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
Discover 8 Cities That Start With The Letter R
The letter R represents a written abbreviation meaning king or queen. It is also short for the Latin words "rex" and "regina." The letter R is also the eighteenth letter… Read More
By Justin Sexton 7 mins ago
What Are Piebald Frenchies and How Rare Are They?
A piebald French Bulldog (often called a "piebald Frenchie") has a mostly white base with patches of another color. The white is typically predominant, covering most of the body. The… Read More
By Kristin Hitchcock 19 mins ago
The 11 Most Dangerous Ski Slopes in the World
Adventure seekers love feeling the crisp breeze blow across their faces as they ski down fresh powder. While many ski resorts have black diamond slopes that are only for experts,… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 25 mins ago
The 9 Fastest Growing Towns in South Carolina Everyone is Talking About
Also known as the Palmetto State, South Carolina has a rich history with cities that date back to the 1600s. The state boasts geography that ranges from low-lying coastal areas… Read More
By Joyce Nash 28 mins ago
8 Reasons Alabama Has the Best Deer Hunting in the U.S.
Deer hunting in Alabama is among the finest in the United States. Not only does the state have tons of deer, but its hunting culture is rich and varied. No… Read More
By Kathryn Dueck 51 mins ago
The 8 Best Beaches in New York City
There is more to New York City than skyscrapers. Water surrounds New York City and thus, there are several beaches to visit and enjoy. If you want to leave the… Read More
By Samara Abramson 51 mins ago
5 Gutter Cleaning Tools That Add Years of Life to Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can lead to a host of issues for homeowners. Gutters that are full of leaves and debris can harbor pests such as termites, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. In addition,… Read More
By Joyce Nash 1 hour ago
A Starving Wolf Is Willing To Risk Everything To Take a Bison Five Times Its Size Down
We live in a world where food is everywhere. And how many of us can honestly say we know what it is to be truly starving? Well, many animals all… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 1 hour ago
The Weirdest Food in Every State
Across the country, each state has its unique spin on popular dishes, from unusual seafood and creative sandwiches to over-the-top casseroles and unlikely dessert combinations. Check out this list of… Read More
By Niccoy Walker 1 hour 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 Archaeoindris
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Bagle – Basset Hound Mix
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Common Frog
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Danish Swedish Farmdog
Animals that Start with E
Example: The English Pointer
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Frizzle Chicken
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Giant Leopard Moth
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Howler Monkey
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Irukandji Jellyfish
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Junglefowl
Animals that Start with K
Example: The King Shepherd
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Leaf-Tailed Gecko
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mallard
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Nuthatch
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Oviraptor
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Puli
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quahog Clam
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Rough Green Snake
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Southern House Spider
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Therizinosaurus
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Uakari
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Velociraptor
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Welsh Springer Spaniel
Animals that Start with X
Example: The X-Ray Tetra
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellow Belly Ball Python
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebra
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!
What Is Silvopasture? 5 Key Benefits
Silvopasture is a word that many farmers, small and large will hear pushed their way a lot. It's heavily promoted by environmentalists, foresters, and even the USDA. However, looking up… Read More
By Nina Phillips 2 hours ago
Cape Buffalo vs. Lion: Who Would Win in a Fight?
Lions are large, powerful predators that roam Africa, hunting a wide assortment of prey. Although lions are capable of taking down large prey with the help of their prides, these… Read More
By Kyle Glatz 2 hours ago
Discover the World’s Longest Home Renovation in History
Sarah Winchester spent 38 years of her life designing and overseeing the construction of her home. What began as an addition to a modest eight-room farmhouse to make room for… Read More
By Jennifer Geer 2 hours ago
25 Companies With the Most Sustainable Packaging
With everything you could ever want available at the press of a button, it's easy to pile up on single-use plastics and unsustainable packaging. Thankfully, these 25 companies with the… Read More
By Nina Phillips 2 hours ago
See a Massive 15 Foot Anaconda Leap Out of the Water and Grab a Pig
No matter where you are swimming, do you always get that icky feeling that a shark or an alligator is about to come up and grab you? It doesn’t matter… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 2 hours ago
Discover the 11 Countries with the Lowest Average Elevation in the World
Most people don’t usually have to worry about the elevation of their country. For others, it's a matter of life and death. Most of the countries with the lowest average… Read More
By Aaron Webber 2 hours ago
The 9 Best Lakes in the United States to Vacation in Winter
Winter vacations are the best, especially when vacationing on or near a lake. It can be tough to choose one when considering all of the United States. In the United… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 2 hours ago
Can Skunks Have Rabies? What to Do if Bitten by One
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals but it does not affect reptiles, fish, or birds. Humans can get rabies and it can also… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 hours ago
How Exactly Do Hummingbirds Eat and Drink?
Hummingbirds are an enigma, with their astonishing speed, varied body sizes, agile mobility, and astounding memory. One of its most unique traits, however, is the method that they use to… Read More
By Karla Lewellyn 3 hours ago
Discover the 26 Most Remote Spots in Hawaii and How to Safely Get There
People visit the Hawaiian Islands to relax and enjoy outdoor activities, its unique culture, and beautiful terrain. Polynesian traditions and influences of cultures including Portugal, the Philippines, Korea, China, and… Read More
By Joanne Paiva 3 hours ago
Discover the 6 Wild Cat Species in North America
While North America might have the largest population of pet cats, it’s home to only six native species of wild cats. Unfortunately, deforestation and human interference have caused a decline… Read More
By Jaydee Williams 3 hours ago
Look At This Lion Pride That Longing Looks At a Rhino They Know They Can’t Take Down
When looking at the king of the jungle, we know there are animals they can’t take down. Elephants are a prime example as the largest land animal weighing upwards of… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 3 hours ago
Can You Fly Over the North Pole?
Flights over the North Pole, also known as polar flights, while not common, are not as rare as you might think. If you want to see the North Pole without… Read More
By Aaron Webber 3 hours ago
Meet the Incredible Octopus That Can Live on Land
When your habitat is a beach in Australia with one of the highest tides in the tropics, it’s not surprising that you have adapted to take advantage of the vast… Read More
By Sharon Parry 3 hours ago
Watch a Leopard Carry an Antelope as Big As He is Straight Up A Tree
One of the most adorable things is to see a little child try to carry something too big because they are trying to help. Maybe they pick up a bag… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 3 hours ago
Buffalo Faces the King of the Jungle Alone When She Realizes Her Baby is in Danger
When it comes down to it, animals in the wild have no desire to find themselves in a fight against the king of the jungle. If they are able to… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 4 hours ago
Discover the Largest Brook Trout Ever Caught
The brook trout is the state fish for several states, including Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. This freshwater fish is… Read More
By Sammi Caramela 4 hours ago
100+ Fun Facts Everyone Should Know About France
Viva La France! France is a culture-rich country that has been a dominating force throughout history. From the French Revolution to Napoleon Bonaparte, baguettes to French wine, France is just… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 4 hours ago
Discover The 5 Best Ice-Skating Rinks in Massachusetts This Winter
There's no shortage of ice skating rinks for winter fun in the Bay State. Don't let the winter blues get you down! There's plenty of fun to be had in… Read More
By Stephanie Knight 4 hours ago
Can Pugs Swim? 10 Important Precautions to Take
Are you thinking about taking your pug for a swim? Pugs have been a popular household pet for hundreds of years. Some theories suggest their name comes from the pug… Read More
By Crystal 4 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.
