The world is full of amazing animals! You probably already know a few that start with the letter ‘b’ like bison and badger, but you’d be surprised to know there are so many more that can be found in every corner of the world! We can’t cover the entire animal kingdom in one adventure, but put on your explorer’s hat and with the list below, we’ll show you 63 bold and beautiful animals that start with the letter ‘b’!
1. Baboon
Did you know that there are actually five species of baboons? They are also one of the largest primates in the monkey family. They are found in the forests and savannas of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where they feast on an omnivorous diet of fruits, seeds, and rodents.
Learn More: San Diego Zoo
2. Badger
The one is quite the burrower! Badgers have heavy claws on their front paws that they use for digging into the ground to hunt for food and to construct their underground dens. They are usually gray or brown and typically eat an omnivorous diet except for the American Badger which is a carnivore!
Learn More: Encyclopedia Britannica
3. Bald Eagle
It’s no wonder that these majestic birds were chosen as the national bird of the U.S. They mostly live in cold climates and use their amazing eyesight to swoop swiftly down to catch prey with their talons. They were once endangered, but are now thankfully making a comeback.
Learn More: National Audubon Society
4. Ball Python
These snakes are also known as royal pythons and come from the grassy areas of Central and Western Africa. When threatened, they curl up into a tiny ball instead of striking like other snakes. Another cool fact is that each one has its own unique pattern, just like a fingerprint!
Learn More: PetKeen
5. Barn Owl
The barn owl is easy to recognize because of its white heart-shaped face. They are nocturnal animals but if food is scarce in winter, you might see them hunting during the day. They live all around the world and love roosting in barns which is how they got their name.
Learn More: All About Birds
6. Barnacle
Have you ever seen clusters of shells stuck to the bottom of a boat or a whale’s tail? These invertebrates are actually barnacles and are part of the crustacean family. Unlike their crab cousins that have legs for walking, barnacles rely on little hairs called cirri to filter their food from the water.
Learn More: Florida Museum
7. Barracuda
The big barracuda is a saltwater fish that loves the shallow waters of coral reefs. They have amazing eyesight and love to ambush their prey with their amazingly quick speed. Once they catch their meal, they use their strong jaws and sharp teeth to bite their prey in half with ease.
Learn More: Fact Animal
8. Basset Hound
Although they look like they’re perpetually sad, the adorable basset hound loves being around humans and really prefers not to be left alone. They use their floppy ears to lift scents up to their noses and are the second-best sniffers of all dogs!
Learn More: American Kennel Club
9. Bat
Did you know that there are over one thousand kinds of bats in the world? The largest of these lives in the South Pacific and its wingspan is 6 feet, making them great flyers! Bats use echolocation to find their food at night and can eat up to 1,200 mosquitos in an hour.
Learn More: The Nature Conservancy
10. Bed Bugs
Bed bugs do exist! These little vampires live on a diet of blood and like to make their homes where humans sleep, but they also feed on other animals like poultry. They are referred to as “hitchhikers” because they like to travel on fabrics, suitcases, and clothes!
Learn More: Pest World
11. Beluga Whale
Belugas are the only all-white whales in the entire animal kingdom! Their thick layer of blubber keeps them warm while living in the cold oceans of the Arctic. They have a wide range of vocal pitches and “sing” to other Belugas to communicate.
Learn More: Cool Antarctica
12. Bengal Tiger
These majestic big cats are found primarily in the jungles of India. They are solitary animals and keep well hidden by their black stripes that help them camouflage in the shadows. These animals are also known to sleep up to 18 hours a day!
Learn More: Biology Dictionary
13. Betta Fish
These betta fish are native to Southeast Asia and are also known as “fighting fish.” They’re beautiful fish and can be quite colorful, making them a popular choice for an aquarium. They are also super territorial and will often fight with other betta fish who wander into their space!
Learn More: Live Science
14. Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep are impressive climbers that use their hooves to climb up the steep mountains of the western U.S. and Mexico. Males are recognizable for their iconic curved horns while females have much smaller ones. They are one of the larger animals in the region and can weigh up to 500 pounds!
Learn More: Defenders Of Wildlife
15. Birds-Of-Paradise
There are 45 different birds-of-paradise living in New Guinea. The male birds are easy to spot with their brightly colored feathers, but female birds tend to be brown so they remain camouflaged to protect their nests. Males are also known to perform a dance to impress their future partner!
