Animals that Start with K

Though Kai Ken refers to one breed overall, it could easily be divided into two. While one variation has a stocky body, the other has a foxlike body and face. Kai Ken goes by many names including “Tora Inu” or “Tiger dog,” but either represents the same rare breed from Japan, near Mt. Fuji. Originally […] Read More

Originating on the island of New Zealand, the kakapo is a large flightless bird that has evolved to fill a similar ecological niche as land mammals in the way that it roams the forest floor in search of food at night. Though it was largely free of predators for millions of years, the introduction of […] Read More

Kangal dogs can run up to 35 miles per hour (56km). Their speed is one of their best features, along with their protective personality, making this breed perfect for livestock herd protection. The Kangal is the national dog of Turkey, where the fawn-colored and black-masked breed originated in the province of Sivas. These canines are […] Read More

The kangaroo is among the most remarkable leapers of the animal kingdom. When it’s in motion, the kangaroo hops completely clear off the ground, covering up to 30 feet in a single swift motion. No other large animal of this size has the same ability. As the national symbol of Australia, the kangaroo adorns a […] Read More

Though the kangaroo rat is an immensely cute beast, it is one of the champions of the animal kingdom when it comes to jumping prowess. One of these little animals can jump as much as 9 feet. If an average human could jump that distance, they would be able to jump over 20 feet at […] Read More

“Keel-billed Toucan’s bills are the colors of the rainbow!” Keel-billed toucans are also known as “rainbow” toucans due to their large, colorful bills. They are also called “sulfur-breasted toucans” because they have a bright yellow patch on their breasts. These tropical birds thrive in the humid climates of Central and South America. They are not […] Read More

Keeshonds are friendly, alert dogs that are loyal to their owners. When pronouncing the word ‘keeshond,’ remember it sounds like you’re saying the words ‘case haunt.’ This medium-sized canine has a thick double coat and dark, searching eyes. The history of the keeshond dates back to the 18th century. This dog was a companion and […] Read More

Kerry Blue terriers were almost made the national dog of Ireland! Kerry Blues are a breed of terrier that is known for their blue-toned coats. They are working dogs, bred to hunt rodents and herd sheep. Kerry Blue terriers are loving, loyal, and intelligent dogs. They are protective and make great family dogs. Because they […] Read More

“Smallest North American white-tailed deer species.” Key deer, like their name implies, are deer that are native to the Florida Keys. They are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America. They look almost identical to their relatives but are more like a miniature version. This is why some people call them “toy deer.” […] Read More

Kiko goats breed year-round, and they are not good at defending themselves. Originally created as a crossbreed between dairy goats and feral goats, the Kiko goat is a rather friendly species. It has a self-regulating coat, which means that they don’t typically need to be sheared between seasons. The primary purpose is to provide meat […] Read More

“An adult Killer Whale eats up to 300 pounds of food each day” Killer whales are the biggest members of the dolphin family. They are easy to recognize due to their black back and a white underside. Orca is another name for them. These animals are carnivores eating a diet of fish and seals and […] Read More

The kinder goat is a medium-sized goat with a laid-back, friendly temperament. Its high-fat, sweet milk and easygoing personality have made it a new favorite. It is the product of crossing an American pygmy with a Nubian goat. The kinder goat is a relative newcomer to the world of domestic dairy goats. It first appeared […] Read More

"The king cobra holds the title as the longest venomous snake in the world"

Most king cobras measure from 12 to 18 feet long. They live in southern China, India, and southeastern Asia. Their habitat includes streams, forests, bamboo thickets and swamps. This snake is a carnivore eating other snakes, birds, and lizards. King cobras live about 20 years in the wild.

