41+ Animals That Start With A - With Pictures

If you're searching for a complete list of animals beginning with the letter a you're in the right place. We start out easy with animals you could probably guess and gradually move onto species you may not have heard of. We'll cover animals from all over the world including America, Australia, Europe, South-East Asia, the Arctic and Mexico.

List Of Animals That Start With A:

Below is a list of animals that start with the letter A. Each animal name is clickable so you can see pictures of the animal and find out more details about them.

1. Alpaca

Alpacas are friendly-looking mammals kept in herds in South America. They are often confused with their larger relative the llama. Alpacas were bred for their fur while llamas were bred to be working animals. Their fur is beautifully soft but they are also know for their spitting habit, which they use issue a warning or signal distress. What better animal to kick of out list of animals beginning with A than the Alpaca?

2. Axolotl

Meet the Axolotl. Possible the cutest salamander in the animal kingdom. Axolotl's are paedomorphic and find their home in lakes around Central America. Their ability to regrow limbs and appendages has made them the subject of a lot of scientific research. Is there anything this awesome can't do? It appears not, because they are also amphibians, they are able to live on both land and under water.

3. Ant

The ant is a small but mighty insect. They work together to take on pray many times their size and build nests to keep their queen safe. Each ant has a role within the colony. Drones are male ants whose role is to reproduce with the queen. Workers are female ants who collect food and protect the colony against rivals.

4. Anglerfish

Anglerfish are the most unique-looking animal on our list. They have a luminescent fin that draws in other fist looking for a meal. hen their prey is in close, the anglerfish strikes. It finds its home in the oceans depths and is well adapted to its low energy environment. It is also an animal beginning with a, so it has made our list!

5. Alligator

The alligator is one of the worlds most formidable and feared predators. Alligators are primarily live in freshwater. In the US, they are commonly found in the Florida everglades, lakes rivers and streams. They are still sometimes found in saltwater however. Crocodiles on the other hand enjoy both salt and freshwater. Florida is one of just a handful of place in North America  that alligators are found.

6. Armadillo

Armadillos are instantly recognisable from the large shells on their back. When under attack they roll into a ball with their tough shell offering strong protection against many predators. Their powerful claws are used to dig for food and creating burrows.

7. Arctic Fox

The arctic fox has a striking white coat that helps it avoid detection in its snowy habitat. Their coat changes color in the summer as the snow melts. It turns brown to camouflage them on the exposed soil. Food is scarce in the artic circle so they have a diet consisting of virtually anything they can find!

8. Albatross

Albatross have huge wingspans (the largest of any living bird) allowing them to fly for long distances while conserving energy. Their huge wings allow them to cover cast distances of 500km+ in a day and can spend over a year at sea without touching land. They court potential mates through elaborate dances which are definitely work a watch.

9. Anaconda

Anacondas are a type of the boa constrictor from the Eunectes genus. They are ambush predators that lie in wait for unsuspecting prey to stumble into their path. When in range, they strike and wrap their bodies around their prey until it is either crushed to death or suffocates. These snakes can hunt in the water too, with some varieties being able to hold their breath for 10 minutes.

10. Antelope

Antelopes are herbivores that live across Africa and Asia. They have muscly hind legs that give give them the powerful bursts of energy needed to avoid predators, they also have strong horns. Antelopes have many similarities with deer.

11. Anteater

Anteaters have a long tongue and no teeth. I guess you don't need teeth to eat ants, and they would know. These specialised creatures are able to lap up over 30,000 ants per mouthful on their half a metre long tongue. Their sight is poor and instead rely on their long nose to sniff our prey. Anteaters not only have magnificent tongues, they also start with a, so they've made out list.

12. Avocet

Avocets have distinctive black and white feathers with long blue legs that help them wade through water. These birds have great eyesight to help them locate prey and a long beaks to help them unearth worms and insects that have buried themselves in the sand or mud.

