Animals that Start with L

Owning one of these dogs is much like having another human child in the family. They crave time spent with their owners and do not like being left out of activities. Labahoula is a mixed breed from a Labrador retriever and a Louisiana Catahoula leopard dog. It is believed the breed was first developed in […] Read More

Labmaraners are prized working dogs. They are used as guide dogs and in search and rescue as well as hunting and retrieving. The Labmaraner, also called Weimaraner Lab, Labraraner or Weimador, is a hybrid, mixed, or designer dog breed that is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Weimaraner. It is a large-sized dog […] Read More

Labout’s fairy wrasse occurs in small groups on the outer reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. These stunning fish have a distinctive pattern of colors ranging from red, yellow, and orange, with a blue head and nose. While the males and females are similar in color, the males experience an increase in […] Read More

The Labrabull is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and Pittbull Terrier. They were crossbred to create a breed that portrays the best traits of both parents and weed out any negative characteristics. These hybrids are perfect for dog lovers who are looking for a friendly yet protective companion. However, Labrabulls are not for everyone […] Read More

Labradanes aren’t recognized as an official breed.They are listed in the designer dog registry. Breeders currently suspect that these pups were first created in the 1980s in response to the rising trend of labrador hybrids. Labradanes are designer dogs that are bred by mixing a Great Dane with a Labrador Retriever. The result is a […] Read More

The Complete Guide For Owners Labradoodles are a “designer breed” of dog that is a cross between a poodle and a Labrador retriever. They sometimes resemble stuffed animals with their sweet faces and curly coats, and their friendly temperaments make them popular pets. The breed was created in 1989 by a man named Wally Conron. […] Read More

According to the rankings by the American Kennel Club, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed. Labrador Retrievers are a gun dog breed that were bred from Canadian fishing dogs in the United Kingdom. Labrador Retrievers have coats that may be different colors, including black, yellow, or chocolate brown. The scientific name of […] Read More

Labraheelers are intelligent and energetic, requiring a lot of activity to be stimulated. A Labraheeler is a hybrid dog that has been created with a mix of the Labrador Retriever and the Australian Cattle Dog. Labraheelers are known to make excellent pets for active households with their incredible intelligence and warm smiles. Since they are […] Read More

The Labrottie is a hybrid of two popular breeds: the Labrador retriever and the Rottweiler. It is known by several names, including the Rottador, Rottwador, and Labweiler. While both of its parent breeds are nearly 2,000 years old, the Labrottie is a new breed, likely developed in the United States in the 1990s. Labrotties are […] Read More

Summary A common pest with a painful bite, the lace bug is a member of the family Tingidae. They get their name from their intricate, lace-like wings and pronotum. This bug are found worldwide and feed on a narrow range of host plants. They typically live their entire lives on the same plant, which they […] Read More

Lace monitors are massive reptiles native to Australia. There are two types of lace monitors, each with its own coloring. The first type is dark grey to bluish-black and covered in cream spots. It has a black head and snout with distinguished black and yellow bands under the chin, extending to the neck. In addition, […] Read More

Ladybird beetles, otherwise known as ladybugs, have been to outer space and had no problem catching prey in Zero-G. The typical description of the ladybug discusses the red shell and black spots, but there are many different patterns. In fact, the number of spots can even differentiate between the many species around today. They have […] Read More

Despite not being very yummy, Ladyfish are regularly caught by anglers. The Ladyfish is a long, slender saltwater fish found in the western North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. They are also sometimes known as skipjacks or tenpounders.  While they are not the best fish for eating, they are a popular sport fish for […] Read More

Introduction The Lagotto Romagnolo is an older breed, developed in Italy to hunt waterfowl in the 1600s (possibly dating back to Etruscan civilization before the 2nd century BC.) The breed was later trained to hunt truffles and is the only purebred recognized as a truffle hunter. The Lagotto even showed up in Renaissance paintings of […] Read More

“The lake sturgeon is considered a living fish fossil.” Also called the rock sturgeon, this strange-looking, laid-back, long-lived fish hasn’t changed much since the Pleistocene epoch. Its body sports dinosaur-like scutes and like a shark its skeleton is made up mostly of cartilage. Despite its rough looks, its flesh and roe are delectable, and overfishing […] Read More

