30 Animals That Start With F

There are many animals throughout the world that start with F. Below is a list of thirty animals that start with F, and each has its own unique characteristics. This list is great to use for a spelling unit or an animal unit. Kids will love learning about many of these lesser-known animals and teachers will enjoy helping kids research them! 

1. Flamingo

The flamingo is known for its light pink color because of its diet of shrimp. The flamingo is a wading bird with a curved neck and long curved bill. Flamingos can grow to five feet tall and have long, thin legs. Flamingos are social animals who live with multiple other flamingos.

Learn more: Britannica

2. Fangtooth Fish

The fangtooth fish has long teeth, hence the apt name. The fangtooth fish is relatively small only growing to about six inches in length. They live deep in the ocean and their teeth are perfect for catching prey. A fun fact about the fangtooth fish is that they use chemical receptors to smell in the water!

Learn more: Animals Around the Globe

3. Ferret

Ferrets are known for their long and lanky bodies. They can be grey, white, or brown in color, with different fur patterns. They grow upwards of one foot in length and are related to the stoat, badger, and mink. Ferrets make great pets and are likely descendants of polecats.

Learn more: Animals Around the Globe

4. Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab is a tiny crab species that only grow to between one and two inches. They are known for their large claw. They are found on sandy beaches, in marshes, and in muddy areas. A fun fact about fiddler crabs is that only the males have a large claw!

Learn more: Chesapeake Bay Program

5. Fin Whale

The fin whale is the second longest whale after the blue whale. They can be over 100,000 pounds in weight and 60 feet in length. They also swim almost thirty miles per hour! Fin whales are an endangered species with only about 16,000-18,000 still living.

Learn more: Active Wild

6. Fire Salamander

The fire salamander is an amphibian native to Europe. It is known for its black-and-yellow coloring and can reach almost a foot in length. They are a poisonous species that can cause convulsions, hypertension, and respiratory paralysis to their prey.

Learn more: Active Wild

7. Fire-Bellied Toad

The fire-bellied toad is known for its brightly colored stomach. The toad’s skin contains toxins that are harmful to humans. These are aquatic toads that are also warty in texture and appearance. They are often kept as pets.

Learn more: National Zoo

8. Fire Fly

The firefly is well-known across the United States as it is often the insect that lights up Summer nights. They are also known as glow worms or lightning bugs. They light up in order to attract mates. Fireflies often feed on pill bugs and snails.

Learn more: Firefly.org

9. Flea

The flea is a parasite that often lives on other mammals like dogs and cats. Fleas feed off of the host’s blood in order to survive. Fleas are unable to fly and can live up to three months with a host to feed on.

Learn more: Skyenimals

10. Flounder

The flounder is a flat fish. They blend in with their surroundings and are mainly found along the coast. They feed on the bottom of the ocean and they are nocturnal. Flounder fish is enjoyed by many people for its sweet taste.

Learn more: Wildlife Informer

11. Fruit Fly

The fruit fly is a household pest. Fruit flies are very small with brown bodies and red eyes. Fruit flies are attracted to fruits and vegetables, which can cause an indoor infestation. Fruit flies reproduce very quickly as well.

Learn more: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

12. Fallow Deer

The fallow deer or common deer is native to Turkey, Italy, and the Balkan Islands. Fallow deer have a unique appearance in that they have white spots on their brown coats- very similar to fawns. Fallow deer are short in stature but are speedy because of their strong legs.

Learn more: Mammal Society

13. Finch

The finch is a beautiful bird known for its vibrant colors. Finches are small in stature and can be a multitude of colors. Unlike many other birds, finches don’t migrate. They are very quiet and thus, are often adopted as household pets.

Learn more: Animals Town

14. Falcon

Falcons are preying birds that live on all the continents except Antarctica. Falcons are strong hunters because they are able to see prey from far away and hunt it efficiently. Falcons serve as hunting partners for humans and are extremely intelligent.

Learn more: Animals Town

15. Flat-headed Snake

The flat-headed snake is a reptile known for the black coloring atop its head. The flat-headed snake is very small only and only grows to about seven or eight inches in length. They are non-venomous and live in glade environments.

