Animals That Start with D

If the Dachsador has inherited certain traits from its Lab parent, like the water-repellent coat, extra feet webbing, and love of water, then it could make for an excellent swimmer. The Dachsador is a mixed breed dog that combines the bravery and boldness of the Dachshund with the strong work ethic of the Labrador Retriever. […] Read More

The doxie, or dachshund, is a scent hound bred to hunt badgers, foxes, rabbits, and other tunneling animals. They were known at one time to trail wild boar when trained by hunters. This versatile breed is a great family pet, small-game hunter, and even an excellent show dog. Single-colored Smooth and Longhaired dachshunds tend to […] Read More

Dalmadoodles are working dogs that love having something to do. Whether you train them to be like their carriage-following dalmatian ancestors or their rabbit-hunting poodle ancestors, be sure to give your dalmadoodle plenty of small jobs to make them feel useful and loved. What do you get when you cross a dalmatian with a poodle? […] Read More

Dalmadors are loyal dogs that are excited to explore the world. Take your dalmador on plenty of walks; they need the exercise, and they’ll love to see what’s outside your front door. When you combine the spots of a a dalmatian with the friendly temperament of a labrador retriever, you get the charming working dog […] Read More

A Dalmatian’s white coat with black spots makes it immediately recognizable. This breed is known for its sensitive temperament and high energy level. It belongs to the non-sporting group. One of the lesser-known facts about this dog breed is it got its name from a coastal area in Austria called Dalmatia. Descended from pointers, Dalmatians […] Read More

“Danios make a popular choice for aquarium hobbyists due to their hardy nature.“ Danios come in many types and colors, but the common attribute across the species is their size, hardiness, and active swimming style. They tolerate a wide range of water conditions and are good eaters. One thing to keep in mind is that […] Read More

A Dapple Dachshund’s dappling pattern may be just one spot or it may be numerous spots and splashes on their coat These Dachshunds are really just a Dachshund with a special coat pattern. The pattern is called a dappling pattern, and it appears as lighter markings against a darker based coat color. The reason some […] Read More

“Darwin’s Fox is one of the world’s littlest foxes” There are two populations of Darwin’s fox. The location of the first population is an island off the coast of Chile, and the other lives in a few locations on the mainland. The fox lives its rather secretive life in the temperate forests of these places. […] Read More

The unique carnivorous Darwin’s frog carries tadpoles in its vocal sac for up to 70 days! Darwin’s frog is native to streams and forests of Chile and Argentina. This tiny frog species gets its name after explorer Charles Darwin. He discovered the frog during his famous “Voyage of the Beagle” from February 1832 to September 1835. Darwin’s […] Read More

“The Death Adder is more closely related to the Cobra than other Australian snakes.” Also known as the Common Death Adder, this species is native to eastern and southern Australia, as well as Papua New Guinea. The species avoids desert areas but is plentiful in wooded or grassy areas. These reptiles are quite adept at […] Read More

Death’s Head Cockroach Summary “This cockroach is often kept as a pet.” The Death’s Head Cockroach is a large winged insect which is native to Mexico , the West Indies, and Central America. It has also been introduced into Florida . There is a small black patch on their head that looks like a “Death’s […] Read More

The deathwatch beetle is a wood-boring insect that can infest wooden buildings and become an annoying pest. It can feed on all kinds of different wood, but old oak appears to be one of its favorite potential hosts. The deathwatch beetles were once considered to be signs of an ill omen and a portent of […] Read More

Foraging languidly among forests and plains, the deer is one of the most familiar and recognizable sights in all of nature. The deer is an animal that has proliferated across the globe and evolved many adaptations to help it cope with the rigors of a hostile world. Its regal antlers are some of the most […] Read More

The Deer Head Chihuahua is named after the Mexican state from which it originated. The Chihuahua may be among the smallest of all dogs, but its big, charming personality and striking features have made it a symbol of an entire country and one of the most popular breeds around the world. Originally descending from an […] Read More

