Search for United States
Lesser black-backed gull
A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Black guillemot
Can withstand harsh winter conditions, often remaining at sea even when the water is frozen
Northern curly-tailed lizard
Known for its distinctive curly tail, which it can shed to distract predators
Chital
Also known as “barking deer” because of their loud, barking alarm calls
Horn shark
Their distinctive “horns,” specialized teeth, and spiral-shaped eggs set them apart from other sharks
Goblin shark
Its appearance is what really sets it apart—it looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie
Florida softshell turtle
One of the largest freshwater turtles in the United States
Steller’s sea eagle
One of the largest beaks of any eagle, perfect for tearing apart tough fish and other prey
Brown anole
Often seen sunning themselves on fences, walls, and tree trunks
Common watersnake
Often mistaken for its venomous cousin, the cottonmouth
Midget faded rattlesnake
One of the smallest species of rattlesnakes in North America, hence the name “midget”
Muskox
A big, furry animal that looks like a mix of a cow and a sheep, living in one of the coldest places on Earth
Rock ptarmigan
A bird that can change its color to match its surroundings!
Painted bunting
A tiny bird with colors so bright, it looks like it was painted by an artist
Java sparrow
Small, chubby bird with big, round eyes that make it look extra cute
Weller’s salamander
Freezes up and pretends to be a lifeless log, hoping to fool its enemy into thinking the coast is clear
Hellbender
They’re kind of like underwater couch potatoes; they just hang out on the bottom of the stream and wait for food to swim by
Western toad
Can tolerate colder temperatures better than many other amphibian species
European goldfinch
Can hang upside down while feeding!
Northern cardinal
The state bird of seven U.S. states—more than any other bird
Muskrat
They’re kind of like big, furry rats but with a different shape
Green jay
Often seen as a symbol of both curiosity and cleverness
Southwestern speckled rattlesnake
You see, its skin can be all sorts of colors, like pink, brown, gray, or even yellow!
Groove-billed ani
Got a long tail, a big head, and a curved bill with little grooves on it – that’s where its name comes from
Flat-tail horned lizard
It’s got big, pointy horns sticking out, making it look like a tiny dragon. Don’t worry though, it’s completely harmless!
Common chuckwalla
It puffs up its body by taking in lots of air to make itself look bigger and scarier to scare away enemies
Eastern racer
Even though they might look scary, they’re actually harmless to people and often attempt to flee rather than fight
Black oystercatcher
Don’t let their name fool you; they actually prefer to eat mussels and limpets rather than oysters!
Red-headed woodpecker
Unlike other woodpeckers, this bird loves to catch bugs in the air, not just from trees
Common pochard
Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!
Eurasian skylark
They might not look like much, but they have an incredible talent: singing!
Spoon-billed sandpiper
One of the rarest birds in the world with feathers that change color depending on the season
Sharp-tailed grouse
It’s a bit like a chicken, but with longer, pointed tail feathers
Great grey owl
One of the biggest owls in the world, but don’t let its size fool you – it’s actually quite light!
Greater sage-grouse
Love to eat sagebrush, which gives their feathers a unique smell that helps them stay safe from predators
Black-footed ferret
Often seen engaging in antics that include hopping sideways and backwards, a behavior known as the “ferret dance”
Hooded seal
Only males possess a unique, inflatable, balloon-like nose that they can inflate into a large red shape
African clawed frog
It’s a frog, but it doesn’t look like the typical frogs we think of!
European hare
Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms
Green anole
Really good at climbing trees and fences because their feet have special sticky pads that help them stick to almost anything!
Whooper swan
Very loyal partners! Once they find a mate, they usually stay together for life
Redwing
In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter
Barn swallow
Most common and widely distributed swallow globally
Northern lapwing
Very active and noisy, with a loud, piercing call that sounds like “pee-wit”
Pacific tree frog
A small, green friend you might find hopping around in gardens, forests, or even your backyard
European green lizard
Usually green, but its color can change a bit depending on where it lives and what it’s doing
Indiana bat
Can lower their body temperature to just a few degrees above freezing during hibernation
Rice’s whale
One of the most endangered whale species on Earth
Blackbuck
Once hunted extensively for their meat and beautiful horns that pushed their numbers to dangerously low levels
Burmese python
A powerful constrictor that can grow longer than a school bus!
