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Discover Different Types of Animals Today
A-Z Animals is the world’s most trusted online animal encyclopedia. If you want cute animals, types of wild animals, exotic pets, weird animals or are looking for comprehensive pet guides for dogs and cats, you’ll find it here!
We believe that if people know more about the world’s creatures they will better care for them. Thats why we add new animals for you to discover – each and every day! Learn about any animal using the search box below or subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
Latest Animal News, Facts, Rankings, and More!
Belgian Tervuren vs Belgian Malinois: 5 Key Differences
Despite their names sounding similar to one another, there are two distinct dog breeds known as the Belgian Tervuren vs Belgian Malinois. While their ancestry and original reasons for breeding are similar, there are still many things that separate these two breeds from each other. But what might those things be, and how can you […] Read More
Belgian Tervuren vs German Shepherd: 5 Key Differences
While they may look similar upon first glance, there are a great deal of differences between the Belgian Tervuren vs German Shepherd. But what might some of these differences be, and how can you learn how to tell these two distinct dog breeds apart? In this article, we will discuss the appearances, behaviors, and ancestry […] Read More
Belgian Shepherd vs German Shepherd: 5 Key Differences
Beautiful and hard working, there are a lot of similarities between the Belgian shepherd vs German shepherd. While both of these dog breeds value working for their owners in a variety of jobs, there are a great deal of differences between them as well. But what might some of these differences be, and how can […] Read More
See all of A-Z Animals News and Information.
The 7 Major Different Types Of Animals
Mammals
The official mammal class is Mammalia. Animals that are considered mammals include warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair or fur and whose babies drink milk. Unlike other animal types like birds and insects, all mammal babies drink milk that comes from their mother’s bodies. This is one of the key ways to know if an animal is a mammal.
See the complete list of mammals.
Reptiles
Lizards, dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and snakes – all belong to that ancient and stout class of animals known as the reptiles. This is a diverse group with more than 10,000 different species and a huge representation in the fossil record. Once the dominant land vertebrates on the planet, reptiles still occupy just about every single ecosystem outside of the extreme north and south.
See the complete list of reptiles.
Fish
Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. "Fish" is a term used to refer to lampreys, sharks, coelacanths and ray-finned fishes, but is not a taxonomic group, which is a clade or group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.
See the complete list of fish.
Birds
Birds, members of the class Aves, include more than 10,400 living species. Their feathers distinguish them from all other classes of animal; no other animals on earth have them. If you see an animal with feathers, it’s undoubtedly a bird. Like mammals, birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with four-chambered hearts. However, they are more closely related to reptiles and are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs.
See the complete list of birds.
Amphibians
The official class of amphibians is Amphibia. To have the classification of an amphibian, an animal must be a vertebrate, require water to survive, be cold-blooded, and spend time both on land and in water. Though other animals only live on land or in the water, amphibians have the unique ability to thrive equally in both. Amphibians cover over 6,000 different species across the globe, but about 90% are frogs.
See the complete list of amphibians.
Invertebrates
The definition of an invertebrate is any animal that does not have a backbone or vertebral column. The most prolific and easily recognizable members of the invertebrate family are insects. It’s estimated that upwards of 30 million individual species of invertebrates may exist accounting for between 90-95 percent of all organisms on the planet.
See the complete list of invertebrates.
Insects
All insects are part of the taxonomical phylum Arthropoda, and they are collectively referred to as arthropods. It is common to see this name misspelled as “anthropod,” but this is not the correct term. They can be found in nearly every environment on the planet, and they currently account for over half of all known living organisms in the world. They have undergone many cycles of evolution depending on the resources available to them.
See the complete list of insects.
Pet Guides: Everything To Know About Cat and Dog Breeds
Want to know how to raise a puppy or kitten? Curious to learn more about big and small dog breeds or cat breeds? Check out our comprehensive pets guides below!
Most Popular Pet Dog Breeds
Irish Setter
Can live for up to 16 years!
Boston Terrier
Friendly, lovable and very strong!
Golden Retriever
Trusting, kind and gentle!
See a complete list of dog breeds.
Most Popular Pet Cat Breeds
Abyssinian
The oldest breed of cat in the world!
Australian Mist
First bred in the 1700s!
Ragdoll
One of the larger breeds of domestic cat!
See a complete list of cat breeds.
