Animals that Start with E

The sharp-eyed eagle is among the most fearsome predators of the animal kingdom. Nicknamed the “king of all birds,” eagles are large and powerful birds of prey that appear to soar majestically in the air, searching for their next meal. Although not the most agile flyer, its remarkable speed in the air certainly belies its […] Read More

“Powerful Little Earth Movers.” Just as bees are crucial to pollinating flowers, earthworms are crucial to having those flowers grow in the first place. These worms aerate the soil and allow oxygen, water, and nutrients to enter, which then enter the roots of the plants. Their castings also get nutrients into the soil, and they […] Read More

“No in ear problems with the Earwig!” Earwigs are nocturnal insects that can be identified by the large pair of pincers at the end of their bodies. Outside, they’re found under rocks, in rotted tree bark, and in other moist places. Inside, they can be found in the pantry, where they do eat foods that […] Read More

“They can cover three feet of ground in a single leap” Eastern barred bandicoots are omnivores with a diet of plants and insects. They have brown or gray fur with three or four vertical dark stripes on their hindquarters. On a distribution map, these mammals live in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. In the life cycle […] Read More

“The Eastern Bluebird is the only bluebird found east of the Rockies.” These beautiful and beloved little birds are considered harbingers of spring and in some places, their song can be heard even when snow is still on the ground. Unlike so many other animals, their status is of least concern, and their numbers are […] Read More

The Eastern Brown Snake is a slender, venomous snake native to Australia. It can strike with tremendous speed and deliver a potent dose of venom. Although it’s a fairly common snake, encounters with humans are fortunately rare. 5 Fun Facts About the Eastern Brown Snake • Its venom is classed as the most toxic of […] Read More

“The eastern chipmunk is the largest of the chipmunks!” To humans, chipmunks are small and cute. The eastern chipmunk is the largest of these cuddlesome rodents, and it can be tamed and make a fairly good pet despite its short lifespan. The actress Elizabeth Taylor had a pet chipmunk and even wrote a book about […] Read More

“The Eastern Coral Snake is described as ‘Beautiful and Dangerous’” Also called the harlequin snake, this slender, jewel-toned elapsid is one of the most beautiful in the United States, with its bands of red, yellow, and black. It’s also one of the most dangerous, as it produces a paralyzing neurotoxin. The good news is that […] Read More

The biggest venomous snake in North America is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. These snakes are big, heavy, and long. For such a big snake, they’re hard to spot in the wild because their color and markings are superb camouflage. Their yellow-bordered diamond-shaped markings make them the most brightly colored of all the diamondback rattlesnakes while […] Read More

“A flourishing species of spiny lizard” The eastern fence lizard is a common spiny lizard found throughout the eastern United States and Mexico. It is easy to distinguish from other native species by its appearance. The rough, spiny scales, distinct dorsal pattern, and bright blue markings are telltale characteristics that are easily identifiable. These reptiles […] Read More

“It’s a lizard, not a snake!” Wondering why this legless lizard didn’t just go ahead and turn into a snake is beyond the scope of this article, but Ophisaurus ventralis is very much a lizard. It blinks, it has ears, and it can only open its mouth so wide to swallow a meal. Most of […] Read More

“The Eastern Gorilla is known as the largest living primate” The eastern gorilla belongs to the genus gorilla. It is one of the great apes and is very closely related to humans. It is often observed that the eastern gorilla, which is most commonly found in jungles on mountain tops, comes with several features that […] Read More

Up to 20 eastern gray squirrels live in every acre of forest in the eastern half of the United States. A common inhabitant of forests, parks, and urban areas of the eastern United States, the eastern gray squirrel is instantly recognizable to a large portion of the country. Despite the fact that they are a […] Read More

Green, reclusive, and deadly Though it’s not as venomous as other species of mamba, the eastern green mamba is still a dangerous snake if it bites you. The good news is that it is so secretive and shy that bites, including deadly ones, are uncommon. Not only that, the snake lives in the trees, so […] Read More

The Eastern indigo snake is a long black nonvenomous snake that inhabits the southeastern United States. It is the longest snake native to North America and is known for chasing down its prey, including all native venomous snakes such as copperheads and rattlesnakes. This snake is not aggressive but will defend itself by biting or […] Read More

“The largest primates in the world.” One of the largest subspecies of the Great Apes, the Eastern lowland gorilla is one of two species of gorilla living in Africa. They are an endangered species, with recent estimates placing the count at about 5,000 individuals left in the wild. These gorillas are vulnerable to poaching, and […] Read More

The Eastern phoebe is a passerine, belonging to one of the largest bird families in the world – the flycatcher family – which contains over 400 species. They sing out their name in short and unmelodic songs, though this call is primarily used by the male during the breeding season. They mate for life, though […] Read More

