How to say 109 marvelous animal names in English from A to Z

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.

Animal vocabulary games

I went to the zoo / farm / park / beach and guess what I saw:

This game is played in a group. Player one says, “I went to the zoo and I saw a (animal name).” The second player repeats the sentence AND the first player’s animal and then adds their own. The third player must remember and repeat both animals and then add their own, and so on.

The game continues until a player falters and makes a mistake.

Animal squares

This game is played with blank square grids of any number of squares, and a pencil for each player and can be played individually, in teams, or as a class. Choose a category – zoo animals, farm animals, pets, Australian animals, endangered animals, and so on. Begin with an easy category.

The grid is placed where everyone can see it (if in a class) or where you can write on it (if in a small group).

• Players in small groups take turns to write on the grid the name of an animal in English (which fits the chosen category). A player is out when they cannot think of another animal to add. Because the game requires players to investigate animal environments and names of animals in English, rules can be relaxed to allow the use of the internet or picture books.

OR

• Players in a class call out the names of animals in English and the teacher adds them to the grid. The game is over when players are unable to add any more animals. If the grid is filled, the class wins. Grids (and categories) can be drawn up to match the capability of groups.

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.

And if you really want to take things to the next level in English animal vocabulary? We highly recommend getting acquainted with all the extraordinarily talented Sir David Attenborough and his documentaries.