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
How Visitors are Destroying the Desert During Desert Superblooms
America's West is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, from its rolling hills and mountain peaks to its rocky coastline and desert superblooms. Any of the region's well-known national parks… Read More
By Trinity Londos 16 mins ago
The 18 Best Places and Times to See Bald Eagles in Maine
Since 2013, there has been a 16.1% increase in confirmed bald eagle nesting sites in Maine. You may not realize that bald eagles in Maine are seen often. There are… Read More
By Lisa Bohler 23 mins ago
The Biggest Christmas Snowstorm in Connecticut History
Connecticut receives an average of 33.3" of snow annually. Snowstorms in Connecticut happen in December through mid-March. Although one of Connecticut's biggest snowstorms occurred on April 6, 1982,. Connecticut has… Read More
By Lisa Bohler 32 mins ago
These Are the 10 States That Get the Most Rain in December
Key Points Average rainfall varies from region to region, with some states having dry areas and regions that are wetter than others. This article names the 10 states with the… Read More
By Carrie Woodward 55 mins ago
How to Care For a Wild Baby Rabbit: 5 Steps to Take If You Encounter One
Rabbits are popular pets, but they're also common in the wild. If you live somewhere with open, grassy spaces, you have likely seen wild rabbits near your home. Between March… Read More
By Ava Peluso 56 mins ago
Schnoodle Size Chart: Full Grown Size and Milestones
A mix of a Schnauzer and a Poodle, a Schnoodle is an adorable dog that is great for families, those with allergies, and people who love to play with dogs.… Read More
By Katie Melynn Wood 57 mins ago
The 10 Largest Forests in the United States
The United States has a vast amount of land encompassing many different environments. Below you'll find the top 10 largest forests in the United States along with their location, acreage,… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 hour ago
22 Birds That Spend Their Winters in New Mexico
New Mexico has a relatively stable climate all year round that can be a safe haven for many different species of birds throughout the winter. Below you'll find a list… Read More
By Sofia Fantauzzo 1 hour ago
6 Places You’re Most Likely to Encounter a Bear in California This Winter
To encounter a bear in California, you don't have to travel very far. Roughly 15% of the state is complete wilderness, with agricultural and rural areas filling in the rest.… Read More
By Thomas Godwin 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 Allosaurus
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Basenji Mix
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Common Goldeneye
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Dragon Eel
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Eurasian Beaver
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Florida Woods Cockroach
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Green Aphids
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Hatzegopteryx
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Indianmeal Moth
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Josephoartigasia monesi
Animals that Start with K
Example: The King Salmon
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Lumpfish
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mourning Dove
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Nudibranch
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Osprey
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Perro De Presa Canario
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quetzalcoatlus northropi
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Russell Terrier
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Sea Trout
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Tarantula
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Upland Sandpiper
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Viper
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Welsh Corgi
Animals that Start with X
Example: The Xingu River Ray
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellow Cobra
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!
