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
11 Flowers That Symbolize Wisdom
Throughout history, flowers have been used to convey meanings that words simply can't describe. Some people gift flowers as a gesture of romantic love, while others give them to express… Read More
By Alanna Davis 21 hours ago
The 9 Most Common Creatures in Tide Pools
You may step into a tide pool and not realize that you are surrounding by life. But if you take a closer look, you can appreciate this small ecosystem and… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 1 day ago
The 10 Smartest Animals in the World – Updated 2024 Rankings
Human beings have the tendency to feel overly secure in their position at the top of the food chain. We take for granted the fact that we are the most… Read More
By Heather Hall 1 day ago
7 Amazing Animals That Can Freeze And Come Back To Life
There are so many diverse creatures living on this planet. Ferocious animals like the tiger and panther roam the jungles of India. Traveling to the savannahs of Africa, you will… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 1 day ago
Great White Shark vs Saltwater Crocodile: Which Animal Is the Superior Predator?
Below the ocean waves, many deadly reptiles and fish hunt their prey in astonishing fashions. Among the most frightening creatures to hunt below the water are sharks and crocodiles. A… Read More
By Kyle Glatz 1 day ago
9 Stinky Houseplants that Make Your House Smell Terrible
Growing plants indoors has never been trendier, and sales have risen sharply in the past few years. Houseplants are not only beautiful, but keeping plants in your home has been… Read More
By Jennifer Geer 1 day ago
7 U.S. States with the Worst Bug Problems
There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who don't hesitate to squash a bug and those who would rather camp out in their car than sleep inside… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 2 days ago
Cat Dandruff: 7 Ways to Treat It and Get Your Cat Looking Fresh
It's easy to spot cat dandruff. It shows up as white or gray flakes on their fur. Usually caused by dry skin, it can make your cat feel itchy. Although… Read More
By Jennifer Geer 2 days ago
How Long Do Lions Live? Discover the Average Lifespan + The Oldest Lion Ever!
Lions are majestic apex predators that roam in the wild, and issues like food availability, natural threats, and disease can all play a role in their lifespan. Even with their… Read More
By Rebecca Bales 2 days 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 Asp Caterpillar
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Basenji Mix
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Cephalaspis
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Draco Volans Lizard
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Elk
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Fleckvieh Cattle
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Green Tree Python
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Highland Cattle
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Irukandji Jellyfish
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Joro Spider
Animals that Start with K
Example: The Kingklip
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Labrottie
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Macaw
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Northern Cardinal
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Oarfish
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Polka Dot Stingray
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quagga
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Rhamphosuchus
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Smooth Fox Terrier
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Tree Snake
Animals that Start with U
Example: The Urial
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Vampire CrabÂ
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Wood Duck
Animals that Start with X
Example: The Xoloitzcuintli
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yellow-Eyed Penguin
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebra Snake
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!
The 21 Countries That Still Have Lions (And What They’re Doing to Conserve Them)
Lions are one of the quintessential species of Africa, but they once ranged much further. In the past their habitat included parts of Asia and Europe as well as most… Read More
By Drew Wood 2 days ago
The 11 Best Dog Breeds for a Pisces
Nostalgic, intuitive, creative- all of these words describe the average Pisces. As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces are incredibly wise and youthful at the same time, personality traits… Read More
By August Croft 2 days ago
Discover Why No One Has Ever Seen a Great White Shark Give Birth
Great white sharks have a bad reputation. They are large and aggressive sharks that can grow up to 20 feet long and can live 40 to 70 years. Despite their… Read More
By Nixza Gonzalez 3 days ago
5 Predators that Could Defeat a Great White Shark
Great white sharks, often just referred to as great whites, are among the deadliest creatures in the ocean. They are widely recognized as the largest predatory sharks in the water,… Read More
By Colby Maxwell 3 days ago
Great White Shark Population Is on the Decline: How Many Are Left?
Quick Answer: There are fewer than 3,500 great white sharks remaining worldwide and they are currently decreasing in number. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classifies great white… Read More
By Kathryn Dueck 3 days ago
Great White Sharks in Hawaii: Where They Live and How Often They’re Spotted
Quick Answer: Great white sharks live worldwide in almost all offshore and coastal waters. They are common in the United States, Japan, Chile, South Africa, and Oceania, and have been… Read More
By Jeremiah Wright 3 days ago
Everything Great White Sharks Love to Eat
Great white sharks are perhaps the most famous fish swimming in our oceans. They evoke fear in many, awe in some, and curiosity in others. Great whites can get up… Read More
By Brandi Allred 3 days ago
The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found Off U.S. Waters
Great white sharks occur all around the world. However, this species has high concentrations near New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Northeastern Pacific, and the North Atlantic. But, the great… Read More
By Chanel Coetzee 3 days ago
The 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World (The U.S. Is Not #1)
What does it mean to have a "powerful passport?" If we think of which country has the most capacity to help its citizens in the most countries of the world,… Read More
By Drew Wood 4 days ago
The Complete History of Great White Sharks in Aquariums (Never Lived More than 198 Days!)
Can you keep a great white shark in an aquarium? Has anyone tried? We’ll go over a comprehensive history of great whites in aquariums even though the longest stay was… Read More
By Kristen Holder 4 days ago
Where Do Great White Sharks Live? Explore Their Habitat and Range in Today’s Oceans
Quick Answer: Great white sharks are present in almost all coastal and offshore regions in the world's oceans. They generally prefer waters from 54 to 75 °F. The greatest concentrations of… Read More
By Colby Maxwell 4 days ago
How Fast Are Great White Sharks? See How They Compare to the Ocean’s Fastest Animals
Great White sharks are the third largest shark with some getting to be 23 feet long, but are they the fastest? How does a shark that big move so fast?… Read More
By Cindy Rasmussen 4 days ago
The Largest Wild Hog Ever Caught in Oklahoma
Wild hogs were unseen in the state until the 1830s. Today, they're a concern for residents because of how quickly and overwhelmingly they reproduce. They have been spotted in nearly… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 4 days ago
8 Animals (and Plants!) Surprisingly Genetically Related to Humans
The human race is a very complicated, interesting, and frankly, wild race. We have evolved from single-cell organisms to creatures that can think on their own. Humans have large brains,… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 5 days ago
24 Smells that Attract Flies Like Magnets
Flies are an unpleasant part of life. They can quickly make your home feel dirty and gross, or ruin a fun outdoor adventure. There are many articles out there that… Read More
By Nina Phillips 6 days ago
Beware of Scorpions in These 29 States
There are many creatures in the world — some of them are cute and cuddly and others are venomous and dangerous. There are animals in this world that can maul… Read More
By Patrick MacFarland 6 days ago
The 450+ Best and Most Clever Nerdy Dog Names
Fearing the title of “nerd” is a problem of the past — now is the time to embrace your inner genius! That part of you who gets lost diving into… Read More
By Kellianne Matthews 1 week ago
The 18 Weirdest Laws About Animals Throughout the World
Many laws are a product of their time, and even though they're on the books, they're actually rarely enforced. That's sometimes the case for the weirdest laws about animals as… Read More
By Nina Phillips 1 week ago
Cancer in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
There are certain words you never want to hear from your veterinarian. A cancer diagnosis is one of them. Whether your kitty has been recently diagnosed or you want to… Read More
By Angie Menjivar 1 week ago
The 11 Most Dangerous Elements on Earth
While planet Earth is home to an abundance of beauty, it's also home to many hazards. While humans are conditioned to be wary of dangers such as sharp objects, extreme… Read More
By Alanna Davis 2 weeks 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.
