The list of animals that start with H sure is an eclectic crew! From tiny insects to fierce predatory birds and giants of both land and sea, these creatures will delight your students as you continue on your journey through the animals of the alphabet. As you peruse our collection, take the time to appreciate the phenomenal diversity that can be found in the animal kingdom and cultivate new-found respect for our world’s awesome creatures!
1. Hairy-Nosed Otter
The hairy-nosed otter, named for its fuzzy, white upper lip, was once declared extinct in 1998. Luckily, a few elusive members of the species remain in Southeast Asia! Scientists now plan to replenish the otter’s natural populations through captive breeding programs.
Learn more: Otter Specialist Group
2. Hamburg Chicken
The Hamburg chicken is highly prized for its dappled feathers. Once a common variety in Europe, this chicken fell out of favor once breeds that lay bigger eggs were introduced. Although their eggs are small, they lay for a much longer timeframe than some other breeds.
Learn more: The Livestock Conservancy
3. Hammerhead Shark
The great hammerhead shark is one of the largest of its kind. Their iconic heads are useful in many ways: they have electrical receptors for hunting and use the long sides to pin down the prey they catch. Shark fin trade is sadly their biggest threat.
Learn more: Oceana
4. Harbor Porpoise
Found in shallow waters, the harbor porpoise is highly susceptible to entanglement in nets and underwater noise pollution. Despite this, they are rather shy and try their best to avoid humans and boats. You can recognize them by their blunt beaks and gray chin patches.
Learn more: NOAA Fisheries
5. Harbor Seal
Harbor seals resemble many things. For example, they rest in a banana-like shape (head and tail flippers up), move like caterpillars when on land, and have snouts like a dog! They reside along the coasts of North America in distinct stocks or populations.
Learn more: NOAA Fisheries
6. Harenna Shrew
Little is known about this small, white-toothed shrew. It is a critically-endangered species that only lives in one region of Ethiopia; on a 10-square-kilometer mountain. Funny enough, the harenna shrew belongs to the genus with the most distinct species- Crocidura. Its counterparts are insectivores that use proboscises to capture prey.
Learn more: Animalia and Britannica
7. Harp Seal
This adorable, fluffy animal is a favorite among children everywhere. They are known for their snow-white coats and whiskered snouts. Baby harp seals learn to hunt at a young age as they lose half their body weight when their mothers stop nursing them.
Learn more: National Geographic Kids
8. Hartebeest
The hartebeest is one of the fastest animals in the Savanna- running up to 70km per hour! This animal may look strange thanks to its elongated snout and curly antlers, but it is actually a graceful and highly social creature. This species is most threatened by cattle farming.
Learn more: African Wildlife Foundation
9. Hawaiian Monk Seal
The Hawaiian monk seal is a critically endangered species in the animal kingdom. Its 1500 members live solely in the Hawaiian archipelago. These strong swimmers can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes as they dive to catch prey such as squid and octopus.
Learn more: NOAA Fisheries
10. Hawk Moth
If you find a thumb-sized, bright green caterpillar, you might have stumbled upon a hawk moth larva! After this stage, they crawl into leaf litter, building their chrysalises and entering a stage of metamorphosis. This moth is named after hawks because of its strong wings and ability to hover.
Learn more: Woodland Trust
11. Hector’s Dolphin
The Hector’s dolphin, particularly the Maui’s dolphin subspecies, is the rarest dolphin in the world, with only 55 individuals in the wild. These dolphins are distinguished by black facial markings and a round dorsal fin. You can find them off the coast of New Zealand.
Learn more: World Wildlife Foundation
12. Hermit Crab
The hermit crab is an extremely popular pet. Hermit crabs need access to both land and sea for feeding and breeding. These crustaceans have two sets of antennae; one for feeling and one for tasting.
Learn more: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
13. Hill Wallaroo
The wallaroo is a species of kangaroo whose body has adapted to rocky terrain. Its short feet enable it to grip stones better. They live in Australia’s scrublands- alone or in small groups. Their long coats are integral to local seed dispersal!
Learn more: Animalia
14. Himalayan Tahr
The Himalayan tahr is a goat with a luscious mane. It is named after its natural range in the Himalayas, although it has recently been introduced in both North America and South America in Argentina. Like other bovines, the males wrestle with their horns to display dominance.
