If you ask anyone to name a few animals that start with the letter K, they will probably say Kangaroo or Koala and then they will be out of words. Well, if we take a look around the world we can find many animals that start with the letter K! There are a lot from the land down under and in New Zealand- deriving from the indigenous languages or dialects. So without further adieu, let’s dive in and find out more.
1. The Kiwi Bird
The Kiwi bird cannot fly and it is not well-known, but we have to create awareness for this small, two-legged creature because its species could be in danger of becoming extinct. This little bird has feet and feathers like an ostrich and it is the only bird in the world with nostrils in its beak!
Learn More: Study.com
2. King Cobra
This is the world’s largest venomous snake. It has a special way of killing its prey and then eats it in one gulp! It is so toxic it could kill an elephant. Their mating ritual is interesting to watch and the Egyptians have used cobras in snake-charming shows.
Learn More: Easy Science For Kids
3. Kinkajaou
Kinkajous are mammals with a funny name and are sometimes referred to as “honey bears”. Many people compare them to a monkey and a bear, but they are actually part of the raccoon family. Their name means golden fruit because they love fruit and honey.
Learn More: KinkaTopia.org
4. Kiko Goat
The word “Kiko” means meat in the Maouri dialect and this goat originated in New Zealand before being exported to other parts of the world. These are very hardy goats and can survive in most climates. They are low-maintenance animals and need only land for grazing. They prefer colder climates and hilly grasslands. They are known for their long erect ears and drooping eyes.
Learn More: Goats Extension
5. Kingfisher
The Kingfisher is a beautiful, brightly-colored bird that can be found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They make their nests in forests, rivers, and streams. All kingfishers have similar characteristics- long beaks, big heads, and short tails. There are more than one hundred types of species and the common colors are blue, green, and yellow.
Learn More: Jack Perks Wildlife Media
6. Kit Fox
This is an adorable little fox from North America and Mexico. It is the smallest of the fox species. They live in dry habitats with desert bushes, scrubs, and grasslands. They hunt small animals, insects, birds, and lizards. These foxes find true love and mate for life. With the ability to have up to 7 pups, it’s great that both parents look after the young.
Learn More: Animalia
7. Key Deer
This beautiful white-tailed deer is an endangered species. Most of these deer can be seen in Florida and near wetlands, marshlands, and forests. They are commonly seen in the Florida Keys and that’s where they get their name from.
Learn More: NWF.org
8. Keeled Earless Lizard
There are many North American lizards but one of them is the keeled earless lizard that is only known to two areas- Southern Texas and the Northern part of Mexico. They love living near the beach and the sand dunes. They are small in stature but have long legs that enable them to run fast and escape their predators. Their coloring helps them camouflage from predators.
Learn More: Animal Diversity
9. Keta Salmon
This fish is known as the keta salmon, dog salmon, or chum salmon. It can be found in the North Pacific and areas of the Arctic. Depending on what water they are in their color changes. They can change from silvery blue to olive green!
Learn More: State Of Salmon
10. Keel-Billed Toucan
This toucan species looks like a flying banana. It has a beautiful multicolor beak and its body is black and yellow. They often travel in small groups and are known to make a frog-like croak as they communicate. These colorful species hang out in the trees looking for food. They are very playful and love roosting together.
Learn More: Animalia
11. Klamath Black Salamander
This is a really cool-looking salamander. It is a shiny black color with a shimmering splash of green or gray- making them appear iridescent. They have long toes that enable them to climb up high. They forage at night and they can be found near streams or rivers. They can live up to twenty years in captivity.
Learn More: California Herps
12. Komodo Dragon
The Komodo dragon is the biggest, heaviest lizard in the world- weighing in at more than three hundred pounds! This huge reptile has been around for millions of years and thrives in Indonesia. A Komodo dragon can reach up to ten feet in length and is a vicious meat eater.
Learn More: Happy Learning English
13. Koala
Koala bears are not actually born. Their name means “no water”. They are also part of the marsupial family which means they give birth to underdeveloped young. The “joey” stays in its mother’s pouch for the first few months. They are so different that they have been put into their own category as well. They are an endangered species and we have to help protect their environment and their diet.
Learn More: Save The Koala
14. Keen’s Myotis Bat
This animal species can be found in Alaska and in British Columbia. They live in areas of huge hollow trees where they can make their home. They also love to sleep in rock crevices. These “vesper” bats are one of the most common groups of bat species. They forage insects, spiders, and moths. Bats play a big part in the ecosystem and need to be protected.
Learn More: SCCP.ca
15. Krill
Krill are really small in size, but make up a big part of the ecosystem. They swim in swarms that can reach sizes of up to 30,000 crustaceans. There are over 80 different types of krill to feed Marine life.
