Welcome to animals that start with F.
How many animals can you name that start with F? If you can’t get up to twenty animals, then you’re in the right place.
Here, we have listed animals that start with F for your consumption. Let’s get to them.
Table of Contents
Overview of animals that start with F
1. Fallow Deer
2. False Widow Spiders
3. Fangtooth Fish
4. Fennec Fox
5. Ferret
6. Fiddler Crab
7. Fin whale
8. Fire Salamander
9. Fire-bellied toad
10. Firefly
11. Fisher Cat
12. Flamingo
13. Flea
14. Florida Gar
15. Flounder
16. Flying Fish
17. Freshwater Crocodile
18. Frilled Lizard
19. Frogfish
20. Fruit Fly
Full List of Animals That Start With F
Summary of animals that start with F
Overview of animals that start with F
1. Fallow Deer
Scientific Name | Dama dama |
Habitat | Originally from Europe, now found worldwide |
Diet | Herbivorous, feeds on grasses, leaves, and crops |
Size | Medium-sized, males weigh 60-150 kg (130-330 lbs) |
Physical Features | Variable coat color, often spotted; males have broad antlers |
Behavior | Form small herds, males establish territories during mating |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Fallow Deer are native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. However, they have been introduced as game animals to many other parts of the world.
Fallow deers are reared not just for their meat but also for the velvet on male antlers. It is said to have medicinal properties.
Fun Fact: Fallow deers have spots even when fully grown.
2. False Widow Spiders
Scientific Name | Steatoda spp. |
Habitat | Found in urban and suburban areas, often near human dwellings |
Diet | Carnivorous; preys on insects such as flies, ants, and beetles |
Size | Typically ranges from 6 to 12 millimeters in body length |
Physical Features | Dark brown or black in color with a bulbous abdomen and distinct markings resembling a widow |
Venom | Contains venom, though bites are usually not serious and rarely require medical attention |
Conservation Status | Not assessed |
False Widow Spiders are usually mistaken for Black Widows, hence the name. But they are pretty harmless. These spiders originated from the Canary Islands and Madeira but have found their way worldwide.
Fun Fact: False Widow Spiders might benefit humans, as they eat household pests.
3. Fangtooth Fish
Scientific Name | Anoplogaster cornuta |
Habitat | Deep ocean waters, depths of 200 to 2,000 meters (660 to 6,560 feet) |
Diet | Carnivorous; feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans |
Size | Typically 15 to 16 centimeters (6 to 6.3 inches) in length |
Physical Features | Deep-sea fish with large, sharp teeth and compressed body |
Adaptations | Large eyes and sensitive lateral line system for hunting in darkness |
Conservation Status | Not assessed due to its deep-sea habitat and limited human interaction |
Fangtooth Fish aren’t winning any beauty contests anytime soon. It has a grotesque look and oversized teeth. But those features are what enable it to survive in the deep twilight zone.
These vicious fish are only about six inches long.
Fun Fact: Fangtooth Fish’s lower Jaws are so large that it had to evolve special sockets to accommodate them.
4. Fennec Fox
Scientific Name | Vulpes zerda |
Habitat | Arid desert regions of North Africa, including Sahara |
Diet | Omnivorous, eats insects, small mammals, and plants |
Size | Small, weighs 1.5 to 3.5 pounds (0.68 to 1.58 kg) |
Physical Features | Large ears, sandy-colored fur, adapted for desert life |
Behavior | Nocturnal, skilled diggers and hunters |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, but faces threats from habitat loss and illegal pet trade |
Fennec Foxes make their home in the deserts of Northern Africa. They have huge ears that help them regulate heat and also detect prey.
Thanks to these ears and their small size, Fennec foxes make cute pets.
Fun Fact: Fennec foxes are the smallest species of fox in the world.
5. Ferret
Scientific Name | Mustela putorius furo |
Habitat | Domesticated; often kept as pets in homes |
Diet | Carnivorous, primarily fed on meat-based diets |
Size | Small to medium-sized, typically weighing between 0.5 to 2.5 kilograms (1 to 5.5 pounds) |
Physical Features | Slender bodies, fur coats in various colors, typically with masks or markings on their faces |
Behavior | Energetic, playful, and curious; enjoy interacting with people and exploring their surroundings |
Lifespan | Generally live between 5 to 10 years in captivity |
Ferrets are carnivorous animals with long, slender bodies and short legs. These animals have been used for hunting rodents like mice and rats for centuries.
Humans can train ferrets to do tricks, and as such, they make good pets.
Fun Fact: Ferrets have a very high heart rate of 200 to 250 beats per minute.
