Animals
200 animals. Search by name.
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200 animals
DogMammalA dog's nose print is one of a kind.
CatMammalCats cannot taste sweet food.
HorseMammalA horse can sleep standing up.
CowMammalA cow's stomach has four parts.
LionMammalA lion's roar can be heard very far away.
TigerMammalA tiger's stripes are on its skin, not only in the fur.
African elephantMammalAn elephant cannot jump.
GiraffeMammalA giraffe has seven neck bones, the same number you have.
ZebraMammalNo two zebras have the same stripe pattern.
Giant pandaMammalA panda has an extra wrist bone that works like a thumb for holding bamboo.
KangarooMammalA newborn kangaroo is about the size of a jellybean. It crawls into the pouch.
KoalaMammalA koala's fingerprints look a lot like human fingerprints.
Grey wolfMammalA wolf howl can travel for miles so the pack can find each other.
Red foxMammalA red fox can hear a mouse moving under the snow.
Brown bearMammalA brown bear's nose is much stronger than a person's nose.
Polar bearMammalPolar bear fur looks white, but the hairs are clear and the skin is black.
Bottlenose dolphinMammalA dolphin sleeps with one half of its brain at a time.
Blue whaleMammalA blue whale is the biggest animal that has ever lived. Its tongue can weigh about as much as an elephant.
Humpback whaleMammalHumpback whales sing long songs that change over the years.
OrcaMammalAn orca is a dolphin, not a fish. It is the biggest dolphin.
HippopotamusMammalA hippo makes a pink oil on its skin. The oil works a bit like sunscreen.
Black rhinocerosMammalA rhino horn is keratin, the same stuff as your hair and nails. It is not bone.
CheetahMammalA cheetah is the fastest animal on land.
LeopardMammalA leopard can carry food up a tree.
Snow leopardMammalA snow leopard cannot roar. It makes a puffing chuff sound.
ChimpanzeeMammalChimpanzees use sticks as tools to get termites.
Western gorillaMammalGorillas build a fresh nest of leaves to sleep in.
OrangutanMammalAn orangutan's arms are longer than its legs. It lives mostly in trees.
Ring-tailed lemurMammalWild lemurs live only on the island of Madagascar.
Three-toed slothMammalA sloth moves so slowly that green algae can grow on its fur.
Giant anteaterMammalA giant anteater has no teeth. It eats with a long sticky tongue.
CapybaraMammalA capybara can stay underwater for several minutes.
BeaverMammalA beaver's front teeth never stop growing. Chewing wood wears them down.
Grey squirrelMammalA grey squirrel can turn its ankles and climb down a tree headfirst.
HedgehogMammalA hedgehog can roll into a tight ball. It has thousands of spines.
European rabbitMammalA rabbit's teeth never stop growing.
House mouseMammalA house mouse can squeeze through a hole about as wide as a pencil.
Little brown batMammalA bat is the only mammal that can truly fly.
PlatypusMammalA platypus lays eggs, and its bill can feel tiny electric signals.
Dromedary camelMammalA camel's hump stores fat, not water.
ReindeerMammalA reindeer's eyes look gold in summer and blue in winter.
MooseMammalA male moose's antlers can be wider than a grown-up's arms.
American bisonMammalThe American bison is the heaviest land animal in North America.
GoatMammalA goat's pupils are rectangles. The dark part of the eye looks like a bar.
SheepMammalA sheep can recognize the faces of other sheep and of people.
PigMammalPigs do not sweat much, so mud helps them stay cool.
DonkeyMammalA donkey is not a horse. Its ears are longer, and its voice is a bray.
Red pandaMammalA red panda is not a bear and not a giant panda. It has its own family.
RaccoonMammalA raccoon's front paws can feel very well, even under water.
River otterMammalA river otter can close its ears and nose when it dives.
Sea otterMammalA sea otter's fur is the thickest of any animal. It has no blubber.
ManateeMammalManatees are relatives of elephants.
WalrusMammalA walrus uses its tusks to help haul itself onto the ice. The tusks are teeth.
