The fauna of temperate forests resembles the regional fauna. However, the structure of the vegetation provides similar ecological niches in all regions of the same vegetation type, so that, although different species inhabit different forests, they are of a similar type. Tree holes provide homes and nest sites for arboreal mammals and birds in most regions of temperate forest but with pronounced variations. For example, apart from bats no native mammals are found in the New Zealand forests. In Australia the arboreal mammals are all marsupials or bats, including gliders such as the greater glider (Petaurus volans) and opossums such as the common ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus), which nests in holes, and the well-known koala (Phascolarctos cinerea), which is free-living and feeds mainly or entirely on young tree foliage.

In temperate forests of the Northern Hemisphere, squirrels are widespread. Local additional arboreal forms in Asian forests include monkeys, most of which are predominantly seedeaters. This feeding niche is particularly appropriate in Northern Hemisphere forests, which include more trees with large seeds, such as the acorn-producing oaks, than do their Southern Hemisphere equivalents.

Birds are less regionally distinct, with families such as those of the owl and pigeon being well-represented in almost all temperate forest regions. Nevertheless, there are still some pronounced regional variations. The tits (Paridae) dominate the foliage-gleaning insectivore guild in Europe, where warblers (Sylviidae) are less varied; this situation is reversed in North America. More fundamental contrasts are apparent in Australia, where honeyeaters, which feed on nectar, and parrots, which feed on small, hard seeds, are diverse and common in the sclerophyllous forests. In the Northern Hemisphere few plants provide nectar for birds, and tree seeds are usually eaten by squirrels and pigeons.