Common snapping turtle
Unlike the smooth shells of most turtles, its carapace is ridged and gnarled, resembling a piece of ancient armor
Great hammerhead
The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer
Common wall lizard
What makes them really interesting is their skin – it’s covered in lots of little bumpy scales, like tiny pearls
Crested caracara
Got the looks of a hawk with the scavenging habits of a vulture
Yellowfin tuna
Popular food fish, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture
Llama
Think of camels, but minus the hump!
Great kiskadee
This bird is a real chatterbox, constantly announcing its presence with its loud, three-part call – “kis-ka-dee!”
White tern
Often called “Fairy Terns” or “Angel Terns” Because of their pure white plumage and graceful flight
Pantropical spotted dolphin
A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas
Brown noddy
They bob their heads up and down as they fly, which is actually how they earned the nickname “Noddy”
Common coqui
They can be quite loud, reaching noise levels of up to 80 decibels – the equivalent of a running lawnmower!
Brown-throated Parakeet
Charming little parrot with a personality as bright as its feathers
Burrowing owl
They don’t build their own nests – they cleverly take over burrows abandoned by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or even tortoises!
Common bottlenose dolphin
Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water
American flamingo
Famous for its habit of standing on one leg
Brown pelican
The smallest of the eight pelican species
Common dolphin
Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water
Mute swan
Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck
Common blackbird
Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower
European rabbit
They spread faster than any other colonizing mammal in the world
Water buffalo
The “living tractors of the East”—vital in traditional agriculture, particularly in Asia
Five-lined skink
Can detach their tails when threatened by predators
Canada jay
Known for their excellent memory, allowing them to relocate hundreds of food caches even months after hiding them
Green pheasant
Japan’s quake-alert national bird
American bullfrog
Introduced to many regions where it is now considered an invasive species
Sandhill crane
Known for their elaborate courtship dances, which involve leaping, bowing and trumpeting
Little egret
During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back
Gray heron
Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements
White wagtail
Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck
Eurasian kestrel
Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance
Tiger shark
They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!
Tokay gecko
Its large eyes are equipped with highly sensitive retinas, which allow it to see in low light conditions
Sambar deer
With its towering stature and impressive antlers, is a true king of the Asian forests
Oriental garden lizard
A lizard with vibrant hues – a living canvas of green, brown, and sometimes even blue
Shortfin mako shark
Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess
Basking shark
Majestic giants of the sea, they peacefully glide through the ocean with mouths agape, filtering the waters for sustenance
Oceanic whitetip shark
Opportunistic predators of the open ocean, their aggressive and persistent feeding behaviour strikes fear into the hearts of their prey
Bull shark
Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam
Whale shark
Gentle giants of the sea, with mouths wide open to filter the ocean’s bounty
Great white shark
Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey
Loggerhead sea turtle
One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world
Kemps ridley sea turtle
Meet the smallest and rarest sea turtle in the world
Hawksbill sea turtle
Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name
Marbled salamander
With its intricate patterns resembling a painter’s masterpiece, this salamander is a walking work of art
Pigeon Mountain salamander
Equipped with extraordinary toe pads, it fearlessly defies gravity as it effortlessly scales the steep cliffs and rocky terrains
Striped newt
It possesses a magical gift called “neoteny,” allowing some of its kind to retain their juvenile charm even in adulthood
Gopher frog
It possesses the remarkable ability to enter a state of dormancy when confronted with danger or arid environments
Frosted flatwoods salamander
With its smooth, glistening skin, it’s like a walking jewel glimmering in the moonlight
Emperor angelfish
As it grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis that is nothing short of extraordinary
Ocellated skink
Stands out with its striking ocelli, or eye-like markings, that adorn its sleek body
Mediterranean house gecko
Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments
Woolly mammoth
The smallest of the giants: the largest European mammal during the last ice age, yet smaller than their earlier ancestors
Arctic fox
Facing the consequences of global warming, they quickly lose their habitat and are pushed northward with the receding cold
Kit fox
Small but mighty, it rules the desert with ears as big as its heart and pouncing skills that leave prey in the dust
Red fox
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world’s most widely distributed carnivore!
