Did you know there are over 60 animals that start with that lucky letter L? With the help of our animal round-up, you can teach your kiddos about animals from all over the world. In doing so, they’ll come to understand what they look like, be able to decipher their habitats, understand whether they’re an endangered species or not, and learn more about how we can protect them! So, jump right into our fascinating listicle of animals that start with L!
1. Lion – The King of the Jungle
Indigenous to the African Continent, lions are strong, beautiful, and dangerous creatures. They have been known to thrive in groups, also referred to as prides, of up to 40 members. Did you know that if a lion roars, chances are that you’ll hear them from up to five miles away!
Learn More: Free School
2. Leopard
This beautiful, strong wild cat species has one distinct feature- their yellow, brown, or sometimes even orange spots. They live and thrive in the grasslands of Africa and being able to run up to 36mph, makes them excellent hunters!
Learn More: AWF
3. Lemur
Many of us remember these hysterical little primates from the film, Madagascar. They are black, white, and grey with big yellow eyes. History has it that lemurs actually evolved before monkeys and other primates!
4. Llamas
If you thought a llama wasn’t clever, think again. They are cute and sociable amongst themselves but not so people-friendly. These creatures are super protective and will guard their territory- often by spitting at anyone who passes by.
5. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Could you imagine swimming 10,000 miles a year? The leatherback sea turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world and is a fantastic swimmer! They have been tracked since the age of the dinosaurs and are now sadly at risk of extinction.
Learn More: Fisheries.NOAA.gov
6. Lorikeet
Have you ever seen such a beautiful exotic bird species? The rainbow lorikeet is so bright in color that it has been said to resemble a flying rainbow! They originate from Australia and New Zealand and live in rainforests and coastal towns. And guess what? They’ve been known to live for up to 30 years!
Learn More: Bird Fact
7. Lemmings
These little creatures are really cute but they don’t have a very long lifespan. They are essentially small rodents that are quite territorial. You can often spot them walking across the tundras in search of food and water.
Learn More: Animal Fun Facts
8. Lamprey – The Vampire Fish
The vampire fish got its name because of its preferred taste for blood- feeding off of the blood of other fish in the water. The official name is a Lamprey and there are over 38 different species swimming in the ocean, just waiting to catch their next prey!
Learn More: Fact Informer
9. Lynx
This medium-sized, endangered species is the most threatened among the Lynx species. There are less than 200 left in the world. It has a muscular body, long legs, and a spotted coat. The Lynx is the second fastest animal on the planet- reaching speeds of up to 80 kph!
Learn More: Animalia
10. Leopard Frog
The Northern leopard frog is an amphibian species found in the Northern parts of the USA and Canada. They tend to live in marshy areas and wetlands where it’s easy to feast on a diet of insects, spiders, mollusks, and other crustaceans.
Learn More: NPS.gov
11. Loon
Albeit their name suggests it, these are not crazy birds! Loons are exceptional swimmers who only spend time on land to mate and incubate their eggs. After spending so much time in the water it may come as a shock to learn that they are excellent flyers- reaching speeds of up to 70mph. It’s good that they can fish well because, in a 15-week period, a family of 4 can eat almost half a ton of fish!
Learn More: All About Birds
12. Labrador
Thanks to their webbed toes, these dogs are super swimmers! In addition to being good in the water, their webbed toes double as snowshoes in winter. These dogs are so smart that they are used as guide dogs and have been known to save people in serious situations.
Learn More: Petair UK
13. Leeches
This slimy creature might make you squeal with disgust. Leeches have a rather bad reputation, but they don’t deserve it because they help a lot of people in the medical field where they are used as part of leech therapy. Fun fact- they’re classed as invertebrates and have 10 eyes!
Learn More: Reach The World
14. Lobster
Did you know that a lobster can grow up to 1 meter in length? There are two types of lobsters- clawed and spiny. Many people think that lobsters are red, but they’re more often brown, yellow-white, or bright blue! If you’re on the hunt for these creatures, you’ll find them along the bottom of the ocean beds.
Learn More: Ocean Conservancy
15. Long-Eared Owl
Long-eared owls are beautiful creatures that generally look surprised thanks to their large eyes. They hunt mice, rodents, and small mammals at night and roost in dense areas so that they’re well-camouflaged from predators.
Learn More: Hawk Mountain
16. Leafy Sea Dragon
Is it a plant, a fish, or a dragon? This creature looks like a seahorse and is native to the southern coast of Australia. Even though they live in the sea, they aren’t naturally good swimmers and need to camouflage themselves from predators. They eat small plankton and crustaceans. Surprisingly, it is the male that cares for the fertilized eggs, not the mother.