6. Fiddler Crab
Scientific Name | Genus Uca |
Habitat | Coastal regions, sandy or muddy shores, mangroves, estuaries |
Diet | Omnivorous, eats algae, detritus, small invertebrates |
Size | Small to medium-sized, males have one enlarged claw |
Physical Features | Prominent claw in males, used for communication and mating |
Behavior | Diurnal, active during low tide; males perform courtship displays |
Conservation Status | Not assessed, may face threats from habitat loss and pollution |
Fiddler crabs are a species that can live both in the sea and on land. Their habitats may include saltwater bodies or estuaries.
Their name comes from the males’ fiddling motion while counting a mate. One noticeable feature of the males is the enlarged claw.
Fun Fact: Female Fiddler crabs pick a mate based on the size of the enlarged claw and the male’s fiddling display.
7. Fin whale
Scientific Name | Balaenoptera physalus |
Habitat | Oceans worldwide, temperate and polar waters |
Diet | Carnivorous, feeds on small fish and krill |
Size | Second-largest whale, up to 24 meters (79 feet) in length |
Physical Features | Streamlined body, tall dorsal fin, asymmetrical coloration |
Behavior | Highly migratory, long-distance migrations between feeding and breeding grounds |
Conservation Status | Endangered, threatened by commercial whaling and human activities |
Fin whales are some of the largest animals on earth. However, their size doesn’t hinder them, as they can maintain 25 miles per hour speeds.
Despite their size, Fin whales don’t eat other animals. Instead, they are filter feeders.
Fun Fact: Fin whales can be found in many oceans of the world because they migrate all year round.
8. Fire Salamander
Scientific Name | Salamandra salamandra |
Habitat | Deciduous forests, wooded areas, near water sources |
Diet | Carnivorous, feeds on insects, spiders, worms, and small vertebrates |
Size | Medium-sized salamander, typically 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) in length |
Physical Features | Black body with vibrant yellow or orange markings, often in a striking pattern |
Behavior | Nocturnal, prefers damp environments, often found under rocks or logs |
Conservation Status | Near Threatened, facing habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as pollution and climate change |
Fire Salamanders were once thought to be born from fire, and that’s where the name comes from. Their bright colors are indicative of the poison in their skin.
Thanks to their bright colors and large size, Fire Salamanders are usually kept as pets.
Fun Fact: Fire Salamanders give birth to their young alive.
9. Fire-bellied toad
Scientific Name | Bombina spp. |
Habitat | Ponds, marshes, wetlands in East Asia and Europe |
Diet | Carnivorous, eats insects, invertebrates, tadpoles |
Size | Small, 3 to 5 centimeters (1.2 to 2 inches) in length |
Physical Features | Green or black body with orange or red belly markings |
Behavior | Semi-aquatic, displays warning coloration |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, stable populations |
Fire-bellied toad are found in parts of China, North and South Korea, and Russia. These tiny amphibians can live for 12-15 years in the wild.
The poison on their skin deters predators while they eat insects, snails, and plant materials.
Fun Fact: Fire-bellied Toads catch prey with their mouths instead of a sticky tongue.
10. Firefly
Scientific Name | Lampyridae family |
Habitat | Various, grasslands, forests, wetlands |
Diet | Larvae are predatory; adults consume nectar and pollen |
Size | Small to medium-sized, 5 to 25 millimeters (0.2 to 1 inch) |
Physical Features | Black or brown bodies with glowing bioluminescent abdomens |
Behavior | Nocturnal, use bioluminescence for communication and mating |
Conservation Status | Varies; some threatened by habitat loss and light pollution |
Fireflies are truly just magical little creatures. Anyone that has watched a single Disney princess movie knows about fireflies. Yes, they do produce light from their bodies. And they do other things than fly around couples during romantic moments.
Fun Fact: Firefly bioluminescence is very effective, as nearly 96% of the reaction’s energy is turned to light.
11. Fisher Cat
Scientific Name | Pekania pennanti |
Habitat | Forested areas of North America, including mixed and coniferous forests |
Diet | Carnivorous, preys on small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and mice |
Size | Medium-sized carnivore, typically weighing between 2 to 6 kilograms (4.4 to 13.2 pounds) |
Physical Features | Dark brown fur with a long, bushy tail; known for its sleek appearance and agile movements |
Behavior | Solitary and territorial, active both day and night, with excellent climbing and swimming abilities |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, with stable populations across its range |
Fisher Cat neither eats fish nor is a cat. Instead, it’s called that because of its resemblance to the European polecat.
Fun Fact: This is one of the few animals that can prey on porcupines successfully.
12. Flamingo
Scientific Name | Phoenicopteridae family |
Habitat | Various wetlands, lakes, lagoons |
Diet | Filter feeders, eat algae, small crustaceans |
Size | Large wading birds, 80 to 145 cm (31 to 57 in) in height |
Physical Features | Pink plumage, long necks and legs, curved bills |
Behavior | Social birds, often in large flocks |
Conservation Status | Varies, some are Near Threatened due to habitat loss and pollution |
Flamigos are beautiful water birds have pink feathers and long spindly legs. They have webbed feet that enable them to move across water bodies.
