Cute Animals That Start With A – Animallearns

Let’s discover some animals that start with A! We’ll explore creatures worldwide whose names begin with this letter. A is the first letter in the alphabet, and it’s used a lot. So, let’s gather our friends who love animals and start our adventure! We’ll begin our journey into the animal kingdom by learning about animals beginning with A.

Cute Animals That Start With A (Facts, Pictures)

Aardvark

• Scientific Name: Orycteropus afer
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Orycteropodidae
• Diet: Omnivore
• Lifespan: 23 years
• Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Weight: 60kg – 80kg (130lbs – 180lbs)
• Length: 1.05m – 2.20m (3.4ft – 7.3ft)

Small animals that resemble pigs and aardvarks are found across Africa, south of the Sahara, in a variety of environments. Most of the time, they live alone and sleep in underground burrows to avoid the intense African sun.

In the evening, they come out to forage for food. Their big snout and pig-like form gave rise to their name, which means “Earth Pig” in Afrikaans, the language spoken in South Africa.

Being the sole surviving species in its family, aardvarks are special among animals. It was generally accepted until recently that their closest relatives were other insectivores, such as pangolins and armadillos.

Aardwolf

• Scientific Name: Proteles cristata
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Hyaenidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Lifespan: 15 years
• Location: Sub-Saharan Africa
• Weight: 17-31lbs
• Length:33-41in

The lesser-known relative of the spotted, brown, and striped hyenas is the aardwolf. It is nocturnal, cautious, and secretive, thus humans seldom come across it.

In Afrikaans and Dutch, the word aardwolf literally translates to “earth wolf,” although this is deceptive because the animal isn’t actually a wolf. Rather, its membership in the hyena family is pretty evident just by looking at it. Its African environment is similar to that of a striped hyena, which is fairly similar to it.

The aardwolf resembles a hyena in appearance and is a member of the same family. The primary distinctions are that aardwolves live in smaller family units, have smaller bodies overall, and eat insects instead of bigger prey or carrion.

Abyssinian

• Scientific Name: Felis catus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Felidae
• Diet: Omnivore
• Lifespan: 13-15 years
• Color: Brown, White, Black, Grey,  Beige
• Weight: 8-12 lbs

It might be that the Abyssinian cat’s dubious origins are being overemphasized. The fact that this kind, perceptive, inquisitive, and sociable animal is still with us today is what counts most. Cat lovers may provide the ideal solution to their dog-loving friends.

The Abyssinian, with its wonderful list of features, is a lover of high places and always interested in what you are doing. It has a lot of dog-like abilities, but it also understands the location and purpose of the litter box.

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

• Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Caviidae
• Diet: Omnivore
• Lifespan: 5-15 years
• Location: South America
• Top Speed: 4 mph
• Skin Type: Fur

Despite their name, guinea pigs are a kind of rodent rather than a pig. They are distinguished by their loud vocalizations and very coarse, rosette-patterned fur. These creatures are extremely amiable and make wonderful home companions. Since the 1600s, they have been a common household pet.

Part of their appeal is that, compared to other guinea pig breeds, they have a far more gregarious demeanor. They are available in a wide range of hues, from muted to vibrant. They have a wide variety of hues and patterns in their solid colors, including roan, tortoiseshell, Himalayan, Dutch, Dalmation, and many more.

Acadian Flycatcher

• Scientific Name: Empidonax virescens
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Aves
• Family: Tyrannidae
• Diet: Insectivore
• Lifespan:3 years
• Location: North America, South America
• Weight: 0.4 to 0.5 ounces
• Length: 5.5 to 5.9 inches

Small passerine birds, such as the Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), are indigenous to North and South America, where they live in moist riverfront woods. They move quickly among trees during the day in search of insects and tiny fruit.

These lone birds, who have a monogamous spouse, guard their riverbank nests and sing early in the morning. Learn all the amazing details about Acadian flycatchers, such as their habitat, diet, and behavior.

