Animals that Start with J

“Look for them in large groups, wading in shallow water.” Summary The jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) is a large stork native to Central and South America. It inhabits wetlands and riparian habitats, where it spends its days wading in shallow water, waiting for fish and other creatures to swim in its open mouth. This species was […] Read More

“The great swimmer and diver.” The jacana is a family of colorful and long-legged water birds hailing from the tropical wetlands around the world. There are eight documented species, plus four more extinct species known from the fossil record. Collectively, they are part of an order that includes waders, gulls, and auks. This article will […] Read More

Jack Crevalle Summary The jack crevalle is a highly predatory species of marine fish belonging to the genus Caranx. It roams freely throughout the Atlantic Ocean, appearing along the coasts of many adjacent countries. It primarily preys on smaller fish and various invertebrates like crustaceans. Although sport fishers value it as a tough game fish, […] Read More

Jack Russells, also called Jack Russell Terriers are very active, intelligent, and inquisitive dogs. They were bred to assist with fox hunting and are very happy when they are given a job to help their owners. They can make a great family dog for families with older children but will need regular exercise and mental […] Read More

The Jack-Chi dog is a mixture of two purebred dogs, the Chihuahua and Jack Russel. These dogs originated in the southern region of China around the year 1892. Jack-Chi dogs were designed for hunting, as their small, muscular body could dig underground and gather foxes and rats. The Different Types of Mixed Breeds of the […] Read More

Even for a dog, the Jackabee has an incredible sense of smell that it inherited from its fox-hunting parents. The Jackabee is a spunky, hard-working, and upbeat little mix with almost endless reserves of energy. It is produced from a cross between a Jack Russell or Russell Terrier and a Beagle. As with any crossbreed, […] Read More

Jackals communicate with members of their pack using howls, growls, yipping, and even hooting sounds. Jackals are animals that make their home in different parts of Africa as well as in European countries such as Greece, Romania, Italy, and Bulgaria along with others. They are omnivores eating both plants and meat. A male and female […] Read More

The jackdaw is a clever and mischievous bird, a capable scavenger, and a devoted partner. There are two recognized species of jackdaw: the western or Eurasian jackdaw, which can be found almost anywhere between Western Europe and Central Asia, and the Daurian jackdaw, which calls eastern Asia home. As members of the Corvid (crow) family, […] Read More

“A black-tailed jackrabbit can cover ten feet of distance in just one leap” A black-tailed jackrabbit is a hare found in the south and western parts of the United States as well as in Mexico. Along with having a black tail, this hare has fur colors of grayish-brown on most of its body with white […] Read More

Despite the small size of the dwarf Jackson’s chameleon, it still has the three horns that the species is known for. Also known as the Kikuyu three-horned chameleon, the Jackson’s chameleon is most commonly known for the three horns that adorn its face. Though it isn’t known for being the largest or smallest of any […] Read More

The jagdterrier, also known as the Deutscher (meaning German) jagdterrier, is a German hunting dog that loves its job. A high-energy, courageous, and highly trainable pup, this dog’s name literally translates to hunting terrier.  After World War I, a group of hunters separated from the Fox-Terrier Club to create a breed focused purely on hunting […] Read More

Classification The Jaguar is the largest feline on the American continent, and is the only one of the world’s ‘big’ cats to be found in the New World. Jaguars are close relatives to Leopards and have a number of similar characteristics including the distinctive spotted pattern on their fur. The Jaguar is the third largest […] Read More

“The jaguarundi has 13 unique sounds it uses to communicate with other cats.” The Jaguarundi has a nickname: the Otter Cat. This is because its head is similar in shape to an otter’s head. This cat’s tail also bears a resemblance to an otter’s tail. On top of that, a jaguarundi cat is an expert […] Read More

The largest native predator on the island of Jamaica is a snake – the Jamaican Boa. This snake often reaches seven and a half feet long. It’s nonvenomous, and a member of the boa family. It used to be widespread across Jamaica, but now only lives in isolated pockets scattered about the island. Amazing Facts […] Read More

“The Jamaican iguana has almost been eaten to extinction.“ Summary The Jamaican iguana belongs to the rock iguana genus Cyclura in the iguana family Iguanidae. While it used to live throughout Jamaica, the Jamaican iguana almost went extinct in the mid-20th-century. No one saw a live iguana on the island from 1948 to 1990, when […] Read More

Summary The Japanese bantam chicken is a breed of ornamental chicken or Gallus gallus. Commonly known as Chabo, this chicken breed was only found in Japan and a few other South and East Asian countries until 1868, when the government reopened to foreign trade, and the bird was imported to Europe and the USA. They […] Read More

Japanese beetles can be found in many places around the world, but they are only actually native to parts of Japan. Acting as foragers, these insects eat a broad diet of plant life (including fruits), so it is quite easy to make them feel at home. However, since they are an invasive species to the […] Read More

A Japanese Chin is an affectionate, intelligent dog with a playful nature. A Japanese Chin belongs to the Toy group of dogs and was bred to be the perfect companion for its owner. Its soft coat and delicate steps make it more cat-like than dog-like. The origin of this breed is unknown. Some believe it […] Read More