“Because of their dark-colored legs, deer ticks are often called black-legged ticks.” Out of all the ticks native to North America, the deer tick is one of the most problematic. Ticks have been around for a very long time, over 100 million years. Today, there are more than 900 distinct species of ticks living on […] Read More

The desert kingsnake is only found in the United States. Featuring a black or brown body with light-colored speckles all over it, the desert kingsnake may look intimidating, but it is one of the friendliest species around with no teeth and no venom. Plus, they won’t attack if they are afraid! Instead, they’ll roll over […] Read More

“Desert locusts are tenacious insects that can eat anything and repopulate in massive numbers.” The desert locust has lived in the dry and arid parts of the world for as long as humans can remember. These hardy insects consume vegetation equal to their body weight on a daily basis. When in solitary mode, desert locusts […] Read More

With its dog chew toy-like squealing sound of defense, the desert rain frog is a bug-eyed wonder with a transparent layer of skin that actually exposes its organs. The desert rain frog species are found in South Africa and Namibia. Its ecosystem is a narrow strip of sandy shores between the sea and the sand […] Read More

“A desert tortoise can live to be over 80 years old!” Desert tortoises are found in the United States and in Mexico. These tortoises burrow tunnels so they can go underground to cool off when the desert heat gets to be too much. The California desert tortoise eats grasses, flowers and herbs found in their […] Read More

The Deutsche Bracke is a mid-size breed with a tricolor coat and a long tail. They are scenthounds that originated in Westphalia, Germany in the 18th century. In 1896, all the different types of Bracke dogs (scenthounds) in Germany were merged into one breed that was named the Deutsche Bracke. Deutsche Brackes have also been […] Read More

The Devil’s coach horse beetle has been associated unfairly with evil forces. In the Middle Ages, a superstition arose that the insect could curse a person just by pointing its tail in their direction. This strange superstition has given rise to the unusual name of Devil’s coach horse beetle (which brings to mind the image […] Read More

The Devon Rex, which first arose from the town of Devon, England in the 1950s, has attracted a small but devoted following for its livewire personality and its distinctive appearance. Sporting a slender elf-like face and big ears that don’t seem to entirely fit, this cat is known for its intelligent mind and people-oriented behavioral […] Read More

“The dhole has been described as a mix between the gray wolf and the red fox” Also known as the ‘Asiatic Wild Dog’, Dholes are a once a wide-ranging wild dog species that covered nearly half the globe. Today the dhole is an endangered species with an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 adults. Dholes […] Read More

“The Dik-dik gets its name from the whistling sound it makes with its nose” A dik-dik is a very small antelope. They are nocturnal and live in Africa. They have many predators and play an important part in the food chain. These animals absorb most of the water their bodies need from the plants they […] Read More

The dingo is the only canine species native to Australia. Doting parents but fierce predators, dingoes are animals that are well-adapted for the harsh and diverse climates of Australia and the Pacific region. These creatures are considered to be a wild type of dog and exhibit similar pack behavior and hunting strategies as the closely […] Read More

Description & Size Aenocyon dirus, the dire wolf, was a massive carnivore during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene epochs. This means they lived sometime between 125,000 and 9,500 years ago. Although they weighed up to 200lbs., these relatives to the gray wolf (Canis lupus) were about 25% larger than the biggest modern wolf species. […] Read More

The discus fish can change its colors slightly based on personal and environmental factors. Symphysodon, also known as discus, is a genus of brightly colored tropical fish (and a member of the cichlid family). These fish mainly reside in the long, sinewy waterways of the Amazon Basin. Because of their vivid colors and intricate markings, […] Read More

With a very powerful and sleek body type, the Doberman Pinscher is known to be one of the noblemen of the dog’s kind. It does not only have a great physique but is also very intelligent. Pinschers are known to be extremely fearless and have been one of the finest protection dog breeds in the […] Read More

First discovered in 1598 by European sailors, the large, flightless dodo has since become a sort of byword for clumsiness and backwardness. But despite its reputation, the dodo bird adapted over millions of years of evolution for the tough environment of Mauritius. If anything doomed the dodo, it was an unfortunate victim of circumstance. After […] Read More