13. Aardvark

Aardvarks are a unique looking animal that looks part pig and part rat. They enjoy a diet consisting primarily of termites and ants. Their thick skin protects them from bites when hunting for food in insects nests. Aardvarks are nocturnal, this is why few people have seen them in the wild. To sustain their weight, Aardvarks need to eat 10's of thousands of insects each night.

14. African Bush Elephant

The African Bush Elephant is the largest land mammal in the world. Their large trunks are used to collect food, suck up water and can be used a snorkel in deeper water. Every day they need to consume over 100kg of leaves, grass, roots and other plants. As a result, huge herbivores are constantly eating!

15. Amur Leopard

The Amur Leopard lives in the forests on the China/Russia border. It rarely seen due to its to its nocturnal nature and because it is an endangered species. But even from pictures we can see that they are creatures of beauty. They are currently endangered due to logging, fires and other activities spoiling their habitat. Fortunately, due to conservation efforts, their numbers are starting to rise.

16. Ape

Apes have a special place in our hearts as our closest living relatives. We recognise many of their mannerisms in our own. They are intelligent omnivores but mostly eat fruit and plants. Apes DNA is 98% the same as ours and they even have the same blood types as humans, A, AB, B and O.

17. African Grey Parrot

African Grey Parrot's are the masters of mimicking. They are able to copy human voices, machines and cars. These parrots are native to forests in Africa but have become domesticated in many countries around the world due to their striking appearance and intelligence. Their intelligence can get them into trouble if not looked after by an experienced owner. These magnificent birds need activities to occupy their minds and companionship for multiple hours per day.

18. Arctic Hare

The arctic hare is well adapted to its surroundings. Its white coat makes it difficult for predators to detect in the snow and its 60mph top speed makes them difficult to catch even if they are spotted. Some arctic hares living in the south reaches of the artic will moult and grow brown hare during the summer months to blend in with the dirt that is no longer covered in snow.

19. Aye Aye

Aye-Aye's are a type of lemur that are Madagascan natives. Their large eyes help these nocturnal primates see, even in low light. They primarily hunt for grubs which they locate by tapping on trees, before gnawing away at the bark and inserting their long fingers into the tree to pull them out. They spend most of their time foraging using their echolocation technique. Both words that make up this animals name begin with the letter a, so they have definitely made the list.

20. African Wild Dog

The African Wild Dog is a breed native to Africa. They are pack animals that wear down their prey before taking turns to attack. Working together allows them to take on animals many times their individual size. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss they are currently an endangered species.

21. Aardwolf

The aardwolf is a striped and nocturnal mammal native to certain regions in Africa. Aardwolf means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans however, unlike wolves their diet consists almost entirely of termites. They have large ears that listen out for termite nests and before lapping them up.

22. Australian Gecko

Australian Geckos are a type of lizard that is found in Australia (bet you didn't know that one!). They are characterized by their large eyes, long tail, and ability to climb walls.

23. Angelfish

Angelfish are a type of freshwater fish that are known for their brightly colored scales. They can be found in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, and red. They are native to the Amazon basin and can be found in a few other locations in South America. Their striking appearance has made them a popular pet.

24. Alligator Gar

The alligator gar is a fish that is native to North America. It can be found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, as well as in parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The alligator gar is a large fish, growing up to 10 feet long. It has a long, slender body, narrow head and long jaw. The alligator gar's most distinguishing feature is its long, sharp teeth, which are perfect for catching and eating prey. The alligator gar feeds mainly on fish, and got its name due to being similar in appearance to the alligator. Their eggs are toxic, and adaptation that helps with the survival of their offspring.

25. Albacore

Albacore are a type of tuna found in the warmer regions of our oceans. They primarily feed on cephalopods, which include cuttlefish, squid and octopus. Their shape is unique in that the length of the pectoral fins is greater that many other in the species. This is why they are sometimes referred to as longfin tuna.

