Discover 20 Amazing 10-Letter Animals

Written by Niccoy Walker
Published: September 2, 2023
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Whether you’re working on a crossword puzzle or completing a school research project, knowing about these 10-letter animals can be useful. Check out this interesting list of 20 amazing 10-letter animals, including well-known species and rarely heard-of creatures!

1. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees have an omnivorous diet and live in the forests of tropical Africa.

©Windzepher/iStock via Getty Images

The chimps are a species of great apes native to tropical Africa, where they inhabit savannahs and forests. Chimpanzees are incredibly intelligent, possessing the ability to learn human languages, like sign language. They also use self-made tools, such as sticks and rocks, to help them eat, defend themselves, and even scratch an itch.

2. Wildebeest

Wildebeests are known for their enormous herds and migrations.

©iStock.com/Anna-Carina Nagel

Native to Eastern and Southern Africa, wildebeests are antelopes that belong to the Bovidae family, which includes cattle, goats, and sheep. They are best known for their enormous herds and migrations. These animals are always on the move and constantly watching for predators, like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.

3. Timberwolf

Timberwolf in the forest, France

Timberwolves have a fierce look but stay away from humans.

©AB Photographie/Shutterstock.com

The eastern wolf, also known as the Timberwolf, is a species native to Southeast Canada and the Great Lakes region. While these canines have a fierce look, they tend to stay far away from humans. They are thought to be a unique subspecies of either gray or red wolves or possibly a separate species. 

4. Springbuck

Springbok female with cub

Springbucks can reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour. These are one of the unique 10-letter animals.

©PACO COMO/Shutterstock.com

This medium-sized antelope is native to Southern Africa, where they inhabit savannahs and deserts. Springbucks are known for their jumping and running abilities, reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour. Despite their speediness, springbucks can’t outrun a determined cheetah. Springbucks are browsers feeding on shrubs, grasses, and succulents. 

5. Shrewmouse

Animals That Use Echolocation

The adorable European water shrew (

Neomys fodiens

) is rare and elusive.

©Rudmer Zwerver/Shutterstock.com

Shrews are small mammals that look mouse or mole-like, with long, pointed snouts. These rodents live in many areas of the world and are one of the most successful mammals, population-wise. While tiny, shrews are highly active and have incredible appetites, eating up to three times their body weight each day.

6. Rhinoceros

Angry white rhino.

Rhinos can weigh over 3,000 pounds!

©michel85/Shutterstock.com

The rhino is an odd-toed ungulate native to Africa and South Asia. In total, there are five rhinoceros species in the world, with most listed as threatened or critically endangered. Despite their vegetarian diet, consisting of grasses and leaves, they can weigh over 3,000 pounds! And their fingernails are made of keratin – the same protein that forms human fingernails.

7. Jaguarundi

Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi), or eyra is a small wild cat native to southern North America and South America.

Jaguarundis are unique wild cats that look similar to weasels or otters.

©BBA Photography/Shutterstock.com

These unique wild cats are about twice as big as a house cat but resemble a weasel or otter. Jaguarundies are native to South America, Central America, and parts of Mexico, where they inhabit many environments, from deserts and scrubs to forests and rainforests. They can climb trees and swim, often hanging around streams where they catch fish.   

8. Cottontail

Eastern cottontail rabbit playing in the snow in a winter forest.

Cottontails can sense predators from long distances and hop 18 miles per hour.

©Jim Cumming/Shutterstock.com

Found in the Americas, cottontail rabbits have fluffy white stub tails, giving them their name. Cottontails stay hidden during the day and typically only come out at night to eat. These creatures are all about defense. They run in zigzags, hop 18 miles per hour, and can sense predators from a long distance.

9. Coatimundi

South American coati (Nasua nasua) sits alone

Coatimundis are relatives of raccoons and live in tropical woodlands.

©Danny Ye/Shutterstock.com

Also known as coatis, these diurnal mammals are native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Coatimundis are relatives of raccoons, featuring bushy tails and long, pointed muzzles. They live in tropical woodlands and open forests, where they eat fruit and invertebrates.

10. Chinchilla

Chinchilla wild at night

Chinchillas are most active at dawn and dusk.

©slowmotiongli/Shutterstock.com

The chinchilla is a curious rodent that’s slightly bigger than a ground squirrel and loves to explore. They live in colonies at high elevations in the Andes Mountains of South America. And they can survive in colder environments due to their dense, plush fur. In fact, these creatures are endangered because of their desirable soft fur.

11. Bottlenose

Young curious bottlenose dolphin looks at in the camera and smiles. Dolphin Selfie. Close up

Bottlenose dolphins can live up to 60 years old.

©Andriy Nekrasov/Shutterstock.com

These aquatic mammals belong to the family of oceanic dolphins and possess a cosmopolitan range. Bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh 1,300 pounds. They can also swim over 20 miles per hour and live up to 60 years old, with females giving birth every three to six years.

12. Angwantibo

Angwantibo

The elusive angwantibo is a strange nocturnal animal from tropical Africa.

