Elephants, eels, echidnas, oh my! You probably already know of some animals that start with E, but there are lots more that you may have never encountered! The amazing animals listed below live all over the world, are known for their unique characteristics, and are perfect to include in an animal unit or a unit focusing on the letter E. So get excited to learn about our list of 59 exciting animals that start with E!
1. Elephant
Did you know that the elephant is the world’s largest land animal? These magnificent creatures boast iconic flapping ears, long trunks, and large ivory tusks. A fun fact about elephants is that their tusks are actually teeth!
Learn More: World Wildlife Federation
2. Electric Eel
One of the most amazing features of the electric eel is that it can shock its prey using a special mechanism found in its organs. This shock can reach up to 800 volts! These freshwater fish live in South America and can grow up to eight feet in length.
Learn More: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
3. Eagle
Many types of eagles fit under this impressive category of birds of prey, including the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States of America. Their large beak and talons help them hunt for their diet of vertebrates. Another interesting fact is that eagles are monogamous and mate for life.
Learn More: Britannica
4. Elk
Elk are beautiful animals and happen to be the largest of the deer family. In fact, they can reach over seven hundred pounds and eight feet in height! These majestic creatures are native to North America as well as Eastern Asia.
Learn More: National Geographic
5. Echidna
The echidna is an interesting animal that looks like a hybrid animal of a porcupine and an anteater. They are native to Australia and have quills and a long nose that they use to hunt for insects. Interestingly and similar to a platypus, an echidna is one of the only mammals to lay eggs!
Learn More: Animals Around The Globe
6. Emu
This tall bird is native to Australia and is known to reach six feet in height! In fact, only the ostrich is taller! Even though these birds have feathers and tiny wings, they can’t fly. Instead, they prefer to sprint and can quickly reach speeds of up to thirty miles per hour.
Learn More: San Diego Zoo
7. Egret
The graceful egret is a water bird that is also known as a heron. They have gorgeous white feathers, curved necks, long legs, and sharp beaks. Egrets hunt fish by wading in the water and are often admired for their elegant flight patterns.
Learn More: All About Birds
8. Eland
The eland is a massive animal from Africa that can grow to be five feet in height. The males can reach a whopping two thousand pounds while the females hold their own at about a thousand pounds. These animals are herbivores and look a lot like oxen.
Learn More: African Wildlife Foundation
9. Ermine
Did you know that the fur of ermine was once used in the robes of European royalty? These beautiful creatures hail from Eurasia and northern North America and are known for their white winter coats which turn a brownish color in summertime.
Learn More: Britannica
10. Eft
The eft is actually the third stage in the lifecycle of the eastern newt. Its bright orange color and vivid black spots serve as a warning to its predators because this little guy is quite poisonous! In fact, at this stage, it is twenty times more potent than at other stages in its lifecycle!
Learn More: Great Parks
11. Eider
An eider is a duck whose soft feathers are often used to create down pillows and comforters. Male eiders have colored heads and bills with black and white feathers whereas female eiders have soft, brown feathers.
Learn More: All About Birds
12. Earthworm
Can you believe there are about 1800 different species of earthworm? The bodies of these invertebrates consist of little rings that are referred to as annuli. They live in the soil across a wide range of habitats in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Learn More: National Geographic For Kids
13. Earwig
The earwig is a long reddish-looking bug that is actually nocturnal. They have pincers on their tails and like to hide in wet, dark places during the day. They eat other insects and plants and are considered pests in the United States.
Learn More: University of Wisconsin Horticulture
14. Elephant Seal
The elephant seal lives in the North Pacific Ocean and gets its name from its oddly shaped nose. They can weigh over eight thousand pounds and be over twenty feet in length. Despite being slow animals on land, they can travel quickly in the water and can dive up to one mile deep!
Learn More: NOAA Fisheries
15. Elephant Shrew
The elephant shrew is a tiny mammal that lives in Africa and closely resembles a gerbil. This cutie only has four toes and can be recognized by its unique nose shape. They eat insects and are also known as jumping shrews.
