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 and Web Stories.
Discover Your Favorite Animal Today!
Latest from A-Z Animals
The Top 11 Tallest Buildings in Vermont
Vermont is a quieter, greener state in the Northeastern US. It is probably the state with the shortest tall building. Nonetheless, these 11 tallest buildings in Vermont tell a story that's… Read More
By Isaac Peterson 12 mins ago
The 9 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in Wyoming
Fondly called the “Cowboy State,” Wyoming is home to some of the most expensive mountain towns. Amidst awe-inspiring natural beauty, Wyoming offers world-class skiing and outdoor activities like hiking and… Read More
By Devika Khosla 29 mins ago
8 Largest Airports in Hawaii
Welcoming over 9.2 million visitors a year, Hawaii has a special place in the hearts of many travelers. With its lush landscape and beach activities, the true reason that people… Read More
By Micky Moran 34 mins ago
Where Do Woodchuck Live?
Like other members of the Scuiridae squirrel family, woodchucks (Marmota monax) are great climbers. Unlike their squirrely family members, however, woodchucks do not make their homes up in trees. Instead,… Read More
By Laura Dorr 53 mins ago
8 Vegetables to Avoid Growing in Winter
Growing vegetables during winter is easy! There are so many cool-weather greens to choose from. But which vegetables are the worst to grow during the cool season? And are they… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 1 hour ago
The 7 Busiest Airports in Louisiana, Ranked
Louisiana has seven major airports, a number that can seem large until you learn that more than 42 million people visited the state in 2022 alone. Louisiana needs multiple gateways… Read More
By Asia Mayfield 1 hour ago
Discover the Top 6 Countries With the Most Pet Cats
If you love cats, you’re certainly not alone. There are an estimated 220 million pet cats in the world as of 2021, and roughly 600 million cats (pets, strays, feral)… Read More
By Jaydee Williams 2 hours ago
3 Mushrooms that Grow in Grass
Mushrooms growing from grass is often a sign of a healthy lawn or meadow. Soils rich in fungi represent a robust, living soil ecosystem. You may notice mushroom growing in… Read More
By Cammi Morgan 2 hours ago
Can Cats Eat Ice Cream? Here’s What You Need to Know
A cat with an upset tummy is not a happy cat. And since you’re the one cleaning the litter box, you face some consequences too. You know what happens when… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 2 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
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 Argentine Black and White Tegu
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Budgerigar
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Common House Spider
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Dugong
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Egyptian Mau
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Flying Lemur
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Grass Snake
Animals that Start with H
Example: The House Finch
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Inchworm
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Jack Crevalle
Animals that Start with K
Example: The Kaluga Sturgeon
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Leopard Lizard
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mosasaurus
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Naked Mole Rat
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Otter
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Pine Snake
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quetzal
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Rottle
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Sea Turtle
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Tufted Coquette
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Uinta Ground Squirrel
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Valley Bulldog
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Western Blacklegged Tick
Animals that Start with X
Example: The X-Ray Tetra
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yorkie Bichon
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!
A Black Bear Chases Family Dog… Until Dad Comes to the Rescue!