The Japanese macaque is a medium-sized Monkey found in a variety of different habitats throughout Japan. The Japanese macaque is also known as the “snow monkey” as they are often found living in colder regions of the country where heavy snowfall is common during the winter. They are the world’s most northern living monkey species […] Read More

“The albino Japanese rat snake is a symbol of good luck” The Japanese rat snake is sometimes called the blue general because some of them have bright blue scales. It is non-venomous and lives in shrubland, forest, or mountain habitat. This snake can grow to a size of 6.5 feet. It lives in Japan and […] Read More

Long-haired, all-white dogs, like the Japanese Spitz, are sometimes called “cloud dogs.” The Japanese Spitz is a playful, spirited breed, clothed in luxurious all-white fur. Although records of its origin were destroyed in World War II, these dogs were first bred in early 20th century Japan, a cross between several other spitz-like dogs. The spitz […] Read More

The Japanese squirrel is a prodigious hoarder. It buries food in the ground to survive the harsh winter. These small old-world rodents are the only species of non-flying or gliding squirrels entirely native to the Japanese mainland. They are not to be confused with the cute dwarf flying squirrel, which occupies a separate genus. The […] Read More

Japanese Terriers are also known as Nippon Terriers. They are very lovable and affectionate, making them excellent additions to any family. Japanese Terrier dogs are small-sized dogs with short coats. These dogs are clean-cut and have a smart appearance and a compact outline. Japanese terriers are cheerful dogs and are very intelligent in nature. They […] Read More

“Javan leopards are deathly afraid of water.” Summary The Javan leopard is a subspecies of leopard native to the island of Java in Indonesia. Javan leopards measure around two-thirds the size of normal leopards, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous or powerful. While they can carry prey twice their size into trees so […] Read More

Limited to just a single national park, the Javan rhino today numbers just 72 individuals in the wild The Javan rhinoceros (also known as the lesser one-horned rhinoceros and the Sunda rhinoceros) is a species of rhinoceros native to of Southeast Asia. The Javan rhinoceros is thought to be most closely related to the Indian […] Read More

The intelligent and loving Javanese cat will want to be by your side. This breed loves to talk to you, and they will use different voices to indicate their needs. This breed was created in the late 1970s and early 1980s by crossing a Siamese with a Balinese cat. Breed History The Javanese is an […] Read More

Jellyfish are prehistoric marine creatures and have been known to exist in oceans for the past millions of years. Though they are not usually aggressive, these fish are famous for their ability to sting, allowing them to defend themselves against any sort of danger. These fish use their tentacles for hunting. However, they do not […] Read More

A jerboa’s tail is usually longer than its head and body combined. The jerboa is a small, hopping rodent that lives in the deserts of Northern Africa and Asia. Jerboas are very cute and have exceptionally long ears, tails, and hind feet that cause them to look like a caricature instead of a real animal. […] Read More

These iridescent beetles are named for the jewels that they resemble. The Jewel beetle family is a large grouping of beetles that live all over the world. Some are large and used in decorative jewelry. Others can cause problems with trees and plants. All Jewel beetles have some of the most interesting and unique markings […] Read More

The John Dory is often labeled one of the ugliest fish in the world and has no known relatives. John Dories are unique-looking fish that prefer the warmer temperatures of tropical oceans around the world, excluding the Americans (eastern Pacific and western Atlantic Oceans). A few theories exist about the origin of the name “John […] Read More

The Jonah crab is a marine crab species that lives in the waters off the eastern coast of North America. It is valued for its sweet and flavorful meat and its claws and legs, which have a more affordable price than other types of crabs. It has a rough-edged carapace with yellow or light spots […] Read More

Joro spiders use the wind current to “balloon” on, trailing their silk threads from their body to catch themselves in the air. The Joro spider shares its name with a folkloric “spider demon” in Japanese culture. Though it was once exclusive to regions like Japan and Korea, it was likely brought to the United States […] Read More

Josephoartigasia monesi is an extinct rodent species that lived during the Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene Epoch (about 4 million years ago). This massive caviomorph rodent is related to the pacarana (a rare, slow-moving rodent found in South America). However, it is significantly larger. Josephoartigasia monesi is the largest rodent on record. It lived in […] Read More

“The jumping spider is known as the ‘cute spider’.” Members of the largest spider family, jumping spiders, are diurnal and love to hunt in the sunshine. Unusually pretty for arachnids, they come in a rainbow of colors, though even the biggest one, Hyllus giganteus, is small. More than just a pretty face, the spider hunts […] Read More

Jungle carpet pythons are a subspecies of nonvenomous carpet pythons found in Australia. These snakes are arboreal; they don’t come to the ground often and only live in a small rainforest region. They eat various rodents, birds, marsupials, and other small, warm-blooded animals. Due to their natural beauty, they have become popular pets among reptile […] Read More

The junglefowl is the original chicken. The ancestor of the domesticated chicken is the red junglefowl, which is from South Asia and Southeast Asia. However, it has influence from the grey, green, and Sri Lankan species as well. The chicken was domesticated about 8,000 years ago. The junglefowl is used for meat, eggs, and feathers […] Read More