Fun Fact: When Flamingos sleep, they balance on a single leg.
13. Flea
Scientific Name | Siphonaptera order |
Habitat | Parasitic, found on mammals and birds |
Diet | Blood-feeding ectoparasites, primarily feed on host blood |
Size | Very small, typically 1 to 4 millimeters in length |
Physical Features | Wingless insects with flattened bodies and strong hind legs |
Behavior | Jumping ability, adapted for rapid movement between hosts |
Health Impact | Can transmit diseases such as bubonic plague and typhus |
Control Measures | Regular pet grooming, vacuuming, and use of flea preventatives |
Fleas are notorious pests and Pet owners probably see these insects in their nightmares. These pests transmit a lot of diseases with their bites.
Fun Fact: Fleas can jump nearly seven inches high.
14. Florida Gar
Scientific Name | Lepisosteus platyrhincus |
Habitat | Freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, and swamps |
Diet | Carnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and small vertebrates |
Size | Large, typically reaching lengths of 60 to 120 centimeters (2 to 4 feet) |
Physical Features | Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a long snout and sharp teeth |
Behavior | Solitary and territorial, often found lurking in submerged vegetation or near structure |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, with stable populations throughout its range |
Florida Gar, as the name suggests, are usually found in Florida. It has a long narrow body and sharp teeth. It also has gulls that can double as lungs to help it breathe air.
Fun Fact: The Florida Gar survives the dry season by burrowing into the sediments and slowing its metabolism.
15. Flounder
Scientific Name | Pleuronectidae family |
Habitat | Coastal regions, sandy or muddy seabeds |
Diet | Carnivorous, eats small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates |
Size | Medium-sized, 25 to 75 centimeters (10 to 30 inches) |
Physical Features | Flat bodies, both eyes on one side, brown or mottled coloration |
Behavior | Bottom-dwellers, ambush predators |
Commercial Value | Important for commercial fishing, prized for taste and texture |
Conservation Status | Varies, some face overfishing pressure |
Flounder fish are popular bottom-dwelling fish that captures prey by ambushing. These fishes are a famous cuisine, and as such, are in danger of reducing population.
Fun Fact: Some Flounders can even change colors to better blend into their surroundings.
16. Flying Fish
Scientific Name | Exocoetidae family |
Habitat | Tropical and subtropical oceans, particularly near the surface |
Diet | Carnivorous, feeds on plankton and small fish |
Size | Small to medium-sized, typically ranging from 15 to 45 centimeters (6 to 18 inches) |
Physical Features | Streamlined bodies with enlarged pectoral fins, allowing for gliding above the water’s surface |
Behavior | Excellent swimmers and agile fliers, using their fins to glide above the water to escape predators |
Commercial Value | Not typically targeted by commercial fisheries |
Conservation Status | Varies, some species may face threats from habitat degradation and overfishing |
Flying fish actually fly! The pectoral fins of these fishes are modified to serve as wings. They enable them to leap out of the water and glide. This helps them escape predators.
Fun Fact: Flying fish can glide for more than 650 feet.
17. Freshwater Crocodile
Scientific Name | Crocodylus johnsoni |
Habitat | Freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and swamps in northern Australia |
Diet | Carnivorous, preys on fish, crustaceans, and small mammals |
Size | Medium-sized crocodile, typically reaching lengths of 2 to 3 meters (6.6 to 9.8 feet) |
Physical Features | Long, streamlined bodies with armored skin and powerful jaws |
Behavior | Mostly nocturnal, basking in the sun during the day; shy and generally avoid human interaction |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, with stable populations in their native range |
Freshwater crocodiles are not a danger to humans. That might be a shock, but saltwater crocodiles are the dangerous ones.
Fun Fact: Sexual maturity in freshwater crocodiles is achieved once they reach 4.9 feet long.
18. Frilled Lizard
Scientific Name | Chlamydosaurus kingii |
Habitat | Woodlands, tropical forests of northern Australia |
Diet | Insectivorous, eats insects, small vertebrates |
Size | Medium-sized, 70 to 90 centimeters (28 to 35 inches) |
Physical Features | Distinctive frill around neck, brown or gray with spots |
Behavior | Arboreal and terrestrial, known for defensive frill display |
Conservation Status | Least Concern, stable populations in native habitat |
Frilled Lizards definately look scary. Thanks to the frill around its neck, which it raises when threatened. But there’s no need to worry, as it isn’t poisonous.
Fun Fact: Frilled lizards are usually kept as exotic pets, but they’d need a lot of care.
