Animals that start with A – List Of Animals With Videos, Pictures & Facts!

The list of popular animals that start with A includes both familiar and less-common creatures. You’ll meet some of the most common ones, including the aardvark and the African bush elephant. But there are others that you probably didn’t know existed, like the aye-aye, the Arctic fox and the Asian small-clawed otter. There are even some unusual creatures, like the alligator snapping turtle and the axolotl.

You’ll learn about the different kinds of animals, where they live and what makes them special. 

Aardvark

  • Scientific name: Orycteropus afer
  • Family: Orycteropodidae
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Located: Africa
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The scientific name for the aardvark is Orycteropus africanus. This little mammal lives in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to being cute, it’s important because it’s one of the few mammals whose diet consists mostly of insects. And it’s also the only African mammal that digs burrows into dry ground.


Aardwolf

  • Scientific name: Proteles cristata
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Hyaenidae
  • Located: Africa
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The aardwolf, Proteles cristatus, is a nocturnal mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Aardwolves are considered one of the most endangered carnivores in the world due to habitat loss and persecution by farmers. They are known to eat livestock and pets, and are hunted for meat and skins.


Adélie Penguin

  • Scientific name: Pygoscelis adeliae
  • Animal Group: Bird
  • Family: Spheniscidae
  • Located: Antarctica
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis antarctica, is a species of seabird in the family Spheniscidae. They are one of three extant species of true penguins, along with the emperor penguin and the rockhopper penguin. There are about 200,000 breeding pairs worldwide, most of which live on subantarctic islands.


African Bush Elephant

  • Scientific name: Loxodonta africana
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Elephantidae
  • Located: Africa
  • Conservation status: Endangered

The African bush elephant is one of the most recognizable type of animal in Africa. Its large ears are used to locate food and communicate with others. These elephants live in herds called clans. They travel across savanna plains searching for water and plants. This huge mammal is classified as endangered because it is hunted for ivory and meat.


African Clawed Frog

  • Scientific name: Xenopus laevis
  • Animal Group: Amphibian
  • Family: Pipidae
  • Located: Africa
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The African clawed frog is one of the most common freshwater frogs in Africa. They are small, usually less than 10 centimeters long, and live in large groups called aggregations. These type of animal feed mostly on insects and worms. Their diet includes aquatic snails, leeches, slugs, crayfish, and tadpoles. Females lay eggs in water, where the larvae develop into adults. This species lives in areas near flowing water, including rivers, streams, swamps, and marshes.


African Grey Parrot

  • Scientific name: Psittacus erithacus
  • Animal Group: Bird
  • Family: Psittacidae
  • Located: Africa
  • Conservation status: Endangered

The African grey parrot is one of the most intelligent birds in the world. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and live in large flocks called aviaries. These parrots are very social type of animal and often live together in pairs. They are highly intelligent and learn quickly. Their vocabulary consists of around 50 different sounds and includes basic phrases like “come here,” “go away,” and “I want.”


African Wild Dog

  • Scientific name: Lycaon pictus
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Canidae
  • Located: Africa

The African wild dog is one of the most endangered carnivores on Earth. This large canid species lives primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, where it ranges across semiarid savannas and deserts. Its diet consists mainly of carrion, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. Although the African wild dog is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are still many populations left.


Airedale Terrier

  • Scientific name: Canis familiaris /Canis lupus familiaris
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Canidae
  • Conservation status: Domestic

The Airedale terrier, also known as the Yorkshire terrier, is a large, long-bodied terrier developed in Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the town of Airebridge where it was developed. The Airedale terriers are the most common type of terrier in North America. They are hardy dogs that make good watchdogs and companions.

The Airedale is one of the oldest breeds of dog still being used today. In fact, the modern version of the breed dates back to 1879 and was developed by John Jackson, a farmer from Airedale, Yorkshire. He began breeding his dogs specifically to help him catch foxes. His dogs were successful and he eventually sold them to people around the world.

Today, there are over 300 different types of Airedales, including ones that look like miniature pinschers, bulldog crosses, and even Frenchies. There are also many different colors of Airedales, ranging from black to red, tan, white, and brown.


Alaskan Malamute

  • Scientific name: Canis familiaris /Canis lupus familiaris
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Canidae

The Alaskan Malamute is a large, powerful, long-coated dog breed native to Alaska and Canada. They are used as working dogs, primarily as sled dogs, although some are trained for police work. Their coat is short and dense, and they come in black, white, red, blue, tan, and gray colors.


Albatross

  • Animal Group: Bird
  • Family: Diomedeidae

The albatross is a genus of medium-sized diurnal birds of prey belonging to the family Diomedeidae. They are found worldwide except Australia and Antarctica. There are around 20 species of albatross. Most species nest on islands, but some migrate thousands of kilometres each year.


Alligator Snapping Turtle

  • Scientific name: Macrochelys temminckii
  • Animal Group: Reptile
  • Family: Chelydridae
  • Located: North America
  • Conservation status: Vulnerable

The alligator snapping turtle is one of the most dangerous turtles in the world. They live in rivers in the southeast part of the United States. Their diet consists mainly of fish, frogs, small mammals and birds. This species is classified as vulnerable because it is threatened by habitat loss and overharvesting.


