Animals!

Discover the strongest, smartest, and fastest animals in the world by searching below, or scroll to see all animals listed from A-Z. We are the largest website of our kind for wild animal and pet lovers worldwide!

See them all!

We believe that if people know more about the world’s creatures they will better care for them. That’s why we add new animals for you to discover – each and every day! Learn about any animal using the search box below or subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also be sure to check out our growing list of Animal Quizzes and Web Stories.

Discover Your Favorite Animal Today!

Latest from A-Z Animals

Do Fireflies (Lightning Bugs) Bite or Sting?

Fireflies are beautiful flying insects. Although most of us picture tiny flickering lights in the sky, not all fireflies glow or light up! Currently, there are over 2,000 recognized firefly… Read More

By Nixza Gonzalez 42 mins ago


Discover 9 Smells That Crickets Absolutely Hate

Crickets can be a nuisance when they invade your homes or gardens. Understanding their aversion to these scents can help you incorporate them into your surroundings, deterring crickets and keeping… Read More

By Heather Burdo 1 hour ago


Discover 5 of the Oldest Cities in New York

When most people hear "New York," the first image that leaps to mind is New York City. It's fair to say that it has grown truly into a global city… Read More

By Andrew Wood 2 hours ago

Discover the Clearest Lake in Tennessee

Tennessee has some of the most spectacular mountains, lakes, rivers, and ponds in the country. There are over 100,000 small lakes and ponds alone in the state! But which one… Read More

By Nixza Gonzalez 2 hours ago


Discover 5 Invasive Species in Alaska

In nature, small changes in the balance of an ecosystem can snowball into big issues. If one link in the chain is damaged, the integrity of the entire system is… Read More

By Jesse Elop 2 hours ago


Border Collie Colors: Rarest to Most Common

Border Collies are known as the smartest dogs in the world. They pick up new cues quickly, are excellent at herding, and are also incredibly active working dogs. They also… Read More

By Katelynn Sobus 2 hours ago

Discover the Most Dangerous Animals Lurking in Alabama’s Lakes and Marshes

Alabama is an interesting state. Most of the lakes in the state were created with a dam. Still, many animals call the lakes, marshes, and ponds home. Did you know… Read More

By Nixza Gonzalez 3 hours ago


Do Hawks Eat Snakes? (And Other Large Prey They Snatch)

Not all birds of prey compete for the same food source. For example, falcons and raptors primarily catch smaller animals like rats, rabbits, and squirrels. However, hawks and eagles prefer… Read More

By Chanel Coetzee 3 hours ago


Blue Fin Tuna Size Comparison: Just How Big Do They Get?

One of the largest fish in the ocean and the largest species of tuna, bluefin tuna are amazing ocean predators. They are sought after for dishes like sushi and sashimi.… Read More

By Katie Melynn Wood 5 hours ago

The 7 Main Types of Animals And Their Characteristics

There are many different types of animals in the world, but some of the largest categories include:

Mammals around the world!

Mammals

The official mammal class is Mammalia. Animals that are considered mammals include warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair or fur and whose babies drink milk. Unlike other animal types like birds and insects, all mammal babies drink milk that comes from their mother’s bodies. This is one of the key ways to know if an animal is a mammal.

See the complete list of mammals.

Close up of a colorful lizard

Reptiles

Lizards, dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes – all belong to that ancient and stout class of animals known as the reptiles. This is a diverse group with more than 10,000 different species and a huge representation in the fossil record. Once the dominant land vertebrates on the planet, reptiles still occupy just about every single ecosystem outside of the extreme north and south.

See the complete list of reptiles.

Beta fighting fish

Fish

Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. “Fish” is a term used to refer to lampreys, sharks, coelacanths and ray-finned fishes, but is not a taxonomic group, which is a clade or group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.

See the complete list of fish.

Colorful birds

Birds

Birds, members of the class Aves, include more than 10,400 living species. Their feathers distinguish them from all other classes of animal; no other animals on earth have them. If you see an animal with feathers, it’s undoubtedly a bird. Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with four-chambered hearts. However, they are more closely related to reptiles and are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs.

See the complete list of birds.

