Discover, Appreciate, & Understand the Animal World!
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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.
Discover Your Favorite Animal Today!
Latest from A-Z Animals
Black Mamba vs Rattlesnake: Who Would Win in a Fight?
Key Points: The rattlesnake is a venomous snake native to the United States - with half of all rattlesnakes found in the state of Arizona alone. The black mamba is… Read More
By Kyle Glatz 4 hours ago
This Is Why Your Dog Growls When You Pet Them
Key Points: When your dog growls when you pet them they may be in pain and want you to stop. Feral dogs or dogs that are new to your home… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 6 hours ago
Gaboon Viper vs King Cobra: What’s the Difference?
Key Points Gaboon vipers live in select parts of Africa, while king cobras live in Southeast Asia and India. King cobras can't sense heat like pit vipers, but they have… Read More
By Brandi Allred 15 hours ago
Indigo Snake vs Black Racer: What’s the Difference?
Colubrid snakes are also known as typical snakes in North America, including indigo snakes and black racers. But, how do you tell the two species apart? When it comes to… Read More
By Brandi Allred 16 hours ago
Corn Snake vs. Milk Snake: 3 Differences and 3 Similarities
Are you thinking about getting a pet snake? Choosing between a corn snake vs. milk snake can be tricky. Both species look beautiful and can live for over 20 years… Read More
By Crystal 1 day ago
Cutest Dogs in the World: Boston Terrier vs. Shih Tzu
Let's take a close look at the Boston terrier vs. shih tzu. Which is cuter: The long-haired, doe eyed shih tzu or the silly, big-eared Boston terrier? Both breeds have… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 1 day ago
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
Goldendoodles aren’t hypoallergenic or non-shedding. Truly hypoallergenic dogs don’t exist, according to healthcare professionals. In addition, many Goldendoodles inherit a heavily-shedding Golden Retriever coat or have a coat that combines… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 2 days ago
Cutest Dogs in the World: Boston Terrier Vs. Pomeranian
Boston Terriers and Pomeranians are two lovely dog breeds that can be difficult to choose between! While it all comes down to personal preference, there are cute things about each… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 2 days ago
10 Birds That Look Like Blue Jays (And How to Spot the Difference)
Despite their colorful appearance, blue jays are actually in the genus corvidae, the same as crows and ravens. These birds are typically 9 to 12 inches long from beak to… Read More
By Dayva Segal 2 days 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Animals that Start with A
Example: The Aoudad Sheep
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Barb
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Common Buzzard
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Draco Volans Lizard
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Eastern Woodrat
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Firefly
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Giant African Land Snail
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Hairy Frogfish
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Iguanodon
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Jungle Carpet Python
Animals that Start with K
Example: The Keeshond
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Lakeland Terrier
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mollusk
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Northern Alligator Lizard
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Olympic Marmot
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Peacock
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quail
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Ragdoll
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Sea Squirt
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Titan Beetle
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Urechis unicinctus (Penis Fish)
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Vine Snake
Animals that Start with W
Example: The White Tiger
Animals that Start with X
Example: The Xenotarsosaurus
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellowtail Snapper
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebra Shark
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.
Irish Setter
Has a beautiful coat that's flowing and feathered!
Boston Terrier
Friendly, lovable and very strong!
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
Abyssinian
One of the oldest cat breeds in the world!
Australian Mist
The only cat breed to originate in Australia.
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!
German Shepherd Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips
The German shepherd is one of the most beloved and well-known dog breeds in the world. Millions of dog lovers have welcomed the stunning German shepherd into their homes. They… Read More
By Amber LaRock 2 days ago
Are Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
Dachshunds, also known as doxies or weiner dogs, are adorable pups! They have three coat types: smooth coated (short haired), long haired, and wire haired. Unfortunately, dachshunds are not considered… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 2 days ago
Persian Cat Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, & Other Costs
A Persian cat is a breed of domestic cat that is known for its long, luxurious fur and distinctive facial features. They have a round face with large, expressive eyes… Read More
By Heather Hall 2 days ago
Boston Terrier vs Pug: 5 Key Differences
Key Points: Boston Terriers are slightly larger than Pugs and typically weigh between 10-25 pounds, while Pugs usually weigh between 14-18 pounds. Both Boston Terriers and Pugs are known for… Read More
By August Croft 3 days ago
10 Spiders In Florida
Key Points: The southern black widow spider is the largest venomous spider in Florida. The golden silk orb weaver is one of the most common spiders in Florida, particularly in… Read More
By Patrick Sather 3 days ago
Where Do Bobcats Sleep?