Alpaca

  • Scientific name: Lama pacos
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Camelidae
  • Located: Originated in South America
  • Conservation status: Domestic

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camelid family, Camelidae. They are native to the Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia and parts of Chile. Alpacas are herbivores, eating grasses and herbs such as clover, alfalfa, and quinoa. In addition to being used for meat, milk, and fiber, alpacas are often kept as pets.


American Alligator

  • Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis
  • Animal Group: Reptile
  • Family: Alligatoridae
  • Located: North America
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The American alligator is one among four living species of crocodilian native to North America. Its scientific name is Alligator mississippensis. This reptile belongs to the family Alligatoridae. They are characterized by having long snouts, broad heads, small eyes, and short legs. The American alligator lives in freshwater habitats throughout much of the United States and Canada.


Amur Leopard

  • Scientific name: Panthera pardus orientalis
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Felidae
  • Located: Asia
  • Conservation status: Critically Endangered

The Amur leopard is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. There are less than 30 individuals left in the wild.

This big cat lives in the forests of Northeast China and South Korea. They are smaller than most leopards and weigh about 40 pounds. Their coat is mostly black except for white patches around their eyes, ears, mouth, chest, belly, paws and tail tip.


Anaconda

  • Animal Group: Reptile
  • Family: Boidae
  • Genus: Eunectes
  • Located: South America
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The anaconda is one of the largest snakes in the world, growing up to 10 meters long. An adult male weighs about 300 kg while females weigh around 200 kg. They live in tropical rainforests, feeding mostly on fish and frogs. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals and birds.

They are a very shy type of animal, rarely seen in captivity. In fact, it is believed that there are fewer than 5,000 individuals left in the wild. This makes them vulnerable to extinction.


Anchovy

  • Animal Group: Fish
  • Family: Engraulidae
  • Located: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean

The word “anchovy” comes from the Spanish and Portuguese words “anguila,” meaning eel, and “pescado.” These terms refer to the elongated shape of the fish.

Anchovies are small fish, about 3 inches long, with silvery green/blue bodies. They feed mainly on plankton, small crustaceans, insect larvae, and tiny mollusks.

Although a small number of anchovie species are found in freshwater environments, most are marine fish inhabiting temperate regions of the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.


Angel Shark

  • Animal Group: Fish
  • Family: Squatinidae
  • Genus: Squatina
  • Located: Temperate & tropical waters worldwide

The angel shark is one of the most common fish species in the world. They live in temperate and tropical oceans around the globe. There are 24 recognized angel sharks species. Angel sharks make up the genera Squatina and Squalus.


Anglerfish

  • Animal Group: Fish
  • Order: Lophiiformes
  • Located: Oceans worldwide

The anglerfish is an unusual predator. It has no eyes, no mouth, and no jaw. Instead it uses a pair of long, slender tentacles called pectoral fins to capture prey. Anglerfish use those flexible appendages like arms to swim around, wrap themselves around their prey, and pull the victim into their mouths.


Anteater

  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Order: Pilosa
  • Suborder: Vermilingua
  • Located: Central and South America

The anteater family includes four different types of animals. They include the giant anteater, the silky anteater, the tamandua, and the paca. These type of animal are found in Central and Southern America. They are known for having long snouts and large claws.


Antelope

  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Located: Africa, Asia

An antelope is a member of the family Bovidae, subfamily Caprinae, tribe Hippotragini. There are about 20 extant species, ranging across Africa, Asia, and parts of South America. They are medium-sized ungulates, weighing up to 80 kg (176 lb), standing up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall at shoulder height.

The term “antelope” is sometimes used interchangeably with the related terms gazelle, hartebeest, impala, kudu, dik-dik, waterbuck, gnu, bongo, or wildebeest. However, some authorities regard the term “antelope” as being restricted to the genus Oryx, while others use it for several genera within the tribe Hippotragini, including Aepyceros and Connochaetes.


Archerfish

  • Animal Group: Fish
  • Family: Toxotidae
  • Genus: Toxotes
  • Located: Asia, Australia

The archerfish are small fish that live in tropical regions around the world. They are commonly known as “archers,” because they use their fins like bows and arrows to hunt prey. Archerfish are ambush predators, waiting motionless in shallow waters for unsuspecting crustaceans and insects to swim by. Once one of the archerfish spots its target, it shoots out its mouth and uses the force of the water to propel itself forward, striking the prey with razor sharp teeth.


Arctic Fox

  • Scientific name: Vulpes lagopus
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Canidae
  • Located: The Arctic
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The Arctic fox is one of 12 species in the true fox genus, Vulpes, within the dog family, Canidae, along with red foxes, raccoons, jackals, wolves, coyotes, and dogs. They are a medium sized type of animal with long legs, thick bodies, short tails, pointed ears, large eyes, and bushy tails. Their coats vary in color from white to brownish gray, black, and reddish orange.