Learn more: iNaturalist

16. Fossa

The fossa is known for its long, thin body. It resembles a cat and it’s native to Madagascar. The fossa reaches twenty pounds and is carnivorous. In fact, it is the largest carnivore native to Madagascar. The fossa lives in the forest and commonly hunts lemurs.

Learn more: Skyenimals

17. Fox

The fox is an omnivorous animal known for its pointy ears and flat skull. There are twelve fox species including the red fox and the gray fox. Foxes are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. They can reach speeds of thirty to forty miles per hour.

Learn more: Animal Facts Encyclopedia

18. French Bulldog

The French bulldog is known for its short, stocky stature, upright ears, and pug-like face. The French bulldog is a toy breed that lives ten to fourteen years. They can reach more than twenty pounds and they have an easy-going social temperament.

Learn more: American Kennel Club

19. Frog

The frog is a carnivorous amphibian. Frogs can live between ten and twelve years. They begin their lives in the water as eggs and then tadpoles. Then, when they reach maturity, they live their lives on land. A fun fact about frogs is that a group of them is called an army!

Learn more: Wildlife Informer

20. Flatworm

Flatworms are soft-body invertebrates. They can be harmful to humans as these parasites cause different diseases. Flatworms are found under rocks. They are carnivorous and feed on bacteria.

Learn more: Shape of Life

21. Frilled Lizard

The frilled lizard is recognizable by its unique neck. The lizard’s neck can stand on end to scare off predators. The frilled lizard is native to Australia and New Guinea. They can stand on their hind legs and run and although the lizard can spit, it isn’t venomous.

Learn more: Biology Dictionary

22. Fox Terrier

The fox terrier has two distinct types: the smooth fox terrier and the course fox terrier. They are an active dog breed with a friendly and sociable temperament. They live about 12-15 years and are good family dogs. They are fast learners and are good at performing tricks.

Learn more: Biology Dictionary

23. Fire Ant

Fire ants are a type of stinging insect. Fire ants are native to South America, and were accidentally brought to the United States on a ship in the 1930s. They typically prefer warm environments with access to surface water.

Learn more: Animal Spot

24. Flying Fox

The flying fox is a type of bat. They live in Asia, Australia, and Africa. They typically eat fruit, plants, and insects. Their wingspan reaches five to six inches in length and they reach 2.5 pounds in weight. They are also sometimes referred to as fruit bats.

Learn more: Jessica Paster

25. Fennec Fox

The fennec fox is known for its unique look with long, pointed ears and a small face. The fennec fox is a desert fox native to Africa. They are the smallest species of fox, only reaching seven to eight inches in height and two to three pounds in weight.

Learn more: Jessica Paster

26. Florida Gar

The Florida gar is a species of fish found in the southeastern United States. They can reach over three feet in length. They are long and narrow with cylinder-shaped bodies that cause them to often be mistaken for logs. A fun fact about the Florida gar is that the females are often larger than the males.

Learn more: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

27. Freshwater Crocodile

The freshwater crocodile is native to Australia. They live in freshwater rivers, swamps, and creeks. The freshwater crocodile has a small, thin head and a long nose. The freshwater crocodile is much smaller than the saltwater crocodile.

Learn more: Australian Museum

28. Frogfish

The frogfish is a predator known for waiting for its prey. They are native to tropical shallow waters and have a strong ability to camouflage themselves in order to wait and ambush their prey.

Learn more: Underwater Photography Guide

29. Fairy-Wren

The fairy wren is an Australian bird that is unrelated to the true wren. They are found in bright, vivid colors and perch on branches to survey their environment. They are known for having long tails despite how small their bodies are.

Learn more: Fairywren Project

30. Flying Lemur

The flying lemur lives in Asia. It lives in trees and glides and climbs to get around. They are very similar to flying squirrels, but they are closely related to primates. Although they don’t actually fly, their wing-like skin and limbs allow them to glide through the air and appear as if they are flying.

Learn more: World Wildlife