Coming face to face with an intruder that could harm your family is never an experience anyone wants to have. However, what happens when that invader is a wild bear?… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 2 hours ago
This Incredibly Agile Lion Leaps Into a Tree to Snatch a Baboon
Taking refuge in a tree is normally a safe bet for baboons when they are being pursued by predators. This baby baboon headed to where they felt safest – the… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 hours ago
Hamsters Do Not Make Great Pets for Children and Here’s 6 Reasons Why
Many people believe hamsters make excellent first pets for children. Though plenty of animals do make fantastic pets for children, hamsters are not one of them. Children will want a… Read More
By Katie Downey 2 hours ago
The 10 Best Botanical Gardens in New Jersey
New Jersey isn't nicknamed "The Garden State" for nothing. The outstanding agriculture and famous arboretums reflect the state's beauty and boldness. Visit the 10 best botanical gardens in New Jersey… Read More
By Mandy Trotti 2 hours ago
12 Reasons Why Goldfish Are the Best Pets
Who says the best pets are dogs or cats? Goldfish are just as lovable and interesting. Follow along to discover 12 reasons why goldfish are the best pets! Keep in… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 3 hours ago
18 Animals That are 100% Monogamous
When you think of a monogamous animal, your mind might immediately go to penguins. It’s been a long-believed myth that all penguins are not only monogamous, but mate for life… Read More
By Katarina Betterton 3 hours ago
Minnesota Airports Ranked: The Ultimate List of Best-to-Worst Places to Fly
The vast majority of people dread going to the airport. While the idea of traveling can be exciting, getting to the airport early, going through TSA, and hoping you make… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 3 hours ago
Capricorn and Pisces Compatibility: Romance, Friendship, and More
Capricorn and Pisces compatibility is incredibly fascinating, for many reasons. These two signs of the zodiac appear compatible on paper, but reality may say otherwise. How can you learn about… Read More
By August Croft 3 hours ago
9 Reasons You Should Buy Artificial Poinsettias This Year
Poinsettias are a traditional Christmas flower, their jolly red petals contrasting rich green foliage, setting the tone for the season. However, these lovely flowers can be fleeting and high-maintenance, leading… Read More
By Nikita Ross 3 hours ago
Obesity in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
It’s far too common a condition in cats and it’s one you’re in control of. Almost 60% of all domesticated cats are in the obese category. But what does this… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 3 hours ago
Aries and Scorpio Compatibility: Romance, Friendship, and More
Despite their astrological differences, many things contribute to Aries and Scorpio compatibility. These two zodiac signs technically share a planetary ruler and many other traits that lend them shared experiences.… Read More
By August Croft 3 hours ago
See the Shocking Moment a Cat Misjudges Its Jump and Ends up in the Sea
For an animal that isn’t supposed to like water, this cat was willing to take some very big risks near the sea! In this extraordinary clip, you see the kitty… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 hours ago
Hawk Lifespan: How Long Do They Live?
Often seen soaring overhead, hawks are majestic birds. With over 240 species worldwide, they are widely distributed and are found on every continent except for Antarctica. Hawk species vary in… Read More
By Laura Dorr 4 hours ago
How to Train Your Cane Corso: The 4 Best Methods and Tips
While young Cane Corsi may seem loveable and cute, they grow into giant, powerful dogs that will need adequate training to be successful later in life. Cane Corsi can struggle… Read More
By Christina Eck 4 hours ago
Maine Is Home to 44 National Historic Landmarks… These 8 Are the Best Ones to Visit
A trip to Maine conjures images of gorgeous waterways, lobster rolls thick with mayo, and diverse greenery ranging from stately pine trees to plump blueberry bushes. But, the state is… Read More
By Asia Mayfield 4 hours ago
Watch a Tour Guide Get Within Feet of a Rare White Lion in South Africa
When touring South Africa there are incredible sights to see all over the wild. Being able to see a cheetah lurking in the grass or a herd of wildebeests powering… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 4 hours ago
Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
It’s not a common diagnosis, with only 0.2% to 1% of cats developing the disease. However, it’s one you should know about. Learn about diabetes in cats, including what the… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 4 hours ago
Watch This Bull Elephant Show Everyone Who’s Boss
Who is the boss of the wild animal kingdom? If your mind first went to the king of the jungle, the lion, you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. However, if there… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 5 hours ago
How to Keep Your Douglas Fir Christmas Tree Alive and Thriving All Season Long
Douglas fir Christmas trees are considered one of the best options for their longevity and pleasant aroma. So, if you've chosen this type of tree for your holiday celebrations, you're… Read More
By Nikita Ross 5 hours ago
Discover the Top 10 Fastest Boats in the World
Just like luxury vehicles, the world of boating has plenty to offer. The world’s fastest boats not only have impressive speeds, but they are also designed with such immaculate precision,… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 5 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:
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.