Some Lakeland Terriers have a span of black hair on their back known to breeders as a ‘saddle mark. Lakeland Terriers are energetic, intelligent dogs with a ‘never quit’ attitude. They have a friendly temperament as well as the stubbornness common to many dogs in the Terrier group. These dogs originated in the Lake District […] Read More

LaMancha goats are full-size dairy goats with a mild temperament. Sometimes called American Lamancha or simply Lamancha, these goats are distinctive for their tiny ears. They are excellent milk producers, and their milk is highly nutritious. For these reasons, LaMancha goats are among the most popular dairy goats in the U.S. The origin of LaMancha […] Read More

The sea lamprey, also commonly known as the vampire fish, is a parasitic lamprey fish native to the Northern Hemisphere With its eel-like body and jawless, round, sucker-like mouth, sea lampreys are often confused with eels but aren’t related to them at all. An invasive species, the lamprey fish decimated lake trout populations in the […] Read More

When happy and content, the Lancashire Heeler shows off a big grin, nicknamed the Heeler Smile. The Lancashire Heeler (also known as the Ormskirk Terrier) is a small, affectionate dog, hailing from the northern England county after which it’s named. The exact history is unknown, but the Lancashire Heeler probably originated at some point in […] Read More

Summary Lancetfishes are among the largest deep-dwelling fish in the world. The two extant species both belong to the genus Alepisaurs in the family Alepisauridae, of which they are the sole members. They sport long, high dorsal fins that aid them in chasing after prey and sharp fangs designed for grabbing flesh. Little is known […] Read More

While the Newfoundland is a popular dog breed, Landseer Newfoundlands are much rarer. So, what’s the difference between the two? Newfoundlands are generally brown or black in color, while the Landseer is exclusively white and black. In America, this breed is considered to be a color variant of the Newfoundland, but in Europe, they are […] Read More

“The Lappet-faced Vulture is Africa’s largest vulture” Also called the Nubian vulture, this great bird of prey probably makes the lives of other vultures possible. That’s because it is often the only vulture strong enough to open up the carcass of a large animal with a tough hide. Though it has a reputation as a […] Read More

Until 1966, the Lapponian Herder was still considered to be the same breed as the Finnish Lapphund. Perfectly adapted for the frigid environment of northern Scandinavia, the Lapponian Herder is an important working breed developed by the Lapps (also known as the Sami), whose ancient customs date back many centuries. The dog’s original purpose was […] Read More

Larder beetles were named based on their attraction to food storage rooms or cupboards, although they do not feed on stored food products.  Summary Dermestes lardarius (larder beetle) is a household pest commonly found in storage rooms in homes or food storage facilities. Despite their attraction to pantries (larders), larder beetles rarely feed on stored […] Read More

The Large Munsterlander is one of the best hunting dogs and loyal companions that originate from Germany. They excel at hunting because of their impressive level of endurance and strong natural instincts, helping them face adverse weather conditions and rough terrain. Dog owners should think twice before purchasing this breed because they need tons of […] Read More

Lavender albino ball pythons carry a recessive gene that eliminates all the dark colors from their patterns and gives them a lavender or baby blue base color. Ball pythons are one of the most commonly traded pet snakes worldwide. Since 1975, more than 3 million ball pythons have been exported from their habitat in Central […] Read More

The Lawnmower Blenny (also known as the Jeweled Rockskipper, algae blenny, or banded blenny) is a saltwater fish, primarily found in Australasia. It is not sought after as a commercial fish for food, but it is a popular addition to many fish tanks because of the changing color of its body. 5 Lawnmower Blenny Facts […] Read More

The Lazarus lizard, known as the common wall lizard or the European wall lizard, is an invasive species. Locals prefer to call these reptiles Lazarus lizards in Cinncinnati because of their association with the Lazarus family since they are the reason that this lizard now exists in North America at all. Proper identification ensures that […] Read More

The leaf-tailed gecko, a lengthy lizard, has quite a unique physique. With a broad and triangular head, their name comes from the leaf-like resemblance of their tail. The texture helps leaf tailed geckos to be camouflaged within their surroundings to conceal themselves against the natural foliage in their surroundings. They tend to blend in with […] Read More