Learn More: National Geographic
17. Lake Sturgeon
With its pre-historical look and shark-like tale, it’s no wonder that these creatures aren’t winning any beauty competitions. Known as the dinosaurs of the Great Lakes, they can grow up to 12 feet long! People once indigenous to the land used to use every part of this fish- using it as a source of food, needles, paint, weapons, and more!
Learn More: NWF
18. Locust
This insect belongs to the grasshopper family. They are known to destroy crops and vegetation by attacking in huge groups referred to as swarms. They are excellent jumpers and make a chirping noise by rubbing their hind legs together. Although often considered as a pest, they play a huge part in the ecosystem by laying millions of eggs which later provide food for birds and other species.
Learn More: Easy Science For Kids
19. LaMancha Goat
The LaMancha goat has tiny ears that, when observed from afar, make it seem as though they have none. These are sturdy little guys who can survive in many unique environmental conditions. These goats provide us with quality dairy which contains a high butterfat content and allows us to make rich cheeses and other products. They are primarily found in Oregon and all over Spain.
20. Leopard Seal
If you want to spot a leopard seal, you’ll have to head to Antarctica. These mammals play an important role in the Antarctic ecosystem by eating a lot of the overpopulated fish and species in the ocean. They are known predators and eat approximately six percent of their body weight daily.
Learn More: Doc.govt.NZ
21. Ladybug
The ladybug is a well-known insect that we’ve all seen flitting about in Spring and Summer. Some have stripes whilst others are solidly colored or have spots. Shockingly, these tiny insects can live up to 3 years thanks to their distinct colors which help to ward off predators.
Learn More: National Geographic Kids
22. Langur
These primates are known as the “Old World ” monkeys and, amazingly enough, there are over 150 different species still in existence! They are leaf-eating monkeys and have a special stomach that can digest other plants and roots when leaves are scarce.
Learn More: EPRC.asia
23. Lizard
The largest species of lizard is called a “Komodo Dragon”. There are over 3,000 lizards living in the wild, but this one is the biggest and the oldest living lizard in the world. They range in color from black to yellow-grey and thrive in the wild in Indonesia.
Learn More: San Diego Zoo
24. Loggerhead Sea turtle
This turtle has got some pretty tough jaws to help it chew through hard-shelled creatures in the sea. It’s the most populated turtle in the USA and, like all marine animals, it surfaces for air. The females come ashore to lay their eggs and are fantastic navigators- going back to the same nesting spots year after year.
Learn More: Fisheries
25. Lagorchestes
Let’s travel to the land down under and meet the lagorchestes which, when translated, means dancing kangaroo. It’s commonly known as a wallaby. These creatures can be found in the warm climates of Australia and live off the land; locating seeds, fruits, and grass to sustain itself.
Learn More: Animal Diversity
26. Leaf-Cutter Ants
Leaf-cutter ants are fascinating to watch, but just by looking at them, one would never guess that they have jaws that could be likened to chainsaws. Could you imagine chewing at 1,000 counts per second? Like many ants, they too can carry up to 50 times their weight!
Learn More: Study
27. Lionfish
Lionfish are beautiful, but are surprisingly an invasive species. These fish eat just about everything so they have no problem surviving. Their spines contain neurotoxins which expose humans to certain vulnerabilities and ailments- so stay back if you ever spot one whilst swimming in the sea!
Learn More: Marine Sanctuary
28. Loris
This cute mammal forages at night; looking for fruit, nectar, and insects. Although it looks gentle, be warned because it’s the only venomous primate on the planet! They are known as the “slow loris” because they can remain motionless for hours on end.
Learn More: Britannica
29. The Long-Tailed Duck
This species is quite populated and even though there’s been a decline in the last twenty years, there are still over one million long-tailed ducks in existence. The decline was sadly due to oil spills and pollution- a lesson that we can all take in learning how to better care for our planet.
Learn More: Audubon
30. Lovebird
Lovebirds have beautifully colored feathers and are native to Africa. If these cheery creatures have a companion, they can live as long as 20 years! They thrive on freedom and a well-balanced diet of fruits and other plants.
Learn More: eBird
31. Labradoodle
This energetic and loving dog breed is a mix between a poodle and a labrador. They’re known for being loyal, fun, and family-friendly pets. Better still, they’re popular house pets because they tend to be more allergy-friendly than other dog breeds!
Learn More: Daily Paws
32. Lesser Flamingo
These pink birds are the smallest breed of flamingos! They are native to Africa, but can be found in parts of Asia, India, and Pakistan. Interestingly, they lack a sense of smell and can barely taste. Whilst this may not sound like something anyone would enjoy, it may just be a good thing as their main food source is an algae called spirulina!
