Everyday we come across a variety of animals. Watching them, children often get curious to know more about those creatures. Making your kid pronounce names of the animals inculcates a habit of learning in them.
Animals are broadly divided into two categories namely domestic and wild animals. Animals that we raise in our home are generally considered as domestic animals. The ones that grow in wild areas like forests are referred to as wild animals.
We can raise animals like dogs and cats in our home while animals like fox, tiger, lion come under the category of forest animals.
Now, let us find out in detail about some wild animals’ names in English and what they look like.
- Lion
The lion, also known as Panthera leo, is a huge cat that can be found in Africa and India. They like to live in grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands. Lions are really social and live in groups called prides. The hair that covers their face and neck is called Mane.
- Tiger
Tigers are part of the Panthera genus and are the biggest cats in Asia. They have long tails and orange fur with black stripes. They live in forests, from Russia to Southeast Asia.
- Fox
Foxes are little to medium-sized animals that eat both plants and meat. They have a flat head, pointy ears, a snout that points up a bit, and a long, fluffy tail. Foxes can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
- Elephant
Elephants are the biggest animals that live on land. They have a long nose called a trunk, tusks, big ears, strong legs, and tough but sensitive grey skin. The trunk can pick up things and bring food and water to the mouth. The big ears help them keep a steady body temperature and communicate. Elephants live in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and can be found in different places like savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes.
- Leopard
The leopard has soft and thick fur, which is even softer on its belly than on its back. The colour of its skin can range from pale yellowish to dark golden, with dark spots in rosettes. Its underbelly is white, and its tail with rings is shorter than its body. The pupils of a leopard are round.
They can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India, and China. Unfortunately, many leopard populations are endangered, especially outside of Africa.
- Giraffe
The giraffe is a big animal with a long neck and legs, horn-like ossicones, and spotted coat patterns. It lives in Africa, from Chad to South Africa and from Niger to Somalia. Giraffes usually live in savannas and woodlands.
- Deer
Deer are easily differentiated from antelopes by their temporary antlers, unlike the permanent horns of bovids. They have long legs, a small tail, and long ears. Deer can be found in forests, deserts, tundra, swamps, and high mountainsides. They are native to Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and northern Africa.
- Zebra
Zebras are African animals with black-and-white stripes. They live in eastern and southern Africa in different habitats like savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, shrublands, and mountains.
- Monkey
Monkeys are mammals, also known as simians. New world monkeys usually have long tails, with some in the Atelidae family having prehensile tails. Old World monkeys either have short tails or no visible tail. Monkeys are commonly found in tropical rainforests in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, as well as in African savannas.
- Bear
Bears are carnivorous mammals that can be found in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They typically inhabit mountainous regions and forests. The black bear resides in North America, while the brown bear can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Hippopotamus
Hippos are big animals that live in water and are from Africa. They look like pigs and other land animals, but they are actually more closely related to whales and dolphins.
- Kangaroo
Kangaroos are the biggest in the family, while the smallest ones are known as wallabies. Wallaroos are a species of medium size. They have strong hind legs, big feet for jumping, a long tail for balance, and a small head.
Female kangaroos have a pouch called a marsupium for their joeys to develop after birth. Kangaroos are found in Eastern Australia.
- Crocodile
Crocodiles, alligators, and gharials are all large reptiles that live in tropical regions around the world. While it can be harder to tell the difference between all three based on their appearance.
Crocodiles typically have longer and narrower heads with a V-shaped snout, while alligators have a more U-shaped snout. They live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia.
- Squirrel
Squirrels are usually small creatures. They have slim bodies, long bushy tails, and big eyes. Their fur is soft and silky, but thickness varies among species. Squirrels can be found in the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa.
- Rabbit
Rabbits have long ears to detect predators. They have strong hind legs and a short tail. Over half of the world’s rabbits live in North America. They are also found in parts of Europe, Southeast Asia, Sumatra, some Japanese islands, and some areas of Africa and South America.
List of 100 wild animal names in English
Below is a list of 100 forest animals that you can teach your child.
Tiger |
Lion |
Elephant |
Leopard |
Panther |
Cheetah |
Wolf |
Jaguar |
Hyena |
Giraffe |
Deer |
Zebra |
Gorilla |
Monkey |
Chimpanzee |
Bear |
Wild Boar |
Hippopotamus |
Kangaroo |
Rhinoceros |
Crocodile |
Panda |
Squirrel |
Mongoose |
Porcupine |
Koala Bear |
Wombat |
Meerkat |
Otter |
Hedgehog |
Possum |
Chipmunk |
Squirrel |
Raccoon |
Jackal |
Hare |
Mole |
Rabbit |
Alligator |
Monitor Lizard |
Oryx |
Elk |
Badger |
Dinosaur |
Pangolin |
Mole |
Okapi |
Camel |
Wild cat |
Coyote |
Bison |
African Elephant |
Aardvark |
Antelope |
Alpine Goat |
Komodo Dragon |
Bearded Dragon |
Royal Bengal Tiger |
Flying Squirrel |
Emu |
Eagle |
Eel |
Asiatic Lion |
Armadillo |
Beaver |
Emperor Penguin |
Baboon |
Bat |
Chameleon |
Bull |
Giant Panda |
Chihuahua |
Orangutan |
Chinchillas |
Hawk |
Iguana |
Ibis |
Ibex |
King Cobra |
Jellyfish |
Goose |
Walrus |
Seal |
Skink |
Markhor |
Falcon |
Bull Shark |
Arctic Wolf |
Owl |
Bulbul |
Bobcat |
Guinea Pig |
Yak |
Reindeer |
Moose |
Puma |
Okapi |
Marten |
Squirrel Monkey |
Caracal |
Importance of teaching animal names to children
Knowing the names of various animals and their characteristic features helps children in understanding them better. It also teaches them about the diversity of our ecosystem and living conditions of these animals. Here are some other benefits of learning wild animal names in English for children:
– Expands their vocabulary.
– Educates them about animal behaviours.
– Enables them to identify various animal species.
– Fosters empathy towards animals.
– Connects them with nature and teaches them to care for the environment.
Conclusion
Children are very curious about the world they live in, especially when they find it captivating. Mother’s Pet Kindergarten believes that incorporating wildlife education into the curriculum helps children develop a sense of awe and gratitude for the variety of life on our planet. This gratitude inspires them to conserve and safeguard their natural surroundings.