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
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 2 hours 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 12 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours 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 13 hours ago
Bobcats in Colorado: How Many Are There and Are They Dangerous?
From majestic buffalo to elusive black bears, Colorado hosts a wide variety of iconic large mammals roaming through its wild mountains, canyons, forests, and prairies. One of the most fascinating… Read More
By Drew Wood 15 hours ago
11 Types of Shepherd Dogs
Shepherd dogs are known by several names; sheepdogs, cattle dogs, and herding dogs. The American Kennel Club used to include all herding dogs in the Working Dog group, but in… Read More
By Cindy Rasmussen 17 hours ago
Pit Bull Cropped Ears Vs. Natural: Purpose, Pros, and Cons
Cropping pit bulls' ears is a controversial practice. Some people think it makes the dog look tougher. Others say it is unnecessary and causes the animal unnecessary pain. What's the… Read More
By Drew Wood 21 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 Archaeotherium
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Banana Spider
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Capybara
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Dormouse
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Egyptian Tortoise
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Fly
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Grapevine Beetle
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Hoopoe
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Imperial Moth
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Jackrabbit
Animals that Start with K
Example: The King Salmon
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Largemouth Bass
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Miniature Pinscher
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Nautilus
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Ovenbird
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Pomeagle
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quoll
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Robin
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Sea Dragon
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Titan Beetle
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Uintatherium
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Vervet Monkey
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Water Buffalo
Animals that Start with X
Example: The Xeme (Sabine’s Gull)
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellow Spotted Lizard
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebra Mussels
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.
Boston Terrier
Friendly, lovable and very strong!
Irish Setter
Has a beautiful coat that's flowing and feathered!
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!
3 Extinct Species of Elephants
Today, elephants dominate the mammal world in size. As the largest terrestrial mammal on Earth, elephants have fascinated thousands of scientists across generations. Not only are the elephants of modern… Read More
By Jesse Elop 23 hours ago
Cutest Dogs in the World: Chihuahua Vs. Maltese
When comparing the Chihuahua vs the Maltese, which is cutest? Both are small, doe-eyed pups with big personalities. Maltese dogs have fluffy white coats, floppy ears, and can be quite… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 1 day ago
Crow Spirit Animal Symbolism and Meaning
Crows are common birds found throughout the world. But did you know they are one of the most intelligent creatures on our planet? They use tools, mimic sounds, remember human… Read More
By Niccoy Walker 1 day ago
Corgi Lifespan: How Long Do Corgis Live?
Corgis have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The Corgi is an absolutely adorable dog. They are best known for being an incredibly playful, outgoing, and even protective… Read More
By Volia Schubiger 1 day ago
Cutest Dogs in the World: Boston Terrier Vs. Pug
Are Boston terriers or pugs cuter? Decisions like this are always so difficult! So, let’s talk about everything that makes these breeds so cute and see if it helps you… Read More
By Katelynn Sobus 1 day ago
Meet the Smartest Snake in the World: King Cobras
Key Points: What sets king cobras apart from other snakes in mental capability is their ability to hunt in a variety of different ways using situation-specific tactics, rather than be… Read More
By Kristen Holder 2 days ago
What Kind of Dog Is Toto from the Wizard of Oz? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts
The most-watched movie ever and one of the most well-known films across the world, The Wizard of Oz is a beloved classic with a timeless story, unforgettable music, and iconic… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 2 days ago
Pit Bull vs. Labrador Retriever: 3 Key Differences
Pit bulls and Labrador retrievers are popular breeds in the USA. While these two dogs have many differences, there are a few similarities, like they are good with children and… Read More
By Chanel Coetzee 2 days ago
Dreaming of Crocodiles: Discover the Spiritual Meaning and Interpretation
Dreaming of Crocodiles infographic You understand that having this powerful being as a dream partner could have been a really powerful and startling dream. Dreaming of being the victim, getting… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 2 days ago
Wolf Lifespan: How Long Do Wolves Live?
Wolves are one of the most popular wild animals and for good reason! As ancestors of today’s modern dog, these apex predators are one of the most notable in the… Read More
By Volia Schubiger 2 days ago
8 Snakes that Fit in a 20-Gallon Tank
Key Points Rough green snakes are their striking green color so that they blend into their natural environment. Garter snakes usually are 2-3 feet long, though the longest garter snake… Read More
By Kristen Holder 2 days ago
Labrador Retriever Pregnancy: Gestation Period, Weekly Milestones, and Care Guide
Labrador retrievers are friendly and playful, which makes them excellent family dogs. Expecting Lab puppies can be an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. Pregnant dogs need special… Read More
By Oak Simmons 2 days ago
Goldendoodle Lifespan: How Long Do Goldendoodles Live?
An increasingly popular breed of dog, goldendoodles are well-loved for their friendly attitudes and hypoallergenic qualities. But how long do goldendoodles live, and what can you expect from this dog… Read More
By August Croft 2 days ago
Understanding The 3 Types of Feral Cats
As pet lovers, we don’t like to see domesticated animals outside on their own. It’s often our natural instinct to rescue them and bring them home, where they will receive… Read More
By Niccoy Walker 2 days ago
Meet ‘White Rhino’ — The Most Expensive Pit Bull Ever Sold
Key Points There are a few breeds under the blanket term "pit bull". The American pit bull terrier is the most common breed. The American bully is a newer breed,… Read More
By Chanel Coetzee 2 days ago
Meet The 5 Cutest Maine Coon Cats In The World
Big, smart, and devoted to their humans, Maine Coons make wonderful companions. Despite the fact that the average coon can grow to be 40 inches long, owners of these cats… Read More
By Jennifer Gaeng 2 days ago
Discover 10 Spiders Found In Hawaii
Mediterranean recluses possess powerful venom capable of causing skin necrosis. Hawaii is a land full of natural wonders. From their beautiful beaches to majestic mountains, the islands of Hawaii are… Read More
By Patrick Sather 2 days ago
Pomeranian vs. Chihuahua: 9 Key Breed Differences
Fluffy, friendly, and full of sassy personalities, both Pomeranians and chihuahuas are some of the most beloved small dog breeds in the United States. Both known for their charming personalities… Read More
By Sandy Porter 2 days ago
Discover 5 Massive Extinct Giant Crocodiles
Extinct giant crocodiles lived alongside the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago in an age when animals were supersized. It’s hard to imagine how massive and terrifying giant crocodiles… Read More
By Rebecca Mathews 2 days ago
The Top 10 Types of Terrier Dogs
When considering a type of dog breed classified as a terrier, it helps to look at the origin of the word. Terrier is French for “burrow,” and these are dogs… Read More
By Heather Hall 2 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.
