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Animals in Spanish

There are so many times in life when you'll want to talk about animals in Spanish. Maybe you want to talk about your pet, or point out an animal while visiting a Spanish zoo. No matter what your reason is for wanting to say animal words, this page is chock full of them to help you out. By reading below, you'll find all the animals in Spanish, followed by their English translations.

Look below for translations of 200 animals in Spanish and English. First up is a list of seven general animal terms and meanings, followed by our full list of Spanish animal names from A-Z. After the list, you'll find a listing of the same animals, but this time organized into categories of land, sea, and air, then a finally, you'll find a list of 24 translated sample sentences with animals to help you better understand how each word may be naturally said in conversation.

There's also a video further down the page that deals with animals that can help you with your Spanish pronunciation. That said, onto the main list of translations.

Spanish Animal List A-Z

Here is our list of animal names in Spanish from A-Z. You can also view these words with translations from English to Spanish. Words in bold added during the last update.


General Animal Words:

General translations about pets, animals, and zoos.

Animales ➔ The plural of animal in Spanish is Animales.

Animales salvajes ➔ Wild animals

Mascota ➔ Pet

Mascotas ➔ Pets

Zoológico ➔ Zoo

Zoológico interactivo ➔ Petting zoo

Animales de zoológico ➔ Zoo animals


A (Águila to Avispa)

11 animals that start with A in Spanish.

Águila ➔ Eagle

Albatros ➔ Albatross

Alce ➔ Moose

Alpaca ➔ Alpaca

Antílope ➔ Antelope

Ardilla ➔ Squirrel

Ardilla listada ➔ Chipmunk

Ardilla voladora ➔ Flying squirrel

Armadillo ➔ Armadillo

Avestruz ➔ Ostrich

Avispa ➔ Wasp


B (Babuino to Burro)

Nine animals that start with B in Spanish.

Babuino ➔ Baboon

Bagre ➔ Catfish

Ballena ➔ Whale

Ballena jorobada ➔ Humpback whale

Bisonte ➔ Bison

Buey ➔ Ox

Búfalo ➔ Buffalo

Buitre ➔ Vulture

Burro ➔ Donkey


C (Caballo to Cucaracha)

28 animals that start with C in Spanish.

Caballo ➔ Horse

Caballo de mar ➔ Seahorse

Cabra ➔ Goat

Cachorro ➔ Puppy

Caimán ➔ Alligator

Calamar ➔ Squid

Calamar gigante ➔ Giant squid

Camaleón ➔ Chameleon

Camello ➔ Camel

Canguro ➔ Kangaroo

Capibara ➔ Capybara

Caracol ➔ Snail

Castor ➔ Beaver

Cebra ➔ Zebra

Cerdo ➔ Pig

Cerdo vietnamita ➔ Pot-bellied pig

Chimpancé ➔ Chimpanzee

Ciempiés ➔ Centipede

Ciervo ➔ Deer

Cisne ➔ Swan

Coala ➔ Koala

Cocodrilo ➔ Crocodile

Colibrí ➔ Hummingbird

Comadreja ➔ Weasel

Conejillo de Indias ➔ Guinea pig

Conejo ➔ Rabbit

Coyote ➔ Coyote

Cucaracha ➔ Cockroach


D (Delfín to Dragon)

List of four animals in Spanish that start with D.

Delfín ➔ Dolphin

Demonio de Tasmania ➔ Tasmanian Devil

Dingo ➔ Dingo

Dragon ➔ Dragon


E (Elefante to Estrella de mar)

Six Spanish animals starting with the letter E.

Elefante ➔ Elephant

Elefante africano ➔ African elephant

Elefante asiático ➔ Asian elephant

Erizo ➔ Hedgehog

Escorpión ➔ Scorpion

Estrella de mar ➔ Starfish


F (Faisán to Foca)

List of two animals in Spanish that start with F.

Faisán ➔ Pheasant

Foca ➔ Seal


G (Gallina to Gorrión)

10 animals that start with G in Spanish.

Gacela ➔ Gazelle

Gallina ➔ Chicken

Ganso ➔ Goose

Gato ➔ Cat

Gato montés ➔ Bobcat

Geco ➔ Gecko

Glotón ➔ Wolverine

Gorila ➔ Gorilla

Gorrión ➔ Sparrow

Guepardo ➔ Cheetah


H (Hámster to Hurón)

Animal list in Spanish starting with H.