©CC0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Angwantibos are species of primates native to tropical regions of Africa, and certainly one of the weirder 10-letter animals. They are unusual-looking creatures that primarily live in rainforest habitats, but some can inhabit farmland. To avoid competition with monkeys and apes, angwantibos search for insects at night using their keen sense of smell and silent, stealthy maneuvers.

13. Abyssinian

Woman with cute Abyssinian cat and Easter eggs at home, closeup

Abyssinians are domestic short-haired cats known for their intelligence.

©Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com

While its name makes it sound like an exotic animal, Abyssinians are actually a domestic short-haired cat breed with a distinct tabby coat. These energetic cats are thought to be a mix of Siamese, Burmese, and Russian blue. This breed is known for its intelligence, such as its ability to perform tricks, run agility courses, and walk on a leash.

14. Budgerigar

Budgie Parakeet

Budgie parakeets are popular pet birds due to their ability to mimic human speech.

©Ondrej_Novotny_92/Shutterstock.com

Budgies are small, long-tailed parrots with green, blue, and yellow plumage. These birds are popular pets across the globe due to their low cost and ability to mimic human speech, with many learning dozens of words and phrases. Budgies live an average of five to eight years, but they can exceed 15 or 20 with proper care.

15. Kingfisher

azure kingfisher

kingfishers are colorful birds that nest in underground tunnels.

©iStock.com/chris2766

The kingfisher is a medium-sized and brightly colored bird that nests in tree cavities or underground tunnels. And they are known for their messy, unsanitary nests. While most birds take time to remove fecal matter, kingfishers let droppings, pellets, and even fish bones pile up in their burrows. These birds have a diverse diet ranging from aquatic insects to crayfish and tadpoles. Kingfishers are one of the most unique 10-letter animals.

16. Bloodhound

bloodhound running through the grass

Bloodhounds are great search and rescue dogs. They are highly energetic and will track a scent for miles.

©Edoma/Shutterstock.com

This large scent hound is a popular hunting dog but also an excellent family dog. Bloodhounds have been hunting deer and wild boar since the Middle Ages. And they are really good at it! These dogs can track a scent for more than 130 miles and over 300 hours old! They can even assist in drug searches and missing persons cases.

17. Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

are known for their pattern and color changes.

©David Sim from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

The cuttlefish is a marine mollusk from the same class as squids and octopuses. These unusual creatures have three hearts, impressive vision, and can mimic objects around them. They are capable of dramatic pattern and color changes, and their dark brown ink was once used for writing and drawing. Cuttlefish can even shape their tentacles to look like objects, seamlessly blending with their environments. 

18. Salamander

Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, one of the most colorful salamanders in the United States

Salamanders can regenerate limbs.

©Matt Jeppson/Shutterstock.com

As the second-larger group of amphibians, salamanders are impressive and unique creatures. Salamanders have a lizard-like appearance, featuring blunt snouts, short limbs, and slender, elongated bodies. Not only can they breathe through their skin, but these animals are capable of regeneration and can grow new limbs.

19. Woodpecker

Pileated woodpecker portrait sitting on a tree trunk into the forest, Quebec, Canada

Woodpeckers are crucial to the environment.

©Vlad G/Shutterstock.com

If you’ve ever stayed in the countryside, you’ve probably heard the distinct tapping of a woodpecker. Woodpeckers have a wide range across the world and can be found nearly everywhere except Australia and extreme polar regions. Woodpeckers have extremely long tongues that wrap around their brains and protect them from damage during their frenzied pecking. These birds are crucial to the environment, as their excavated holes become homes for other nesting animals.

20. Rottweiler

beautiful big dog breed Rottweiler for a walk autumn

Rottweilers are famous for their protective and loving nature.

©Serova_Ekaterina/Shutterstock.com

The rottweiler is a medium to large domestic dog breed originally from Germany. These brave and confident dogs often make excellent guardians of homes. Plus, they can be great family dogs! While they are fearless, rottweilers are loving and affectionate with their owners. They are also award-winning therapy dogs due to their excellent instincts and protective nature. Rotties are one of the most well-known 10-letter animals!

A Recap of the 20 Amazing 10-letter Animals

NumberAnimal
#1Chimpanzee
#2Wildebeest
#3Timberwolf
#4Springbuck
#5Shrewmouse
#6Rhinoceros
#7Jaguarundi
#8Cottontail
#9Coatimundi
#10Chinchilla
#11Bottlenose
#12Angwantibo
#13Abyssinian
#14Budgerigar
#15Kingfisher
#16Bloodhound
#17Cuttlefish
#18Salamander
#19Woodpecker
#20Rottweiler

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sam DCruz/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Niccoy is a professional writer for A-Z Animals, and her primary focus is on birds, travel, and interesting facts of all kinds. Niccoy has been writing and researching about travel, nature, wildlife, and business for several years and holds a business degree from Metropolitan State University in Denver. A resident of Florida, Niccoy enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time at the beach.

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