“Fast and Furious” If anyone living in the American south or in states east of the Rockies is going to see a snake, it will most likely be a black racer. Unlike a lot of snakes, this reptile, the only member of the Coluber genus, is diurnal and is not shy about raising its head […] Read More

Eastern Rat snakes earned their sobriquet from the fact that rats constitute a major part of their diet. The Eastern rat snake is also known colloquially as the chicken snake because it has a reputation for devouring domesticated fowl eggs whole. Despite that, humans have long lived with these snake species because they maintain the […] Read More

Eastern Woodrat Summary “Despite being a pest to humans, the eastern woodrat plays an important ecological role within its habitat.” The eastern woodrat, a medium-sized rodent also called the bush rat, is native to the eastern and central United States. It now lives from southern Illinois and the Appalachian Mountains of New York to as […] Read More

“One of only two mammals that lays eggs!” Echidnas, formerly called the spiny or spiky anteater, is one of only two mammals that lays eggs! The other is the platypus. Interestingly, both animals are found in Australia. Echidnas are also found in New Guinea. Every other mammal gives birth to live young. Like other mammals, […] Read More

The beautifully colored Eclectus parrot is loved by many bird enthusiasts and pet owners alike. While this species is a rare find, they are medium-sized birds that predominantly live in the humid weather of the rainforest for their 30-year lifespan. Females are very maternal, and all genders will bond with multiple partners during mating season. […] Read More

Edible Frog Classification and Evolution The Edible Frog is a species of Frog found across Europe that is also known as the Common Water Frog and the Green Frog. The Edible Frog is a fertile hybrid of two other European Frogs, the Pool Frog and the Marsh Frog, that bred when populations where isolated close […] Read More

The body of an eel has a slimy coating, hence the phrase, “Slippery as an eel.” The most dangerous eel species is the conger. Although these fish are very snakelike in appearance, they are actually fish. They are ray-finned fishes of the order Anguilliformes, with the term “eel” referring to snake-like fish such as electric, […] Read More

The Egyptian cobra is sometimes called the snouted cobra or the banded Egyptian cobra. The Egyptian cobra is massive, taking up about 8 feet in length along their heavy body. The only cobra that exceeds its size in the entire African continent is the forest cobra. With over 30 hatchlings per clutch, the IUCN isn’t […] Read More

Despite its name, the Egyptian Goose is a type of duck prominently featured in ancient Egyptian art. These birds have a natural range around the Nile River; however, their range has extended outside Egypt, with populations as far away as Florida in the United States. These birds are seldom migratory and have a diet that […] Read More

The Egyptian Mau is a rare small-to-medium size short-haired breed of domesticated cat that is naturally spotted on the tips of its fur. Originating in Egypt, it is considered an ancestor of modern domestic cats as well as one of the fastest. The breed name of “mau” means “cat” in Egyptian Arabic. Egyptian Mau Traits: […] Read More

The spiral-horned eland is one of the biggest antelope species of Africa, displaying tawny colors with black markings throughout their body. Identification of this species over other antelope species can be difficult, but their spiral horns are a dead giveaway. Between the genders, females boast the biggest horns at up to 27 inches long. This […] Read More

The electric catfish is a family of around 21 species that can discharge an electric shock from a specialized organ. This is not the only catfish family with an electric organ, but its electrical ability is particularly well-developed compared to the others. The catfish can discharge a shock of up to 450 volts to defend […] Read More

“For 250 years, scientists thought the electric eel was a singular species and completely alone in its genus.” Known as the “numb fish” in some parts of the world, the electric eel isn’t a true eel. This freshwater fish resides predominantly in the Amazon, even though the larvae float to New Zealand as they hatch. The […] Read More

“Elegant Terns can live to be 20 years old or more.” Elegant Terns are social birds with a loud call that sounds like, ‘kar-eek!’ They live throughout a range of rocky coastal areas, lagoons, and bays in North and South America. An adult has white feathers and a dark cap or mask, of black feathers […] Read More

The elephant is the largest land animal in the world. These massive giants exhibit all kinds of complex behavior that in some ways mirror our own behavior but in other ways are distinct and unique to them. This has made them the subject of rigorous behavioral, anatomical, and cognitive studies, as well as a source […] Read More

Elephant seals can dive more than 5,000 feet into the ocean and can hold their breath for two hours. The trunk-like nose of this seal makes it easy to see how it got its name. The average lifespan of a northern elephant seal is nine years while an elephant seal living in the Antarctic region can live from […] Read More

