Introduction
The animal kingdom is filled with countless wonders, and many of them begin with the very first letter of the alphabet — A. From tiny insects to towering mammals, animals that start with A can be found across every continent, climate, and ecosystem. Whether you’re writing a report, teaching kids, building a blog, or simply expanding your knowledge, this curated list of 70+ animals beginning with A will take you on a journey through land, air, and sea.
Let’s dive in and explore these amazing creatures, one “A” at a time!
Mammals That Start With A
Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair, and they feed their young with milk. Here are some of the most interesting mammals whose names begin with A.
- Aardvark
Native to Africa, the aardvark is a nocturnal insect-eater that looks like a mix between a pig and a kangaroo. Its name literally means “earth pig” in Afrikaans. - Aardwolf
Despite its name, the aardwolf is not a wolf but a type of hyena. It feeds mostly on termites and lives in dry, open plains of eastern and southern Africa. - African Elephant
The largest land mammal on Earth, known for its large ears, tusks, and intelligence. African elephants play a crucial role in shaping their environment. - Alpaca
Closely related to llamas, alpacas are domesticated animals found mainly in South America. They’re prized for their soft and luxurious wool. - Asian Elephant
Smaller than its African cousin, the Asian elephant has rounded ears and is often found in India, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. - Arctic Fox
Adapted to frigid temperatures, the Arctic fox has thick white fur in winter and brown or gray in summer to help it blend in with its surroundings. - Australian Dingo
A wild dog native to Australia, the dingo is a top predator and plays an important role in the ecosystem. - African Wild Dog
Also called the painted wolf, this highly social predator is known for its large rounded ears and cooperative hunting behavior. - Addax
This desert antelope has long twisted horns and is critically endangered. It is uniquely adapted to survive in extreme desert climates. - American Bison
Once nearly extinct, this massive herbivore now roams protected areas in North America. It’s also the national mammal of the U.S.
Birds That Start With A
Birds bring color and music to nature. Here are some of the most captivating birds whose names begin with A.
- Albatross
With wingspans reaching over 11 feet, albatrosses are incredible ocean travelers. They can glide for hours without flapping their wings. - Amazon Parrot
These colorful parrots are smart, talkative, and often kept as pets. They’re native to Central and South America. - Australian King Parrot
Found in eastern Australia, these parrots are known for their vibrant red and green feathers. - African Grey Parrot
One of the most intelligent bird species, capable of learning hundreds of words and mimicking human speech with stunning accuracy. - Avocet
This elegant wading bird has long, thin legs and an upturned beak, perfect for foraging in shallow waters. - Arctic Tern
A champion migrator — the Arctic tern travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back every year, experiencing two summers annually!
Reptiles & Amphibians That Start With A
From ancient turtles to powerful snakes, the world of reptiles and amphibians offers amazing “A” creatures.
- Alligator
Found mainly in the southeastern U.S. and parts of China, alligators are large carnivorous reptiles with powerful jaws and a wide snout. - Anaconda
One of the heaviest and most powerful snakes in the world, the green anaconda is known for its size and strength in South America. - African Rock Python
Africa’s largest snake, it can reach over 20 feet in length. It’s non-venomous but kills prey by constriction. - Agama Lizard
These colorful reptiles are common in Africa. Males often turn bright blue and red during mating season. - Asian Giant Softshell Turtle
A critically endangered freshwater turtle known for its flat, leathery shell and elusive behavior.
Fish & Marine Creatures That Start With A
Below the surface, a whole different world of animals begins with “A”.
- Angelfish
Popular aquarium fish known for their graceful fins and vibrant colors. - Archerfish
This clever fish spits jets of water to knock insects off branches — a rare example of tool use in fish. - Atlantic Salmon
A well-known fish that migrates from the ocean to freshwater to spawn. It’s prized for both sport and food. - Amberjack
A fast, predatory fish found in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, often sought by sport fishers. - Angelshark
Despite its name, it looks more like a ray than a shark. It lies buried in the sand and ambushes prey.
Insects & Small Creatures That Start With A
Tiny in size but massive in numbers, these small creatures also start with A.