The king crab is one of the most enormous crab species known to man. It can weigh more than 11 pounds, which is heavier than a house cat, and have a total leg span of over 5 feet, which means that it can be as long as a human is tall.King crabs are also sometimes […] Read More

“The king penguin is second in size only to the emperor penguin.” Standing as tall as the average toddler, the king penguin is large for its species. Only the emperor penguin is larger. Taxonomy places both the king and emperor penguins in the Aptenodytes genus. Both are experts in the water and can dive to […] Read More

The King Shepherd is available with either a straight or curly coat. In both cases, the King Shepherd’s coat is a combination of multiple colors including brown, black, tan, and white. The King Shepherd was first introduced in the 1990s as an attempt to retain the strong personality traits of the German Shepherd while minimizing […] Read More

The kingfisher is a family of brightly colored and unusual looking birds that live near rivers and bodies of water all over the world. With their vivid plumage and loud, shrill calls, the kingfisher bird really stands out from the crowd. You can often catch sight of them perched in a tree, barely moving. But […] Read More

The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America. Because of its prehensile tail and hand-like feet, people originally mistook the kinkajou for a type of primate or lemur, but it actually belongs to the same order, Carnivora, as dogs, cats, and bears. Arboreal in nature, this loud, chattering species is often […] Read More

The Kishu ken is actually recognized by the Japanese government as a national treasure. It made history by earning this designation in 1934. You’d be hard-pressed to find a dog breed more loyal than the Kishu — also known as the Kishu Ken. This Japanese breed has a history that dates back thousands of years […] Read More

A national symbol of New Zealand, the flightless kiwi is among the most unique birds in the world. Evolving in the absence of most large predators, the kiwi fills a similar ecological niche as many land mammals elsewhere, a fact reflected by the kiwi’s anatomy. Like many mammals, their bones are filled with marrow. They […] Read More

Koala Classification and Evolution The Koala is a small to medium sized mammal that is found inhabiting a variety of different types of forest in south-eastern Australia. Despite its appearance and the fact that it is also known as the Koala Bear, Koalas are in fact marsupials but are so distinctive amongst this specially adapted […] Read More

The kodkod (also known as the güiña or the Chilean cat) is a wild feline species located in South America. Ranking among the smallest cats in the entire world, the kodkod roams the dense forests of the southern Andean region in pursuit of prey. They spend much of their time divided between terrestrial and arboreal […] Read More

The Koi is called “The Brocaded Carp” The beautiful koi have captivated humans and brightened their ponds since at least the 19th century. People who have some money in the bank aren’t shy about paying great sums for a champion fish of noble lineage. There are at least 16 types of koi, each with its […] Read More

Classification and Evolution The Komodo Dragon is a large species of lizard that is only found on a handful of islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Not known to the world until the First World War, the Komodo Dragon is actually a species of Monitor Lizard that evolved in island isolation for millions of years. These […] Read More

If Kooikerhondjes look familiar, it’s because old Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen liked to paint them. The word “Kooikerhondje” looks as though its pronunciation will be so difficult, most people don’t even try. Instead, they call this engaging canine a “cookie hound.” Really, though, the pronunciation isn’t that hard. Kooikerhondje is pronounced “COY-ker-HUND-che,” […] Read More

“The kookaburra is the world’s largest kingfisher!” The kookaburra, often called the laughing kookaburra, is a large subgroup of the kingfisher bird. It is diurnal, meaning it is most active in the daytime. They will sleep for about 12 hours at night. They are commonly found in eucalyptus trees, which also may be recognized as […] Read More

Koolies can have a different nose and eye colors, as dogs with darker coats have darker noses and eyes and lighter coats have lighter noses and eyes. They can even have blue eyes, but blue eyes are associated with deafness. The Koolie, also called the Australian Koolie, Coulie, Welsh Heeler, Welsh Merle, German Koolie, or […] Read More

As one of the most abundant animals in the entire food chain, the krill fish is the lynchpin of many of the world’s marine ecosystems. It provides food for hundreds of different species of animals, especially in the otherwise harsh Arctic and Antarctic waters. The krill fish is also an interesting creature in its own […] Read More

“Fast, powerful and peaceful members of the African ecosystem.” The name kudu describes two different antelope species, called greater kudu and lesser kudu, that are found in southern and eastern regions of Africa. Both kinds are characterized by the long, twisting horns that grow on the heads of mature males. They also share similar habitats, […] Read More

The name Kuvasz is believed to a Hungarian form of the Turkish word kawasz, meaning the armed guard of the nobility. The Kuvasz (pronounced koo-vahz) is a big, strong Hungarian working dog whose main task was originally to guard livestock. The history of this breeds dates all the way back to Middle Ages, when the […] Read More