NarwhalMammalA narwhal's long tusk is a tooth that can sense the water.
MeerkatMammalMeerkats take turns watching for danger while others eat.
Spotted hyenaMammalIn a spotted hyena clan, the females are in charge.
OkapiMammalAn okapi is the giraffe's closest living relative. Only its legs are striped.
JaguarMammalA jaguar's spots have smaller spots inside them.
PorcupineMammalA porcupine cannot shoot its quills. They come loose when something touches them.
Virginia opossumMammalWhen an opossum is very scared it may go stiff. It is not choosing to pretend.
PangolinMammalA pangolin is the only mammal covered in scales. The scales are like your nails.
Arctic foxMammalAn Arctic fox's coat turns white in winter and brown in summer.
Emperor penguinBirdA penguin is a bird. The father keeps the egg on his feet through the winter.
Barn owlBirdA barn owl flies very quietly. One ear sits a bit higher than the other.
Bald eagleBirdA bald eagle is not bald. Its head feathers are white.
Scarlet macawBirdA macaw's beak can crack a hard nut. Some live for many decades.
European robinBirdRobins in Europe and America are not the same kind of bird. A robin sings to claim a spot.
OstrichBirdAn ostrich cannot fly, but it runs very fast. Its eye is bigger than its brain.
FlamingoBirdFlamingos turn pink because of the food they eat. A chick is grey or white.
Indian peafowlBirdOnly the male has the huge train. The eyespots are a pattern, not real eyes.
Toco toucanBirdA toucan's big beak is light, not heavy like solid wood.
Ruby-throated hummingbirdBirdA hummingbird can hover and even fly backwards.
Atlantic puffinBirdA puffin can hold many small fish in its beak at once.
Mute swanBirdA mute swan is not silent. It hisses and grunts.
MallardBirdOnly the female mallard makes the loud quack. The male's call is quieter.
Canada gooseBirdCanada geese fly in a V. That shape helps the birds behind save energy.
ChickenBirdA chicken can remember faces. A chick can peep inside the egg.
Wild turkeyBirdA male turkey's bare face can change color. Wild turkeys can fly a short way.
Rock pigeonBirdPigeons can find their way home from far away.
American crowBirdA crow can recognize human faces.
Common ravenBirdRavens can copy sounds, even some human words.
House sparrowBirdHouse sparrows take dust baths to keep their feathers clean.
Blue jayBirdA blue jay is not blue from dye. The color comes from the way light bounces.
Northern cardinalBirdMales are bright red. Females are mostly tan. Both can sing.
Pileated woodpeckerBirdA woodpecker's tongue is very long and wraps around inside the skull.
Common kingfisherBirdA kingfisher dives headfirst to catch a fish.
Brown pelicanBirdThe throat pouch scoops fish. The bird tips the water out, then swallows.
Wandering albatrossBirdA wandering albatross can glide for hours on the longest wings of any bird.
Herring gullBirdGulls can drink seawater. A part near the beak gets rid of extra salt.
Great blue heronBirdA heron stands very still, then strikes to catch a fish.
White storkBirdMany white storks fly from Europe to Africa and back each year.
Sandhill craneBirdSandhill cranes dance. They bow, jump, and flap.
KiwiBirdA kiwi's nostrils are at the tip of its long beak. That is rare for a bird.
Southern cassowaryBirdA cassowary spreads fruit seeds. It has a tall helmet and a strong kick.
EmuBirdAn emu cannot fly. The father sits on the eggs.
Peregrine falconBirdThe peregrine falcon is the fastest animal when it dives.
Red-tailed hawkBirdA red-tailed hawk soars in circles while it looks for food.
Laughing kookaburraBirdA kookaburra's call sounds like loud laughter. It is a kind of kingfisher.
Superb lyrebirdBirdA lyrebird can copy many sounds, even other birds.
Arctic ternBirdAn Arctic tern flies from the far north to the far south and back each year.
Snowy owlBirdA snowy owl blends with snow. It hunts in the day more than many owls.
