Did you know that an astounding 9 million different animals live on Earth? That’s a lot of animals! Well, we’ve made it easier to learn about some of these unique creatures by compiling a list of animals that start with the letter T. Some of these are cuddly pets you may have at home, while others are so exotic, you may not even know they exist! Join us to learn new facts about awesome animals that begin with the letter T!
1. Tahr
First up, we have tahrs! These fluffy friends are mammals that are closely related to goats and sheep. They are native to Asia and are herbivorous that feed throughout the day and night.
Learn More: Altina Wildlife
2. Tailless Whip Scorpion
Next, we have the tailless whip scorpion! You can find these creepy crawlers in forests all over the world. Although they may look scary, they aren’t very aggressive or venomous. Be careful if you’re a cricket blocking its path! The nocturnal tailless whip scorpions are insectivores.
Learn More: Britannica
3. Tanuki
Here, we have the tanuki, AKA the Japanese raccoon dog. These animals are native to (you guessed it) Japan and are famous in Japanese folklore. According to ancient Japanese texts, these primarily nocturnal creatures are supernatural shapeshifters!
Learn More: Atlas Obscura
4. Tarantula
Watch your feet! Next up, we have tarantulas, which are hairy, venomous spiders found on several continents. They range from big to small, with the largest species being the goliath bird eater. Just be careful as these arachnids have powerful venom!
Learn More: Sandie Go Zoo
5. Tarantula Hawk
If you have arachnophobia, you’ll love the tarantula hawk! These wasps get their name from their primary prey- tarantulas. Though these insects are mostly docile, if you accidentally provoke them their sting can be especially painful.
Learn More: NHM.ac.uk
6. Tasmanian Devil
Did this one bring back some childhood memories? The Tasmanian devil is an omnivore that can only be found in Tasmania. These mammals are peculiar black and white marsupials and have been reported to sometimes eat small kangaroos!
Learn More: NHM.ac.uk
7. Teddy Bear Hamster
Next, we have a species of hamsters that make the perfect pet! The teddy bear hamster, AKA the Syrian hamster, has big fluffy cheeks that expand to hold all kinds of foods. Though they make adorable pets, they have a short lifespan of around 2-3 years.
Learn More: Your House Pet
8. Texas Horned Lizard
Coming in at number 8, we have the Texas horned lizard. This spiked lizard can be found in the United States and Mexico. Don’t let their spikes scare you! They are docile creatures that love to soak in the sun for vitamin D.
Learn More: TPWD.Texas.gov
9. Thorny Devil
Next up, we have another reptile known as the thorny devil. These devils can be found in Australia and have a “false head.” This head is used in self-defense to scare away predators but that doesn’t mean these reptiles are safe. Often, they are prey to wild birds.
Learn More: Fact Animal
10. Teira Batfish
This peaceful fish has many names, but many know it as the teira batfish. They often come in neutral colors such as grey or brown and can be found along the coasts of Australia, India, and Turkey.
Learn More: Fishes Of Australia
11. Tiger
This giant feline is certainly one of the first animals that come to mind when we think of animals that start with the letter T. The tiger is an endangered animal that is native to Asian countries. Just stay out of their territory after hours as these fluffy predators hunt prey at night.
Learn More: Britannica
12. Tiger Shark
“Get out of the water”! Next up, we have the tiger shark. These large predators get their name from their distinctive markings, which are similar to tigers. They grow to be rather large and are a highly aggressive species.
Learn More: Nature.org
13. Titi Monkey
Coming in at number 13, we have the titi monkey. Perhaps you haven’t heard of them but you certainly should be aware of them as these monkeys are endangered, with no more than 250 adults left.
Learn More: National Zoo
14. Toad
Of course, we can’t forget about the adorable toad. An amphibian with leathered and textured skin. Toads get a bad reputation for causing warts to grow on humans but don’t believe this myth as it’s completely safe to handle these pimply creatures.
Learn More: Woodland Trust
15. Tortoise
Next, we have the tortoise. These reptiles are ancient, dating back 55 million years ago. They can even live to be up to 150 years old although some have been reported to live to around 200 years old!
