Discover, Appreciate, & Understand the Animal World!
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We believe that if people know more about the world’s creatures they will better care for them. That’s why we add new animals for you to discover – each and every day! Learn about any animal using the search box below or subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our growing list of Animal Quizzes.
Discover Your Favorite Animal Today!
Latest from A-Z Animals
Scary Animals: The 10 Creepiest Animals in the World
Natural selection rarely favors the beautiful. In the Cold War known as 'the evolution', a willingness to go extreme is often the best way to find a unique niche within… Read More
By Lex Basu 46 seconds ago
Male vs. Female Monkeys: Breaking Down the 7 Key Differences
In general, it is not a great idea to keep a monkey as a pet as they require very specialist care and expertise. However, that does not stop us from… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 hours ago
The Average Lifespan of Great White Sharks and Threats to Their Longevity
Great white sharks are the world’s largest predatory fish. Most of us are familiar with this specific shark thanks to movies such as Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. When many people mention… Read More
By Volia Schubiger 2 hours ago
Monkey Lifespan: See How Long the Different Types of Monkeys Live
Monkeys are primates, like apes, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans! Do monkeys live as long as humans? Are monkeys the same as apes and gorillas? Since primates have few predators do… Read More
By Cindy Rasmussen 4 hours ago
Massive Venomous Spiders Set to Invade New York
Experts and pest control companies have warned New Yorkers that Joro spiders will be invading the New York area pretty soon. Joro spiders are native to Asia but were brought… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 5 hours ago
Great Hammerhead vs Great White: The Key Differences Between These Famous Sharks
The great hammerhead shark head and the great white shark are shark species known for their "greatness" in size. The great hammerhead shark belongs to the Sphyrnidae family and is… Read More
By Emmanuel Kingsley 5 hours ago
The Smallest Monkeys in the World
As most monkeys are arboreal and adapted to move swiftly through the trees, most of them are small in size, at least when compared to apes such as chimps and… Read More
By Rebecca Bales 7 hours ago
The Biggest Animals Ever: 5 Giants from the Ocean
Hundreds of years ago, something peculiar happened… People started finding dragon teeth along the creeks and the shores of oceans. Big, six-inch-long dragon teeth. How could that be possible? Well, today we know… Read More
By Heather Hall 7 hours ago
Lions vs Tigers – 5 Key Differences (And Who Would Win in a Fight)
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! This classic quote may come to mind when you think of two of the world's largest cats - the lion and the tiger.… Read More
By Heather Ross 7 hours ago
The 7 Main Types of Animals And Their Characteristics
There are many different types of animals in the world, but some of the largest categories include:
Mammals
The official mammal class is Mammalia. Animals that are considered mammals include warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair or fur and whose babies drink milk. Unlike other animal types like birds and insects, all mammal babies drink milk that comes from their mother’s bodies. This is one of the key ways to know if an animal is a mammal.
See the complete list of mammals.
Reptiles
Lizards, dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes – all belong to that ancient and stout class of animals known as the reptiles. This is a diverse group with more than 10,000 different species and a huge representation in the fossil record. Once the dominant land vertebrates on the planet, reptiles still occupy just about every single ecosystem outside of the extreme north and south.
See the complete list of reptiles.
Fish
Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. “Fish” is a term used to refer to lampreys, sharks, coelacanths and ray-finned fishes, but is not a taxonomic group, which is a clade or group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.
See the complete list of fish.
Birds
Birds, members of the class Aves, include more than 10,400 living species. Their feathers distinguish them from all other classes of animal; no other animals on earth have them. If you see an animal with feathers, it’s undoubtedly a bird. Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with four-chambered hearts. However, they are more closely related to reptiles and are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs.
See the complete list of birds.
Amphibians
The official class of amphibians is Amphibia. To have the classification of an amphibian, an animal must be a vertebrate, require water to survive, be cold-blooded, and spend time both on land and in water. Though other animals only live on land or in the water, amphibians have the unique ability to thrive equally in both. Amphibians cover over 6,000 different species across the globe, but about 90% are frogs.
See the complete list of amphibians.
Invertebrates
The definition of an invertebrate is any animal that does not have a backbone or vertebral column. The most prolific and easily recognizable members of the invertebrate family are insects. It’s estimated that upwards of 30 million individual species of invertebrates may exist accounting for between 90-95 percent of all organisms on the planet.
See the complete list of invertebrates.
Insects
All insects are part of the taxonomical phylum Arthropoda, and they are collectively referred to as arthropods. It is common to see this name misspelled as “anthropod,” but this is not the correct term. They can be found in nearly every environment on the planet, and they currently account for over half of all known living organisms in the world. They have undergone many cycles of evolution depending on the resources available to them.
See the complete list of insects.
Explore Types of Wild Animals from Around the World
We track thousands of animals from every continent and corner on earth, and are adding more every day!
- African Animals – Africa is home to some of the most incredible and dangerous animals in the world.