How to Groom a Poodle: 2 Styles, 10 Steps
Hiring a groomer for your poodle can easily be the most expensive thing about owning one. Experts recommend professional grooming once every 6 weeks or so. But the somewhat complicated… Read More
By Drew Wood 2 hours ago
15 Signs That You’re a Cat Person
Undoubtedly, people love cats. Research compiled concluded that the cat's popularity is second only to dogs in the United States. Moreover, more than 46 million households own furry feline friends.… Read More
By Matthew Emma 3 hours ago
Female Elephants Come to the Rescue When a Bull Pushes a Baby Elephant In the Water
The love and protection that people have over kids is a powerful force. The internet is full of everyday people risking their lives to save or help a child they… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 3 hours ago
How Do Wolves Hunt? 6 Impressive Strategies They Use
Social, cunning, and perseverant, wolves employ several strategies when tracking, pursuing, and taking down their prey. Capable of both group and solitary hunts, wolves are opportunistic predators, maintaining flexibility to… Read More
By Cammi Morgan 3 hours ago
Termites in Wisconsin: Types, Risks, and How to Prevent Them
Termites can wreak havoc on your home and land all throughout the state of Wisconsin. Subterranean termites are the ones that will be causing damage to your home. You can… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 3 hours ago
The 5 Most Expensive Mountain Towns in Oregon to Buy a Second Home
There's a reason why Oregon is such a popular choice for people looking to buy a second home! The beautiful mountains, forests, rivers, and parks are desirable for people of… Read More
By Alyssa Shea 4 hours ago
Yes, Rabbits Can Eat Cucumber! But Follow These 3 Tips
Many rabbits enjoy a tasty treat now and then. Cucumbers are a healthy snack for rabbits due to their high water content and crunchy texture. When feeding your rabbit cucumber,… Read More
By Katie Melynn Wood 5 hours ago
7 Holiday Dog Treat Recipes For Your Dog
Making holiday cookies and treats is a tradition for many people. At this time of year, kitchens all across the country carry the classic smells of vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate… Read More
By Deb Butler 5 hours ago
Discover Common Bernese Mountain Dog Colors and Markings
The Bernese mountain dog is a popular breed known for its size and intelligence. With the lineage dating back more than 2,000 years, the Bernese mountain dog is a reliable… Read More
By Maura Hoff 5 hours ago
Discover the 6 Largest and Most Important Reservoirs in California
Lake Shasta is a water reservoir on the Sacramento River. Current California reservoir levels are higher than they have been in years. A dam is built to collect water in… Read More
By Lisa Bohler 6 hours ago
The Coldest December to Ever Paralyze Colorado
Colorado is known for its mountainous landscape, along with a stunningly varied terrain of canyons and prairies. In Colorado, the temperature can vary incredibly widely within one day. You may… Read More
By Jennifer Magid 6 hours ago
Texas’s Biggest Christmas Snowstorm
When someone thinks of the big State of Texas, they likely conjure up images of cowboys, 10-gallon hats, and long-horned steers. That said, few people associate the land nicknamed the… Read More
By Matthew Emma 6 hours ago
The 9 Busiest Airports in Minnesota, Ranked
For folks flying across the country, or those aiming to explore the Midwest, Minnesota is a great stop for air travel. There are big cities and beautiful natural sights to… Read More
By Em Thomas 6 hours ago
Discover the 7 Warmest Places in Europe in December
Are you yearning for a Christmas without snow? Want to get away in December to a place where you won’t freeze? Several places in Europe will match that criteria and… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 7 hours ago
7 Incredible Christmas Markets Only in Washington
Washington state has no shortage of holiday spirit. With evergreen trees everywhere you look, all you need is snow to feel like you're in a winter wonderland. Whether you have… Read More
By Kirstin Harrington 7 hours ago
11 Precious Stones Rarer than Diamonds
Diamonds aren't as rare as jewelry companies would have you believe. While some of the more high-quality cuts and sizes like the Hope Diamond are rare, diamonds as a whole… Read More
By Nina Phillips 7 hours ago
Baby Gecko: 8 Pictures and 8 Amazing Facts
Baby geckos are adorable and fascinating little creatures that live on every continent except for Antarctica. Ranging in size from a mere half an inch to almost 24 inches long,… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 8 hours ago
4 Sounds and Noises Bears Make (and What Each Means)
Communication is such a powerful tool that we have. Yes, we as humans will use words to display what we wish to say. However, have you ever heard someone make… Read More
By Hannah Crawford 8 hours ago
Mama Giraffe Can’t Believe the Cheek of a Lion Grabbing Her Calf
This mother giraffe made the mistake of taking her eyes off her calf for a few seconds. Ever the opportunist, a lion used her lapse in concentration to launch an… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 hours ago
Watch These Sky Diving Ducklings Take a Leap of Faith They Shouldn’t Survive – But They Do!
Hooded merganser ducks have come up with a fantastic strategy to keep their eggs safe. They nest high up in a tree. The only problem is that once the ducklings… Read More
By Sharon Parry 8 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.