Learn More: Oregon Zoo
33. Limpet
This type of marine snail can be found on rocky shorelines all across Europe where they spend their days scraping algae off rocks. All limpets have a fascinating ability to change sex as they age; beginning as males and morphing into females when they reach a certain size!
Learn More: Oceana
34. Llanos Long-Nosed Armadillo
Learn More: Armadillo Online
35. Lop Rabbit
This cute critter is known for its oversized floppy ears; making them even more adorable. Lop rabbits are common house pets, but their especially large ears require a little extra attention and care. They are generally known for being friendly.
Learn More: The Spruce Pets
36. Lowland Paca
Lowland pacas are members of the rodent family and are native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Mexico. They have a reddish-brown hue to their coat which is topped off by small white patches. These nocturnal animals can be found burrowing during the day. Surprisingly, they can also swim and are known for holding their breath for several minutes!
Learn More: Brights Zoo
37. Lemon Shark
With a name derived from their pale-yellow color, the lemon shark can grow to be roughly 8 to 10 feet. They are social creatures that can live for almost 30 years! Even though they are natural predators, they are relatively docile; presenting little threat to humans.
Learn More: Florida Museum
38. Lacewing
One of the most interesting facts about these insects is that their larvae are actually predators that eat other insects! The lacewing is a common winged insect that can be found all over the world. Many consider lacewings to be beneficial as they eat other pests without biting or stinging.
Learn More: University of Minnesota Extension
39. Leopard Tortoise
You can often find these methodical creatures munching on succulent varieties and grasses. With a lifespan of over 100 years, leopard tortoises, named after the spotted design on their shells, reside in Africa. When threatened, this sneaky animal will either hide entirely in its shell or poop on its predator.
40. Limpkin
Residents of South America and the Southern United States, limpkins are wading birds who spend much of their time in shallow water hunting for snails. As they traverse uneven grounds, they appear to limp- thus their name. Their distinct call also earned them the nickname, “the crying bird”.
Learn More: Audubon
41. Lipizzan Horse
A horse breed with Spanish and Moroccan bloodlines, lipizzan horses are one of the most famous breeds in the world. They are known for their striking look, athletic ability, and intelligence. The breed itself is fairly rare, but these beautiful horses are worth their weight in gold!
Learn More: The Livestock Conservancy
42. Long-Eared Hedgehog
Located in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, the long-eared hedgehog enjoys meals of crickets, cockroaches, and worms. Astoundingly, these little critters can survive for almost 10 weeks with no food or water during hibernation! This variety boasts more speed and better climbing skills than the common hedgehog.
Learn More: Charlie The Hedgehog
43. Longhorn Cattle
This specific breed of cattle has become quite noteworthy in the state of Texas, where there is a long history of raising and herding them. In fact, the history is so notable, that this species has earned itself the place of mascot for the University of Texas!
Learn More: Texas State Historical Association
44. Lungfish
An odd-looking sea creature, the lungfish is known for being able to survive in dried-up water. It does so by burrowing into the mud and using a mucous lining to seal itself in. Instead of breathing through their gills, they breathe through a swim bladder.
Learn More: University of California Museum of Paleontology
45. Lyrebird
Native to south-eastern Australia and southern Tasmania, this pheasant-looking bird has a distinctly long tale. It lives on the ground and uses tree branches for shelter during the night. Additionally, it has an uncanny ability to imitate or mimic nearby sounds like car engines and dog barks!
Learn More: Australian Museum
46. Lammergeier
Frequently referred to as the bearded vulture, the lammergeier is a unique bird. Its diet, almost entirely, consists of bones! What’s more interesting you ask? To break bones into edible pieces, they are known to carry bones, weighing as much as themselves, hundreds of feet up into the air before dropping them.
Learn More: World Land Trust
47. Leaf-Tailed Gecko
While these lizards are somewhat strange in appearance, their bodies are designed to help them camouflage with the vegetation and colors in their surroundings. If that’s not impressive enough, it might surprise you to know that, when distressed, the leaf-tailed gecko emits a noise resembling that of a child’s scream!
Learn More: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
48. Lhasa Apso
Dating back to the 7th century AD, the lhasa apso is a dog breed that has certainly stood the test of time. While relatively small, these pooches were originally bred as guard dogs. They also have a surprisingly long lifespan for canines, with the oldest on record living to be 29!
Learn More: A Pup Above
49. Liger
Lions and tigers and…ligers? This intriguing feline is the result of breeding a male lion with a female tiger; creating a crossbreed of two different species from the cat family! While ligers share characteristics of both lions and tigers, they grow notably larger than both- making them a fierce apex predator!
Learn More: Zoological Wildlife Foundation
50. Little Penguin
Being the smallest penguin variety (roughly 2 pounds) and showcasing what appears to be blue feathers, it’s easy to see why little penguins are commonly referred to as fairy penguins. They sure do seem magical! These enchanting birds live in Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding islands.