Ackie Monitor

• Scientific Name: Varanthus Acanthurus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Reptilia
• Family: Varanidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
• Location: Oceania
• Origin: Australia
• Length: 2 to 2.5 feet at adulthood

They are the smaller group of the monitor lizard species. Their name has been derived from the pronunciation of their name (Acanthurus). Further, their title as spiny-tailed monitors is due to their spiky tails, which are used for self-defense.

The monitors come in two colors which are red and yellow. However red is the biggest type among the whole species. They are wild lizards and are popular pets, only if they are provided with appropriate space and diet.

Addax

• Scientific Name: Addax nasomaculatus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Bovidae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Lifespan: 19-25 years
• Location: Areas of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Libya, Sudan,
• Color: White, Grey-Brown
• Length: 47 to 51 inches with a 9.8 to 13.8-inch tail

One of the magnificent antelopes called Sahet el visp and also known as screw horn or white antelope, the Addax once lived in the Sahara Desert. 

This is now teetering on the verge of extinction because of poaching, climate change, overhunting, and habitat destruction. Luckily, steps are being taken to increase the levels of the wild population of these animals to normal ones.

Different from some others, addax has square teeth like a cow. Addax just like other antelopes do not have facial glands, but they have scent glands on their footprints.

Adelie Penguin

• Scientific Name: Pygoscelis adeliae
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Aves
• Family: Spheniscidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Lifespan: 10 – 20 years
• Location: Coastal Antarctica
• Top Speed: 45 mph
• Weight: 3kg – 6kg (7lbs – 13lbs)

The smallest and most common species of penguin in the Southern Ocean is the Adelie penguin. It is one of just two penguin species (the other being the considerably bigger emperor penguin) that inhabit the Antarctic continent.

Since these migratory birds spend the winter in the northern pack ice and then come south to the Antarctic coast for the warmer summer months, Adélie penguins have adapted well to life in the Antarctic.
Their bellies and chests are all white, while their backs are blue-black. They have black heads and beaks with a characteristic white ring around each eye.

Aesculapian Snake

• Scientific Name: Zamenis longissimus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Reptilia
• Family: Colubridae
• Diet: Carnivores
• Lifespan: 25-30 years
• Location: Asia, Europe
• Color: Black, Olive, Multi-colored
• Length: 3-6.6 feet

Though this non-venomous species may appear massive and menacing, the Aesculapian snake is rather harmless. This situation is a perfect example of the proverb that states, “It is more afraid of you than you are of it.”

The Aesculapian false coral snake, which belongs to a different genus and has a completely different appearance, should not be mistaken for this species.

Affenpinscher

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Canidae
• Diet: Omnivore
• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Location: Originally from Germany, now found worldwide
• Color: Black, gray, silver, black and tan, or red
• Length: 9 to 11.5 inches at adulthood

An Affenpinscher is a courageous dog full of self-assurance. This is one of the charming animals that start with A. This may sound absurd considering that it belongs to the Toy group and is just about 10 pounds when fully grown.

However, this dog believes it to be a Great Dane!  The Affenpinscher, whose looks have earned it the moniker “monkey terrier” at times, has a 17th-century history.

They were employed to find mice and rats in stables in Germany. They could quickly squeeze into tight areas to apprehend these rodents. They were eventually taken inside households for the same function. From then on, they remained devoted friends to the family members.

Afghan Hound

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Canidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Lifespan: 10-13 years
• Location: Originated in Afghanistan, now found worldwide
• Color: Various, including cream, gold, and red
• Length: Typically 25 to 27 inches at adulthood

Afghan Hounds have a long history; individuals from Afghanistan, Pakistan, North India, and created the pedigree record thousands of years ago. While rescue shelters are a good place to find them, breeders will also sell them so they may benefit from their long, silky hair.

These powerful, independent canines, which were originally developed as hunting dogs, need a lot of activity to be healthy and psychologically stimulated. They frequently stand up all the time to flaunt their hair. To assist them stay cool in hot climates, some owners, however, choose to keep their pets short-haired or shaved.