Expert Pet Product Reviews
The AZ Animals team has spent years working with and studying the latest research on what products are best for our pets and yours, and we’re excited to share our expert pet product recommendations with you.
See all of our Expert Pet Product Reviews.
Explore Types of Wild Animals from Around the World
- African Animals
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- Central American Animals
- Eurasian Animals
- European Animals
- North American Animals
- Marine (Ocean) Animals
- Oceanian Animals
- South American Animals
Animals By Letter: Explore A to Z Animal Lists
Animals that Start with A
Example: The Appenzeller Dog
Animals that Start with B
Example: The Black-Capped Chickadee
Animals that Start with C
Example: The Cougar
Animals that Start with D
Example: The Darwin’s fox
Animals that Start with E
Example: The Estrela Mountain Dog
Animals that Start with F
Example: The Fennec Fox
Animals that Start with G
Example: The Gorilla
Animals that Start with H
Example: The Hummingbird
Animals that Start with I
Example: The Irish Doodle
Animals that Start with J
Example: The Jacana
Animals that Start with K
Example: The Kakapo
Animals that Start with L
Example: The Locust
Animals that Start with M
Example: The Mongoose
Animals that Start with N
Example: The Newt
Animals that Start with O
Example: The Otter
Animals that Start with P
Example: The Potoo
Animals that Start with Q
Example: The Quoll
Animals that Start with R
Example: The Redbone Coonhound
Animals that Start with S
Example: The Sable Black German Shepherd
Animals that Start with T
Example: The Tire Track Eel
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Example: The Uakari
Animals that Start with V
Example: The Vaquita
Animals that Start with W
Example: The Wolf
Animals that Start with Y
Example: The Yorkie Bichon
Animals that Start with Z
Example: The Zebu
See Endangered Animals Lists
- Extinct
- Extinct in the Wild
- Critically Endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
- Near Threatened
- Least Concern
- Data Deficient
- Not Evaluated
Animal Reference Guides
We are building the world’s greatest animal encyclopedia. Be search to check out our Reference Library and Glossary to learn about Animal Habitats, Diet, Behavior and much more…
Even more from A-Z Animals
Why do cats have tails?
Cats are very expressive animals and we as cat owners learn to pick up on their moods by the way they choose to express themselves. Using their tails is just one of the many ways they can achieve this. Cats will regularly use their tails as a way to get our attention and alert us […] Read More
Barracuda vs Shark: Who Would Win in a Fight?
The oceans are filled with all sorts of interesting fish. Among these marine animals are the barracudas. They’re widely feared for their habit of using test bites on shiny objects, including those worn by humans. Although they can get quite long and have powerful jaws, they’re also not the creature that people worry about the […] Read More
Keeshond vs Samoyed: 5 Key Differences
When it comes to comparing some of the fluffiest possible dog breeds, what are the differences between a keeshond vs samoyed? They are both covered in thick, warm fur- but what other similarities do they have, and what things set them apart from one another? In this article, we will endeavor to compare and contrast […] Read More
Discover the Snake that Farts So Hard it Goes Flying!
On the 4th of December 1999, Bruce Young, an experimental morphologist at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania published an article that shocked even the most experienced snake handlers. Young’s article was proof that snakes fart! Previously, it was believed that snakes were limited to spraying musk, but the experimental morphologist’s findings changed all that. His […] Read More
Why do cats pant?
While it might not be unusual to see a dog panting to cool itself on a hot day, it might be quite a shock when you notice that your cat is panting. This is because cats do not normally display this behavior, but there are quite a few reasons why they might. Read on to […] Read More
Keeshond vs Pomeranian: 5 Key Differences
When it comes to comparing the keeshond vs pomeranian, what are the main differences that separate these dog breeds, and what traits do they share? While both of these dogs have incredibly fluffy coats, there are a great deal of differences between them that you may not recognize at first. In this article, we will […] Read More
Are Snake Plants Really Toxic to Cats?
