Discover, Appreciate, & Understand the Animal World!

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See All Animals A-Z!

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

Crocodiles Gang Up On Lone Zebra Crossing the River

Located in Kenya, the Masai Mara is a massive expanse of savanna wilderness covering approximately 580 square miles. It forms the northernmost section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, known for its… Read More

By A-Z Animals Staff 17 hours ago


The Price of Stomach-Flip Surgery for Dogs in 2024: Procedure and Recovery Costs

Stomach twisting and flipping may occur in all types of dogs, though it typically occurs in certain deep chested breeds, like the Great Dane or Weimaraner. When this happens, immediate… Read More

By Angie Menjivar 19 hours ago


The 8 Most Likely Reasons Your Lawn Mower Won’t Start

When you have a lawn, the goal is to keep it nice and trim. You don't want to have a jungle, then have guests over, and see your lawn all… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 20 hours ago

Cocker Spaniel Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

The English cocker spaniel is recognized by the American Kennel Club as an entirely separate breed to the American cocker spaniel. The English breed has a less profuse coat, a… Read More

By Sharon Parry 20 hours ago


Discover When Hummingbirds Return to South Carolina This Spring

Hummingbirds are a common sight in the gardens of South Carolina, with the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubrisis) being the predominant species. The males have a distinctive ruby-red throat, a white… Read More

By Sharon Parry 21 hours ago


The 4 Most Common Places Bluebirds Go at Night

Bluebirds are charming and vibrant visitors to US gardens bringing color, melodious song, and joy! Lots of people try to attract them by providing nesting boxes and feeders. These gorgeous… Read More

By Sharon Parry 21 hours ago

18 Amazing Animals That Roam Land and Sea

From the tallest mountain peaks to the immeasurable caverns of the deep sea, Earth’s extraordinary animals survive and thrive, even in the most unforgiving environments. Some creatures have even adapted… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 2 days ago


Luxating Patella in Dogs and Expected Surgery Costs in 2024

Many pet owners will agree that when your pet isn't feeling well, it can affect the well-being of your entire family. Thankfully, modern medicine has improved greatly over the course… Read More

By Alanna Davis 2 days ago


22 Countries That Will Pay You to Move and Live There 2024

Moving to another country is the dream for many people. However, it isn't always easy. Finding a job, a place to live, and having the money to move you, your… Read More

By Nina Phillips 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 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 Amargasaurus
Animals that Start with A

Example: The Amargasaurus

A Black Crappie
Animals that Start with B

Example: The Black Crappie

A Crab-Eating Macaque
Animals that Start with C

Example: The Crab-Eating Macaque

A Dungeness Crab
Animals that Start with D

Example: The Dungeness Crab

A English Longhorn Cattle
Animals that Start with E

Example: The English Longhorn Cattle

A Fire Eel
Animals that Start with F

Example: The Fire Eel

A Great Pyrenees Mix
Animals that Start with G

Example: The Great Pyrenees Mix

A Horse
Animals that Start with H

Example: The Horse

A Imperial Moth
Animals that Start with I

Example: The Imperial Moth

A Jack Russells
Animals that Start with J

Example: The Jack Russells

A Knifefish
Animals that Start with K

Example: The Knifefish

A Lion
Animals that Start with L

Example: The Lion

A Monkfish
Animals that Start with M

Example: The Monkfish

A Newt
Animals that Start with N

Example: The Newt

A Orb Weaver
Animals that Start with O

Example: The Orb Weaver

A Pharaoh Hound
Animals that Start with P

Example: The Pharaoh Hound

A Quetzal
Animals that Start with Q

Example: The Quetzal

A Rodents
Animals that Start with R

Example: The Rodents

A Springbok
Animals that Start with S

Example: The Springbok

A Tundra Swan
Animals that Start with T

Example: The Tundra Swan

A Umbrellabird
Animals that Start with U

Example: The Umbrellabird

A Vervet Monkey
Animals that Start with V

Example: The Vervet Monkey

A White Ferret / Albino Ferrets
Animals that Start with W

Example: The White Ferret / Albino Ferrets

A Xiaosaurus
Animals that Start with X

Example: The Xiaosaurus

A Yellow Bass
Animals that Start with Y

Example: The Yellow Bass

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!