Dogs are thought to have been first domesticated in East Asia thousands of years ago. People primarily used dogs for guarding the hunters and areas of land.Today’s domestic dog is actually a subspecies of the grey wolf, a type of dog that is feared by most humans. Many people today, in all countries around the […] Read More

“Dog ticks are made up of two species; the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick.” When people say ‘dog tick’, they’re generally referring to the American dog tick, found throughout North America. But, there’s one additional type of dog tick: the brown dog tick. On top of this, there are even more species […] Read More

Despite its recent recognition, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez created this breed almost 100 years earlier in 1928. The American Kennel Club initially recognized the Dogo Argentino in 2011 as part of the miscellaneous group. However, during 2020, the AKC changed this breed’s designation to the working group. Despite its recent recognition, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez […] Read More

With their size, strength, and unwavering loyalty to their human companions, the Dogue de Bordeaux should be called the bodyguard of canines. Also known as the French Mastiff, this ancient breed originates from the Bordeaux region of France around the 1700s. Due to their massive size, they were working dogs used to pull carts or […] Read More

Along with tigers and elephants, dolphins are often listed when someone asks, “What is your favorite animal?” Many people have become familiar with the playful antics of dolphins through films like Flipper and Dolphin Tale. But there is much more to these animals and their behavior! Keep reading to learn more facts about these amazing […] Read More

While donkeys are thought to be stubborn, they are actually highly intelligent creatures that can form tight bonds with humans. Donkeys are members of the horse family, although donkeys and horses represent two very different species. After domestication in Egypt and North Africa, where they were used for meat and milk, they evolved to become […] Read More

Queen Elizabeth II began breeding Dorgis after one of her Corgis mated with a Dachshund called Pipkin, who was owned by her sister Princess Margaret. Intelligent, hard-working, but very playful and goofy, the Dorgi is a cross between a Dachshund and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Like many mixed breed dogs, the history of this one […] Read More

A Dorkie is a loyal dog following its owners around everywhere like a shadow. Breed a Yorkshire Terrier with a Dachshund and you get a Dorkie. Dorkies are hybrid dogs that date back to the 1990s. They have many of the best qualities of their purebred parents. Dorkies are known for their laid-back temperament. They […] Read More

“The dormouse spends much of the year isolated in hibernation.” A lifestyle of hibernation has become this creature’s most well-known trait. In fact, throughout the world, the animal is practically synonymous with sleepiness and indolence. But the opposite is also true. After emerging from its hibernation for the winter, the dormouse is an active and […] Read More

While it would seem that any breeder would be delighted to claim the honor of creating the Double Doodle, none ever have. Strange as it may seem, the breed may have been accidentally rather than scientifically called into existence. Curiously enough for a very modern breed of canine, the origins of the Double Doodle are […] Read More

The Douc can be called “A Casualty of War.” The douc is an Old World Monkey from Indochina with the face of an ancient, bearded sage. Despite this, it is playful, full of life, and gregarious. The red-shanked species is also the most colorful monkey in the world with a coat that comes in shades […] Read More

The doxiepoo is one of the most varied and unpredictable designer dogs on the market. Because daschunds have so many possible appearances, there’s no telling how big your doxiedoodle will be or what their coat will look like. The doxiepoo is an adorable cross between a dachshund and a miniature poodle. This breed has only […] Read More

Doxles have long floppy ears. Doxle Introduction The Doxle is a cross between a Beagle and Dachshund. The Beagle was bred to hunt rabbits in England, then eventually traded in North America. The Dachshund was bred in Germany. They were used to hunt wild boar, weasels and badgers.   This breed has a high prey drive […] Read More

Draco volans is known as “The Gliding Lizard ” Though volans means “flying,” the Draco Volans lizard doesn’t really fly but glides. It uses patagia, a membrane that covers its ribs to glide from place to place. It is found in rainforests where it can jump easily from one tree to another. Some people keep […] Read More