They are omnivorous mammals, eating both plants and meat. In some areas, they feed almost exclusively on carrion. They spend most of their lives alone except during mating season. They usually live up to 10 years in the wild.


Arctic Hare

  • Scientific name: Lepus arcticus
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Leporidae
  • Located: The Arctic
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The Arctic hare is one of the most common mammals of the tundra. Its diet consists mainly of grasses and lichen, supplemented by berries and insects. It lives in groups consisting of several families. In winter it hibernates underground.


Armadillo

  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Order: Cingulata
  • Located: South America, North America

Armadillos are ground-living mammals with flexible armor plates covering their bodies. They spend most of their lives burrowing underground. Their name is derived from the Spanish word “armadilla,” meaning little armored one.

The four families of armadillos include Dasypodidae, Euphractidae, Chlamyphoridae, and Prosthetidae. All are native to tropical regions of the Americas.

In addition to being called armadillos, they’re often referred to as giant pincers, porcupines, anteaters, and even hedgehogs.


Asian Elephant

  • Scientific name: Elephas maximus
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Elephantidae
  • Located: Asia
  • Conservation status: Endangered

The Asian elephant is one of the world’s largest land animals, standing up to 12 feet tall and weighing over 5 tons. They are native to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Mongolia. In addition to being big, elephants are intelligent, social creatures that live in groups called herds.

Elephants use tools such as branches and rocks to dig holes where they sleep and defecate. Their long trunks help them reach food and water. Unlike most mammals, elephants don’t nurse their young; instead, females give birth to calves every few years. Male elephants often work together to protect their families. When threatened, they charge their attackers.


Auk

  • Animal Group: Bird
  • Family: Alcidae
  • Located: Northern Hemisphere

The word “auk” comes from the Old English language. In modern times, it refers to one of several bird families called Alcidae. There are about 20 different genera in the family, including puffin, murrelet, auklet, and auks like the common murre and the razorbill. These birds live in cold climates around the world. They eat fish, squid, crustaceans, and molluscs. Most are nocturnal, although some are crepuscular, active during both day and night. Some species nest communally. All alcids are medium-large, plump, long-tailed birds with short necks and large heads. Their bills are adapted for catching food; most have a fleshy tip used to probe into crevices or cracks in rocks where prey lives. The tail feathers are stiffened with keratin.


Australian Shepherd

  • Scientific name: Canis familiaris /Canis lupus familiaris
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Canidae
  • Conservation status: Domestic

The Australian shepherd is a breed developed in the United States. Originally bred for herding cattle, it became popular among people looking for a companion dog. In fact, the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1929. Today, the AKC recognizes three different types of Australian shepherds: the Shetland sheepdog, the Border collie, and the Australian cattle dog. These are the most common breeds in the world.


Avocet

  • Animal Group: Bird
  • Family: Recurvirostridae
  • Genus: Recurvirostra
  • Located: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia
  • Conservation status: Least Concern

The avocet is a species of bird in the family Recurvirostridae. They are large waders with long legs and long slender bills. They live in wetlands where they feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates. Their plumage is mostly greyish brown above and paler beneath.

They are migratory birds; most migrate south in winter. In summer they move north into temperate regions. They nest on the ground in colonies. The male defends a territory during breeding season.


Axolotl

  • Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum
  • Animal Group: Amphibian
  • Family: Ambystomatidae
  • Located: North America
  • Conservation status: Critically Endangered

The axolotl is one of the most fascinating creatures I have ever seen. It looks like a cross between a salamander and a fish. In fact, it is a member of the family Ambystomatidae, which includes many species of Mexican salamanders. Its scientific name is Ambystoma mecaxcalensis, which translates into “the little Mexican salamander.”

The axolotls are native to the lakes and rivers around Mexico City, where they spend most of their lives living under rocks and logs. They mate during springtime, and females lay eggs. After hatching, the young larvae live underwater for about three months, feeding on algae and small invertebrates. During this period, the larvae grow up to four inches long and develop gills. At some point, the gills fall off, and the larvae become fully aquatic.

When they reach sexual maturity, the males release sperm into water currents, fertilizing the female eggs. Once fertilized, the eggs hatch into tadpoles, which eventually metamorphose into adult salamanders. Axolotls typically live five to eight years, though some individuals live longer.


Aye-Aye

  • Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
  • Animal Group: Mammal
  • Family: Daubentoniidae
  • Located: Africa (Madagascar)
  • Conservation status: Critically Endangered

The aye-aye is a nocturnal primate native to Madagascar. Its scientific name is Daubentonia madgascariensis. It belongs to the family Daubentoniidae. There are about 100 different types of lemurs. They are primates that live in tropical forests in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aye-aies are a small type of animal weighing up to five pounds. Their tails are long and slender and they walk upright like humans. They have large ears and a nose shaped like a parrot’s beak.


Summary

There are lots of interesting animals the begin with the Letter A. Some of them you might not know much about, but others are very well known. We’ve also covered different type of animal that Begin with B-Z so read on to find out more about these other species.

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