17 Incredible Facts That Make Russia Like No Other Place in the World

Russia is undeniably one of the most unique and interesting places in the world. Throughout history, this country has been the birthplace of many geniuses and revolutionaries. Great thinkers from… Read More

By Alanna Davis 2 days ago


These States Have the Most Moose Roaming Free

The moose is one of the most majestic creatures on this planet. The animal is the tallest, largest, and heaviest living species of deer. It is also one of the… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 2 days ago


The Largest Bigmouth Buffalo Ever Caught in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to some very serious fishermen. In fact, friendly competition in this state for the largest catches is fierce, and many residents are involved in the sport. Let's… Read More

By Alanna Davis 2 days ago

How Many Fish Can a Pelican Fit Into Its Mouth?

Pelicans (genus Pelecanus) are birds that have been a symbol of popular culture since medieval times. They are mostly known for the massive amount of fish they consume in a… Read More

By Stephanie Heath 3 days ago


Discover When Hummingbirds Will Return to Virginia

Nothing feels quite like spring like seeing a brightly-colored hummingbird flying by. These tiny birds zip around, moving from flower to flower. They brighten up any garden they enter. But… Read More

By Nina Phillips 3 days ago


Staffordshire Bull Terrier Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Vet Bills, and More!

Also nicknamed the "Staffy," the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a proud breed that dog lovers just can't get enough of. They have charmed countless people across the world with their… Read More

By Alanna Davis 3 days ago

Lagotto Romagnolo Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

Hardly known outside their native Italy until 1996, the gorgeous Lagotto Romagnolo has been recognized as a sporting group breed by the American Kennel Club since 2015. They are the… Read More

By Sharon Parry 3 days ago


The 18 Countries With The Most Expensive Gas Prices in the World

Since the invention of cars, most vehicles have run on gasoline. Back in the day gas prices were under a dollar. Even a few decades ago, they were under $2.… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 4 days ago


7 Grass Types That Thrive in Oklahoma Yards

You just bought a house in Oklahoma and you decide that you want to spruce up the backyard. Oklahoma land is mainly plain, and it's in plant hardiness zones 6… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 4 days ago

Organized Orcas Break Through the Ice to Snatch a Seal

Floating ice provides a perfect resting place for tired seals. They are safer from predators than they would be in the water – or so they think! Danger is lurking… Read More

By Sharon Parry 5 days ago


The Top 7 Benefits of Americans Retiring in Puerto Rico

Life in the United States isn't what it used to be. Things are getting more expensive and the political climate is becoming too broken. you're trying to see where you… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 5 days ago


Can Humans Eat Dog Treats?

Did you catch the viral TikTok trend of 2023 where some fitness influencers started eating dog food? On the face of it, this may seem ridiculous but there was some… Read More

By Sharon Parry 6 days ago

32 Countries Where Hamsters Live in the Wild . . . Yes, Hamsters!

When you think of wild animals, hamsters are probably far from your mind. But, like all pets, they started out wild, and most still live in the wilderness. There are… Read More

By Drew Wood 6 days ago


The Largest Blue Catfish Ever Caught in Arkansas

If you’re looking for catfish, then Arkansas is the place to be! These whiskered aquatic creatures thrive in nearly all of the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams. In fact, Arkansas… Read More

By Kellianne Matthews 6 days ago


Mulch vs Wood Chips: 5 Key Differences and Which Is Best for Your Yard?

As temperatures begin to warm up, many people begin to brainstorm ways to revamp their gardens and yards. If you've been thinking about using wood chips or mulch on your… Read More

By Alanna Davis 6 days ago

5 Terrifying Times Sharks Have Appeared in American Freshwaters

If you remember the Jaws theme song and still have nightmares about it, then it may be a good idea to prepare yourself to read this article. This article is… Read More

By Patrick MacFarland 6 days ago


Bear Cub Gets a Rude Awakening When a Mother Moose Charges At Him

The only way that bear cubs can learn to hunt effectively is by practicing their skills. Finding some baby prey that you can overpower is a great opportunity for bear… Read More

By Sharon Parry 6 days ago


Discover When Hummingbirds Return to Nevada (and Where They’ve Been)

Some of the first signs of spring are temperatures rising, flowers blooming, and birds returning north after spending the winter in the south. One of these little creatures is the… Read More

By Alanna Davis 7 days ago

25 Plants That Start With F

Mother nature is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and with each passing year, mankind discovers even more. While some are incredibly common and spoken about in… Read More

By Alanna Davis 7 days ago


The 11 Most Beautiful Places to Live In North Carolina That Are Still Affordable

There are several qualities people look for in a city when deciding where they should move. Many people concern themselves with convenience, local culture, job market opportunities, and safety. However,… Read More

By Alanna Davis 7 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.

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.