Names of Animals
Humans are not the only living beings on this planet. We share the world we live in with plants and animals. Like humans, each animal is different; some can swim, some can fly, and some can run at very high speeds. Children learn to interact with and mimic animals from a young age. Teaching children the names of animals helps them learn more about each animal and its different characteristics.
Before you teach animal names to kids, help them learn about the classification of animals. This also sets a strong foundation for science learning later in their education. In addition to this, learning the names of animals also enhances the child’s vocabulary and language skills. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of animal names and how they are classified.
In this article, explore:
- Classification of Animals
- List of Animal Names
- Names of Animals: Mammals
- Animal Names: Birds
- Animal Names: Reptiles
- Names of Animals: Fish
- Names of Animals: Amphibians
- Animal Classification According to Their Food Habits
- Frequently Asked Questions on Names of Animals
Classification of Animals
All animals in the world are classified into two main types: vertebrates and invertebrates. The invertebrates, which are animals without a backbone, are mainly spiders and insects. The vertebrates, which are animals with a spinal cord, are further divided into mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Read on to find a list of names of animals from each group.
List of Animal Names
Here is a list of names of animals to help your little ones learn more about the creatures they share the world with. Along with their vocabulary and language skills, this knowledge also helps them get more in touch with nature and how to coexist with animals.
Names of Animals: Mammals
Mammals are animals that give birth to their young ones and feed and nourish them. Here is a list of common mammals. Most mammals live on land, but some mammals like dolphins and whales live in water, and some mammals like bats can fly.
- Dog
- Cat
- Sheep
- Cow
- Rabbit
- Horse
- Kangaroo
- Elephant
- Tiger
- Lion
- Leopard
- Bear
- Wolf
- Fox
- Dolphin
- Whale
- Platypus
- Goat
- Donkey
- Pig
- Deer
- Monkey
- Reindeer
- Mongoose
- Squirrel
Animal Names: Birds
Birds are animals that have feathers on their body and can fly. But, not all birds can fly. Some birds like ostriches, emu etc., are flightless birds. Unlike mammals, birds lay eggs to give birth to their young ones. Here is a list of names of some birds.
- Eagle
- Pigeon
- Crow
- Dove
- Peacock
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Goose
- Sparrow
Animal Names: Reptiles
Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that have scaly skin. While they are born on land, some reptiles can survive in water too. Here is a list of names of some commonly known reptiles.
- Turtles
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Crocodiles
- Alligators
Names of Animals: Fish
Fish are animals that live in water and have gills, scales and fins on their body, and they’re also called aquatic animals. Like birds, fish also lay eggs to give birth to their young ones. Here is a list of some fish.
- Shark
- Goldfish
- Angelfish
- Tuna
- Bass
- Barracuda
- Carp
- Calamari
- Seahorse
- Salmon
Names of Animals: Amphibians
Amphibians are animals that live both in land and water. They’re born in water with gills, but when they grow up, they develop lungs, which help them breathe on land too. Here is a list of names of some common amphibians.
- Frogs
- Toads
- Newts
- Salamanders
Animal Classification According to Their Food Habits
Animals are further divided into three groups based on what they eat. Animals that eat only plants are called herbivores, and animals that eat the meat of other animals are called carnivores. Animals that eat both plants and meat are called omnivores. Here is a list of animal names that are herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
Herbivores: Elephant, cow, reindeer, sheep, goat, rabbit, beaver, camel, deer, donkey, horse, ape, zebra, giraffe, llama etc.
Carnivores: Lion, tiger, leopard, wolf, fox, polar bear, cheetah, bear, hyena, otter, seal, sharks, crocodile, alligator, puma etc.
Omnivores: Humans, coyotes, bears, birds, dogs, raccoons, foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, skunks etc.
We hope you found this list of names of animals useful. For more activities, games and worksheets that make learning fun, check our kids learning section.
Frequently Asked Questions on Names of Animals
How are animals classified?
Animals are classified or categorized into different groups according to their characteristics and food habits. The two main categories are vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are further classified into mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Animals are also classified based on what they eat. Herbivores are animals that only eat plants, fruits, vegetables and nuts. Carnivorous animals eat the meat of other animals, and omnivores eat both plants and animals.
What are some common names of animals in each category?
Mammals: Dog, cat, pig, sheep, elephant, tiger, kangaroo, dolphin, bat, whale, deer etc.
Birds: Eagle, crow, raven, sparrow, pigeon, ostrich, chicken, peacock, penguin etc.
Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators etc.
Amphibians: frogs, toads, newts, salamanders etc.