The giant Leatherback Sea Turtle is the largest species of living turtle, and one of seven species of sea turtles. Leatherback Sea Turtles do not have a hard shell and have been in their present shell-less form since dinosaurs were still in existence. Their dark gray skin is rubbery and strong, but also thin and […] Read More

The leech (Hirudinea) is a predator and blood-sucking parasite that is native to almost every continent. This aquatic worm is a member of the Annelida phylum, which means it’s related to the earthworm. Leeches have a bad reputation among humans. We consider them bloodsucking pests and use the term “leech” as an insult. Most of […] Read More

Leedsichthys is a genus of gigantic prehistoric fish that lived from the middle to late Jurrasic period. This ray-finned fish was one of the largest in its family and one of the largest fish ever discovered. Although dozens of fossils from this fish genus have been found so far, scientists still have difficulty getting a […] Read More

Summary One of the most colorful grasshoppers in nature, Leichhardt’s grasshoppers are the sole member of the genus Petasida. Named after the German explorer and naturalist Ludwig Leichhardt, Leichhardt’s grasshoppers are endemic to northern Australia. Their diet consists of a single species of native shrub containing bitter-tasting sugar compounds. When threatened, they can spew foul-tasting […] Read More

The lemming is a tiny rodent that is found in or near the Arctic Circle One of the tiniest rodents, lemmings are animals that are known to exist in or around the Arctic circle and are also known to be closely related to muskrats and voles. They can also be found in the Tundra biomes. […] Read More

“With its extremely reduced brown markings and otherwise vivid yellow body coloration, the lemon blast ball python morph is truly one-of-a-kind.” Lemon Blast Ball Python Summary Originally developed in 2003 by Brian Barczyk with BHB Enterprises, the lemon blast ball python is one of the most vibrant and visually unique morphs on the market today.  […] Read More

The Lemon Shark is a vulnerable species commonly found in subtropical waters. They return to the same nursery sites to breed and have electroreceptors that help them hunt fish. They are one of the few sharks known to live in groups. 5 Lemon Shark Facts Nursery sites: These sharks return to the same location each […] Read More

“Lemurs are found only on Madagascar.” Lemurs are tiny species of primate that are only found on one group of islands: Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. This makes them one of most endangered groups of animals on earth. They have tiny bodies with long, thin tails. There are over 100 species of these mammals living […] Read More

They’re sometimes called Leos because they appear to have a mane like a lion. The Leonberger breed goes back to the 18th century. Originally bred as companion dogs in Germany, they’re descended from the Newfoundland, longhaired Saint Bernard, and Great Pyrenees which are sometimes called the Pyrenean Mountain dog. They’re classified in the working group […] Read More

The leopard is a medium-sized wildcat that is found in a variety of different habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. Distinguished by their uniquely beautiful “spotted” coat, leopards are apex predators that ambush prey from a perch in the trees. This hunting method is unlike their big cat cousins who engage their prey in […] Read More

“A small, but dominant, predator.” The leopard cat is a small species of feline that is native to many different Asian and Indian regions. These cats are divided among almost a dozen different sub-species, although most share distinctive color markings and webbed toes that facilitate their aquatic adventures. These tiny hunters are only about the […] Read More

“Leopard frogs are very popular with humans.” Leopard frogs are a popular pet, a delicious food source, and they have found a calling in laboratory experiments in laboratory experiments and science classrooms. Leopard frogs, also known as a meadow or grass frog, is the common name for lithobates, the “true frog” genus. They share this […] Read More

“The leopard gecko is the first-ever widely domesticated lizard species! There are now more than 100 unique color morphs thanks to selective breeding.” The leopard gecko has become one of the most popular pet reptiles on the planet ever since it was initially domesticated in the 1970s. These curious, docile, and handsome little lizards are […] Read More

“Leopard lizards can jump a distance of two feet” Leopard lizards live in the southwest United States and in Mexico. There are different varieties including the blunt-nosed leopard lizard and the long-nosed leopard lizard. The diet of this reptile is omnivorous; it eats rodents, insects, leaves, and berries. The lifespan of a wild leopard lizard […] Read More