Learn More: Wikipedia
16. King Vulture
When you think of a vulture, you think of a big, ugly black bird that flies around the desert desperately looking for food. This king vulture is quite colorful and really stands out in comparison. Its head is blue, purple, red, and orange. It can expand its wings up to six feet!
Learn More: Birds Fandom
17. Katydids
Katydids or “bush” crickets can be found on nearly every continent except Antarctica. There are more than 8,000 different species in the world! They are nocturnal and can camouflage themselves extremely well- sometimes being confused as leaves!
Learn More: WISC.edu
18. Kitefin Shark
1,000 feet below sea level is really dark and is where kite fins thrive! They use their lights to attract prey or as a protective measure. The kitefin shark lives in an area of the ocean called the Twilight Zone- a zone where there are no sun rays.
19. Kakapo
Have you ever heard of a parrot that couldn’t fly? This 4 -9 pound parrot is only found in New Zealand. It looks like a parrot and an owl combined and leads a nocturnal life. It hunts mice and small animals and can live up to 90 years, but unfortunately, they are endangered due to the effects of climate change and deforestation. The males let off a “boom” or a metal “ching” calling when they are mating.
Learn More: Kids Kiddle
20. Kudu
The kudu is a large African antelope. They are normally tawny brown, grey, and red with white stripes. They are herbivorous animals that can run up to 60mph! Their speed is the only protection they have against wild animals. They live in herds in arid grassland regions and eat leaves and fruit.
21. Kod Kod
This feline may look like a very small house cat, but it’s wild! This little “kitty” lives only in Argentina and Chile. They live in forests and evergreen areas. They are arboreal animals which means they live in the trees when looking for refuge. They are meat eaters and are extremely hard to track.
Learn More: Animalia
22. Kangal Dog
This dog is originally from Turkey. It is a large, stocky dog that was used to guard homes and livestock. What is distinct about the Kangal, is that it is a beige-colored dog with black markings on its face. It is used to intimidate predators although they can be family-friendly dogs.
Learn More: Dog Breed Info
23. Killer Whale
The killer whale is in the dolphin family, but it is not a sociable mammal. It is a beautiful animal and will generally never attack humans, but has been known to kill if kept in a confined environment. They eat basically anything in sight- penguins, fish, sharks, and seals. They are the fastest mammal in water- swimming up to 35 mph!
Learn More: Monterey Bay Aquarium
24. Kodiak Bear
This is the second largest bear in the world and you will have to travel to Alaska to find it. They are dark brown with orange and yellow highlights. These bears like to live alone and have up to 2 cubs in their lifetime. Their main diet consists of fish, fruits, and berries.
Learn More: ADFG Alaska
25. Kangaroo
If you think of Australia, you think of kangaroos. This is their official animal and is an icon in Australia. They are marsupials which means they care for young, “joeys”, in a pouch for 6 months. They can jump up to 25 feet, but can however only move in a forward direction. They are strong and like to box so you might get knocked out if you’re not careful!
Learn More: Australia.com
26. Krait
This snake is originally from India, Bangladesh, and nearby regions. It is normally black and blue with 40 white stripes to distinguish it from others. They live in shrub vegetation areas and desert-like climates although they are adaptable to other tropical areas. They are primarily nocturnal animals and hunt at night. They will devour anything- even other snakes!
Learn More: Animalia
27. Kori Bustard
This is the world’s largest flying bird. It is over 4 feet tall and can weigh up to 48 pounds. They live in Africa and eat a variety of small mammals, reptiles, seeds, and berries. They are brown, beige, and white. They engage in a courting ritual with a dance before mating and it is quite a sight to behold!
Learn More: E-Bird
28. King Crab
The average king crab weighs between six and ten pounds. However, the biggest ever discovered was 24 pounds! They have 6 legs which can be as long as six feet and have 2 claws on each side. They crush anything they come across with one claw and then eat it with the other. They can be found in cold ocean waters and their predators are jellyfish, turtles, and humans.
Learn More: Kids Konnect
29. Kouprey
A kouprey is in the bovine family and is similar to a cow or a bull. They are wild cattle and live in Cambodia. However, if you want to see one you might have to go to a zoo or a refuge as they are hard to find. Now, they are not hunted by man but deforestation and global warming have changed their habitat and so they have become an endangered species.
Learn More: China Dialogue
30. Koi
To keep koi as pets you will need to seek out expert advice on how to best care for them. This species is from Asian regions and live in ponds and streams. In the Japanese culture, they are believed to bring strength and good luck. It is an iconic fish that eats small fish, fruit, and insects and can live up to 100 years!
Learn More: Japan Wonder Travel
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