Learn More: Encyclopedia Britannica
16. Bison
A symbol of the American West, these massive animals are also known as buffalo. They can weigh an average of 2,000 pounds and can run up to 30 miles per hour! If you see one, be careful as they can be unpredictable and have been known to charge humans when provoked.
Learn More: National Park Service
17. Black Widow Spider
This creepy crawly is the most venomous spider in North America, but you can find them all over the world. The female spider has a distinct red marking on its body, and despite what people say, females don’t actually eat male spiders after they mate.
Learn More: Live Science
18. Blanket Octopus
This beautiful octopus lives a fairly nomadic lifestyle in the open oceans of the tropics. The female blanket octopus can reach a length of over six feet and have a cool long cape. The males not only don’t get a cape, but they are only about the size of a walnut!
Learn More: OctoNation
19. Blobfish
This deep-water fish lives off the coast of Australia and doesn’t have a skeleton. The immense pressure of the water keeps them looking like fish when they are in the ocean, but when they are taken out of the water, they end up looking like blobs!
Learn More: Australian Museum
20. Blue Iguana
This brilliantly blue lizard lives in the Caribbean where they can grow to be over 5 feet long and more than 25 pounds! They eat mostly leaves and stems but also enjoy a tasty fruit snack every so often. They are a long-living animal species with lifespans of 25 to 40 years!
Learn More: Wildlife Conservation Society
21. Blue Jay
You’ve probably seen a blue jay outside your window. It’s one of the loudest birds in the Eastern U.S and they can even imitate other birds! They tend to stay around all year, even in the cold of winter. Put up a bird feeder full of seeds to attract them to your yard!
Learn More: National Audubon Society
22. Blue-Ringed Octopus
Despite its size of only about 12 inches long, this tiny little octopus is one of the deadliest animal species on the planet! If you’re swimming around coral reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, keep your eye out as their bite can be lethal to humans!
Learn More: Natural History Museum
23. Blue Whale
Did you know that the blue whale is not only the largest animal species, but it’s also the loudest? It weighs as much as 33 elephants and their heart is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle! They travel every year along the West Coast of North and South America searching for food.
Learn More: World Wildlife Fund
24. Bobcat
Bobcats have an eerie scream that can be heard for miles in their mountainous habitat of the Western U.S. and Canada. They have pointy tufts of fur on their short ears and amazing eyesight that helps them catch small mammals and birds.
Learn More: The Nature Conservancy
25. Box-Tree Moth
Originally from East Asia, the box-tree moth is easily recognizable by their mostly white bodies. They have become an invasive species in Europe and the U.S. and usually only eat the leaves of box trees but sometimes they start munching on the bark which sadly causes the tree to die.
Learn More: Butterfly Conservation
26. Brown Bear
Brown bears are also called grizzlies and live near the Arctic Circle in North America and Eurasia. These bears are giant and can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and grow to be five feet at the shoulders and up to seven feet in length. They are omnivores and will eat almost anything!
Learn More: National Park Service
27. Bullfrog
Bullfrogs have been found in swamps, ponds, and lakes all over the world. They’re easy to hear thanks to the songs that the males sing to protect their territory and to attract mates. Some African bullfrogs can weigh over 3 pounds!
Learn More: National Geographic For Kids
28. Bull Shark
Bull sharks are able to live in both saltwater and freshwater. You can find them in warm water all around the world. Unlike other sharks, they give birth to live babies, and their bite is more powerful than a Great White!
Learn More: Treehugger
29. Butterfly
It’s fascinating to know that there are over 18,500 species of butterflies! These beautiful creatures live on every continent except Antarctica. They primarily eat nectar from flowers and some are even so picky that they’ll only eat from one kind of flower!
Learn More: Rainforest Alliance
30. Butterfly Fish
These brightly colored fish can be found in coral reefs of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. There are 129 different kinds of butterfly fish and many of these beauties have eyespots just like butterflies! They use this to confuse predators and can also mute their colors at night to help them hide.
Learn More: Animal Corner
31. Black-Footed Ferret
Black-footed ferrets are prairie dwellers and get their name because they appear to be wearing furry black boots! A little under two feet long, these animals are closely related to otters and minks. They are playful creatures with sharp hearing and eyesight.
Learn More: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
32. Bengal Monitor
Bengal Monitors are found in Bangladesh and Pakistan and are carnivores that eat birds, fish, and other arthropods. The young are quite colorful, but this later fades to a grayish, brown color as they grow older. Instead of having a nose, these reptiles have small nostril slits which they can open and close at will!