Clumsy on land but graceful in the sea, the leopard seal is a finely skilled predator that thrives in the frigid waters of Antarctica. This highly distinctive species has a set of unmistakable features to help it survive in the wild, including blubber and flippers. With few natural predators and plenty of food, the leopard […] Read More

Leopard Sharks are known for their striking patterns, which give them their name and fascinating appearance. These sharks live on the West Coast of North America where they eat small ocean creatures such as clams, crabs, and shrimp. They are harmless to humans and popular in aquariums due to their interesting patterns. 5 Leopard Shark […] Read More

The leopard tortoise is among the heavyweights of the tortoise world. Weighing an average of 40 pounds, this species is quite a common spectacle around the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Like the big cat for which it’s named, the leopard tortoise has unmistakable black and yellow markings, each one completely unique to the individual. Despite […] Read More

The leptocephalus is an eel’s transparent, flat larva, and its name means “slim head.” They belong to the superorder Elopomorpha, which is one of the most diverse groups of teleosts. This group contains over 800 species within 4 orders, twenty-four families, and 156 genera. Researchers believe this group originated in the Cretaceous period, 140 million […] Read More

“They effortlessly walk across lily pads.” Summary The lesser jacana is a small wader from Sub-Saharan Africa, where it inhabits freshwater wetlands with abundant vegetation. This species differs from other jacanas due to its more traditional monogamous mating system. But they spend their days like their other family members, walking across floating lily pads and […] Read More

The Lhasa Apso’s original Tibetan name is Abso Seng Kye, which actually means (roughly) “bark lion sentinel dog.” It seems to have some association with the mythical snow lion in traditional Tibetan culture, which is said to protect the country. These dogs were often given as gifts as signs of friendship but never actually sold. […] Read More

A Lhasapoo’s coat can be curly like a poodle’s, or long and silky like a Lhasa Apso’s. Owning a Lhasapoo is always an adventure because no two Lhasapoos are ever quite alike. These cuddly, spunky, highly intelligent dogs are a cross between the Lhasa Apso and the poodle. Some inherit the poodle’s curly coat while […] Read More

Key Facts Most ligers are born when a lion happens to share living quarters with a tigress.They are capable of reaching a height of 12 feet when they stand on their hind legs.Female ligers are more likely to be fertile as opposed to male ligers which have always been known to be sterile. Classification and […] Read More

Summary Equipped with the strongest teeth on Earth, limpets are aquatic snails in the class Gastropoda. They get their name from their dish-shaped, conical shell, which protects them from predators and tides. They possess extremely strong teeth and powerful tongues coated in adhesive mucus that they use to attach themselves to rocks.   5 Limpet Facts […] Read More

“In 2015, the Livestock Conservancy estimated that there are only around 500 lineback cattle left in the world.“ Lineback Cattle Summary Named after the line that goes down the middle of their back, the lineback cattle or Randall lineback cattle is a critically endangered rare breed of cattle that is currently being conserved in the […] Read More

Linnets are small songbirds that are members of the finch family. They occur in West Asia, Europe, and North-West Africa. These little birds inhabit scrublands, farmlands, hedgerows, fields, parks, and orchards. In the 19th century, linnets were a popular cage bird, and many households kept them as pets. However, their population numbers dropped drastically during […] Read More

The lion is Africa’s apex predator The lion is one of the largest, strongest, and most powerful felines in the world, second only in size to the Siberian Tiger. They are the largest cats on the African continent. While most big cats are solitary hunters, lions are incredibly sociable animals that live together in family […] Read More

“The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish is the King of the Jellies!” As the lion is the king of terrestrial beasts, the lion’s mane jellyfish must be the king of the jellies. Named because its orange and gold bell and tentacles remind people of the color and texture of a lion’s mane, this animal can have a […] Read More

Lionfish are a group of carnivorous fish species that are native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. While there is plenty of diversity between the different species, all of them are characterized by striking skin color and pronounced venomous spines protruding from their body. The venom conveyed by their sting is a powerful deterrent to […] Read More

