There are about 1 to 2 million species of animals on earth. Have you ever wondered about the astonishing animals in our world that start with the letter ‘A’? When I was a Kid I remember I used to learn alphabets by remembering animal names.
Animals provide a balance to our eco-system and are also responsible for polination and reproduction of plants by spreading seeds.
There are about 8.7 million species on Earth out of which 1 to 2 milion are animal species. Along with animal names that start with the letter “A”, I’ll also share some interesting facts about these animals to make it interesting for kids such as – the aye-aye has the longest middle finger of any primate, arctic fox has the warmest fur of any mammal.
Another important fact that’ll surprise kids is that Arctic foxes can survive in temperatures as low as -58°F (-50°C).
Facts like these make lessons easier and interesting for kids – that’s why I always advise parents to make lessons interesting for your kids to increase their attention span while they are reading a poem or learning a new idea or concept.
From our companion and domestic helper to enriching our environment with biodiversity, animals play a key role in our lives. But we as humans, often take for granted the biodiversity that surrounds us. But, whenever we see it through the lense of humanity and living beings.
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It’s always fascinating when we take a closer look at the relationship between human – animals and the mother earth.
As an Elementary School Teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing the wonderful world of animals to my students. In this article, I will share with you a list of animals that begin with the letter ‘A’, providing fun facts about each one and the significance of their natural habitat.
From the long snout of the anteater to the cunning nature of the arctic fox, this list will provide a captivating snapshot of the animal kingdom.
Join me on this exciting journey and let’s explore the “A-listers” of the animal world together. Below are the 15 astonishing Animals That Begin With The Letter “A” :
Some Astonishing Facts for Pupils about Animals That Begin With The Letter “A”
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of documented animal species | 1 million, increasing annually |
| Aye-aye’s unique feature | Longest middle finger relative to body size among primates |
| Arctic fox’s exceptional trait | Warmest fur of any Arctic mammal |
| Aye-aye’s habitat | Native to Madagascar, found in rainforests and forests |
| Arctic fox’s habitat | Tundras, mountains, coastal areas in the Arctic |
| Aye-aye’s distinctive finger feature | Longest middle finger relative to its body size |
| Arctic fox’s temperature tolerance | Can survive temperatures as low as -58°F (-50°C) |
| Number of animals starting with letter A | Over 30 species |
| Aardvark’s unique characteristic | Long snout for sniffing out food |
| Animal | Description |
|---|---|
| Aardvark | Nocturnal mammal from Africa; known for digging burrows and consuming ants/termites; pig-like snout. |
| Albatross | Large bird with longest wingspan; roams Southern Ocean; spends much of life in flight, searching for food. |
| Alligator | Reptile in US and China wetlands; powerful jaws and armored body; capable of fast land sprinting. |
| Antelope | Graceful animals found in Africa and Asia; diverse species in various habitats; sizes vary from rabbit to horse. |
| Arctic Fox | Small mammal with white coat for Arctic camouflage; coat changes color in summer; well-adapted to cold. |
| Armadillo | Mammals with armor-like skin; inhabit South and Central America; diverse habitats including rainforests. |
| Aye Aye | Nocturnal primate from Madagascar; unique appearance with large eyes and slender fingers; largest nocturnal primate. |
| Axolotl | Unique amphibian from Mexico City lakes; remains in larval form throughout life; notable for limb regeneration. |
| Anaconda | One of the largest snakes; resides in South American swamps/rivers; strong and agile in water and on land. |
| Anteater | Native to Central/South America; uses long, sticky tongue to eat up to 30,000 ants/termites per day. |
| Anemone | Colorful sea creature; acts as both hunter and home for marine species; catches prey with tentacles. |
| Anchovy | Tiny fish vital to marine food chain; forms schools of up to 10 million; prey for larger fish, birds, mammals. |
| Alpaca | Andean highlands mammal with soft wool; significant in Andean economy; domesticated for over 5,000 years. |
| African Wild Dog | Canine from sub-Saharan Africa; long snout, distinctive coat; skilled hunter with unique social structure. |
| Arctic Hare | Arctic inhabitant with thick coat; capable of running up to 40 mph; huddles for warmth during harsh winters. |
1. Aardvark
First on my list of animals that start with the letter ‘A’ is the Aardvark (basically a nocturnal mammal native to Africa). Aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing animal that is native to Africa.