Learn More: Pet Keen
16. Toucan
Craving fruit-flavored cereal yet? Here we have the adorable toucan. These tropical birds have colorful beaks and are native to Central and South America. They are social birds that travel in groups of over a dozen.
Learn More: Tree Hugger
17. Toy Poodle
Awww, so cute! Toy poodles make adorable pets. Not only that, they are highly intelligent, making them popular choices for dog shows. The “toy” in their name refers to the fact that they are quite small.
Learn More: Pedigree
18. Trapdoor Spider
Next up is the trapdoor spider, which is a brown spider with golden hair. These arachnids are found in Australia and despite their name, they live in burrows that have an open entrances. They can live anywhere from 5 to 20 years.
Learn More: Nathistoc
19. Tree Frog
Tree frogs are adorable amphibians that makeup over 800 different species. They can be found in trees throughout the world and rarely leave the high ground. Tree frogs are excellent climbers due to their unique fingers and toes.
Learn More: Petco
20. Tree Swallow
These beautifully colored birds travel in flocks that can number into the hundreds of thousands! Tree swallows migrate across North America eating insects and berries as they go.
Learn More: Audubon.org
21. Trout
That’s one serious “trout pout”! Trouts are freshwater fish that have a close relation to salmon. Native to North America, Asia, and Europe, these fish feed on both ocean and land animals. Due to their popular taste, many trout are raised in massive fish farms.
Learn More: Wild Trout
22. True’s Beaked Whale
You may not know about this one because the true’s beaked whale is so rare! These skittish whales live in the North Atlantic Ocean and venture out in predominantly deep waters. Because they’re rare, scientists don’t know their exact lifespan.
Learn More: UK Whales
23. Trumpeter Swan
Native to North America, the trumpeter swan has a white body and looks like it’s wearing a black mask and boots. They often forage in shallow waters and can fly up to 60 miles per hour!
Learn More: All About Birds
24. Tufted Titmouse
Another North American native, the tufted titmouse is a grey songbird with black-beaded eyes and a small body. It has a voice that echoes through forests and is believed to be a symbol of good fortune if seen in a dream.
Learn More: Perky Pet
25. Tundra Vole
This mid-sized rodent can be seen in three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America. The tundra vole gets its name from its favorite habitat, tundras. If they’re not hiding in a damp tundra, they’re scurrying around in a grassy meadow.
Learn More: Animalia
26. Tundra Wolf
Next is the tundra wolf, AKA the turukhan wolf, which is found throughout Europe and Asia. Of the three species of wolves, the tundra wolf falls under the gray wolf species. During the Winter, these ferocious pups prey solely on reindeer.
Learn More: Be Arizona
27. Turkey
Is it Thanksgiving yet? Our next animal is a species of bird called a turkey. These giant birds are native to North America and have been known to be aggressive toward humans and pets if confronted in the wild. Fun fact: turkeys CAN fly!
Learn More: World Animal Protection
28. Turkey Vulture
Up next is the turkey vulture! These red-headed birds are new world vultures, meaning they are exclusively found in the Western Hemisphere. They are known for their powerful sense of smell and have been reported to smell other birds from a mile away.
Learn More: Audubon.org
29. Turtle
What’s the difference between a tortoise and a turtle? One of the main differences is that the turtle has a shell built for living in the water while the tortoise has a shell built for land. Fun fact: turtles don’t have any teeth, instead they have a strong beak.
Learn More: Toucan Box
30. Tyrannosaurus Rex
Last but certainly not least, we have the tyrannosaurus rex. Although these dinosaurs have been extinct for approximately 65 million years, they’re unforgettable due to them being the apex predators of their time. One of their most distinctive features is their tiny arms.
Learn More: Fossil Guy
31. Tomistoma
If you’re bushwhacking in Indonesia or Malaysia, you might want to keep your eye out for this sixteen-foot reptile! The tomistoma can be found lurking throughout SE Asia where there are freshwater rivers, lakes, and estuaries. This endangered species has a mouth full of about eighty teeth – that makes one expensive dental visit!