Learn more: Critterfacts
15. Hippopotamus
The iconic hippo’s name is Greek for “water horse.” The hippo partially hydrates through its skin and spends the majority of its life in water. Surprisingly enough, this aggressive creature’s closest relatives are whales and pigs.
Learn more: San Diego Zoo
16. Honey Badger
The “honey badger” is actually a false name- its true name is ratel. The honey badger closely resembles skunks in both appearance and smell. You couldn’t keep it as a house pet like a skunk as these animals are known to be quite aggressive.
Learn more: San Diego Zoo
17. Honeybee
Honeybees are a hot topic in today’s world of conversation. Their population is decreasing, yet these pollinators are integral to worldwide plant growth! Three types of bees live in each colony; the queen, the workers (females), and the drones (males).
Learn more: National Geographic Kids
18. Hornbill
The hornbill’s distinguishing casque is a bit of a mystery- it’s hollow, and scientists aren’t sure of its exact purpose. The top part of their spine is fused to support this large bill which grows with age. Females seal their nests for protection and to ensure that males don’t leave!
Learn more: Denver Zoo
19. Horned Puffin
The horned puffin’s beautiful beak indicates its age; both young and old adults have gray bills, while adults of breeding age have flame-colored beaks. They live in subarctic waters, where they dive and “fly” through the sea to hunt for fish.
Learn more: All About Birds
20. Horned Owl
The great horned owl is the quintessential bird of children’s cartoons and storybooks. These owls are one of the great predators of North America, with powerful talons that can take down both large and small prey. Despite their fortitude, they are sometimes bullied by groups of crows.
Learn more: All About Birds
21. Horn Shark
The horn shark prefers the shallow seafloor, where it can hide, hunt, and lay eggs in crevices and seaweed. Their eggs are spiral-shaped, which helps them remain in their laying ground as the baby shark inside matures. Their range extends from California to the coast of Central America.
Learn more: Monterey Bay Aquarium
22. House Mouse
If you’ve ever had a nocturnal visitor, chances are that it was a house mouse! These creatures have adapted to live close to humans- living outside in warm weather but building their nests in man-made structures as temperatures cool. They rarely travel more than 50 feet from these nests.
Learn more: Animal Diversity
23. Howler Monkey
During a South American sunrise, you can hear the calls of a howler monkey coming from up to 3 miles away! With a roaring howl, these animals are the loudest in the animal kingdom. Their prehensile tails are an extra tool that aids them in canopy living.
24. Humboldt Penguin
What these birds can’t do in the air, they make up for in their ability to travel on land and in the sea! These penguins are specially equipped to swim up to 30 mph and climb rocky cliffs. The pink patches on their face help them dispel heat during hot South American Summers!
Learn more: National Geographic Kids
25. Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are a favorite of bird watchers everywhere. They have vibrant colors, spunky attitudes, and amazingly fast wings. Hummingbirds are tiny but mighty, as they can fly across the entire Gulf of Mexico in one trip! They enter into torpor overnight to conserve energy for these bouts of speed.
Learn more: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
26. Humpback Whale
The humpback whale is the largest creature on earth by body weight and length. They can migrate up to 10,000 miles each year from the coasts of North America down to the equator. However, populations are found in every ocean.
Learn more: Monterey Bay Aquarium
27. Huntsman Spider
The huntsman spider, a type of tarantula, has a flat body with long legs, which helps it hide in crevices or under pieces of bark. The females lay their eggs in these same spaces and may stand guard over their egg sacks for weeks!
Learn more: Australian Museum
28. Husky
The Siberian husky is a favorite breed for pet owners- as long as they can keep up with this active dog! Originally bred as working sled dogs, huskies have a long history of making deliveries in snow-ridden areas. They are friendly but mischievous and need plenty of exercises!
Learn more: Brittanica
29. Hyena
Though not as famous as its more ferocious counterparts, the hyena is Africa’s most common predator. Their reputation as scavengers also causes them to be viewed as pests by local farmers who sometimes hunt them. The three distinct species, striped, brown, and spotted, are distinguished by their coats.
Learn more: African Wildlife Foundation
30. Hyrax
You would never guess it from their size, but a hyrax’s tusk-like teeth, toes, and bones prove their common ancestry with elephants! Hyraxes have amazing senses; their eyesight is impressive, and they have “guard hairs” to help them feel their way around their environments.
Learn more: San Diego Zoo
The Science Of Soil: 20 Activities For Elementary Kids