Key Points Bobcats are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the daytime and are active during the night. Bobcats have many resting areas and they are not picky about where they… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 3 days ago
Bobcats in Massachusetts: How Many Are There and Are They Dangerous?
Bobcats are one of the few wildcats found in the United States, where they adapt easily, and live in various habitats. However, they are shy, elusive animals that prefer wild… Read More
By Niccoy Walker 3 days ago
French Bulldog Lifespan
Key Points French bulldogs live an average of 10-13 years. Most mother French bulldogs can only give birth to two or three babies per litter. French bulldogs are generally considered… Read More
By August Croft 3 days ago
How Old Is The World’s Oldest Great Dane?
Beloved by dog owners the world over, the Great Dane is famous for its large size, unique build, and gentle demeanor. Unfortunately, its physical characteristics are accompanied by quite a… Read More
By John Alois 4 days ago
Large Terrier Breeds
The two words that largely define the terrier breed are energetic and spirited. They are a hunter's companion as its a well known fact that terriers were bred to enter… Read More
By Lex Basu 4 days ago
Plant Cells vs Animal Cells: 10 Key Differences Explained
Plant and animal cells are both extremely important to the survival of millions of species and without them, life couldn’t exist. Although they share a lot of similarities, they… Read More
By Hannah Ward 4 days ago
German Shepherd vs Husky: 8 Key Differences Explained
At first glance, German shepherds and Siberian huskies may appear related, especially when they have similar colorations, but they only share a few similarities. Learn more about each breed and… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 4 days ago
Pangolin vs Armadillo: 9 Key Differences Explained
When comparing a pangolin vs armadillo, it’s no surprise that many people often get the two animals mixed up. These two small-to-medium-sized insectivores both possess hard scales made of keratin,… Read More
By Patrick Sather 4 days ago
Alsatian vs German Shepherd: Are They Both the Same Thing?
Dogs truly are a man's best friend. They are loving, energetic, and full of unique personalities. Dogs, though, at the end of the day are a lot of work and… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 4 days ago
Mini Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle
Are you interested in owning a dog that is absolutely adorable and friendly too? Then you may have found lots of information available on different doodle breeds. Doodle dogs have… Read More
By Volia Schubiger 4 days ago
Akita vs German Shepherd: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to comparing an Akita vs German Shepherd, you may be wondering what these two dog breeds have in common and what separates them from one another. There… Read More
By August Croft 4 days ago
7 Cats That Look Like Leopards (With Pictures!)
Leopards are fierce wild animals with a unique look that allows them to blend into their habitat. People that admire that look and desire it in their pet cats are… Read More
By Kyle Glatz 4 days ago
Dog Spirit Animal Symbolism & Meaning
Dog Spirit Animal infographic Dogs are descendants of wolves and coyotes. Some dogs were bred for the protection of herding farm animals. Other dogs were explicitly raised for hunting and… Read More
By Crystal 4 days ago
Discover 3 Fascinating Extinct Cat Breeds!
Approximately 31.9 million households in the United States have a pet cat! In fact, one in four American homes have at least one. Cats are very smart and lovable animals… Read More
By Jesse Elop 4 days ago
Bobcats in Wisconsin: How Many Are There and Are They Dangerous?
You might think wild bobcats only live in rural mountain areas, like the Colorado Rockies. And you'd be partially right, as Colorado has over 12,000 bobcats. But you might be… Read More
By Drew Wood 4 days 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.
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:
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.