You would never guess it by looking at them, but elephant shrews are more closely related to elephants than shrews.  Elephant shrews are small, furry mammals that resemble giant mice or gerbils. In spite of their name, they are not actually shrews, and despite their appearance, they are not rodents either. Elephant shrews are most […] Read More

The elk or wapiti is one of the largest land-dwelling animals in North America, Central, and East Asia, where it lives in mountain meadows, forests, and forest edges. It is also the largest wild herbivore, or cervid, second only to the moose. The Roosevelt’s elk, Tule elk, Rocky Mountain elk, and the Manitoban elk are […] Read More

“The emerald tree monitor has a tail double the length of its body.” The emerald tree monitor is a beautiful lizard that lives in the tropical rainforests of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is also found in the islands of the Torres Strait near Australia. Its bright green color, slender body, and long tail […] Read More

Emperor Penguin Classification and Evolution The Emperor Penguin is found on and around the Antarctic continent and is not just the largest species of penguin in the world but also one of the most unique. Instead of breeding in the warmer summer months like other penguin species, Emperor Penguins lay and incubate their eggs during […] Read More

“The emperor tamarin is a species of tamarin allegedly named for its resemblance to the German emperor Wilhelm II.” With a graceful white mustache resembling German emperor Wilhelm II, the emperor tamarin belongs to a species of small monkeys and is mostly found in the forests of South America. Its name was first mentioned in […] Read More

“An emu has a running stride of 9 feet” Emus are birds that make their home on the continent of Australia. They can grow as tall as 6.2 feet. This bird is similar in appearance to an ostrich. Emus are omnivores eating seeds, fruits, insects, and small animals. Their lifespan is from 5 to 10 […] Read More

As the fifth-most popular purebred dog breed, English bulldogs are the top college mascot of the University of Georgia. The English Bulldog is full of love and cuddles for the entire family, but don’t expect much more out of them. Though this dog breed was originally bred to participate in a spectator sport called “bull-baiting,” […] Read More

English Cocker Spaniels are a sporting dog breed. Hundreds of years ago, the Spaniel breeds were developed in England. These breeds were descended from dogs from Spain, hence the name Spaniel. Originally, the breeds were classified by whether they were a land or water spaniel. The three land spaniels were known as the Springing -, […] Read More

The English cream golden retriever isn’t a registered breed, but that hasn’t stopped them from being incredibly popular. You can find light-colored golden retriever puppies being sold under the name of white, silver, and even platinum golden retrievers. Just remember to check the pedigree, and don’t purchase from a breeder who selects for coat color […] Read More

English Foxhounds were bred to work and live in a pack. Because of this, this breed is happiest when they are around other dogs. The English Foxhound was bred in the 1600s as a hunting dog for British foxhunts. This canine was bred by mixing Greyhound-type hounds and large stag-hunting hounds. This mix led to […] Read More

English Pointers point their tail straight out and lift a paw off the ground when they see a rabbit, partridge, or other small prey. English Pointers were bred to accompany their owner on hunting trips. When they spot a rabbit, bird, fox, or other game, these dogs stand perfectly still, pointing their tail straight out. […] Read More

The English Setter was likely first bred between 400 and 500 years ago. It is believed that they were bred by mixing Spanish Pointers, Water Spaniels, and Springer Spaniels. The English Setter was given its name because they were bred to “set” or quietly lay down when looking for birds to hunt. Their human hunting […] Read More

English Shepherds are excellent herding dogs and also make a good guard dog. English Shepherds descended from Shepherds’ dogs from southern Scotland and England. They are also related to Border Collies, Scotch Collies, and Australian Shepherds, though English Shepherds were more of a working dog than a show dog, like many of their cousins. While […] Read More

Bred to remain in the field for most of the day, the English Springer Spaniel has great stamina and a diligent personality that make it ideal for game hunting. The English Springer Spaniel is a very common breed of gun dog that was originally created in England (probably bred from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels […] Read More

The Entlebucher mountain dogs are closely related to the Bernese mountain dogs. They get their name from herders in the Swiss Alps. The Entlebucher mountain dogs, also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund, are medium-sized dogs. The name Sennenhund comes from the people of the region who are called Senn, helping them in their work as […] Read More

The Epagneul Pont Audemer is a diligent breed and is typically easy to train and is fun-loving and affectionate. It was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996. Very popularly known as the ‘little clown of marshes’ in France, the Epagneul Pont Audemer is a French dog and is also known to be a […] Read More

The Equatorial spitting cobra, which has many different names, can spray venom up to 1.5 meters away if it feels threatened. It is an opportunistic eater that latches on with its fangs to kill prey. With large nostrils and a round mouth, they can be quite intimidating with their loud hiss, warning you to stay […] Read More

