Selenium is a vital trace mineral element for maintaining animal bodies. It participates in the synthesis of various selenium proteins. As an antioxidant, selenium significantly contributes to antioxidant activity, immune response, growth and development, and detoxification in animals. Special economic animals hold great importance in China's animal husbandry sector and have become a prominent research focus in recent years. They hold special importance in economics, scientific research and medicine. This review the physiological functions of selenium in animal bodies and its applications in enhancing production performance and health of special economic animals, with the aim of offering a basis and reference for promoting selenium supplementation in breeding programs for special economic animals.