Andean condorBirdAn Andean condor soars on mountain wind.
Nile crocodileReptileA crocodile can close a clear extra eyelid under water.
American alligatorReptileAn alligator's snout is wide and round. A crocodile's snout is more pointed.
Ball pythonReptileA ball python curls into a ball when it is nervous.
King cobraReptileA king cobra mostly hunts other snakes.
Corn snakeReptileA corn snake is not venomous. It has no rattle.
Green anacondaReptileThe green anaconda spends a lot of time in the water.
RattlesnakeReptileA rattlesnake shakes its tail to buzz. The rattle is made of the same stuff as your nails.
Green sea turtleReptileMany swim back to the beach where they hatched.
Galápagos tortoiseReptileThese tortoises can live for more than 100 years.
Komodo dragonReptileThe Komodo dragon is the biggest lizard.
Panther chameleonReptileA chameleon can point each eye a different way.
Leopard geckoReptileA leopard gecko has eyelids. Many other geckos do not.
Green iguanaReptileIt has a light-sensing spot on top of its head. It does not see pictures.
Bearded dragonReptileIt puffs the spiky skin under its chin to look bigger.
Frilled lizardReptileIt opens a big neck frill, then it may run on its back legs.
Marine iguanaReptileIt is the only lizard that feeds in the sea.
Gila monsterReptileIt is one of the few lizards with venom. It stores fat in its tail.
TuataraReptileA tuatara looks like a lizard, but it is not a lizard.
Box turtleReptileA box turtle can close its shell almost tight. It lives on land.
Blue-tongued skinkReptileIt flashes a bright blue tongue when something gets too close.
Thorny devilReptileTiny grooves in its skin can carry water to its mouth.
Boa constrictorReptileA boa gives birth to live young. It does not lay eggs.
Wood frogAmphibianA wood frog can freeze in winter and thaw in spring, then hop away.
American bullfrogAmphibianA bullfrog's call is a deep jug-o-rum. It can be very loud.
Strawberry poison dart frogAmphibianBright colors warn other animals to leave it alone.
AxolotlAmphibianAn axolotl keeps its baby gills as a grown-up. It can regrow a lost leg.
Fire salamanderAmphibianBlack and yellow colors say it does not taste good.
Tiger salamanderAmphibianThey spend a lot of time in underground burrows.
Red-eyed tree frogAmphibianBright eyes can startle another animal for a second so the frog can jump.
Cane toadAmphibianIn some places cane toads spread after people moved them.
Common toadAmphibianA common toad walks more than it hops. It goes back to the same pond.
Eastern newtAmphibianThe young red eft is bright orange and lives on the forest floor. Later it lives in water.
HellbenderAmphibianA hellbender breathes a lot through its wrinkled skin.
Glass frogAmphibianYou can see through the skin on its belly.
Tomato frogAmphibianIf it is grabbed, it can puff up and leak sticky goo.
Argentine horned frogAmphibianIt has a huge mouth and sits still until food comes close.
Spring peeperAmphibianA chorus of them can be very loud. Each frog has an X on its back.
CaecilianAmphibianA caecilian looks like a snake, but it is an amphibian with no legs.
Great white sharkFishA shark's skeleton is cartilage, not bone like yours. Cartilage is the bendy stuff in your nose.
Whale sharkFishThe whale shark is the biggest fish. It is not a whale.
Hammerhead sharkFishIts eyes sit at the ends of its wide head. The shape helps it sense hidden animals.
ClownfishFishAll clownfish start as males. One can become female later.
GoldfishFishA goldfish can remember things for months.
BettaFishA betta can breathe air at the surface. Males build bubble nests.
Sockeye salmonFishSalmon swim back to the river where they hatched.
Bluefin tunaFishA bluefin can keep its muscles warmer than the water. Most fish cannot.
SeahorseFishThe father seahorse carries the babies in a pouch.
PufferfishFishA pufferfish can swell with water and look like a spiky ball.
