100+ Wild Animal Names in English with Pictures & Examples

In this lesson, you will learn wild animal names in English, see clear animal pictures, and build useful vocabulary for talking about wildlife. Whether you enjoy nature documentaries or you’ve been on a safari, this guide will help you describe animals more confidently.

Contents

Common Wild Animal Names: An Essential Vocabulary List

Alligator
Antelope
Arctic wolf
Badger
Bald eagle
Bat
Bear
Blue whale
Camel
Chimpanzee
Crab
Crocodile
Coyote
Deer
Dolphin
Elephant
Elk
Fox
Frog
Giraffe
Gorilla
Hare
Hedgehog
Hippopotamus
Jellyfish
Kangaroo
Koala
Leopard
Lion
Lizard
Mole
Monkey
Otter
Owl
Panda
Rabbit
Raccoon
Rat
Reindeer
Shark
Snake
Squirrel
Starfish
Tiger
Toad
Walrus
Wolf
Woodpecker
Zebra

Wild Animals Vocabulary with Audio

Wild Animal Names with Pictures and Descriptions

Large Land Mammals

Related: Mammals

Picture	Vocabulary	IPA (US)	Description
Pin	Elephant	/ˈel.ə.fənt/	Elephants are the largest living land mammals. The two main species are the African elephant and the Asian elephant.
Pin	Giraffe	/dʒəˈræf/	Adult giraffes can be very tall and spend many hours a day eating leaves from trees.
Pin	Giant panda	/ˈdʒaɪ.ənt ˈpæn.də/	Giant pandas are mammals found in the wild in China, especially in mountainous bamboo forests.
Pin	Hippopotamus	/ˌhɪp.əˈpɑː.t̬ə.məs/	An adult hippopotamus can be extremely heavy and spends much of its time in water.
Pin	Gorilla	/ɡəˈrɪl.ə/	Gorillas are social animals that live in groups, led by a male known as a silverback.

Predators and Big Cats

Vocabulary	IPA (US)	Description
Lion	/ˈlaɪ.ən/	Lion cubs are reared in small groups. They may have faint spots that fade as they grow.
Tiger	/ˈtaɪ.ɡɚ/	The Bengal tiger is native to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India and is known for its strength and stripes.
Leopard	/ˈlep.ɚd/	Leopards are spotted big cats native to Africa and Asia and are often active at night.
Wolf	/wʊlf/	Wolves can have large territories. Their prey includes deer, bison, elk, moose, beavers, hares, and rodents.
Arctic wolf	/ˈɑːrk.tɪk wʊlf/	The Arctic wolf is native to the North American Arctic and Greenland and survives in extreme cold.

Marine and Aquatic Animals

Related: Sea animals

Picture	Vocabulary	IPA (US)	Description
Pin	Blue whale	/bluː weɪl/	The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth and one of the most awe-inspiring ocean creatures.
Pin	Dolphin	/ˈdɑːl.fɪn/	Dolphins are toothed whales and live in social groups called pods.
Pin	Shark	/ʃɑːrk/	Whale sharks are the largest type of shark; despite their size, many feed mainly on tiny sea life.
Pin	Walrus	/ˈwɔːl.rəs/	Walruses use their tusks to pull themselves onto ice and land in cold regions.
Pin	Jellyfish	/ˈdʒel.i.fɪʃ/	Jellyfish are mostly water and have no brain or heart, but they can sense light and movement.
Pin	Crab	/kræb/	Most crabs walk from side to side; however, some species can move forward and backward.
Pin	Starfish	/ˈstɑːr.fɪʃ/	Starfish can regrow limbs. Their digestive system extends into their arms.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Birds

Related: Reptiles, Amphibians, Birds

Picture	Vocabulary	IPA (US)	Description
Pin	Alligator	/ˈæl.əˌɡeɪ.t̬ɚ/	Alligators are large reptiles, and their teeth are replaced throughout their lives.
Pin	Crocodile	/ˈkrɑː.kəˌdaɪl/	Crocodiles are cold-blooded reptiles found in tropical regions around the world.
Pin	Snake	/sneɪk/	Some of the world’s largest snakes include the Green Anaconda, Burmese Python, and Reticulated Python.
Pin	Frog	/frɑːɡ/	Frogs begin life as eggs, then become tadpoles, and later change into adults.
Pin	Toad	/toʊd/	Toads are not taxonomically different from frogs; however, because of their appearance, they are commonly referred to as a separate type of animal.
Pin	Owl	/aʊl/	Owls are nocturnal birds of prey with strong talons and excellent night vision.
Pin	Bald eagle	/bɔːld ˈiː.ɡəl/	The bald eagle ranges widely across North America and is known for its powerful flight.
Pin	Woodpecker	/ˈwʊdˌpek.ɚ/	A woodpecker uses a strong bill to drill into trees for insects and nesting.

Small Mammals and Rodents

Picture	Vocabulary	IPA (US)	Description
Pin	Squirrel	/ˈskwɝː.əl/	Squirrels store nuts and seeds and are often active during the day.
Pin	Rabbit	/ˈræb.ɪt/	Rabbits are quick and alert and may sleep lightly to react to sudden movement.
Pin	Hare	/her/	Hares have longer ears than rabbits and are usually more solitary.
Pin	Hedgehog	/ˈhedʒ.hɑːɡ/	Hedgehogs have spines and may roll into a ball when threatened.
Pin	Mole	/moʊl/	Moles are burrowing mammals that spend most of their lives underground.
Pin	Rat	/ræt/	The rat is highly adaptable and often active around dawn and dusk.
Pin	Badger	/ˈbædʒ.ɚ/	Badgers eat small birds, mammals, insects, and lizards and are often active at night.
Pin	Raccoon	/rəˈkuːn/	Raccoons are nocturnal and usually solitary; their mating season is often between January and June.