Learn More: African Wildlife Foundation
16. Eastern Lowland Gorilla
This majestic-looking animal is the largest of the gorilla species and sustains its great size on a diet consisting primarily of fruit and grasses. It is closely related to humans but is sadly threatened due to poaching. It lives in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Learn More: World Wildlife Foundation
17. Eastern Coral Snake
The eastern coral snake is also known as the American cobra and can reach up to thirty inches in length. They are thin snakes that are also quite colorful with their black, red, and yellow pattern. These snakes are extremely venomous so don’t get too close!
Learn More: National Geographic
18. Emperor Penguin
The emperor penguin is native to Antarctica and is the largest of the penguins both in height and weight. They can live for up to twenty years and are known for their amazing diving skills. A fun fact about emperor penguins is that their colonies can be spotted from outer space!
Learn More: Oceanwide Expeditions
19. Egyptian Mau
This beautiful feline is a domesticated breed of cat with almond-shaped eyes, short hair, and distinctive spots. These cats are considered quite rare. An interesting fact about their name is that the word “Mau” means “sun” in Egyptian!
Learn More: Pet Finder
20. English Shepherd
The English Shepherd is a common dog breed in the United States that is known for its intelligence and ability to herd flocks. This working dog is quite large with male shepherds reaching over sixty pounds and females reaching about fifty pounds.
Learn More: Pet Finder
21. Eartheater
Eartheaters are freshwater fish that can be found in the Amazon River of South America. These pearly-looking fish with black spots are also known as cichlids and can grow between four and twelve inches long. They make a popular aquarium fish because they help control the algae buildup in tanks.
Learn More: TFH Magazine
22. Eurasian Wolf
The Eurasian wolf is native to Europe and Asia and can reach an impressive weight of up to one hundred and ten pounds. They are found in a wide range of habitats from forests to tundra with most of these wolves making their home in Central Asia.
Learn More: Animal Corner
23. Eared Seal
Eared seals are also known as sea lions and differ from earless seals because of the presence of ears and the ability to invert their flippers to help them walk on land! There are sixteen different species of eared seals that share a common love of fish, squid, and mollusks.
Learn More: New World Encyclopedia
24. Eastern Cougar
The Eastern cougar is also known as the Eastern puma, but is actually found across most of North America. They are massive and powerful felines that can grow up to seven feet in length! These cougars hunt their prey at night and use a stealthy approach to pounce on unsuspecting animals like beavers and deer.
Learn More: CPAWS
25. Edible Frog
These little amphibians are also known as a common frog or a green frog and get their name because their legs are a popular French culinary delight! They like to make their homes in the ponds, lakes, and marshes throughout Europe.
Learn More: Active Wild
26. Emperor Tamarin
This primate is known for its distinctively long mustache and might be named after an old emperor that shared this feature. They are native to South America and can be found in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. These primates are very small and only reach a weight of about one pound.
Learn More: National Zoo
27. Earless Water Rat
The earless water rat loves to hang out in the cold water of streams in eastern New Guinea. These rodents eat both vertebrates like birds and bats, as well as invertebrates like snails, crabs, and mussels.
Learn More: Britannica
28. European Hare
The European hare is a brown rabbit native to Europe and Asia. It’s one of the largest rabbit species and can reach over eight pounds. These adorable animals prefer open land with crops and agriculture where they are known to hop quickly through the fields.
Learn More: Animal Diversity
29. Ethiopian Wolf
As its name suggests, this wolf is native to the highlands of Ethiopia. With its long, narrow head and coat of red and white fur, this species of wolf looks quite distinctive. It can reach up to thirty-two pounds in weight and can run up to speeds of 30 miles per hour!
Learn More: Ethiopian Wolf
30. Eurasian Eagle Owl
This is one of the largest species of owl with a wingspan that can reach over six feet! It makes its home across Eurasia and can fly up to thirty miles per hour. This owl is considered quite fierce and has even been known to defeat large powerhouses like the peregrine falcon!
Learn More: Animal Corner
31. Ensatina
Found in the forests of Washington state, the ensatina salamander tends to be brown, yellow, or white with black specks. These little guys have a very interesting feature; their tails are toxic and become weapons of defense when threatened. If you stumble upon one, just let it slither away!
