippines.

Note that I used the word tagalog here because there are different dialects in the Philippines which will have different names for animals. The filipino language is based on tagalog and is the official language of the Phillppines.

List of common Crustaceans in Filipino

Hipong-urong (Tagalog) or alupihang dagat English name: Mantis shrimp

Note: Many urban-dwelling Filipinos do not know that this is edible.

Hipon (Tagalog) English Name: Shrimp

Note: Farmed shrimps and Wild shrimps taste different in the Philippines..
"Hibe" is dried shrimp in Tagalog while in Japan, shrimp is called "Ebi"

Talangka (Tagalog) English name: Freshwater crab

Note: "Talangka" are small freshwater crabs and are usually found on streams, usually in the brooks of rice fields. I seldom encounter them in rivers probably because they prefer the gentle flow of water found in brooks.

Alimango (Tagalog) English name: Giant mud crab

Note: Giant mud crabs are freshwater crabs commonly found in fishponds in the Philippines.

Alimasag (Tagalog) English name: salt water crab

Alimasag for food consumption, Philippines

Note: Alimasag is a general term for saltwater crab, commonly the blue crab. Other species of crab may refer to Alimasag.

List of common birds in Filipino 

Maya (Tagalog)  English name: Eurasian tree sparrow

Note: Mayas are surprisingly shy given their sheer number in the region. 

Manok (Tagalog) English name: Chicken

Tandang (Tagalog) English: Rooster

Note: Surprisingly, native chicken are still abundant in the Philippines and are preferred by some Filipinos over their domesticated counterparts. 

Pato (Tagalog) English name: Duck

Kuwago (Tagalog) English name: Owl (General) 

Note: Rare-sight in the urban or suburban regions of the Philippines

Lawin (Tagalog) English name: Falcon

Pabo (Tagalog) English name: Turkey

Note: Pabo or Turkeys are not commonly breed in the Philippine backyards, Filipinos do not usually prefer them for meat.

List of common Amphibians in Filipino 

Palakang-bukid (Tagalog) English name or direct translation: Field Frogs (Rice field frogs)

Note: In southern Luzon, palakang bukid are any frogs that can be seen in rice paddies. They are eaten before by some locals and are distinguished from the introduced species of frog such as Rhinella marina or Cane Toad

Palakang-saging (Tagalog) English name/Direct translation: Banana frogs (Any Tree frogs)

Asian-painted frog

Note: It is a newly introduced species of frog in the Philippines.

List of common Mammals in Filipino

Kalabaw (Tagalog) English name: Carabao

Note: This is a ubiquitous companion animal of almost all Filipino farmers. Kalabaws are used to ploy the rice field in the Philippines.

Kambing (Tagalog) English name: Goat

Kabayo (Tagalog) English name: Horse

Baka (Tagalog) English name: Cow

Baboy (Tagalog) English name: Pig

Note: Baboy is used as a derogatory term in the Philippines. It is used to describe a person who has no hygiene or personal cleanliness.

Baboy-ramo (Tagalog) English name: Warty pig

Note: There are several species of warty pigs in the Philippines but are locally extinct in many areas of the Philippines.

Usa (Tagalog) English name: Deer (General)


Note: There are several species of Deer in the Philippines but are locally extinct in many areas of the Philippines. They are very rare in the Philippines due to overhunting and poaching of the local people. 

Ungoy (Tagalog) English name: Monkey or referring to Philippine Macaque.

Paniki (Tagalog) English name: Bat

Note: Modern Filipinos cannot usually distinguished between a fruit-bat and other types of bat.

Musang (Tagalog) English name: Bearcat

Aso (Tagalog) English name: Dog

Note: Dogs in the Philippines are generally smaller and are usually mixed breed but mostly shows features of Dingos. 

Asong-kalye (Tagalog) English name: Street Dog

Note: The word "asong-kalye" is derogatory and "Aspin" is preferred.

Pusa (Tagalog) English name: Cat

List of common Reptiles in Filipino 

Buhaya (Tagalog) English name: Saltwater Crocodile

Note: "Buwaya" are often used to describe politicians in the Philippines because crocodiles are often seen as too greedy in the Philippines.

Pagong (Tagalog) English name: Freshwater turtle


Pawikan (Tagalog) English name: Green sea turtle

Sawa (Tagalog) English name: Reticulated Python

Note: "Sawa" is a ubiquitous snake in the Philippines, explaining for its specific name in the Filipino language.

Ahas-Tulog(Tagalog) English name: Blind-snake

Ulopong (Tagalog) English name: Philippine Cobra

Note: It is seldomly used in other parts of the Philippines which do not have the native range for the species. 

Almoranin (Tagalog) English: Poisonous snake Scientific name: Unverified

Tuko (Tagalog) English name: Gecko

Timbabalak (Tagalog) English name: Skink 

Bayawak (Tagalog) English name: Monitor Lizard 

Note: Some locals eat bayawak. 

List of common Fishes in Filipino

Igat (Tagalog) English name: Eel

Lapu-Lapu (Tagalog) English name: Grouper

Espada (Tagalog) English name: Black Scabbard fish

List of common Molluscs in Filipino

Kuhol (Tagalog) English name: Golden apple Snail

Note: Kuhol is ubiquitous in fresh bodies of water in the Phililpines. In some areas of the Philippines, it is a delicacy. 

Suso (Tagalog) English name: Snail

Talaba (Tagalog) English name: Oyster

Tahong (Tagalog) English name: Mussel

Kabibe (Tagalog) English name: Clam

Halaan, Butil (Smaller), Batotoy (Dark) English name: Manila clam or Japanese clam

Note: Only few Filipinos know these terms. Majority of those familiar are those in the local markets.

Taklobo (Filipino) English name: Giant clam

Bayuku (Tagalo) English name: Philippine Muffin Snail
Scientific name: Ryssota oteheitana
Additional Information

Note: It is only used in regions with the species range such as Laguna.

Bangongon (Filipino) English name: Horn snail