Golden eyed leaf frog

Amphibians

The official class of amphibians is Amphibia. To have the classification of an amphibian, an animal must be a vertebrate, require water to survive, be cold-blooded, and spend time both on land and in water. Though other animals only live on land or in the water, amphibians have the unique ability to thrive equally in both. Amphibians cover over 6,000 different species across the globe, but about 90% are frogs.

See the complete list of amphibians.

Queen butterfly danaus gilippus on blue hydrangea flowers.

Invertebrates

The definition of an invertebrate is any animal that does not have a backbone or vertebral column. The most prolific and easily recognizable members of the invertebrate family are insects. It’s estimated that upwards of 30 million individual species of invertebrates may exist accounting for between 90-95 percent of all organisms on the planet.

See the complete list of invertebrates.

Queen butterfly danaus gilippus on blue hydrangea flowers.

Insects

All insects are part of the taxonomical phylum Arthropoda, and they are collectively referred to as arthropods. It is common to see this name misspelled as “anthropod,” but this is not the correct term. They can be found in nearly every environment on the planet, and they currently account for over half of all known living organisms in the world. They have undergone many cycles of evolution depending on the resources available to them.

See the complete list of insects.

Explore Types of Wild Animals from Around the World

We track thousands of animals from every continent and corner on earth, and are adding more every day!

  • African Animals – Africa is home to some of the most incredible and dangerous animals in the world.
  • Asian Animals – Asia has the world’s longest coastline, and an amazing diversity of exotic animals, birds, and more.
  • Central American Animals – Discover the the nearly 400 different animals we track in Central America today.
  • Eurasian Animals – Eurasia has some of the rarest animals in the world, like Siberian Tigers and Snow Leopards.
  • European Animals – We track over 500 different animals in Europe, including wolves and bears.
  • North American Animals – North America has many beautiful national parks that house some of the rarest animals on earth.
  • Marine (Ocean) Animals – The ocean is teaming with life, from the smallest shrimp to the largest animal ever – the Blue Whale!
  • Oceanian Animals – Oceania has many islands, and the world’s highest concentration of marsupials.
  • South American Animals – Home to the stealthy Jaguar, the friendly Capybara, and many more!

See Endangered and Extinct Animals Lists

A-Z Animals follow’s the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species definitions of threatened and endangered animals. Please consult the lists below to learn more about which animals need our help the most

  • Extinct – Species that no longer exist on earth
  • Extinct in the Wild – Species that are only known to survive in captive or cultivated environments
  • Critically Endangered – Animals that face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
  • Endangered – Animal species that face a high risk of extinction in the wild
  • Vulnerable – Animal species that face a risk of extinction in the wild
  • Near Threatened – Species that are facing population challenges and likely to become vulnerable to extinction soon
  • Least Concern – Animals with strong populations that are not expected to face extinction risk in the near future
  • Data Deficient – Species where we lack adequate information to assess the risk
  • Not Evaluated – Animal species that have not been evaluated yet

Types of Animals By Letter: Explore A to Z Animal Lists

See lists of animals that start with every letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. We track all types of animals like lions and tigers, dogs and cats, even dinosaurs and spiders. Choose your favorite letter below to see all animals that start with it today.

A American Foxhound
Animals that Start with A

Example: The American Foxhound

A Belgian Malinois Mix
Animals that Start with B

Example: The Belgian Malinois Mix

A Comfort Retriever
Animals that Start with C

Example: The Comfort Retriever

A Doedicurus
Animals that Start with D

Example: The Doedicurus

A Elephant
Animals that Start with E

Example: The Elephant

A Fire Ball Python
Animals that Start with F

Example: The Fire Ball Python

A Giant Schnoodle
Animals that Start with G

Example: The Giant Schnoodle

A Humboldt Penguin
Animals that Start with H

Example: The Humboldt Penguin

A Indian Cobra
Animals that Start with I

Example: The Indian Cobra

A Jungle Carpet Python
Animals that Start with J

Example: The Jungle Carpet Python

A Kakapo
Animals that Start with K

Example: The Kakapo

A Liger
Animals that Start with L

Example: The Liger

A Megatherium
Animals that Start with M

Example: The Megatherium

A Nile Perch
Animals that Start with N

Example: The Nile Perch

A Opaleye (Rudderfish)
Animals that Start with O

Example: The Opaleye (Rudderfish)

