How to say 100+ marvelous animal names in English from A to Z

Learning animal vocabulary is fun, especially if you’re an animal lover and have an appreciation for all creatures on this planet, from the sea to the sky, great and small.

Knowledge of the names of animals in English is useful for three reasons: it enables us to identify the animals we see, to describe the wildlife that interests us and helps us to discuss in English, the kinds of animals we would like to keep.

In this article, we’ll list animal names in English, recognize species associated with particular environments and countries, and we’ll take a look at useful animal vocabulary that is associated with these environments.

When might we need to know the names of animals in English?

Consider the following scenarios in which you want to describe something wonderful, identify something dangerous, or discover something new.

• During a recent outing to a wildlife zoo, you saw some native wildlife and were asked later what you saw and which animals you liked best.
• You’ve spotted a large nest of insects at the local park, and when you report it, you are asked if they are bees, wasps, or hornets.
• You are going to choose a family pet and need to find out everything you can about it on the internet.

Farm animal vocabulary from A to Z

Animals on farms are referred to as livestock, and birds as poultry.

Wild and zoo animal vocabulary from A to Z

Spotting the following animals in the wild would certainly be extra special. However, you can find many of the following animals in wildlife parks, rehabilitation centers or zoos, depending on where you are, of course.

Animals in zoos or safari parks are referred to as being in captivity (but not domesticated).

Animals found in the wild from A to Z

Waters animals list from A to Z

Insects in English from A to Z

Pet animals in English

Animals in English by different countries (by association)

Africa

• Antelopes
• Baboons
• Buffalos
• Cheetahs
• Elephants
• Hyenas

Australia

• Bandicoots
• Bilbies
• Cockatoos
• Crocodiles
• Dingoes
• Echidnas
• Emus
• Kangaroos
• Koalas
• Kookaburras
• Lyrebirds
• Magpies
• Platypus
• Possums
• Quolls
• Tasmanian Devils
• Wallabies
• Wombats

Canada

• Beavers
• Moose
• Polar bears
• Bison
• Walrus
• Caribou

India

• Bats
• Deer
• Monkeys
• Sloths
• Snow leopards
• Tigers

United States

• Bears
• Bison
• Coyotes
• Eagles
• Otters
• Squirrels
• Raccoons

Great Britain

• Badgers
• Deer
• Dormice
• Foxes
• Hedgehogs
• Owls
• Stoats

What do the following expressions mean?

Sometimes we want to talk about animals in ways that describe or refer to their status in the human world. You may want to do this for research, for paid or volunteer work, or for your own interest. These are all relevant words to add to and expand your animal vocabulary.

• Threatened – the known numbers of this species in the world are very low
• Endangered – there are not many of this species left in the world
• Extinct – there are no known members of this species left
• Protected – the hunting, trapping, or killing of this species is prohibited
• Domesticated – bred and trained to live with humans
• Tame – trained to live safely with humans

What do we mean when we say:

Expanding your animal vocabulary

Talking about animals is a passionate pastime for many of us, and it’s a subject with an enormous and dynamic vocabulary. So have fun with it as you expand your English animal vocabulary with all the marvelous creatures that cohabit and share this wonderful Earth with us.