Animals That Start with A

A is the first letter in the alphabet, and the second most commonly used. Read below for information on 143 different animals that start with the letter A, from aardvark to aye aye. The most popular animal that starts with A is the Arctic Fox, the least popular is the African Elephant.

Here you will find animals of all shapes and sizes and from all corners of the world. Aquatic marvels like the Amazon river dolphin change color as they age. Learn about mighty pachyderms like the Asian elephant, which has over 1,000 muscles in its trunk. And zoom in on smaller creatures, like the apple moth which burrows and makes its home inside leaves and fruits.

Some other fun facts about A name animals are:

The African Penguin is the only species of penguin in Africa
Despite being a popular freshwater aquarium pet, the Axolotl is one of the most difficult animals to find naturally as it’s only found in one complex of lakes near Mexico City.
The Amur Leopard may be the rarest big cat on earth

Jump to any letter

Alphabetical List of Animals That Start with A

Animals that Start with A

Aardvark

Can move 2ft of soil in just 15 seconds!

Aardwolf

The aardwolf has five toes on its front paws

Abyssinian

The oldest breed of cat in the world!

Achrioptera Manga

Addax

The hooves of the addax are splayed and have flat, springy soles, one of the adaptations that help it walk over sand.

Adelie Penguin

Eats up to 2kg of food per day!

Aesculapian snake

Affenpinscher

First bred in 17th century Germany!

Afghan Hound

First used as a shepherd and hunter!

African Bullfrog

The African bullfrog is one of only three species of frog that have “teeth.”

African Bush Elephant

Can drink up to 50 gallons a day

African Civet

Secretes up to 4g of musk every week!

African Clawed Frog

A particularly ferocious amphibian!

African Fish Eagle

African fish eagles belong to the genus of sea eagles

African Forest Elephant

Have large rounded ears to help keep them cool!

African Golden Cat

The first image of an African golden cat was captured in the wild in Gabon in 2002.

African Grey Parrot

When a grey parrot named Yosuke got lost, it was reunited with its owner after giving the owner's name and address.

African Jacana

The males raise the young

African Palm Civet

Solitary but gathers in groups!

African Penguin

The only penguin species in Africa!

African Tree Toad

Found in tropical moist lowland forests!

African Wild Dog

Also known as the painted dog!

Agama Lizard

The agama forms small social groups that contain both dominant and subordinate males.

Aidi

This dog has a thick coat of fur despite its origins in Morocco, a country known for its hot temperatures.

Ainu

An innate sense of direction!

Airedale Terrier

Very intelligent, independent and strong-minded!

Airedoodle

This is a great pooch for rough-housing and one-to-one.

Akbash

Often used as a guard dog!

Akita

Very clean, intelligent and loyal!

Akita Shepherd

The Akita Shepherd descends from a lineage of working dogs.

Alabai

The Alabai’s genes indicate that this breed has been around for more than 5,000 years.

Alaskan Husky

The Alaskan Husky is one of the most common sled dogs in the world

Alaskan Klee Kai

The Alaskan Klee Kai is very vocal and isn't shy when communicating with his family.

Alaskan Malamute

Often used as sled dogs!

Alaskan Pollock

It's one of the most commonly eaten fish in the world

Alaskan Shepherd

This dog’s Malamute ancestors once came to America across the Bering Strait.

Albacore Tuna

The albacore is a very fast swimmer

Albatross

The largest wingspan of any bird in the world!

Albino (Amelanistic) Corn Snake

Albino corn snakes great beginner snakes.

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

One got to be 255 years old!

Alligator Gar

The alligator gar has toxic eggs to protect against predators

Allosaurus

Differnt Lizard” or Allosaurus weighed around two tonnes that is almost equal to a car.

Alpaca

They can spit up to 10 feet.

Alpine Dachsbracke

Good companion and hard-working breed!

Alpine Goat

Alpine goats are the most common type of goat used for milk, cheese, and other dairy products

Alusky

Alusky dogs are known for their sledding pulling skills.

Amargasaurus

Amazon Parrot

These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech

Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)

Also known as the 'Pink Dolphin'

Amazon Tree Boa

Amazon tree boas come in a rainbow of colors.

Ambrosia Beetle

The ambrosia beetle forms a symbiotic relationship with the ambrosia fungi

American Alligator

They have two sets of eyelids!

American Alsatian

American Bulldog

Can jump up to 6ft high!

American Cocker Spaniel

Merry, outgoing, and eager to please!

American Cockroach

Despite its name, actually originated from Africa and the Middle East

American Coonhound

Easygoing and people-friendly!

American Dog Tick

Main vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo has splendid all white fur and an upturned tail

American Foxhound

Sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving!

American Hairless Terrier

The American hairless terrier comes in two varieties with one having a very short coat.

American Leopard Hound

This breed is also known as the American Leopard Cur. The name was formally changed to American Leopard Hound in 2008.

American Paddlefish

American Pit Bull Terrier

These dogs are very energetic and would be up for a game at any given point of time

American Pugabull

American Pugabulls are medium-sized dogs that weigh between 25 to 70 pounds, and their height measures 12 to 20 inches at the shoulder.

American Pygmy Goat

Can jump up to 5 feet

American Robin

The color “Robin egg blue” is named after the hue of their eggs.

American Staffordshire Terrier

Bred to be extremely friendly!

American Toad

They secrete a milky poisonous liquid that can make many animals sick.

American Water Spaniel

Friendly and intelligent!

American Wirehair Traits: What to Know Before You Buy

American Wirehairs often play fetch with their owners

Amethystine Python (Scrub Python)

Their milky-iridescent scales have a purplish hue in the light, reminiscent of the gemstone.