A Plymouth Rock Chicken
Animals that Start with P

Example: The Plymouth Rock Chicken

A Quetzal
Animals that Start with Q

Example: The Quetzal

A Rockfish
Animals that Start with R

Example: The Rockfish

A Sika Deer
Animals that Start with S

Example: The Sika Deer

A Tiger
Animals that Start with T

Example: The Tiger

A Urial
Animals that Start with U

Example: The Urial

A Vaquita
Animals that Start with V

Example: The Vaquita

A Western Hognose Snake
Animals that Start with W

Example: The Western Hognose Snake

A Xiphactinus
Animals that Start with X

Example: The Xiphactinus

A Yokohama Chicken
Animals that Start with Y

Example: The Yokohama Chicken

A Zebra Pleco
Animals that Start with Z

Example: The Zebra Pleco

Everything To Know About Pet Dogs, Cats Birds, and More

Some of the most popular types of animals on earth are pets. A pet is a domesticated animal that lives with a person or family, usually in a house. The most common pets include dogs, cats, fish, and birds, but there are also many amazing exotic pets like reptiles, lizards, and more! Horses, goats, and pigs can also be pets too.

Pet Dogs

Dogs are the most popular type of pet on earth with nearly 500 million worldwide. Thats almost one dog for every 15 people on earth! There are hundreds of different dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is the largest dog breed, and was bred to hunt wolves. Chihuahuas are the smallest, and were likely bred for companionship or to hunt small rodents. The most popular dog breeds are below.

A Irish Setter
Irish Setter

Has a beautiful coat that's flowing and feathered!

A Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier

Friendly, lovable and very strong!

A Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever

Trusting, kind and gentle!

Pet Cats

Cats are the second most popular pet on earth with nearly 400 million worldwide. Thats almost one pet cat for every 20 people on earth! You can read about the hundreds of different cat breeds, from the large to the small. The most popular cat breeds are below

A Abyssinian
Abyssinian

One of the oldest cat breeds in the world!

A Australian Mist
Australian Mist

The only cat breed to originate in Australia.

A Ragdoll
Ragdoll

One of the larger breeds of domestic cat!

Pet Product Reviews

Pets are important members of our families and should be cared for. The AZ Animals team reviews the latest research on pet health, consults veterinarian best practices, and works directly with vet health specialists to review the best products for your dog, cat, and other pets. We’re excited to share our expert pet product recommendations with you, including the best dog food, best cat food, and best tanks for your pet fish

More Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More!

Discover the Ohio Town Most Likely to Experience an Earthquake

Earthquakes can devastate entire communities and ecosystems, and some unfortunate areas are more likely to experience them than others. Although Ohio doesn’t seem like it would be particularly earthquake-prone, a… Read More

By Hailey Pruett 5 hours ago


Red River of the South Wildlife, Size, Activities, and More

The Red River of the South, sometimes known as the Red River, is a significant waterway that runs through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana in the southern United States. Before… Read More

By Em Casalena 5 hours ago


Discover the 12 Most Popular Tall and Skinny Dog Breeds

Dogs are great friends. They are active, sweet, charming, and have their own unique personalities. Did you know there are over 200 dog breeds in the world? Technically, this number… Read More

By Nixza Gonzalez 5 hours ago

Year of the Tiger: Chinese Zodiac Meaning and Years

The powerful Tiger is one of the most driven and intelligent signs in the Chinese zodiac. According to Chinese mythology, people born in the Year of the Tiger are fierce… Read More

By Jennifer Haase 6 hours ago


Rose Troubleshooting: Common Pests And Problems

Roses are so much fun to grow. Whether you have a potted indoor rose or a vast outdoor rose garden, chances are you love the look of the classic rose.… Read More

By Em Casalena 6 hours ago


Discover the 7 Water Snakes Lurking in Michigan Waters

Snakes are some of the most common animals in the US, with approximately 100 species living across the country. There are 18 species in Michigan and these can be found… Read More

By Hannah Ward 6 hours ago

Meet the World’s Smallest Wild Dog Family

Somewhere in the five and a half million square miles of sand that is the Sahara Desert, there are some small paw prints! They belong to the world’s smallest wild… Read More