- Asian Animals – Asia has the world’s longest coastline, and an amazing diversity of exotic animals, birds, and more.
- Central American Animals – Discover the the nearly 400 different animals we track in Central America today.
- Eurasian Animals – Eurasia has some of the rarest animals in the world, like Siberian Tigers and Snow Leopards.
- European Animals – We track over 500 different animals in Europe, including wolves and bears.
- North American Animals – North America has many beautiful national parks that house some of the rarest animals on earth.
- Marine (Ocean) Animals – The ocean is teaming with life, from the smallest shrimp to the largest animal ever – the Blue Whale!
- Oceanian Animals – Oceania has many islands, and the world’s highest concentration of marsupials.
- South American Animals – Home to the stealthy Jaguar, the friendly Capybara, and many more!
See Endangered and Extinct Animals Lists
A-Z Animals follow’s the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species definitions of threatened and endangered animals. Please consult the lists below to learn more about which animals need our help the most
- Extinct – Species that no longer exist on earth
- Extinct in the Wild – Species that are only known to survive in captive or cultivated environments
- Critically Endangered – Animals that face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
- Endangered – Animal species that face a high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable – Animal species that face a risk of extinction in the wild
- Near Threatened – Species that are facing population challenges and likely to become vulnerable to extinction soon
- Least Concern – Animals with strong populations that are not expected to face extinction risk in the near future
- Data Deficient – Species where we lack adequate information to assess the risk
- Not Evaluated – Animal species that have not been evaluated yet
Types of Animals By Letter: Explore A to Z Animal Lists
See lists of animals that start with every letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. We track all types of animals like lions and tigers, dogs and cats, even dinosaurs and spiders. Choose your favorite letter below to see all animals that start with it today.
Animals that Start with A
Example: The Aussiedoodle
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Bottlenose Dolphin
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Cape Lion
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Dinofelis
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Emperor Penguin
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Figeater Beetle
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Gibbon
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Havanese
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Iguanodon
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Jellyfish
Animals that Start with K
Example: The King Penguin
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Leopard Tortoise
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mamushi Snake
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Norwegian Forest
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Oregon Spotted Frog
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Peekapoo
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quagga
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Rock Hyrax
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Spectacled Bear
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Tenterfield Terrier
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Unau (Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth)
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Venus Flytrap
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Wrasse
Animals that Start with X
Example: The Xenotarsosaurus
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellow Cobra
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebra Mussels
Everything To Know About Pet Dogs, Cats Birds, and More
Some of the most popular types of animals on earth are pets. A pet is a domesticated animal that lives with a person or family, usually in a house. The most common pets include dogs, cats, fish, and birds, but there are also many amazing exotic pets like reptiles, lizards, and more! Horses, goats, and pigs can also be pets too.
Pet Dogs
Dogs are the most popular type of pet on earth with nearly 500 million worldwide. Thats almost one dog for every 15 people on earth! There are hundreds of different dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is the largest dog breed, and was bred to hunt wolves. Chihuahuas are the smallest, and were likely bred for companionship or to hunt small rodents. The most popular dog breeds are below.
Boston Terrier
Friendly, lovable and very strong!
Irish Setter
Has a beautiful coat that's flowing and feathered!
Golden Retriever
Trusting, kind and gentle!
Pet Cats
Cats are the second most popular pet on earth with nearly 400 million worldwide. Thats almost one pet cat for every 20 people on earth! You can read about the hundreds of different cat breeds, from the large to the small. The most popular cat breeds are below
Abyssinian
One of the oldest cat breeds in the world!
Australian Mist
The only cat breed to originate in Australia.
Ragdoll
One of the larger breeds of domestic cat!
Pet Product Reviews
Pets are important members of our families and should be cared for. The AZ Animals team reviews the latest research on pet health, consults veterinarian best practices, and works directly with vet health specialists to review the best products for your dog, cat, and other pets. We’re excited to share our expert pet product recommendations with you, including the best dog food, best cat food, and best tanks for your pet fish
More Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More!