Bobcat
Also called the red lynx, it is the most common wild cat in North America
Swift Fox
Swift by name, swift by nature – this little fox is a real speedster!
Island Fox
With a body the size of a housecat and a personality as fierce as a lion, this fox may be small, but it’s definitely mighty
Margay
These wild cats are cute, intelligent, agile, and well-adapted to inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests
Canada lynx
A powerful hunter with adaptations like no other, navigating the snowy terrain of North America’s forests
American bison
Hunted almost to extinction, they were the first species to be reintroduced to nature
Bighorn sheep
The iconic species of the North American mountains
Dall sheep
Their horns come in handy during mating season and as a line of defense against wolves and bears
Polar bear
Living life on top of the world, but his kingdom is ever-narrowing
American black bear
America’s smallest and most widely distributed bear, endemic to North America
Brown bear
The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon
North American beaver
To be or not to beaver? Beavers are armed with transparent eyelids that act as goggles to see underwater
Lesser long-nosed bat
The fact that they are critical pollinating agents for the blue agave plant (used to make tequila) saved them from the brink of being endangered
Anhinga
Their neck vertebrae have a hinge mechanism that allows it to dart its long neck and pierce its prey quickly
Least weasel
The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight
Long-tailed weasel
Uses a hunting technique known as the Weasel War Dance that involves a series of frenetic turns, manic twists, and jumps to confuse the prey
Stoat
A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur
Great cormorant
Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide
Blue-footed booby
When choosing a mate, foot color is of primary importance as a reliable indicator of health, immunity, and age
Brown booby
An impressively acrobatic bird that can catch flying fish mid-jump
Great frigatebird
These birds spend weeks in the air and hunt, preen and even sleep while in flight
Barn owl
The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe
Elf owl
The smallest owl in the entire world
Snowy owl
There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes
Rose-ringed parakeet
If you ever forget the tune of a song, don’t worry; this bird has your back
Wilsons storm petrel
This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean
Leachs storm petrel
These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds
Manx shearwater
Impressive flights but clumsy walking on the ground are observed in these birds due to awkward legs
Wandering albatross
The humongous bird with the largest wing span of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) – seems straight out of a fantasy movie
Red-billed tropicbird
Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability
Red-tailed tropicbird
They dance along with their gorgeous red tails to attract partners in a faithful courtship
White-tailed tropicbird
These ocean wanderers can be spotted from a distance showing awe-inspiring aerial tricks
Roseate spoonbill
An easily recognizable bird due to its pink body and spatulate bill
Glossy ibis
These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant
Scarlet ibis
The flocks of this striking self-descriptive bird are a sight to behold
White ibis
Very good at detecting storms, often the last to leave and first to arrive before and after a hurricane
House sparrow
The most widely dispersed wild bird
Scarlet flycatcher
The scarlet ambush hunter
Eurasian coot
Like those bulging red eyes weren’t scary enough, they eat their innocent chicks when hungry
Whooping crane
The tallest bird of North America- saved from the brink of extinction, with less than 20 left in the ’40s
Common crane
The flocks of this social and gregarious bird are fond of migration, flying over the horizon and creating a V-shaped formation
Limpkin
They don’t need salt, bamboo sticks, or forks to deshell a snail – they have a well-adapted bill to do the job
Mountain quail
The dramatic head plume sticks straight when alert or agitated (it’s not a wifi router, guys)
Helmeted guineafowl
Native to Africa, it is the best-known bird of its family, broadly introduced as domesticated species
Willow ptarmigan
Most common of the Galliformes in the wild habituating subarctic Tundra can tolerate brutally cold winters
Common pheasant
One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds
Wild turkey
Heaviest member of the order Galliformes, agile and fast fliers with good eyesight during day and poor vision at night
Chukar partridge
The national bird of Pakistan and Iraq is known to improve degraded ecosystems by aiding in the dispersal and germination of seeds
Indian peafowl
One of the most beautiful birds on Earth!