Learn More: Sea World
32. Tui
Native New Zealanders known as Maorï compliment the voices of singers by saying that someone has a ‘throat of a tui’. This refers to the bird’s wide range of sounds from bell-like chirps to cackles and long, deep calls. They don’t just sound pretty, but if you look closely, you’ll be amazed at the glimmering sheen reflecting off the bird’s bluish-green feathers.
Learn More: Zealandia
33. Tayra
This weasel-like species likes its own space as it roams Central and South America. It has dark-colored and furry monkey-like limbs that it uses for climbing This makes it easy for them to swing from tropical branch to branch in search of a cozy hollow tree to call home.
Learn More: Genuine Mustelids
34. Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel
The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is certainly no ordinary chipmunk with its unique pattern of dotted stripes. Like most ground squirrels, it puts on extra pounds to prep for the cold months by consuming double meals. This little cutie can be found in central North America and in open areas like fields and even golf courses and cemeteries!
Learn More: Bio Kids
35. Texas Horned Lizard
This little guy is a pro at camouflage with its textured, grooved body that blurs into the backdrop of its arid habitat. The Texas Horned Lizard is considered both a spiny and sand lizard and despite its appearance, it is not a threat to humans. Similar to a puffer fish, this cool-looking lizard can blow up its body with air in an attempt to look fierce.
Learn More: Missouri Department of Conservation
36. Tiger Quoll
Now this is probably one you haven’t heard of! Not only does the tiger quoll’s white polka dots and innocent-looking face make it simply adorable, but this species is also a marsupial. This means that like kangaroos, they also carry their young in a fuzzy pouch on their stomachs. Just imagine how cute their babies are!
Learn More: Our Breathing Planet
37. Tibetan Blue Bear
Tibetan blue bears look like a fuzzy sea of chocolate fur up close, but as their name suggests, from afar, their long, coarse hairs appear light blue in color! This beautiful Asian subspecies of brown bears is quite a mystery. It’s thought of as extremely rare and since it is also very shy of humans, it is the least observed and studied of all the brown bears.
Learn More: Unsung Animals Wiki
38. Topi
Did you know a topi can run up to 40 miles per hour? This can come in handy when trying to escape from a cheetah on the African savanna! Topis are a type of antelope that have distinct brown bodies marked with dark patches. Not only are these animals very sociable, but they often let their bird friends hitch a ride on their backs!
Learn More: Facts
39. Teredo Navalis
Oh, my worm! Teredo navalis are invasive worms that love to burrow in the wood of ships and wharves. No one knows exactly where they came from, but one thing’s for certain – this ‘termite of the sea’ could definitely bring down Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate ship!
Learn More: Animal Diversity
40. Tucuxi
These dolphins are considered the guardians of rivers in their Amazonian homeland. While some might mistake these as Amazon river dolphins, tucuxis are much smaller and gray instead of pink. These special creatures are praised as good luck charms for boaters and help guide swimmers away from rocky dangers in the water.
Learn More: River Dolphins
41. Tree Pangolin
This animal is sometimes called the scaly anteater, but they aren’t anteaters at all! They are in their own family and are unique for their scaly skin that resembles the bark of a tree or the texture of a pinecone. The tree pangolin’s scales are made from keratin and keep growing just like our own fingernails!
Learn More: San Diego Zoo
42. Tule Elk
The fate of this amazing creature rested with one California rancher! Tule elk narrowly escaped extinction when a cattle rancher was wise enough to protect the last herd of about 30 elk on his own land. By providing this sanctuary, he was able to assist in their repopulation. They can now be found grazing in parts of California.
Learn More: Pacific Sun
43. Tammar Wallaby
These adorable creatures are marsupials and carry their young in pouches like a kangaroo, but are much smaller. Maybe it’s their size that makes tammar wallabies so gentle looking or maybe it’s their thick auburn coats and large chocolate-brown eyes.