12 Animals That Don’t Have a Brain and How The Heck They Survive!
Not all animals have brains, and all of them happen to be sea creatures. You're probably asking yourself how you survive without a brain. Well, let's find out. From the… Read More
By Heather Hall 9 hours ago
13 Incredile Lion Facts That Show How Amazing The King of the Jungle Is
Lions are one of the most incredible animals on the planet. They're not only one of the largest predators in the world, but they also hunt in large groups. We've… Read More
By Dana Mayor 10 hours ago
The Most and Least Dog Friendly States
Dogs are some of the most popular pets in America. Dogs provide owners with more stress-free lives. These cuddly and cute animals will always have your back and brighten your… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 13 hours ago
The 15 Biggest Deep-Sea Creatures
On land, the African elephant is the largest animal to walk the Earth. Weighing up to six tons, it's over three times as heavy as the average-sized SUV. However, it… Read More
By Jennifer Geer 22 hours ago
Top 10 Heaviest Animals in the World
A heavy animal is generally a big animal, but some big animals aren’t as heavy as a person would suppose. The ostrich, which can grow to nearly 7 feet tall,… Read More
By Heather Hall 1 day ago
10 Dog Food Myths Every Pet Owner Should Know
It is very common for dog owners to worry about what they are feeding their dogs. This situation is not helped by the amount of conflicting information online and in… Read More
By Sharon Parry 1 day ago
Baby Lions: 5 Adorable Cub Pictures and 5 Interesting Facts About The Cute Apex Predators
Lion babies! They're born cute and cuddly and grow up into apex predators that rule savannas. Let's dig into five facts about lion cubs and more importantly dive into five… Read More
By Heather Hall 1 day ago
The 7 Most Travel-Friendly Dog Breeds
Summer is travel season, and if you're a dog lover, you can't leave your baby behind! But traveling will be miserable for both of you if your dog is a… Read More
By Drew Wood 1 day ago
Cute But Deadly: The 10 Most Vicious Animals That Look Cute!
Cute but deadly animals are something of a rarity in nature. Normally, dangerous animals have bright colors or look vicious to let you know they're dangerous. Some, however, are deceptively… Read More
By Lex Basu 1 day ago
The Top 10 Loudest Animals on Earth (#1 is Amazing)
Stop and think of the loudest person that you know. They are not even close to the loudest animal in the world. While many animals count on being very quiet… Read More
By Lex Basu 1 day ago
A Feast for a King: 15 Animals That Lions Hunt and Eat
Lions are an apex predator known for their ferocity and hunting prowess. They're obviously carnivores, but other questions remain. How much do lions eat, what is their favorite prey, and… Read More
By Dana Mayor 1 day ago
Understanding the 5 Key Differences Between Male and Female Lions
Lions, scientifically known as Panthera leo, are the second largest member of the big cat species. This species includes lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Known for their size, strength, and… Read More
By Trey Fox 2 days ago
The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found Off New York Waters
Great white sharks are fascinating animals. So fascinating, that they've been the subject of many movies and TV shows. Shark attacks are rare. Unprovoked attacks are even rarer. Generally, great… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 2 days ago
Oviparous Animals: 12 Animals That Lay Eggs (Some Will Surprise You!)
Animals reproduce in different ways. Some, like humans, give birth to live young. A few reproduce by budding - a new creature grows from a segment of the original animal.… Read More
By Lex Basu 2 days ago
Lion Teeth: Everything You Need to Know
Lions are recognizable all over the world. Their thundering roars fill us with images of circus performers and prides of feline hunters roaming the plains of Africa. Once endemic to… Read More
By Brandi Allred 2 days ago
23 Famous Sayings About Dogs and What They Actually Mean
Humans and dogs have shared their lives for thousands of years so it is not surprising that our canine friends have made their way into our sayings, phrases, and idioms.… Read More
By Sharon Parry 2 days ago
Meet ‘Scarface’ — The Most Notorious Lion to Ever Rule the Jungle
Anyone who grew up watching The Lion King, or watched it as a parent, has a slight soft spot for lion points of pride. How could you not cheer on… Read More
By Jennifer Hollohan 2 days ago
African Lion vs. Asiatic Lion: Discover the Key Differences in Size, Look, and More!
The King of the Jungle is known for its majestic appearance and fierce hunting skills. But did you know that there are two different subspecies of lions? African lions and… Read More
By Lev Baker 2 days ago
The Top 10 Deadliest Animals In The World
Animals are all around us. Because of their proximity, many people take for granted how truly dangerous some of the animals that are right within our communities really are. What… Read More
By Heather Ross 2 days ago
The Largest Great White Shark Ever Recorded
Of all the creatures lurking within the immense depths of the ocean, the great white shark inspires more terror and awe in people than almost anything else. This fearsome animal,… Read More
By Austin S. 2 days ago
See all of A-Z Animals News and Information.
Animal Reference Guides And Educational Resources
We believe if people are more educated about the world’s animals, they will better car for them. That’s why we are building the world’s greatest animal encyclopedia, completely free to you. Please take a moment to learn more about animals today using these helpful guides and resources:
- Reference Library – See helpful information on conservation, classification, animal evolution, and more
- Glossary – A list of scientific and technical animal terms, with definitions
- Animal Habitats – Learn all about different animal habitats
- Diet – The different animal diets like omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores defined with examples
- Behavior – Learn all about animal intelligence, communication, community, language, migration, and more.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the 6 types of animals?
The 6 types of animals are mammals, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and invertebrates. Additionally, animals are classified in many different ways, which you may learn about in this complete guide to animal classification.
What are the 10 most popular animals?
The 10 most popular animals on AZ Animals are:
How many animals are there?
There are over 1 million known animal species and more than 98% of those are insects, which are indeed animals.