African Bullfrog

• Scientific Name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Amphibia
• Family: Pyxicephalidae
• Diet: Carnivore (eats insects, small mammals, birds, and other amphibians)
• Lifespan: 15-20 years
• Location: Sub-Saharan Africa, including countries like South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe
• Color: Variable; typically green or brown with darker patches or spots
• Length: 7 to 10 inches, though some individuals can reach up to 9 inches in length

The largest frog on Earth is the Goliath Frog, however, the African bullfrog is among the largest. The male of the species, also called the Giant African Bullfrog, may reach a length of 10 inches and a weight of over 4 pounds. Primarily found in central sub-Saharan Africa is this bullfrog.

It is a popular pet in addition to being a voracious eater that will devour everything. The bullfrog’s unique sound, which has been characterized as croaking, roaring, or bleating, sets it apart from other animals.

African Bush Elephant

• Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Elephantidae
• Diet: Herbivore
• Lifespan: 60-70 years
• Location: Sub-Saharan Africa, including savannas, forests, and deserts
• Weight: 3,600kg – 5,400kg (7,900lbs – 12,000lbs)
• Length: Up to 24 feet

Some African Bush Elephants may reach weights of over six tons, making them the biggest living animal on land today. Elephants were named for their very large tusks since the Greek term for ivory is supposed to have inspired the elephant’s name.

The Asian elephant, of which there are several subspecies, the African bush elephant, and the African forest elephant are the three distinct species of elephant that still exist today, even though many of the African bush elephant’s ancestors—including the Woolly Mammoth—went extinct during the last ice age.

African Grey Parrot

• Scientific Name: Psittacus erithacus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Aves
• Family: Psittacidae
• Diet: Herbivore (mainly seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables)
• Lifespan: 40-60 years
• Location: Native to equatorial Africa, found in countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania
• Color: Mostly gray with a red tail and distinctive white mask around the eyes
• Length: Approximately 10 to 14 inches

The African grey parrot is one of the most remarkable talking parrots available. Because of its high level of intellect, it can hear and understand what other people are saying in addition to speaking. Sadly, the desire for this parrot as a pet has become so great that it is becoming endangered in the wild.

60 to 66 percent of African grey parrots are expected to be gathered each year for the pet trade, and only 21 percent of them survive to be owned by a person. The bird’s conservation status is threatened in part because of this.

Previously thought to be a subspecies of the African grey parrot, biologists now recognize the Timneh parrot as a distinct species. Similar to the gray, many people own Timnies as pets.

African Golden Cat

• Scientific Name: Caracal aurata
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Felidae
• Diet: Carnivore
• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Location: Found in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa
• Color: Golden, reddish-brown, or grayish-brown with black spots and stripes
• Length: 28 to 36 inches from head to tail

Among animals that start with A One of the three medium-sized African wild cats is the African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata). While the caracal wanders throughout the more dry regions and servals inhabit the moister environments, it inhabits the woods of central Africa.

Although African Golden Cats have not received much research, their habitat and prey species are likely disappearing because of increased deforestation and the bush meat trade in central Africa.

Here is a full list of popular animals that start with the letter A

FAQs

What animal starts with a?

Alligator Gar, African Fish Eagle, Alpine Goat, Amur Leopard, Anaconda, Ayam Cemani, Aye-aye, and many others are animals that start with the letter a.

What mammals start with the letter A?

African Civet, Alpine Goat, Amur Leopard, Aye-aye, African Elephant, African Wild Dog and many others.

Do all antelopes have horns?

Not quite! While many antelope species have horns, some like the dik-dik and the waterbuck lack them completely. Horns are typically found in males and used for fighting for dominance or attracting mates.

Can apes talk like humans? –

While apes like chimpanzees and bonobos can communicate through vocalizations and gestures, they don’t possess the complex vocal anatomy and brain regions needed for human speech. However, they can learn to understand and use some sign language!

Do alligators have teeth?

 Absolutely! Alligators boast around 70-80 sharp teeth constantly replaced throughout their lives. They don’t chew their food but use them to tear and hold prey underwater.