Generally, When I introduce this animal to kids – most of them are surprised because they are not familiar with Aadvark’s and want to know about facts like, What type of food they eat and how long is there snout?
They are famously know for their long snout and keen sense of smell, the Aardvark is excellent at digging burrows and finding ants and termites – which is also its primary food source.
A Fun fact: The name ‘Aardvark’ means ‘earth pig’ in Afrikaans, which clearly refers to it’s pig like snout and burrowing earth habits.
The aardvark is a nocturnal mammal with a long snout found in Africa.
2. Albatross
The Albatross is a large bird that rules the skies of the Southern Ocean. It boasts the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 fee. Albatrosses spend most of their life in flight, sometimes traveling great distances from their natural habitat in search of food.
3. Alligator
Moving on to a well-known reptile, the Alligator. Found in the wetlands of the southeastern United States and China, these creatures are known for their powerful jaws and armored body. Remember, while they might look slow and sluggish, an Alligator can sprint up to 11 mph on land.
4. Antelope
Antelopes are graceful animals that inhabit various parts of Africa and Asia. With hundreds of species in the Antelope family, these creatures come in all shapes and sizes. Some are as small as a rabbit, while others stand tall like a horse. Their natural habitats range from grasslands to forests and deserts.
5. Arctic Fox
Our fifth animal is the adorable Arctic Fox, a small mammal known for its beautiful white coat that acts as effective camouflage in the snow. This animal starts the list of animals that are well adapted to life in the bitterly cold Arctic Circle. Fun fact: during the summer, the Arctic Fox’s coat changes to a brown or gray color to blend in with the changing environment.
The arctic fox is a small fox found in the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
6. Armadillo
Armadillos are unique mammals recognized for their armor-like skin. Most species are found in South and Central America, living in a variety of habitats including rainforests, grasslands, and deserts.
7. Aye Aye
Next up is the Aye Aye, a primate unique to the rainforests of Madagascar. The Aye Aye is known for its peculiar appearance, characterized by large, bulging eyes and long, slender fingers. Here’s a fun fact: the Aye Aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate.
aye-aye is a lemur with a long snout found in Madagascar.
8. Axolotl
The Axolotl, also known as the Mexican walking fish, is a unique creature that remains in its larval form throughout its life. Found in a few lakes in Mexico City, these amphibians are a favorite among scientists due to their ability to regenerate lost body parts.
The axolotl is a salamander that can regenerate its limbs and is native to Mexico.
9. Anaconda
The Anaconda, one of the world’s largest snakes, makes its home in the swamps and rivers of South America. They are excellent swimmers and are known for their strength and agility both in and out of water.
The anaconda is a large snake found in South America.
10. Anteater
Finally, we have the Anteater, another member of the ‘A’ club with a long snout. Native to Central and South America, Anteaters use their long, sticky tongues to consume up to 30,000 ants and termites each day!
Continuing our adventure of discovery, let’s extend our list of animals that start with the letter ‘A’. From mysterious marine creatures to elusive mammals, each of these animals is unique in its own way. Sit back and enjoy these fun facts about animals, each with a unique tale to tell.
11. Anemone
Firstly, we dive into the ocean’s depths with the Anemone. This dazzling sea creature displays a beautiful array of colors and patterns, making it a living jewel of the ocean floor. An interesting fun fact about the Anemone is that it’s both a hunter and a home, providing shelter to various marine species while using its tentacles to catch unsuspecting prey.
12. Anchovy
Continuing our underwater exploration, meet the Anchovy. This tiny fish plays a crucial role in the marine food chain, serving as a primary food source for larger fish, birds, and mammals. Incredibly, Anchovies can form large schools of up to 10 million members!
13. Alpaca
Next, we ascend to the Andean highlands to encounter the Alpaca. Known for their soft and luxurious wool, Alpacas are a crucial part of the Andean economy. Fun fact: Alpacas have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years!
>> The alpaca is a domesticated mammal that is related to the llama and is found in South America.
14. African Wild Dog
Beginning our list of animals that start with the letter ‘A’, we have the African Wild Dog, an intriguing creature with a long snout and a unique coat of fur. This animal is known for its impressive hunting skills and social structure, setting it apart from many other wild canines.
15. Arctic Hare
Lastly, we travel to the icy landscapes of the Arctic to meet the Arctic Hare. This fluffy creature is built for survival, with a thick coat and the ability to run up to 40 mph. Interestingly, Arctic Hares often huddle together to share warmth during harsh winters.
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