Snake plants are a very popular type of houseplant because they’re resilient and easy to care for. However, did you know that snake plants are actually toxic to cats as well as dogs? Snake plants contain a toxin known as saponin. Saponin is a defensive mechanism for the plant that allows it to protect itself […] Read More
The 5 Weirdest Fish in the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River, which starts in Minnesota’s Lake Itasca and ends in the Gulf of Mexico, is home to 119 species of fish. No other lake in Minnesota can claim such figure. Some of the river’s more commonly-found species are basses, catfish, crappies, and bluegills. The Mississippi is also home to some rarer and weirder […] Read More
Why your dog is hiccuping, and what to do about it
Have you heard your dog hiccupping and felt a bit worried that they may have something wrong with them? We know that we humans can get hiccups if we eat or drink something too quickly but why do dogs get hiccups? We explain, here, all the possible causes and tell you when you should and […] Read More
Why Do Cats Stick Their Tongue Out?
Cats tend to do strange things and one of those things is sticking their tongues out. As a cat owner, you may have witness this strange behavior yourself firsthand and wondered what could be the cause. There are many reasons why your cat could be sticking its tongue out. Read on to learn more. Your […] Read More
Discover How a “Monster Crocodile” Ate 83 People (And Why Villagers Let Him Live)
The tale of Osama the Monster crocodile is so gruesome, that it’s almost hard to believe. But what is even more shocking is that Osama the crocodile is real and not some story. The crocodile which measured about 16.4 feet terrorized the people of Uganda for 14 awful years. Discover how a “Monster Crocodile” ate […] Read More
Bit by a snake? Here is what you should do, immediately.
While most people are happy to get up close and personal with their pets, wildlife is something best left alone. Interacting with wildlife always comes with a risk, from bites and scratches to contracting an animal-borne illness. Depending on where you live, one of the most common concerns about wildlife interactions may be what to […] Read More
Dog Humping Explained: All The Reasons
My friend’s dog used to hump everything and anything. Her favorite thing to hump was her dog bed. She would paw at it strangely at first, and we all knew what would happen next when we saw that behavior. She would gather up the bed beneath her to make it into a little peak and […] Read More
How Much Do Cats Cost, Actually?
Getting a furry feline friend to keep you company is always a great idea. However, before you make the final decision, it’s important to make sure you’ll be able to provide everything that your cat will need to lead a happy, healthy life. So, you must consider all the costs involved before pulling the trigger […] Read More
Why dogs tilt their heads? The behavior explained
VEVOR Vehicle Panel Spot Puller Dent Repair 110V G90E MultispotIt’s one of the most adorable poses your pooch can adopt – the head tilt makes every dog lover’s heart melt. But, why do dogs tilt their heads at all? Are they trying to tell us something? Is it an indicator of their intelligence or personality, perhaps? We’ve delved into the latest research and expert […] Read More
Discover the Surprising Smell Venomous Snakes in the U.S Produce When Frightened
Snakes are one of the most frightening and widely-feared reptiles. Since many people do not learn about snakes because of their fears, myths are often believed to be true. One such myth is that snakes smell like cucumbers. This myth is an interesting one, however, because although it is false, it has factual roots. In […] Hults Bruk Hultafors 9.5" Jonaker Hatchet w/ Leather Sheath Made
Discover How Congress Almost Filled the Mississippi River with Hippos (Yes, Hippos!)
Picture this: It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and you sit down to enjoy a large, steaming stack of fluffy pancakes, drenched in savory syrup with a fresh plate of crispy, mouthwatering hippo bacon. Yes, you read that right, hippo bacon. If the “American Hippo Bill” had successfully passed in 1910, then many of us would […] Read More
Deep and Wide: The 10 Largest Lakes by Volume in the World
Lakes are bodies of water surrounded by land. With over a hundred million lakes covering 4% of the Earth’s surface, there are lakes on every continent on Earth. To know which ones are the largest, we often rank them by volume, surface area, or depth. Lakes with small sizes are often called “ponds” while some […] Read More
Discover the 3 Types of Rattlesnakes in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to at least 35 different species of snakes. Most snakes are found in wooded areas throughout the state, and some are rarely encountered by humans. Human-snake encounters primarily occur during the snakes’ mating season, in the summer and the early fall. It is illegal to kill any of these snakes in Arkansas, […] Read More
The 10 Biggest Lakes in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a mosaic of natural communities encompassing habitats for fish and wildlife, from granite peaks, forests, and wetlands to grasslands and coastal islands. The Lake Region of New Hampshire is one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous places in the United States. The magnificent lakes and majestic mountains provide an unmatched backdrop in the […] Read More