Learn More: Tour Kangaroo Islands
44. Telescope Octopus
This octopus really has a ‘wow factor’! The fully translucent body of the telescope octopus makes it seem completely out of this world. Another weird feature? Its eyes bulge out of its head like telescopes which is where it gets its fitting name. What a rare sight, huh?
Learn More: Real Monstrosities
45. Tufted Deer
Is it just us or does it seem like this cute, fuzzy deer shouldn’t have fangs? This unique characteristic does come in handy though as the sharp incisors are used for sinking into fruit or breaking bamboo. These interesting animals are secretive and solitary, preferring to travel alone or in pairs across the high-altitude forests of their native China.
Learn More: Potter Park Zoo
46. Tegillarca Granosa
This mollusk is also known as a blood clam because of the hemoglobin liquid found in its soft tissue. You can find this mollusk in the muddy waters of the Indo-Pacific region and identify it from its blood-red soft body and ribbed outer shell.
Learn More: Sea Life Base
47. Toque Macaque
One thing the toque macaque shares with humans is a love for family drama! Their social structure has everything from overprotective siblings to friendship cliques! But, these intelligent creatures will never hesitate to help each other out.
Learn More: Smithsonian’s National Zoo
48. Two-Toed Amphiuma
These amphibians are bigger than most salamanders and can be found in the southeastern United States where they love to hang out in swamps, canals, and streams. They actually prefer a dirty stream as opposed to a clean one, which is probably where the slime comes from!
Learn More: Amphibians And Reptiles of North Carolina
49. Three-Toed Box Turtle
When feeling shy, the three-toed box turtle can completely close its shell while hiding inside! These creatures are on the smaller side and live anywhere from the middle of Oklahoma all the way to the East Coast.
Learn More: Wildlife Department
50. Tasmanian Emu
This is one creature you won’t be able to see either in the wild or in captivity! This once commonly-sighted species of emu was wiped out in their native home of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia, by the start of the twentieth century.
Learn More: News
51. Tasmania Pademelon
These adorable little creatures are mini-versions of wallabies or kangaroos. Pademelons love to spend their days in the thickly forested areas of southeastern Australia. They typically emerge at night for a tasty plant-based diet of grass and shoots. Although they are nocturnal, you might get lucky and catch one during the day munching away on an afternoon snack.
Learn More: Wildlife Wonders
52. Taiwan Blue Magpie
The brilliant blue feathers of these exotic birds can’t be missed! Taiwan blue magpies are relatives of the crow and are known by some as Taiwan’s official bird. With their distinctive long tail, these brave flying creatures do not fear humans and add a pop of color to any wooded area.
Learn More: eBird
53. Texas Blind Snake
This snake’s Latin name, dulcis, means “sweet”, but this snake is anything but! Closer in size to a worm at only a foot in length, Texas blind snakes are harmless to humans, but are vicious predators and dive headfirst into the dirt to hunt the insects they feed on. They also use a toxic chemical to destroy ant and termite colonies too! Definitely not sweet!
Learn More: Texas Parks and Wildlife
54. Tarbagan Marmot
This rodent species is known as an “ecosystem engineer” because of its ability to create tunnels and burrows for other animals as they dig to seek refuge from predators like wolves and eagles. Unfortunately, the tarbagan marmot’s role in sustaining a habitat is threatened as it is now considered an endangered species.
Learn More: iNaturalist UK
55. Tomtit
This little bird is native to New Zealand and is quite adaptable! Tomtits can be found living throughout tree-lined forests of the North and South Islands and have even moved into suburban neighborhoods and farmland areas. Their plumage is mostly black, with white-tipped wings and they like to call to each other by making a sweet ‘zet’ sound.
Learn More: New Zealand Birds Online
56. Twite
Twites are covered in fluffy feathers in various shades of brown and they dwell in the United Kingdom where they spend their days searching for scrumptious seeds. Female twites lay around five pale greenish-blue eggs at a time and protect them for two weeks in the nest before they hatch.
Learn More: Bird Spot
57. Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat
We know how important sound is to bats, but this one has an “ear up” on other species. The Townsend’s big ears can reach up to 38 mm long! This species of bats are insectivores, and they live in both forests and deserts. Those large ears make them echolocation experts and come in handy when searching for bug buffets!