Dusky grouse
The third largest grouse in North America is known for their shortest bird migration and resides permanently in an area they hatch
Red junglefowl
Native to Asia where they were first domesticated, the ancestors to all our chickens
American kestrel
The smallest of falcons in the entirety of America, but you would be mistaken to take this bird lightly
Gyrfalcon
Largest of falcons: can grow up to 60cm (2 ft) in height
Peregrine falcon
At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car
Jabiru
One of the tallest flying birds of Americas
Common ringed plover
This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface
Black-winged stilt
Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide
Great skua
Jack Sparrow of the bird kingdom
Common murre
The penguins that can fly
Least auklet
One of the most abundant birds in the world, which can eat up to 90% of its body weight in a day
Atlantic puffin
This incredible bird can hold up to 30 fish in its beak at once
Tufted puffin
Try as you might, you will never find a hairstyle better than this bird’s
Arctic tern
This bird can give any cross-country runner a run for their money
Common tern
This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history
Northern jacana
This mysterious bird which can walk on water
American woodcock
This incredible bird can feel the vibrations made by a worm to find it and consume it
Black-tailed godwit
The most elegant of all godwit species
California condor
The largest soaring bird of North American continent
Eurasian Hoopoe
Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign
Wood duck
The red-eyed hipsters of the duck world
Mallard
This invasive species is the ancestor to most of the modern ducks
Trumpeter swan
The largest species of Waterfowl present in America
Bald eagle
The magnificent national bird of the United States, distinguished by a snowy white head, neck, and tail
White-tailed eagle
Extinct and reintroduced – What’s the story behind these so-called ‘flying barn doors’?
Golden eagle
This majestic brown raptor is most widely distributed eagle species
Ferruginous Hawk
The world’s largest soaring hawk, perfectly suited to the open skies and remarkably unafraid of humans often in close proximity
Osprey
One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica
Harp seal
Named after the black, curved marking on their backs that resembles a harp!
Ribbon seal
Named after the dark body color with “ribbons” around their necks, hips, and front flippers
Harbor seal
Slows the heartbeat from 80 bpm to 3-4 bpm before a deep dive; quickly accelerates after surfacing
California sea lion
The most intelligent of all sea lion species; trained for use by the United States Navy
Steller sea lion
They are able to hold their breath for as long as 40 minutes, and the deepest dive ever recorded is 424 m (140 ft)
Northern fur seal
Able to spend long periods out in the open sea, some pups will stay up to 22 months before returning to land
Walrus
Tusked marine mammals heralding climate emergency!
Pygmy beaked whale
The most recently described and smallest member of toothed whales –it was only classified as a distinct species in 1991
Dall’s porpoise
Largest and fastest of all porpoises; they look like a black & white blur as they shoot past
Narwhal
Their large ivory tusk which is a protruding canine tooth of the male makes them The ‘unicorns of the sea’
Beluga
Known as the “canaries of the sea,” due to their wide range of sounds
Gray whale
Once called ‘devil fish’ by whalers due to their fighting behavior when hunted
Bowhead whale
They hold the title of heaviest animals, weighing about 100,000 kg
North Atlantic right whale
Believed to be only seen by scientists for 50 hours in the last 50 years
North Pacific right whale
The rarest of all large whales and among the rarest of all the marine mammal species on earth
Nine-banded armadillo
Found all over the Americas, it is the most widespread species of all armadillos
Star-nosed mole
The star-like tentacles on the nose are not just for looks; they can detect electrical fields to locate their prey
Virginia opossum
“Play possum” when being attacked by remaining still, having the tongue hangs out, and do not blink, making the predator to lost interest
American pika
Although looking like a mouse, they are the smallest member of the rabbit family
Black-tailed jackrabbit
Trick question, is a black-tailed jackrabbit a rabbit or a hare? The answer is a hare!