By Sharon Parry 6 hours ago


Discover the Official Florida State Freshwater Mammal

There aren’t many states that have an official state freshwater mammal, but the state of Florida sure does! In this article, we’ll take a look at the legendary and graceful… Read More

By Em Casalena 7 hours ago


The Most Snake-Infested Lakes in North Carolina

In North Carolina, there aren't any lakes that are infamous for being "snake-infested" per se. However, several types of snakes are frequently found in and around water basins across the… Read More

By Em Casalena 8 hours ago

111 Angel Number: Discover the Powerful Meanings and Symbolism

Humans see patterns and numbers everywhere but sometimes number sequences keep appearing and you might wonder why. Seeing repetitional numbers could be a sign from the universe to help guide… Read More

By Rebecca Mathews 8 hours ago


80 Beautiful Flowers That Start With M

Many flowers' names start with M. They are beautiful, and you will find them in different settings. Many of these flowers are common, like marigolds and magnolias. These flowers have… Read More

By Mitchelle Morgan 8 hours ago


Discover the Official State Fish of Utah (And Where You Might Spot It This Summer)

Utah is known for its great expanses of natural areas. Some people flock to the state to enjoy its ski resorts and others go to explore its national parks. Still,… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 8 hours ago

Discover the Official Vermont State Insect

Many states have a state animal, or even a specific state butterfly or state fish. But did you know that many states also have a state insect? States from Arizona… Read More

By Em Casalena 9 hours ago


See Trap Door Spiders Rise Out of the Ground To Feast on Prey

These are clever spiders! They have evolved to use a cunning technique to capture prey - the trap door spiders literally make a trap door! They use whatever substrate they… Read More

By Sharon Parry 9 hours ago


Discover Why Colorado Is Called the Centennial State

Colorado is renowned for many things including its mountains, ski resorts, and abundant wildlife. Yet, none of those things contributed to the state’s nickname. Instead, Colorado earned its nickname in… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago

The 8 Best Fishing Lakes in Massachusetts (And the Types of Fish to Expect!)

Fishing is almost synonymous with Massachusetts, and the coastal state has a long history of people earning a living on the water. Fishing is also a popular pastime in the… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago


Snakes in Lake Hartwell: Is it Safe to Swim?

Lake Hartwell is a reservoir that stretches into both South Carolina and Georgia. The lake has a surface area of about 56,000 acres with over 900 miles of shoreline. Although… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago


Discover the Largest Dam in Utah

Dams are some of the most important structures for any civilization. By halting the flow of water from a river, dams can form reservoirs to provide hydropower, drinking water, and… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago

Florida vs. Michigan: Which Has More Bald Eagles Roaming Its Skies?

Bald eagles are carnivorous birds that live throughout large areas of North America. The bald eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782, serving as a… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago


Discover 10 Animals Prowl Near Charles Mound – Illinois’s Highest Point

The Midwest is not known for having mountainous high points. Yet, every state, Illinois included, has one part of its land that’s higher than the rest, even if it’s not… Read More

By Kyle Glatz 9 hours ago


See all of A-Z Animals News and Information.

Animal Reference Guides And Educational Resources

We believe if people are more educated about the world’s animals, they will better car for them. That’s why we are building the world’s greatest animal encyclopedia, completely free to you. Please take a moment to learn more about animals today using these helpful guides and resources:

  • Reference Library – See helpful information on conservation, classification, animal evolution, and more
  • Glossary – A list of scientific and technical animal terms, with definitions
  • Animal Habitats – Learn all about different animal habitats
  • Diet – The different animal diets like omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores defined with examples
  • Behavior – Learn all about animal intelligence, communication, community, language, migration, and more.

Animal Encyclopedia With Facts, Pictures, Definitions, and More! FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the 6 types of animals?

The 6 types of animals are mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and invertebrates. Additionally, animals are classified in many different ways, which you may learn about in this complete guide to animal classification.

What are the 10 most popular animals?

The 10 most popular animals on AZ Animals are:

  1. Lion
  2. Panther
  3. Amur Leopard
  4. Polar Bear
  5. White Tiger
  6. Wolf
  7. Millipede
  8. Arctic Fox
  9. Marble Fox
  10. Rhinoceros 

How many animals are there?

There are over 1 million known animal species and more than 98% of those are insects, which are indeed animals.