- Ant
There are more than 12,000 species of ants. These social insects live in colonies and are master builders. - Army Ant
Famous for their aggressive foraging behavior, army ants form temporary nests and are always on the move. - Apple Snail
These freshwater snails are known for their pink egg clusters and algae-cleaning skills in aquariums. - Asian Giant Hornet
Also called the “murder hornet,” it’s the largest hornet species in the world and has a powerful sting. - Apollo Butterfly
A rare mountain-dwelling butterfly with striking red and black eyespots on its white wings.
Unique & Lesser-Known Animals That Start With A
This section features rare or unusual animals — many of which you’ve probably never heard of!
- Aye-Aye
A nocturnal lemur from Madagascar known for its eerie appearance and long, thin middle finger used to find insects in wood. - Axolotl
A Mexican salamander that retains its juvenile form throughout its life. It’s a symbol of regeneration and popular in pet trade. - Arapaima
One of the largest freshwater fish in the world, native to the Amazon River and capable of breathing air. - Anemone Crab
A small crustacean that lives among sea anemones and uses its claws to filter food from the water. - African Civet
A cat-like nocturnal animal known for producing musk used in perfumes. - Asian Palm Civet
Also known for its role in producing kopi luwak — coffee made from beans passed through its digestive system. - Armadillo Lizard
Found in South Africa, this lizard curls into a ball to protect itself, resembling an armadillo. - Australian Sea Lion
A rare marine mammal found only on the southern and western coasts of Australia.
50+ Animal Names That Start With A (Quick List)
| Animal Name (A) | Animal Name (A) |
|---|---|
| Aardvark | Arctic Fox |
| Aardwolf | Arctic Hare |
| Abalone | Arctic Wolf |
| Addax | Argali |
| Afghan Hound | Armadillo |
| African Buffalo | Armadillo Lizard |
| African Civet | Arowana |
| African Clawed Frog | Archerfish |
| African Elephant | Asian Elephant |
| African Fish Eagle | Asian Giant Hornet |
| African Grey Parrot | Asian Koel |
| African Leopard | Asian Palm Civet |
| African Lion | Asiatic Black Bear |
| African Penguin | Ass |
| African Rock Python | Australian Brush Turkey |
| African Wild Ass | Australian Cattle Dog |
| African Wild Dog | Australian Dingo |
| Agama Lizard | Australian King Parrot |
| Agouti | Australian Magpie |
| Albatross | Australian Saltwater Crocodile |
| Alligator | Australian Sea Lion |
| Alpine Ibex | Australian Swamp Rat |
| Amazon Parrot | Australian Walking Stick |
| Amberjack | Auburn (Animal nickname) |
| American Bison | Aurora Butterflyfish |
| American Crocodile | Australian Terrier |
| American Robin | Australorp |
| American Toad | Avocet |
| Amur Leopard | Axolotl |
| Anaconda | Aye-Aye |
| Anatolian Shepherd | Anchovy |
| Angelfish | Ant |
| Anglerfish | Antbird |
| Anhinga | Anteater |
| Antelope | Antlion |
| Anole | Apistogramma |
| Antarctic Toothfish | Apollo Butterfly |
| Ape | Apple Snail |
| Aphid | Arabian Horse |
| Aracari | Arctic Char |
| Arabian Camel | Asian Sheepshead Wrasse |
| Arctic Ground Squirrel | Asian Golden Cat |
| Asian Arowana | Antthrush |
| Algerian Hedgehog | Alpine Salamander |
| American Woodcock | Amazon River Dolphin |
| Arnoux’s Beaked Whale | Asian Longhorned Beetle |
| Australian Pelican | Alpine Chough |
| Atlantic Puffin | Asian Vine Snake |
| Albanian Water Frog | Auchenoglanis |
| Amphiuma | Achrioptera (Stick Insect) |
Final Thoughts
From the adorable alpaca to the mighty African elephant, the animal kingdom’s offerings under the letter “A” are incredibly rich and diverse. Whether they crawl, swim, fly, or leap — these animals are a great starting point for animal lovers.