AnglerfishFishA deep-sea anglerfish has a glowing lure on its head.
Manta rayFishA manta ray is a flat fish. It eats tiny animals.
StingrayFishA stingray is related to sharks. Its skeleton is cartilage, not bone.
Electric eelFishAn electric eel is not a true eel. It can make a strong electric shock.
Green morayFishIt looks green because yellow slime covers blue skin.
Channel catfishFishIts whiskers are called barbels. They taste and feel the water.
Red-bellied piranhaFishPiranhas have strong teeth. They mostly eat fish, insects, and fruit.
Great barracudaFishA barracuda is long and fast, with a pointed face.
SwordfishFishA swordfish has a long flat bill. It is one of the fastest fish.
SailfishFishA sailfish can raise a huge fin like a sail. It is one of the fastest fish.
KoiFishSome koi live for many decades.
Rainbow troutFishSome, called steelhead, swim out to the ocean and come back.
Atlantic codFishCod once swam in huge numbers. In some places there are not many left.
LionfishFishLionfish have long spines. In the Atlantic they spread after people moved them.
Flying fishFishA flying fish does not truly fly. It leaps and glides on big fins.
MudskipperFishA mudskipper can walk on land and breathe air for a while.
CoelacanthFishPeople thought they were gone. A living one was found in 1938.
Australian lungfishFishA lungfish can breathe air with a lung and also use gills.
Honey beeInsectHoney bees tell other bees where flowers are by dancing.
Monarch butterflyInsectThe monarchs that fly south have never made that trip before.
Leafcutter antInsectLeafcutter ants use cut leaves to grow a fungus, then they eat the fungus.
Seven-spot ladybugInsectA ladybug is a beetle. Its spots warn birds that it tastes bad.
DragonflyInsectA dragonfly has four wings. Its big eyes see almost all the way around.
Praying mantisInsectA praying mantis can turn its head and look over its shoulder.
FireflyInsectA firefly is a beetle. Its light is cold and does not burn you.
GrasshopperInsectA grasshopper hears with a spot on the side of its body, not with ears on its head.
House cricketInsectCrickets chirp by rubbing their wings, not their legs.
HouseflyInsectA housefly tastes with its feet. Sticky pads let it walk on the ceiling.
Hercules beetleInsectThe male uses his horn to push other males.
Stick insectInsectA stick insect looks like a twig. That helps it hide.
Periodical cicadaInsectSome stay underground for 13 or 17 years, then come out together.
TermiteInsectTermites are not ants. A queen can live for many years.
Paper waspInsectPaper wasps chew wood into pulp and build a paper nest.
BumblebeeInsectA bumblebee can shiver its flight muscles to warm up on a cool day.
Luna mothInsectAn adult luna moth has long pale green tails and does not eat.
CockroachInsectA cockroach has a flat body, so it can squeeze into a thin crack.
SilkwormInsectA silkworm spins its cocoon from one long silk thread.
MosquitoInsectA mosquito is a kind of fly. Males drink plant juice.
Common octopusOther animalAn octopus has three hearts. It can squeeze through a small gap.
CuttlefishOther animalA cuttlefish can change its color and the texture of its skin in a moment.
Garden snailOther animalA snail moves on one foot. Its eyes are on the long tentacles.
EarthwormOther animalAn earthworm has no eyes and no bones. It breathes through damp skin.
Garden spiderOther animalA garden spider is not an insect. It has eight legs and spins a round web.
ScorpionOther animalA scorpion glows under ultraviolet light. It is not an insect.
Horseshoe crabOther animalA horseshoe crab is closer to spiders than to true crabs.
Hermit crabOther animalA hermit crab borrows an empty shell and moves to a bigger one as it grows.
Moon jellyfishOther animalA jellyfish has no brain, no heart, and no bones. It is still an animal.
Sea starOther animalA sea star is not a fish. It can regrow a lost arm.
American lobsterOther animalIts shell is on the outside. It must shed the old shell to grow.
Reef coralOther animalCoral looks like rock or a plant, but it is made of tiny animals.