What is the difference between an indigenous animal and a native animal?

Answer by  smike (7)

Native and Indigenous are similar, ie naturally originating from certain locales, but the dictionary generally ascribes indigenous to species, and native to individuals. Cats are not native to America as a species, but my cat, Tigger, is a native of Portland, Ore.

Answer by  DevoutCatalyst (441)

Short Answer: NONE! Native & Indigenous mean the same thing. There is no difference in the context we are comparing them. Guesting was incorrect and was referring to "naturalized" or "introduced species".

Answer by  dehombre (5)

Galapagos archipelago has 4 bioregions. The check list of species of corals said native, indigenous, endemic, migratory, vagrant, introduced. I guess indigenous is from one bioregion of four, or one island out of a dozen big +100 small islets and rocks.

Answer by  questing (16)

A native animal was born to a certain location. An indigenous animal originally came from that location. For example, cats are native to the united states because they are born here. They are not indigenous to the united states because they were brought here. Wolves were indigenous to Oregon but died out. They are now native to Idaho.

Answer by  Danie (993)

There should be no difference between the two types of animals mentioned. Indigenous and native are the same meaning. In some countries, there are many animals which are indigenous or native to these lands, such as the Koala bear in Australia or certain animals that live in the jungles of Brazil.