Dragonfish can emit red light from their eyes which they usually use for hunting down prey. Dragonfish is a species that covers a variety of small fishes that have similar characteristics. It comprises five to six different specific species, though little is known about each one. When discussing the dragonfish, this term is used to […] Read More

Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, gnats, and cicadas making them an important part of the ecosystem. These amazing insects also serve as a food source for a variety of fish and birds. They are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Wooded areas as well as freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams are all habitats […] Read More

Drevers are excellent at driving deer towards their owners, but they can also be very useful for hunting other animals such as foxes and hares. Drevers are one of the most popular dog breeds in Sweden. They are a smaller version of the German hound, the Westphalian Dahsbracke, that was imported to Sweden in 1910. […] Read More

The drum fish lives up to its rather literal name by emitting a very loud noise that aids in communication with other animals. This fish is mostly endemic to saltwater seas and oceans, but a few species reside exclusively in freshwater rivers and lakes as well. They are a very popular type of fish for […] Read More

“Dubia roaches are the most popular choice for exotic pet owners looking to feed their lizards, snakes, and toads.” Among all species of cockroach, dubia roaches may be the easiest to take care of. Unlike the stereotypical pest species, like American, German, and Oriental cockroaches, dubia roaches don’t generally invade homes. Instead, they come to […] Read More

“A duck can sleep with one eye open in order to stay alert to predators” Ducks are omnivorous eating plants, insects, small fish, seeds, and crustaceans. A duck is a bird known as a waterfowl because they live near ponds, rivers, and lakes. This animal lives on every continent except Antarctica. Some of them live […] Read More

The dugong is one of the few herbivorous marine mammals still remaining in the world. This species is a familiar sight to any inhabitants or tourists who visit the coastal waters of the world’s tropical regions. It moves through the water with a slow, languid pace and chews up the grass on the bottom of […] Read More

Dumeril’s boa is a medium-sized boa that, while popular as a pet, is native to Madagascar. It eats various small animals, but juvenile lemurs are its favorite prey item. This snake was heavily exported for the pet trade. To protect it in the wild, Madagascar added local protections, and CITES added it to Appendix I. […] Read More

Dung beetles (also sometimes known as scarabs) are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Their entire lives revolve around interacting with dung in some way. They bury or feed upon much of the leftover waste of other animals, which has numerous environmental benefits. It cleans up the excrement from the environment, controls the fly […] Read More

Dunkers are a medium-sized scenthound that can be very affectionate. A Dunker Dog is also called a Norwegian Hound because their country of origin is Norway. They are sometimes also referred to as a Norwegian Rabbit Hound. Dunkers were developed when Russian Harlequin Hounds were crossed with different Norwegian scenthounds. Captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker was […] Read More

The dunnock is one of the few birds in which the female maintains its own territory. The dunnock is a small songbird that originated from Europe. It goes by many names, including hedge sparrow and hedge accentor. However, it is not really a sparrow at all, but rather a type of accentor. The identification between […] Read More

Dusky Dolphin Classification and Evolution The Dusky Dolphin is a small species of dolphin that is found inhabiting the cooler waters along continental shelves throughout the southern hemisphere. This distinctive looking cetacean is closely related to other large marine animals including other dolphins, porpoises and whales but despite their fish-like appearance Dusky Dolphins are true […] Read More

Dwarf boas can be a fantastic option for those who want a snake, but not a behemoth. Boa species range from truly tiny to gargantuan, and some of the most beautiful species are gentle and calm, making them great pets – if you have the space. However, many of us don’t have enough space or […] Read More

Dwarf Crocodile Classification and Evolution The Dwarf Crocodile is a small species of crocodile natively found in the rainforests of West Africa. The Dwarf Crocodile is the smallest species of crocodile in the world and is also one of the most distinctive with a short, broad snout and tough scales that cover their entire black […] Read More

A dwarf hamster is a group of several subspecies, specifically dealing with hamsters that are smaller than four inches long. They often have a lifespan of two to three years, though some live less than this. They are incredibly smart, and some subspecies hibernate through the winter months underground. If you want to take a […] Read More