Liopleurodon is a genus of massive carnivorous reptiles that lived from the Middle to Late Jurassic period (about 160 million years ago) in a prehistoric sea that covered most of present-day Europe. Although this giant creature lived alongside the dinosaur, it wasn’t one. It belonged to a group of marine reptiles known as plesiosaurs. Fossils […] Read More

The little brown bat is one of the most common species of bats in North America. Cloistered in caves and roosts during the day, this elusive and cryptic animal is often unloved or even shunned by humans. Nevertheless, bats play an important role in the ecosystem as one of the largest consumers of pests and […] Read More

“The Smallest Penguin Species” Small fries of the Spheniscidae family, little penguins are native to Australia and New Zealand. Standouts in the penguin-sphere, they sport bright blue feathers and sometimes go by “fairy penguins.” Little penguins forage and frolic in ocean waters 80 percent of the time and can lay more than one clutch of […] Read More

Livyatan melvillei, commonly known as Livyatan, was an ancient whale that owned the oceans millions of years ago. The only thing we can tell that shared the water with them and was a comparable size and threat was the megalodon shark. Other than that, Livyatan was the apex predator of the Miocene epoch. Everything we […] Read More

Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata. This includes the lizard suborder which bears the scientific name Lacertilia, the snake suborder Serpentes and the worm lizard suborder Amphisbaenia. Lizards are paraphyletic, which means that a small number of species share more in common with their sister suborders than they do with their own order of […] Read More

The lizardfish is a family of around 57 different species (the most common of which are probably the inshore and brushtooth lizardfish) that live mainly near the coast. Lizardfish have a huge mouth full of teeth, including on their tongues. Despite the lizardfish’s sharp teeth, they are not very dangerous to humans. They are also […] Read More

One of the Few Animals that Humans Can Safely Hug Dependable, lovable, and calm, llamas are domesticated pack animals traditionally used by Andean cultures in the mountains of South America. Additionally, over the past four decades, they have been imported by farmers, breeders, and exotic pet lovers the world over. Learn about the friendliest animals […] Read More

Many species of loach are popular in the aquarium trade. The loach superfamily of fishes consists of over 1200 species, most of which are distributed in central and southern Asia. Some species are also found in Europe and Africa. They are known for their bottom-feeding and the barbels found close to their mouths. Loach fish […] Read More

“Could lobsters hold the key to eternal life?” Lobsters are a family of crustaceans that live in waters across most of the world’s coastlines. There are 30 known species of clawed lobsters and 45 species of spiny (or rock) lobsters.  The largest lobster species is the American lobster, which can be found from the coasts […] Read More

The word “locust” is given to certain types of grasshoppers with short horns. Locusts are bugs that are known for their swarming behavior, which occurs when environmental conditions are right. Locust plagues have affected crops and farmland since biblical times, attacking any growing green vegetation in their path. Colloquially, the words “locust” and “locust bugs” […] Read More

“Lone star ticks were first observed in 1754 in New York.” Ticks may be one of the most feared insects on the planet. They not only inflict painful, traumatizing bites, they’re also vectors for many serious diseases. On top of that, their bites can cause painful allergic reactions, and even make victims allergic to red […] Read More

“The hooting sounds of a male long-eared owl can be heard almost a mile away” The long-eared owl makes its home in North America, Europe, parts of Asia as well as in northern and eastern parts of Africa, including Madagascar. It nests in forests where the trees grow close together. Long-eared owls hunt at night […] Read More

The ancestor of the Rottweiler would march over the Alps with Roman legions to protect them and drive their cattle. The Rottweiler is a strong, muscular working breed that descended from big mastiff-like dogs back in the Roman period. They were originally put to use herding livestock, pulling carts, and protecting their owners. The modern […] Read More

“Often hangs upside down while feeding!” Long-tailed tits are frequent visitors to gardens and parks in the United Kingdom, where they are abundant. These small, fluffy birds welcome visitors with their adorable looks and sweet, cheerful songs. The chief identification marks are their round bodies and white plumage. Most long-tailed tits also have pale pink […] Read More