Hámster ➔ Hamster

Halcón ➔ Falcon

Hiena ➔ Hyena

Hipopotamo ➔ Hippopotamus

Hormiga ➔ Ant

Hormigas rojas ➔ Fire ants

Hurón ➔ Ferret


J (Jabalí to Jirafa)

Three Spanish animal words that start with J.

Jabalí ➔ Boar

Jerbo ➔ Gerbil

Jirafa ➔ Giraffe


L (Lagartija to Luciérnaga)

13 different animals in Spanish that start with L.

Lagartija ➔ Lizard

Langosta ➔ Lobster

León ➔ Lion

León Marino ➔ Sea lion

Leopardo ➔ Leopard

Leopardo cazador ➔ Cheetah

Libélula ➔ Dragonfly

Liebre ➔ Hare

Lince ➔ Lynx

Llama ➔ Llama

Lobo ➔ Wolf

Loro ➔ Parrot

Luciérnaga ➔ Firefly


M (Manatí to Musaraña)

All animals in Spanish that start with M.

Manatí ➔ Manatee

Mangosta ➔ Mongoose

Mantarraya ➔ Stingray

Mapache ➔ Raccoon

Mariposa ➔ Butterfly

Mariposa monarca ➔ Monarch butterfly

Marmota ➔ Groundhog

Milpiés ➔ Millipede

Mono ➔ Monkey

Mono araña ➔ Spider monkey

Morsa ➔ Walrus

Mosca ➔ Fly

Mosca de la fruta ➔ Fruit fly

Mula ➔ Mule

Murciélago ➔ Bat

Musaraña ➔ Shrew


N (Narval to Nutria)

Three Spanish animals that start with N.

Narval ➔ Narwhal

Ñu ➔ Wildebeest

Nutria ➔ Otter


O (Ocelote to Oveja)

10 animals that start with O in Spanish.

Ocelote ➔ Ocelot

Orangután ➔ Orangutan

Ornitorrinco ➔ Platypus

Oruga ➔ Caterpillar

Oso ➔ Bear

Oso hormiguero ➔ Anteater

Oso negro ➔ Black bear

Oso panda ➔ Panda bear

Oso polar ➔ Polar bear

Oveja ➔ Sheep


P (Pajaro to Puma)

18 animals that start with P in Spanish.

Pajaro ➔ Bird

Pájaro carpintero ➔ Woodpecker

Panda rojo ➔ Red panda

Pangolín ➔ Pangolin

Pastor alemán ➔ German Shepherd

Pavo real ➔ Peacock

Peces ➔ Fish (plural)

Pelícano ➔ Pelican

Perezoso ➔ Sloth

Pingüino ➔ Penguin

Piraña ➔ Piranha

Perro ➔ Dog

Pez ➔ Fish

Pez león ➔ Lionfish

Polilla ➔ Moth

Puerco espín ➔ Porcupine

Pulpo ➔ Octopus

Puma ➔ Cougar


R (Rana to Rinoceronte)

List of six Spanish animals starting with R.

Rana ➔ Frog

Rana de árbol ➔ Tree frog

Rata ➔ Rat

Ratón ➔ Mouse

Reno ➔ Reindeer

Rinoceronte ➔ Rhinoceros


S (Salamandra to Suricata)

Spanish animal list starting with S.

Salamandra ➔ Salamander

Saltamontes ➔ Grasshopper

Serpiente ➔ Snake

Serpiente de cascabel ➔ Rattlesnake

Suricata ➔ Meerkat


T (Tejón to Tortuga marina)

List of 13 animals in Spanish that start with T.

Tejón ➔ Badger

Tejón australiano ➔ Wombat

Ternero ➔ Calf

Tiburón ➔ Shark

Tiburón martillo ➔ Hammerhead shark

Tigre ➔ Tiger

Tigre siberiano ➔ Siberian tiger

Tijereta ➔ Earwig

Topo ➔ Mole

Toro ➔ Bull

Tortuga ➔ Turtle

Tortuga baula ➔ Leatherback turtle

Tortuga marina ➔ Sea turtle


V (Vaca to Visón)

Spanish list of two animals that start with V.

Vaca ➔ Cow

Visón ➔ Mink


Z (Zarigüeya to Zorro)

Animal list in Spanish starting with Z.

Zarigüeya ➔ Opossum / Possum

Zorrillo ➔ Skunk

Zorro ➔ Fox

Spanish Animals Listed by Category (Land, Sea, and Sky)

You can also view these categories with translations from English to Spanish.

These are the same translations that were listed above, but grouped into categories to help you better remember. I find that it's easier to remember things if they've been presented to me in different ways, but if you are just looking for a specific translation, then the list above will probably be more helpful to you.