26. Arowana

Arowanas are a long, thin freshwater fish found in lakes, rivers and streams across Australasia, South America and Asia. They are covered in beautiful scales. For this reason and they have are often traded for tens of thousands of dollars on international markets. They hunt insects that fly too close to the waters surface by launching their bodies out of the water.

27. Azara's Agouti

Agouti's are a type of rodent native to South America. They are shy creatures which means they are not often seen by humans. Agoutis dig burrows using their powerful front paws to live in but will sometimes be found in hollowed-out trees.

28. Auk

The Great Auk is often referred to as the penguin of the north due to their similar to their southern hemisphere friends. Much like their penguin counterparts, they cannot fly but are great in the water. Their bodies are coated in a thick layer of fat which enables them to stay warm in the Nordics and cold water. Great Auks are able to hold their breath for over 10 minutes which enables them to swim to great depths while hunting for food.

29. Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon are born in rivers on the east coast of America. They then head out to sea to grow as there are a lot more opportunities to feed out at sea. The salmon then return to the rivers to lay their eggs.

30. Amberjack

Amberjacks make their homes around reefs, shipwrecks and other objects that attract life on the seafloor. Their diet consists of smaller fish and enjoy cephalopods.

31. Anole

The Anole is a small lizard with a big throat. Males puff out their throats when engaging in territorial stand-offs and when finding a mate. It is also used as a defence mechanism when male anole's feel threatened.

32. Anchovy

Anchovies are a fish that everyone has heard of. The reason is rather unfortunate. They are a popular pizza topping. Anchovies are a freshwater fish that feeds on very small fish and plankton.

33. Arapaima

The Arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish on the planet. They can grow up to 3 metres in length and weigh over 150kg. These fish are found in South America where they gulp in prey using their huge jaw.

34. Anhinga

The Anhinga nests on the banks of shallow rivers. They can swim and dive very well, and it uses its sharp beak to catch fish. These birds then find a branch to spread their wings on and dry off.

35. Akbash

The akbash is a breed of dog that is thought to have originated in Turkey. They are a working dog, and are used to protect livestock. Akbash dogs are large and muscular, with a thick white coat. They are known for their intelligence and independence.

36. Akita Inu

The Akita Inu is a dog breed that is originally from Japan. They have a short, thick double coat.  Their coat can be either black, white, or a mix of the two. Akitas are considered a large breed and typically weigh between 70 and 120 pounds. They are known for being loyal and protective of their family and home.

37. Archerfish

Archerfish are freshwater fish that are known for their ability to spit water to knock prey from branches into the water below. Archerfish have a long, pointed snout that helps them aim accurately. They typically eat insects, but can also eat other small prey.

38. Addax

Addax are a type of antelope that are found in Africa. They have long, spiral horns and are a light brown color. They live in the dry, arid areas of Africa and can survive without water for long periods of time. Addax are an endangered species so there arent many left in the wild. Habitat loss and poaching are the main threats to their survival. Conservation efforts are being made to help protect these animals.

39. Ambrosia Beetle

Ambrosia Beetles are a small beetle that is found throughout North America. They tunnel into trees where they cultivate Ambrosia fungus.

40. Aoudad

The African Aoudad is a species of goat that is endemic to Africa. They are also commonly known as the Barbary Sheep. The African Aoudad is a herbivore and primarily feeds on grasses, leaves, and shoots. They live in herds of around 10-30 animals, but can also be found in small family groups

41. Argali

The Argali is a wild goat that lives in the mountains of Central Asia. It is one of the the largest goat species in the world and can weight hundreds of kilos. The Argali has a thick coat of fur that helps keep it warm in the cold temperatures of the mountains. It also has large horns that can grow a few feet long. The Argali is a herbivore and eats grasses, leaves, and shrubs.

That concludes our list of animals that start with a. If you can think of any others that begin with A, let us know and we'll add them to the list. The animals on this list span nearly the entire globe both on land and in water and we hope you have learned something. Until next time, have a great day!