Despite its small size, the ermine has a reputation as a fierce and territorial carnivore that can take on animals even bigger than itself. The ermine is a type of weasel with a slender body that inhabits the temperate and arctic regions of Eurasia and North America. Also commonly known as the stoat or the […] Read More

Escolar Summary “The Bane of Sushi Lovers” The escolar is one of the best-tasting fish around, and its nutrition values are high. However, if you eat too much of it you might pay with cramping diarrhea! Though you should only eat a little of this fish at a time, it is often mislabeled as something […] Read More

Eskimo dogs are affectionately known as “eskies.” They are fluffy white dogs that can be toy-, miniature, or standard-sized. This breed is very playful, intelligent, and loving. They make a great family dog and love children. While you may believe that these dogs were bred in America, this breed is actually from Germany. They descended […] Read More

It takes most eskipoos 15-to-17 months to become full grown. The Eskipoo is a designer dog achieved by crossing an American Eskimo dog with a European poodle. This breed that weighs about 15 pounds stands about 11 inches tall. Breeders developed this designer breed as a happy-go-lucky family addition. Most have a double coat, which […] Read More

The Estrela Mountain Dog breed started as a herd-guarding dog in Portugal. Today, this breed is the companion dog of the Portuguese police force. These large, agile dogs make excellent guard dogs because they are incredibly loyal to their masters and wary of strangers. Proper socialization in their early days is crucial; without it, you […] Read More

“The Eurasian beaver was once hunted for its castoreum.” The Eurasian beaver is a large rodent native to Europe, Scandinavia, and parts of Asia. You can find it in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Once hunted to extinction in most of its range, the Eurasian beaver is now thriving and a conservation success story. […] Read More

The Eurasian jay is among the most common songbirds throughout the entire Eurasian supercontinent. These graceful and highly intelligent birds can be seen flying around treetops and bushes. One of their most unique adaptations is the ability to bury acorns in the ground for later use. They play an important ecological role by dispersing seeds […] Read More

“The Eurasian lynx is an elusive cat that thrives in extreme, hostile conditions.” Sporting distinctive ear tufts and long cheek hairs, this animal is an extraordinarily effective hunter thanks to its incredible power and speed. They need so much space to hunt and mate, however, that they rarely live around humans. The remote mountains and […] Read More

“The Eurasian Nuthatch can fly 12 to 13mph” Eurasian nuthatches are omnivores with a diet of insects, seeds, and various types of nuts. They live in a forest habitat made up of older, deciduous trees. These birds make a high-pitched sound that has been compared to a toy horn. Their lifespan is usually two to […] Read More

The Eurasian Wolf is also known as the Russian forest wolf or common wolf. This wolf is the largest subspecies of gray wolf in the world. It can live to be up to 17 years old, though they typically live to be 6-8 years old in most regions. With a litter of about 6 pups […] Read More

The European Bee-Eater is a relative of the Kingfisher, with a somewhat varied habitat and unusual nest-building habits. This bird, whose feathers generally contain all the colors of the rainbow, creates burrows, rather than traditional nests. Because of this, they are prone to parasite infestations. As their name suggests, they feed primarily on bees, though […] Read More

The European Corn Borer is a moth and pest of many crops, mainly corn. Originating in Europe, it was introduced to the United States and has now spread to Canada as well. As a caterpillar, it spends the winter inside the stems of plants eating its way through the plant and damaging the crops. After […] Read More

“The European polecat can interbreed with ferrets.” The European polecat is a small, slender mammal that is related to weasels, ferrets, and minks. Despite its diminutive size, it is a swift, fierce predator. The European polecat is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Once considered vermin and hunted to near extinction, the […] Read More

“A European Robin is referred to as a Pretty Little Redbreasted Thug” This chubby little creature is a welcome sight to farmers and gardeners alike as it loves to eat insects, including insect pests. It also delights with its burbling song, which begins at dawn and may even continue into the night. On the other […] Read More

The European wildcat’s tail is nearly half of its body.” The European wildcat is the ancestor of the modern housecat. The small wildcat subspecies are native to Europe, mainly living in forests. It is the size of a large housecat. Although it evolved 650,000 years ago, it was only discovered in the 18th century due […] Read More

Reproduction in evening bats is a bit unusual and a bit hair-raising. A female evening bat gives birth to twins whose total weight is half as much as hers. This is one of the largest babies to maternal size ratios in the animal kingdom and the largest among bats. Small in size, this unassuming bat […] Read More

The eyelash viper, which is known by many names, has a distinct set of scales above their eyes that look like bold eyelashes. It comes in many different colors, making it attractive to the pet trade. It gives birth to live young, carrying along the eggs for half of the year before they are born. […] Read More