Learn More: Kiddle
33. Bush Dog
The bush dog is not a breed of dog, but instead a rare, web-footed animal that resembles a small bear. They can be found across northern parts of South America and their small stature makes them skilled ground dwellers. Their webbed feet make them great swimmers and they often like to dive for fish.
Learn More: New England Zoo
34. Banded Krait
Perhaps, Wiz Khalifa wrote his song “Black and Yellow” after this vibrant, striped snake! These reptiles can be found slithering along the grassy land of Thailand and parts of Asia, and prefer to do their exploring at nighttime when hiding spots are at their peak.
Learn More: Thailand Snakes
35. Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
Despite their name, Black-tailed Jackrabbits are considered hares, not rabbits! Their ears can be almost a foot long and they have lanky legs that are perfect for hopping around the prickly shrubs and plants in the desert. To escape predators, they zoom around in a zig-zag pattern!
Learn More: Nevada Department Of Wildlife
36. Brown Anole
Brown anoles are the first known species to have accidentally been brought into Florida, making them one type of the Sunshine State’s non-native reptile groups. It is speculated that these scaly critters hitched a ride via cargo from Cuba maybe in need of a vacation!
Learn More: University Of Florida
37. Blue Wildebeest
Blue wildebeest belong to South Africa and although they are not considered to be a species in danger of extinction, the majority of these antelope relatives are found in conservation areas. Similar to other large mammals, these creatures give birth to one baby at a time.
Learn More: Kruger Park
38. Black-Tailed Deer
Black-tailed deer can be found in heavily wooded parts of Oregon where there is plenty of grass and plant matter for grazing. They get their name from the distinctive dark triangular shape on their tail.
Learn More: Oregon Department Of Wildlife And Fish
39. Black-Backed Jackal
Some black-backed jackals are found in East Asia while others are found in the southern part of Africa. From fossils of this species, their origin dates back as far as two million years ago. This coyote-looking creature is susceptible to rabies and can easily pass the disease on to livestock.
Learn More: Canid Specialist Group
40. Banteng
Banteng are a large mammal that dwells in the dense forests and grasslands found across Cambodia. They weigh close to two tons and their populations are dwindling due to being hunted for their horns and meat and because they suffer from parasitic infections.
Learn More: World Wild Fund
41. Brown Hyena
Slightly smaller in size than the spotted hyena, the brown hyena is a carnivore with an appetite for animal carcasses, but they will also snack on ostrich eggs and desert fruits for dessert. Their curved stature makes them look like they are always on the prowl for mischief!
Learn More: Africa Freak
42. Black-Headed Gull
Black-headed gulls are water-loving birds and can be found among marshes and rivers in several cold and northern regions like Canada, Greenland, and Iceland. This populous bird squawks a squeaky call and makes nests of plants and seashells for its eggs.
Learn More: Wildlife Journal Junior
43. Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth
Its name might as well be a tongue twister! This cute and unique animal has three strong talons that allow it to hang from tree branches. They are known for their laziness and nap for the majority of the day, up to eighteen hours!
Learn More: Rainforest Alliance
44. Bat-Eared Fox
This adorable, large-eared species lives in the grasslands and savannas of Africa. The pointy snout of bat-eared foxes comes in handy when searching for their typical diet of insects and vegetables. They are super social and spend quite a bit of time hanging out together grooming, playing, and sleeping.
Learn More: Kids Zoo
45. Beech Marten
Also known as a stone marten, this is a small weasel-like animal from France. It is grayish and brown in color and has a cute white patch of fur on its chest. In the warm months, they spend their days munching berries and nuts while turning to a more carnivorous diet during the colder months.
Learn More: Wild In France
46. Brazilian Tapir
This unique-looking mammal makes its home in South America near the Amazon River. This unique-looking animal is a relative of horses and rhinoceroses and has a short-looking trunk that is used for the purpose of grasping branches so it can reach its main meal of leaves.
Learn More: The Alexandria Zoo
47. Baya Weaver
Baya weavers are South Asian birds that sport golden plumage-covered heads as males and duller, brown feathers as females. They consume mostly seeds and nuts but also eat the occasional small vertebrate. Next time you are in India or Sumatra, be on the lookout for these beauties!