The long-winged kite spider, known by scientific name Gasteracantha versicolor, is a species of diurnal (meaning awake during the daytime) spiny orb-weaver spider indigenous to tropical regions of Southern Africa.  These spiders are easily distinguishable from other types of spiders and indeed look like a whole different species. Long-winged kite spiders are identified primarily by […] Read More

The Longfin Mako shark (Isurus paucus) is a species of Mackerel shark that can be found in both temperate and tropical waters and is one of the two species of Mako shark. This shark was given its name for its abnormally long pectoral fins that can extend past its head. They are commonly referred to […] Read More

The longnose gar, which sometimes goes by the name needle nose gar instead, is a fish species that belongs to the gar family. This fish is also called the Billy gar. They are greyish to olive in color. The color, however, fades into white along the sides of the longnose gar’s body. They can be […] Read More

The lorikeet is among the most colorful birds in the entire world. They almost seem to luxuriate in their bold and garish plumage. As a type of arboreal parrot, there are about 40 documented species of lorikeets, the most well-known probably being the rainbow lorikeet. They are closely related to other types of arboreal parrot […] Read More

Like all lorises, slow loris has a cute wide-eyed look, but it also has a venomous sting that can rot human flesh.  CONSERVATION STATUS The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers all loris species (except the gray slender loris) threatened. The conservation status of relatively common lorises is as follows: Loris lydekkerianus (Gray slender […] Read More

Despite being treasured throughout Continental Europe for generations, the Lowchen earned the designation of the rarest breed in existence for a period in the 1960s. At their low point there were only 65 living members of the species. The Lowchen was once one of the favored pets of European nobility, and they look and act […] Read More

Lumpfish have suction cups on their fins to attach to various surfaces. The lumpfish, also known as the lumpsucker, is a family of marine fish that come in many different colors, including blue, brown, and black. There are 30 recognized species spread all over the globe. Their lumpy, uneven, gelatinous skin and balloon-shaped body give […] Read More

The luna moth (Actias luna) is large and green and native to North America. It is known for its long, curved tail and large, translucent wings. The luna moth is considered one of the most beautiful moths in North America. They are active at night and are often drawn to lights. It is a member […] Read More

The luna moth caterpillar (Actias luna), is the larval stage of the luna moth, a large green moth found in North America. The caterpillars have a waffle-iron-like texture to their segmented bodies, which are green with tiny orange dots on the raised squares. Sparse bristly hairs cover their bodies. They feed on a variety of […] Read More

The lungfish first evolved almost 400 million years ago. The modern lungfish is the product of an ancient lineage that dates back almost 400 million years. This “living fossil” is sometimes called primitive, but that does not mean its features are undeveloped, just that it has changed very little since first evolving. The most interesting […] Read More

The name lurcher refers not to a specific dog breed but rather to a group of crossbred hybrid dogs. They are a result from mating a Greyhound or other hunting variety with another type of working dog. The term “lurcher” is actually derived from the word “lurch,” a variant of the word “lurking,” meaning to […] Read More

“Lykoi cats are an extremely rare breed. There are only around 100 to 200 Lykoi cats in the world.“ Summary The Lykoi cat, commonly called the “wolf cat” or “werewolf cat,” is a relatively new and rare cat breed that originated from the domestic short-haired cat via natural mutation. It is estimated that this mutation […] Read More

As solitary and stealthy predators, the lynx is rarely seen by humans. The Canada lynx is one of the biggest wild cats in North America, but other species of these cats also inhabit Europe and Asia. The lynx is easy to spot with its huge furry paws, stubby tail, and long ear tufts. The huge […] Read More

The Lyrebird is described as “Nature’s Best Mimic” The largest of all the perching birds or songbirds, this bird impresses not just with its uniquely beautiful tail feathers but with its elaborate songs and incredible skill at mimicry. This Australian bird uses its voice to imitate everything from a jackhammer to a chainsaw to a […] Read More

Lystrosaurus is one of the few terrestrial animals that survived one of the most significant extinction events in geologic history—the Permian-Triassic extinction. The animal was a pig-sized reptile that lived over 250 million years ago. At one point in the Early Triassic, it made up 95% of land vertebrates. Lystrosaurus fossil discovery became critical evidence […] Read More