Learn More: Penguins International
51. Long-Eared Jerboa
In terms of uniqueness, this rodent scores an A+. The long-eared jerboa has a body like a mouse, ears like a rabbit, and back legs like a kangaroo! This little critter hops to get around, and some estimates suggest that they can leap up to six feet into the air!
Learn More: World Wildlife Fund
52. Lapland Longspur
During spring, these small songbirds can be found in the arctic and tundra regions of Canada and Alaska, but their migration patterns spread across much of North America. They are unique in that they only molt once a year, while most types of birds with different plumages molt twice.
Learn More: Bird Web
53. Lowland Anoa
Due to excessive hunting and shrinking habitats, these Indonesian mammals are unfortunately classified as endangered. Lowland anoas are shy herbivores who live a simple life. It might surprise you to know that they’re actually talented swimmers and, even though they look gentle, they can violently attack when threatened.
Learn More: The Alexandria Zoo
54. Lynx Spider
Unlike the famous children’s book character Charlotte, this spider doesn’t spin a web! Instead, the lynx spider prefers to hunt and even pounce on its prey. There are different species found across North America and Central America, but they all share one thing in common- they rely on quick speeds to capture various unsuspecting prey.
55. Long-Nosed Potoroo
If you’re a history buff, this mammal is sure to intrigue you! The long-nosed potoroo is a member of the kangaroo family. While they can hop like other kangaroos, they mostly potter around on 4 legs.
Learn More: Aussie Ark
56. Land Snail
From the ancient mollusk family, the land snail is one of the most versatile animals. In North America alone, there are about 725 species of land snails! These shell-dwellers can range in size from 0.02 to 7 inches tall and live all over the world.
Learn More: Welcome Wildlife
57. Lappet-Faced Vulture
The lappet-faced vulture looks peculiar due to numerous flaps and folds on its head. Like most vultures, they tend to scavenge, but they’re also birds of prey- hunting fish, small mammals, and more. Did you know that vultures enjoy bathing, both in the water and in the sun?
Learn More: The Peregrine Fund
58. Leopard Cat
This adorable-looking feline only has a distant relation to the leopard, and is about the size of a domestic cat. The leopard cat’s range spans South, Southeast, and East Asia. While they most commonly hunt on the ground, they are also agile climbers; scouring trees and even swimming from time to time!
Learn More: Thai National Parks
59. Loach
The loach is a worm-shaped fish with over 200 different species! With a diet consisting of both plant and animal matter, these slender sea creatures are omnivorous. Some species of loach can even sense impending storms and behave erratically just before rough weather!
Learn More: Animals Network
60. Long-Tailed Tit
With a tail longer than its entire body, this little bird is sure to catch your eye! The long-tailed tit is striking in nature and is sure to capture your eye with its beautiful plumage. This adorable bird has been known to construct super soft nests with roughly 1,500 feathers for its babies to enjoy!
Learn More: The Wildlife Trusts
61. Lunkarya Guinea Pig
You’ll want to add this guinea pig to your list of cute pets! The lunkarya guinea pig flaunts luscious locks; giving it an almost distinguished look that is sure to melt your heart. These cuddly creatures aren’t incredibly common, but their temperament and adorableness are sure to win you over!
Learn More: Hepper
62. Landrace Pig
While pigs are commonly thought of as pink, this swine appears white! You might be surprised to hear they can weigh 500-700 pounds as mature adults! Though there are several breeds of landrace pigs, all originate from Denmark and produce large litters of piglets!
Learn More: Oklahoma State University
63. Lapwing
These feathery friends have an unusual call that sounds a bit like they’re saying “peewit”. The lapwing is a remarkable bird that spends much of its time in large flocks whilst socializing. Though small, they’re resilient and might even earn your respect once you learn that they work together to ambush predators who attack their nests.
Learn More: The Wildlife Trusts
64. Lesser Scaup
If you’re a fan of ducks, the lesser scaup will surely intrigue you with its unique characteristics! To avoid predators, these talented birds have been known to play dead and, in an unusual twist to the normal order, they also lay their eggs before ever finishing their nest!
Learn More: Nevada Department of Wildlife
65. Lincoln Sheep
It’s hard to miss this creature’s most distinguishing feature: its long curly coat. Weighing approximately 250-350 pounds as mature adults, they’re actually the largest sheep in the world.
Learn More: Oklahoma State University
66. La Plata Dolphin
All dolphins are fascinating and bright mammals, but the la plata dolphin possesses characteristics that make them even more exceptional. These impressive swimmers can actually live in both freshwater and saltwater! They prefer to avoid people unlike other species of dolphin, but who can blame them?
Learn More: We Love Dolphins
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