Learn More: Burke Museum
32. Emperor Angelfish
This fish’s habitat is the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but you may have seen this beauty at an aquarium. They can grow to about 15 inches and are easily identifiable by their striking blue and yellow color. Despite the angelic reference, males tend to be territorial and aggressive towards other angelfish.
Learn More: National Aquarium
33. Epaulette Shark
When you think of a shark, you think big and ferocious, but this doesn’t quite fit the description of the Epaulette shark! This little guy is small and slender and spends its days hiding from predators. They are light brown with black spots, and more closely resemble an eel than a shark.
Learn More: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
34. Emerald Tree Boa
These tree-dwelling snakes live in the canopies of South American rainforests. As their name suggests, they are a beautiful, vibrant green color. They are unique in that unlike other snakes, they don’t lay eggs, and rather than actively hunting, they wait to stealthily attack their unsuspecting prey!
Learn More: Living Rainforest
35. Elkhound
Known for being the national dog of Norway, this large breed of canine is a true lover of cold weather. These domesticated pups resemble a wolf, and bloodlines can be traced back to 5000 BC! They have silly personalities and aren’t overly active, making them great pets.
Learn More: Dogtime
36. Elfin Skimmer
More commonly known as a dragonfly, the Elfin Skimmer is the smallest dragonfly species. Males are bluish-gray in color whereas females tend to be yellow and black, resembling a wasp. Unlike other dragonflies, the Elfin Skimmer is not very good at flying and tends to hang out on low-lying plants.
Learn More: Minnesota Dragonfly
37. European Robin
The beautiful reddish-colored chest of this robin is most visible during the winter months. Although this bird looks quite sweet, it is quite territorial and when threatened, it can become pretty aggressive toward other robins. They prefer to make their nests close to the ground and like to feast on insects and berries.
Learn More: Discover Wildlife
38. English Bulldog
Just look at the adorable face of the English bulldog and you can see why they are such a popular canine friend! These burly dogs have big skulls and smushed faces that make breathing hard which is one reason you’ll spot them having a lazy day of lounging around.
Learn More: Daily Paws
39. Exocoetidae
Exocoetidae is a family of fish that are more commonly known as Flying Fish and it’s easy to see why! Although they don’t actually fly, their “wings” help propel them through the water and glide on the water’s surface. So cool!
Learn More: National Wildlife Federation
40. Estuarine Crocodile
Noted as the largest and one of the longest-living reptiles, the Estuarine Crocodile is native to Australia. It has a long body with a wide snout and communicates by making chirping sounds. They are sneaky hunters and wait just below the water’s surface to strike anything that dares to enter its waters!
Learn More: Australian Museum
41. Essex Skipper
You can tell the Essex Skipper apart from other species of Skipper butterflies because of their black-tipped antennae that look like they have been dipped in ink! You can spot these beautiful creatures fluttering across the grasslands and woodlands throughout the United Kingdom.
Learn More: Nature Spot
42. Erckel’s Francolin
You’ll find the Erkel’s Francolin around the mountains or volcanoes of Hawaii where they prefer to walk or jog rather than fly. Their bodies are a brownish-gray color, but their heads are distinguished by rich chestnut-colored feathers. Their high-pitched squawks in the early morning make for an excellent alarm clock!
Learn More: Bird Finding Info
43. Everglades Rat Snake
Although its vibrant orange color makes it look feisty, the Everglades Rat Snake is actually harmless. It lives in Florida where it spends time climbing trees and preying on small rodents, lizards, and birds. When they’re frightened, they are known to hiss or even make a whirring sound with their tail!
Learn More: Snake Snap
44. Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Energetic and muscular, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is known as a powerful and strong working dog. These beautiful black and tan dogs originated in Switzerland where they played an integral part of farm life by driving cattle to the higher mountain pastures of the Swiss Alps!
Learn More: American Kennel Club
45. Elephant Beetle
Growing as large as 13 centimeters may not seem like a lot, but this is quite impressive for an insect!! The Elephant Beetle is the largest of its species and is mainly found in Central and South America where it loves the humid and lush environment of the rainforest.