Learn More: Birds Of Singapore
48. Blue Mussel
You will find blue mussel colonies in the Pacific Northwest’s open waters and shores. When the water is low, they become more visible and vulnerable to hungry birds. When they are submerged in water, they can also be a feast for crabs and sea stars. There’s nowhere to hide!
Learn More: Puget Sound Museum Of Natural History
49. Black-Chinned Hummingbird
This petite bird is just under four inches in length! It has stunning iridescent plumage on its neck that looks shiny in the sunlight. Found in various parts of North America, they have a similar look to ruby-throated hummingbirds and can be hard to identify due to their flitting movements.
Learn More: Hummingbird Central
50. Borneo Bay Cat
The Borneo Bay cat is an endangered feline species whose population is drastically declining. They are quite rare and the handful that do exist are native to the island of Borneo. They are difficult to spot with the first documented sighting in the late nineties!
Learn More: ISEC
51. Bar-Tailed Godwit
Found off the Alaskan coast, bar-tailed godwits enjoy putting on a show with their large bodies and loud-sounding calls. These cinnamon-colored birds peck at mud while wading in water to find nourishment which is easy to do with their long, narrow bills.
Learn More: Audubon
52. Bearded Tit
Despite their name, these European flying cuties appear to have more of a mustache than a beard with their black feathered cheeks. They enjoy surveying wetlands for insects and spiders, and you will know they are near with their distinct “ping” song.
Learn More: RSPB
53. Black Flying-Fox
No, these aren’t Halloween decorations! Black flying-foxes are some of the most intriguing-looking animals with their bear-like faces and large-winged bodies. These creatures are found in Australia and can live up to twenty years long!
Learn More: Climate Watch
54. Bearded Seal
Bearded Seals measure up to eight feet in length and can weigh anywhere from one-half to a full ton! They appear wise-looking with their long, graying chin whiskers. Thankfully, these amazing creatures are protected under the Marine Animal Protection Act as they are an endangered group.
Learn More: NOAA Fisheries
55. Banded Mongoose
It’s clear how the banded mongoose gets its name with its distinct horizontally striped fur pattern. These little guys are quite social and prefer to live in large groups. Despite their innocent look, these mongooses are fierce fighters that can kill snakes!
Learn More: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
56. Black Stork
When not migrating to warmer climates during cold months, the black stork can be found scattered across Europe. They tend to fly solo and enjoy wetlands and rivers. Unfortunately, this beautiful bird is considered endangered due to habitat loss.
Learn More: UNEP/AWEA
57. Big Brown Bat
This is one bat we definitely wanted to highlight! Whether they are exploring the night skies in meadows or deserts, big brown bats are a common sight across North America. They aren’t picky eaters when it comes to their vast insect diet and particularly love to feast on beetles and stink bugs.
Learn More: Bat Conservation International
58. Blood Pheasant
Blood pheasants are a majestic sight with their unique-looking feathers and ruby-red accents. You will find these large birds among the mountains of Nepal, Bhutan, and India. According to paleontologists, this animal species has been around for millions of years!
Learn More: Greenverz
59. Boreal Owl
These are some of the cutest owls with their wide yellow eyes and somewhat petite bodies. These nocturnal creatures fly across the treetops of their boreal forest habitats in search of small mammals. With the help of their talons, they can easily snatch prey to bring home for a late-night snack.
Learn More: All About Birds
60. Black-Footed Cat
With the ability to live up to thirteen years, black-footed cats hold the record for the world’s smallest wildcat. They have buff coloring with dark rings or stripes distributed across their bodies. In Southern Africa, these felines roam around at night through tall grass in search of small prey.
Learn More: Big Cat Rescue
61. Black Capped Capuchin
These cute creatures are hard to forget! Black-capped capuchins have little black tufts above their eyes giving them a mischievous look. Although their wild population is dwindling, they can still be spotted in the Brazilian rainforest near the Amazon River.
Learn More: Southwick’s Zoo
62. Brown Fur Seal
Behind their adorable-looking faces, brown fur seals have sharp teeth that equip them to eat any small water dwellers from bony fish to octopuses. Found on the southern Australian Coast, these front-flippered creatures prefer living and breeding in a rocky habitat.
Learn More: Animalia
63. Black Giant Squirrel
Who knew a squirrel’s tail could be almost two feet long? Well, specifically we’re talking about the black giant squirrel and along with this distinctive tail, they also have deep black coats with orangy fur chests and markings along the sides of their bodies. What a pretty little creature!
Learn More: Ecology Asia
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