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard may be the rarest big cat on Earth!

Anaconda

They are the heaviest snake in the world

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Guards it's master's flocks!

Anchovies

November 12th is celebrated as National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Angelfish

There are 70 different species!

Angelshark

The angelshark’s range has contracted by more than 80% in the past century.

Anglerfish

The anglerfish has a glowing lure on its head to attract unsuspecting prey

Angora Ferret

Was created as an accident.

Angora Goat

Each adult Angora goat produces about 12 inches of mohair annually while kids have about 8 inches.

Anole Lizard

There are just under 400 species, several of which change color.

Anomalocaris

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Antarctic scale worm

Similar in length to a rat or squirrel

Anteater

Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere!

Antelope

Renew their horns every year!

Anteosaurus

Although the Anteosaurus looked like a crocodile, it is more related to mammals than reptiles.

Ape

Love to learn, especially through observation

Appenzeller Dog

Herding dog by nature!

Apple Head Chihuahua

Apple Head Chihuahuas are toy breed dogs with a history dating back to ancient Mexico. They are lovable, loyal, smart and courageous with a lengthy lifespan despite being the world's smallest canines.

Apple Moth

In Australia the LBAM causes $21.1 million annually in lost production and control costs

Arabian Cobra

The Arabian cobra is the only true cobra species that can be found in the Arabian Peninsula.

Arafura File Snake

Arapaima

One of the largest freshwater fish

Archaeopteryx

Archaeotherium

The family Entelodontidae is commonly referred to as "hell pigs."

Archelon Turtle

Archelons are the largest turtles to have ever lived in the world

Arctic Char

Arctic char is the northern-most fish; no other fish lives anywhere further north!

Arctic Fox

Extremely thick winter fur!

Arctic Hare

Eats berries found in the snow!

Arctic Wolf

Incredibly versatile and adaptive!

Arctodus

The South American spectacled bear is its closest relative living today.

Arctotherium

The first fossil from the genus Arctotherium was discovered back in 1852.

Arizona Bark Scorpion

Under UV light they glow a bright blue or green, making them easy to spot.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake

Female Arizona black rattlesnakes sometimes share parenting duties.

Arizona Coral Snake

The Arizona coral snake is among the most venomous snakes of North America.

Armadillo

Can curl into a hard, protective ball!

Armadillo Lizard

They communicate through a series of tongue flicking, head bobbing and tail wagging, among other methods.

Armored Catfish

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Arsinoitherium

Arsinoitherium was a twin-horned mammal that looked like a rhino but is more closely related to present-day elephants.

Aruba Rattlesnake

This rattlesnake only lives on the island of Aruba.

Asian Arowana

The male Asian arowana raises the eggs in its mouth

Asian Cockroach

Originally discovered in Japan

Asian Elephant

Domesticated for hundreds of years!

Asian Giant Hornet

The largest wasp in the world!

Asian Lady Beetle

Asian lady beetles infest indoor spaces, but they do not reproduce indoors.

Asian Palm Civet

It mainly eats mangos and coffee!

Asian Vine Snake

This snake chews on its victims to release venom

Asiatic Black Bear

Known to eat 160 different tree-borne fruits in Thailand!

Asp

It was the symbol of royalty in Egypt, and its bite was used for the execution of favored criminals in Greco-Roman times.

Assassin Bug

The assassin bug is named for its quick strike ability.

Atlantic Salmon

These fish are known for their ability to leap and fight when hooked.

Atlas Moth

Adult atlas moths do not eat - they live off fat they stored as larvae.

Aurochs

Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Aussiedoodle

The breed has its own popular Instagram page (Aussiedoodles Daily)!

Aussiedor

Aussiedors come in black, brown, cream, yellow, and almost every imaginable color due to their parentage!

Australian Bulldog

The Aussie is a strong swimmer, a good workout in nice weather.

Australian Cattle Dog

High energy levels and active minds!

Australian Cockroach

The most common type outdoor roach in Florida

Australian Flathead Perch

This small fish fetches a high price tag, with individuals selling from $1,000 to $5,000.

Australian Gecko

Geckos have 100 teeth and continually replace them.

Australian Kelpie Dog

Friendly, intelligent and energetic!

Australian Labradoodle

The "Australian" just refers to where the breed originated

Australian Mist

First bred in the 1700s!

Australian Retriever

The Australian Retriever may have two different eye colors.

Australian Shepherd

Sweet, faithful and affectionate!

Australian Terrier

Spirited, alert and courageous!

Australopithecus

Avocet

Has a curved, upturned beak!

Axolotl

Found only in one complex of lakes!

Aye Aye

Thought to be extinct until 1957!

Popular Animals starting with A

Amazon River Dolphin (Pink Dolphin)

Also known as the 'Pink Dolphin'

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard may be the rarest big cat on Earth!

Our Newest Animals that Start with the Letter A

The most recently added Animals that start with the letter A.

Up Next…

Take a closer look at a few animals from this list. Learn the differences between some commonly mixed up species and discover what makes Australian Cattle Dogs so special.

Aardvark vs. Armadillo: What Are The Differences? – Who has the more varied diet and who is an early riser? Learn to spot the differences between these two mammals.
10 Incredible Australian Cattle Dog Facts – Did you know that these lovable work dogs are born white, which indicates their Dalmation ancestry? Learn more about this and other fascinating heeler trivia.
Antelopes vs Gazelles: What Are The Differences? – These two hoofed mammals have a lot in common. But here you can discover the ways to distinguish them by examining their speed, size, anatomy, and more.