Raccoon
‘Raccoon’ comes from ‘arakun’ meaning ‘he scratches with hands’ in Algonquin Indian
White-nosed coati
Helps balsa trees to pollinate while they provide an essential resource of nutrition and hydration in return when the resources are scarce
Ringtail
”Bassaris” is a Greek word for fox, but they are not related to foxes
American hog-nosed skunk
When they encounter a threat, the first resort is to run to a safe area rather than spraying at the enemy
Striped skunk
As if aware of how horrible the odor of their spray is, they don’t spray in confined spaces or dens
American pine marten
Females can postpone embryo development up to 200 days, and the pregnancy only lasts about 28 days
Fisher
Despite their name, they rarely eat fish; instead, their primary prey is porcupines and snowshoe hares
Wolverine
Once wolverine was once observed defeating a polar bear
American badger
They are almost blind, but they have a perfect sense of smell and hearing to make up for that
North american river otter
They can close their nostrils during diving and staying underwater for as long as 8 minutes
Sea otter
They can sleep in the sea by lying on their backs and floating on the surface of the water
Cougar
The most widespread large mammal of the Americas: from Canada’s Yukon to the Andes in South America
Jaguarundi
Secretive and solitary, inhabiting various habitats of Central and South America
Ocelot
They are picky eaters, often plucking off all the furs or feathers of the prey before start eating them
Jaguar
This solitary cat is America’s largest feline and the world’s third, after the tiger and the lion
Gray fox
While still widespread throughout North & Central America, habitat loss and deforestation allowed the red fox to become more dominant
Coyote
They can even sometimes reproduce in huge numbers, which becomes necessary to be regulated as they also carry many diseases, including rabies.
Wolf
The howl of each wolf is different
Mountain goat
Despite their name, mountain goats are not goats —but antelopes, known more properly as goat-antelopes
Reindeer/Caribou
Males drop their antlers before Christmas, but females keep their antlers until spring
White-tailed deer
We use our agility and speed to outrun their predators, sprinting up to 48.2km/h (30 mph) and leaping as high as 3m (10 ft)
Elk
Clashing with their antlers, the winner takes it all!
Moose
They are so tall, that they prefer to feed on higher shrubs and grass, as lowering their head to the ground can be difficult!
Pronghorn
The fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere can run at speeds of up to 89 km/h (55 mph)
Collared peccary
Suffering from poorly developed vision, they heavily rely on vocalization to communicate
Leatherback sea turtle
The mysterious diver of the ocean is the largest and only sea turtle without a hard shell and scales
Common musk turtle
A small freshwater turtle is known for its unpleasant smell
Alligator snapping turtle
Largest freshwater turtle in North America
Spiny softshell turtle
A turtle with a soft leathery shell and a pointy snout
Diamondback terrapin
Only species of turtles endemic to the United States
Green iguana
From the US down to Brazil, this trans-American lizard is the most common iguana
Eastern coral snake
A relative of the cobra and black mamba with the second strongest venom of any snake
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Largest of the 32 currently recognized rattlesnake species native to the US
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Named for the diamond-shaped patterns found across the back of their body
Agkistrodon piscivorus Cottonmouth
They are called cottonmouth for their fluffy white mouth insides that they show out when threatened
Greater short-horned lizard
Often called horned toads, these lizards are nowhere closely related to amphibians
Gila monster
A small group of nest predators that contains venomous lizards
Yellow-bellied sea snake
The most widespread species of snakes on earth are found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from Africa to Central America
Scarlet kingsnake
A beautiful snake with patterns of red, black, and yellow rings encircling the body
Common garter snake
Most common, most versatile, widely distributed, and most familiar of all the North American snakes
American alligator
A conservation success story, this species was brought back from the brink of extinction
Spectacled caiman
You might get the worst scare of your life if you see the crimson glow in the eyes of these creatures at night
American crocodile
These creatures often ingest stones, aiding food digestion and buoyancy regulation in the water
California newt
Poisonous skin and a belly as colorful as a poppy’s petals -meet the California newt
Tiger salamander
One look at the “tiger stripes” on this salamander, and you’ll see where it got its name
Red salamander
Red salamanders are easy to identify: bright red with black spots and bright yellow eyes
Texas blind salamander
A cave-dwelling creature that spends all its life hiding underground in the water
Clouded salamander
These lungless salamanders are adept climbers
Pygmy salamander
One of the smallest and most terrestrial of all salamanders
Eurasian cave lion
Roaming the frozen tundras of Europe and Asia, this mighty lion stood at the top of the food chain – a true king of the Ice Age