Learn More: Gage Beasley Wildlife
46. Eurasian Beaver
A native species of Great Britain, the Eurasian beaver likes to dwell in slow-flowing lakes and rivers where they build dams for homes. Unfortunately, these chunky guys are currently endangered with only a few remaining due to being hunted for their fur and musk.
Learn More: The People’s Trust For Endangered Species
47. Elf Owl
Residing in the Sonoran Desert, the Elf Owl is the smallest owl that roams the Southwest. They are brown in color with beaming pale-yellow eyes that help them see during the night. They use their sight and their excellent hearing to catch prey – super stealth!
Learn More: Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
48. Egyptian Fruit Bat
As their name suggests, these nocturnal creatures eat a diet consisting almost entirely of soft fruit. These brownish-colored bats with wingspans of up to two feet are the only fruit-bat family that use echolocation. They can be found in Africa’s forests, grasslands, and deserts where they live in large colonies.
Learn More: Lincoln Park Zoo
49. Elephantnose Fish
The elephantnose fish is found in the muddy banks of West African rivers. They are known for their unique chins that curl like an elephant’s trunk. These nocturnal fish like to swim in large schools and also enjoy a pretty cool and complex social structure!
Learn More: Georgia Aquarium
50. European Marbled Polecat
Although not an official hybrid of the two, the European Marbled Polecat resembles a cross between a ferret and a skunk! These interesting-looking animals have black fur with spots of yellow and brown and are known to be both solitary and aggressive.
Learn More: ALKA Wildlife
51. Eskimo Curlew
Not seen since 1963, the Eskimo Curlew used to migrate across the North American continent, and its disappearance is still a mystery! It is a medium-sized shorebird known for its curled beak. One possible explanation for its vanishing is that their habitat is now being used for agriculture.
Learn More: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
52. Eastern Newt
These amphibians are typically found near bodies of freshwater in the forested areas of North America. They have flattened tails that allow them to move more easily through their aquatic habitat. Their skin can also be toxic to predators, including humans, so you can look, but don’t touch!
Learn More: Animal Diversity Web
53. Executioner Wasp
The executioner wasp certainly lives up to its name! It flies in clans through most of Central and South America’s humid forests and has one of the most venomous and painful stings. It preys on caterpillars and builds nests out of wood that have been chewed to a paper-mache-like consistency.
Learn More: Learn About Nature
54. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
As its name suggests, this rattlesnake is easily identifiable by its diamond-patterned scales. It’s the largest venomous snake in the Southeast United States and along with this beautiful pattern, its camouflaged coloring makes it blend well into its surroundings. Watch out for this one!
Learn More: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
55. Egyptian Vulture
This one’s name is a bit of a misnomer because this bird is not only native to Egypt but is found across three continents. The Egyptian vulture is of specific cultural importance to ancient Egyptians who once depicted it in hieroglyphics. They spend their days soaring in the sky searching for food.
Learn More: The Peregrine Fund
56. English Springer Spaniel
Just look at the long curly ears of this adorable canine! They’re probably the most recognizable feature of the English Springer Spaniel, but another cool fact about this cutie is that they are both intelligent and loyal. These pups take pride in their appearance and need daily exercise and regular grooming.
Learn More: English Springer Rescue America
57. Eastern Barred Bandicoot
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is an endangered species found in the grasslands and woodlands of Australia and Tasmania. These little marsupials are nocturnal, aggressive in nature, and forage for invertebrates and vegetation during the night hours.
Learn More: Animal Diversity Web
58. Emu-Wren
The emu-wren gets its name from two birds that are on opposite sides of the size spectrum! Its tail feathers resemble the large and flightless emu, but this little bird is actually a type of wren. With its brownish-gray feathers and vibrant blue throat, it is one of Australia’s smallest bird species!
Learn More: Birdlife Australia
59. East Siberian Laika
This large dog breed has a very dense coat to withstand Russia’s cold winters where it is known as a working dog that is typically used for hunting and pulling sleds. It can be a great family dog, but can also be aggressive if not trained or socialized properly.
Learn More: Wag Walking
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