19. Frogfish
Scientific Name | Various species within the Antennariidae family |
Habitat | Tropical and subtropical oceans, typically found near coral reefs and rocky bottoms |
Diet | Carnivorous, ambush predators that feed on small fish and crustaceans |
Size | Small to medium-sized, ranging from 2 to 38 centimeters (0.8 to 15 inches) in length |
Physical Features | Camouflaged appearance with fleshy, lumpy bodies and unique appendages resembling lures |
Behavior | Sedentary and well-camouflaged, they use their lure to attract prey within striking range |
Conservation Status | Not assessed for all species, but some may be impacted by habitat degradation and pollution |
Frogfishes are scaleless and are found in the deeper parts of the ocean. They stay motionless and use lures to draw in prey, then strike in milliseconds.
Fun Fact: Frogfishes don’t swim. Instead, they propel themselves with water from openings in their gills.
20. Fruit Fly
Scientific Name | Drosophila melanogaster |
Habitat | Ubiquitous, found worldwide wherever suitable food sources are available |
Diet | Omnivorous, feeding on decaying fruits and other organic matter |
Size | Small, typically 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) in length |
Lifespan | Short-lived, typically living for around 30 days |
Reproduction | Rapid breeding cycle, laying eggs on fermenting fruit and other organic materials |
Research Significance | Widely used in genetic and biological research due to their short lifespan and easily manipulable genome |
Fruitflies can usually be found around decomposing fruit, meat, and organic materials. They typically live for about 25-50 days.
Fun Fact: Fruit flies can beat their wings up to 250 times in a second.
Full List of Animals That Start With F
imal Name | Description | Fun Fact |
---|---|---|
Fallow Deer | Native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa; reared for meat and antlers. | They have spots even when fully grown. |
False Widow Spiders | Originated from Canary Islands and Madeira; harmless spiders. | They might benefit humans by eating household pests. |
Fangtooth Fish | Deep-sea fish with a grotesque look and oversized teeth. | Lower jaws are so large that they evolved special sockets for them. |
Fennec Fox | Small foxes from the deserts of Northern Africa with huge ears. | They are the smallest species of fox in the world. |
Ferret | Carnivorous animals with long bodies and short legs, used for hunting. | Have a high heart rate of 200 to 250 beats per minute. |
Fiddler Crab | Can live in sea and on land; males have an enlarged claw. | Females pick a mate based on the male’s claw size and display. |
Fin Whale | One of the largest animals; can maintain speeds of 25 mph. | Found in many oceans because they migrate all year round. |
Fire Salamander | Known for bright colors indicative of poison in their skin. | They give birth to their young alive. |
Fire-bellied Toad | Tiny amphibians found in parts of China, North and South Korea, and Russia. | Catch prey with their mouths instead of a sticky tongue. |
Firefly | Insects that produce light from their bodies. | Nearly 96% of the energy in their bioluminescence reaction is light. |
Fisher Cat | Resembles the European polecat but doesn’t eat fish. | One of the few animals that can prey on porcupines. |
Flamingo | Water birds with pink feathers and long legs. | When they sleep, they balance on a single leg. |
Flea | Pests that transmit diseases through bites. | Can jump nearly seven inches high. |
Florida Gar | Found in Florida, has long narrow body and sharp teeth. | Survives the dry season by burrowing into the sediments. |
Flounder | Bottom-dwelling fish that ambushes prey. | Can change colors to blend into surroundings. |
Flying Fish | Fish with modified pectoral fins that enable them to glide. | Can glide for more than 650 feet. |
Freshwater Crocodile | Not dangerous to humans; found in freshwater. | Sexual maturity is achieved once they reach 4.9 feet long. |
Frilled Lizard | Has a frill around its neck which it raises when threatened. | Often kept as exotic pets but need a lot of care. |
Frogfish | Scaleless deep-sea fish that stay motionless and use lures to catch prey. | Don’t swim but propel themselves with water from gill openings. |
Fruit Fly | Found around decomposing organic materials. | Can beat their wings up to 250 times in a second. |
Summary of animals that start with F
And we’ve gotten to the end of the list. We hope you love it. Now hasten to this list of animals that start with D. A lot of fun animals await.
You might also like to read about our other Animal Letter Lists.
- Animals That Start With A
- Animals That Start With B
- Animals That Start With C
- Animals That Start With D
- Animals That Start With E
- Animals That Start With G
- Animals That Start With H
- Animals That Start With I
- Animals That Start With J
- Animals That Start With K
- Animals That Start With L
- Animals That Start With M
- Animals That Start With N
- Animals That Start With O
- Animals That Start With P
- Animals That Start With Q
- Animals That Start With R
- Animals That Start With S
- Animals That Start With T
- Animals That Start With U
- Animals That Start With V
- Animals That Start With W
- Animals That Start With X
- Animals That Start With Y
- Animals That Start With Z
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Jan Otte
Co-Founder at Animals Around The Globe
Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia.
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