Learn More: Bat Conservation International
58. Tropical Mockingbird
These birds are the tropical relatives of Northern Mockingbirds, and their family roots show as they sing a very similar song. Despite this common tune, the two species stick to themselves. Northern Mockingbirds are found in North America whereas tropical mockingbirds are located in parts of Central and South America where it is humid and warm.
Learn More: eBird
59. Tapeti
The tapeti is part of the cottontail rabbit species that we know and love. They are nocturnal animals and like to roam alone in a range from southern Mexico all the way to Argentina! Tapeti loves grass, but if you do happen upon one at night, you might even see it munching on a mushroom!
Learn More: Jungle Dragon
60. Tooth-Billed Pigeon
The tooth-billed pigeon gets its name from its beak which is specially designed to saw through hard seeds. It is native to the island of Samoa but due to illegal hunting, this bird is in danger of going the same way as its close relative, the dodo! Conservationists are putting in strenuous efforts to protect the few that are left.
Learn More: Edge Of Existence
61. Turkmenian Kulan
Turkmenian kulans are a species of wild donkey dwelling across Central Asia, however, much like other vulnerable species, their population is dwindling due to hunters and habitation loss. Although the largest population is found in Kazakhstan, the majority of these donkeys live within the protective boundaries of Altyn Emel National Park.
Learn More: Fundacja Zoo Wrockclaw
62. Tricolored bat
During wintertime, these bats like to hibernate and we don’t blame them! Small enough for humans to hold in their hand, these tri-colored bats are covered in strands of three colors: gray, yellow, and brown. In warmer months, you might find them relaxing in caves, just hanging out!
Learn More: Wildlife Department
63. Tentacled Snake
Take a look at that! The tentacled snake is the only species that has two tentacles protruding from its head. Another cool fact? Believe it or not, this reptile spends a lot of its time underwater! Their mini octopus-like tentacles help them track down prey while their tail seals the deal by helping them scoop fish into their mouths.
Learn More: Australian Geographic
64. Tailless Tenrec
This little guy must be related to the hedgehog, right? Think again! These mammals are actually most closely related to elephants! Along with the well-known lemur inhabitants, the tailless tenrec only resides on the islands of Madagascar. There are about 36 species of these animals, but the strange thing is they don’t look that much alike!
Learn More: Natural History Museum
65. Tropical House Gecko
Although not native to California, this small reptilian species can be found throughout the southern part of the state. They have tiny little suction cups on their toes to help them climb in a Spiderman-like fashion. You might not mind them around, as they tend to eat household pests like spiders, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlers.
Learn More: California Herps
66. Taningia Danae
This squid can get up to seven feet long and weigh as much as a small human! The taningia danae is an absolute spectacle because of its long arms with little yellow organs on the end that flash! To top it off, its limbs are lined with a claw-like structure. I wouldn’t want to run into this guy while scuba diving!
Learn More: The Cephalopod Page
67. Temminck’s Tragopan
This bright-faced, majestic bird wins the beauty competition for pheasants everywhere! The males proudly display their impressive feathers to attract their less colorful female companions, and if their feathers aren’t enough to gain attention, they can pull out all the stops by inflating a “bib” on their neck!!
Learn More: Akron Zoo
68. Tufted Gray Langur
Wow, that’s a long tail! This Sri Lankan primate can grow a tail as long as three feet! Another unique physical characteristic is their strong, bushy eyebrows. Like a lot of monkeys, tufted gray langurs tend to stick together and appreciate the bonds and relationships that come from a strong family and social life.
Learn More: Cannundrums
69. Tres Marias Racoon
Did you know there is more than one raccoon species? This group of raccoons prefers living in the wild habitat of islands off the coast of Mexico. Unfortunately due to habitat loss, some have to now search for food in urban areas. These cute bandits don’t shy away from people or their trash!
Learn More: Kidadyl
Rainbow Fish Preschool Activities: Art Projects And Story-Time Snacks