As you might be able to tell, I had some difficulty in choosing the category sometimes - I'm not a zoologist, so I just went with my gut feelings. Please forgive any errors.


Land Animals
There are many animals that stay mostly to the land. Some translations for these include: Alce (Moose), Alpaca (Alpaca), Antílope (Antelope), Ardilla (Squirrel), Ardilla listada (Chipmunk), Ardilla voladora (Flying squirrel), Armadillo (Armadillo), Avestruz (Ostrich - I don't believe they fly?), Babuino (Baboon), Bisonte (Bison), Buey (Ox), Búfalo (Buffalo), Burro (Donkey), Caballo (Horse), Cabra (Goat), Cachorro (Puppy), Camaleón (Chameleon), Camello (Camel), Canguro (Kangaroo), Capibara (Capybara), Caracol (Snail), Cebra (Zebra), Cerdo (Pig), Cerdo vietnamita (Pot-bellied pig), Chimpancé (Chimpanzee), Ciempiés (Centipede), Ciervo (Deer), Coala (Koala), Cocodrilo (Crocodile), Comadreja (Weasel), Conejillo de indias (Guinea pig), Conejo (Rabbit), Coyote (Coyote), Cucaracha (Cockroach), Demonio de Tasmania (Tasmanian Devil), Dingo (Dingo), Elefante (Elephant), Elefante africano (African elephant), Elefante asiático (Asian elephant), Erizo (Hedgehog), Escorpión (Scorpion), Gacela (Gazelle), Gallina (Chicken), Gato (Cat), Gato montés (Bobcat), Geco (Gecko), Glotón (Wolverine), Gorila (Gorilla), Guepardo (Cheetah), Hámster (Hamster), Hiena (Hyena), Hipopotamo (Hippopotamus), Hormiga (Ant), Hormigas rojas (Fire ants), Hurón (Ferret), Jabalí (Boar), Jerbo (Gerbil), Jirafa (Giraffe), Lagartija (Lizard), León (Lion), Leopardo (Leopard), Leopardo cazador (Cheetah), Liebre (Hare), Lince (Lynx), Llama (Llama), Lobo (Wolf), Mangosta (Mongoose), Mapache (Raccoon), Marmota (Groundhog), Milpiés (Millipede), Mono (Monkey), Mono araña (Spider monkey), Mula (Mule), Musaraña (Shrew), Ñu (Wildebeest), Ocelote (Ocelot), Orangután (Orangutan), Oruga (Caterpillar), Oso (Bear), Oso hormiguero (Anteater), Oso negro (Black bear), Oso panda (Panda bear), Oso polar (Polar bear), Oveja (Sheep), Panda rojo (Red panda), Pangolín (Pangolin), Pastor alemán (German Shepherd), Pavo real (Peacock), Perezoso (Sloth), Pingüino (Penguin), Perro (Dog), Puerco espín (Porcupine), Puma (Cougar), Rana (Frog), Rana de árbol (Tree frog), Rata (Rat), Ratón (Mouse), Reno (Reindeer), Rinoceronte (Rhinoceros), Salamandra (Salamander), Saltamontes (Grasshopper), Serpiente (Snake), Serpiente de cascabel (Rattlesnake), Suricata (Meerkat), Tejón (Badger), Tejón australiano (Wombat), Ternero (Calf), Tigre (Tiger), Tigre siberiano (Siberian tiger), Tijereta (Earwig), Topo (Mole), Toro (Bull), Vaca (Cow), Visón (Mink), Zarigüeya (Opossum/Possum), Zorrillo (Skunk), and Zorro (Fox).

Sea Animals
Certain animals are water animals (I've listed them as sea, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are only in/on the sea. They could also be in the ocean or lakes, etc.). Translations for these ones include: Bagre (Catfish), Ballena (Whale), Ballena jorobada (Humpback whale), Caballo de mar (Seahorse), Caimán (Alligator - are they more on land or in water?), Calamar (Squid), Calamar gigante (Giant squid), Castor (Beaver), Cisne (Swan), Delfín (Dolphin), Estrella de mar (Starfish), Foca (Seal), Langosta (Lobster), León Marino (Sea lion - sea is in the name, but are they more land?), Manatí (Manatee), Mantarraya (Stingray), Morsa (Walrus), Narval (Narwhal), Nutria (Otter), Ornitorrinco (Platypus), Peces (Fish - plural), Pez (Fish), Piraña (Piranha), Pez león (Lionfish), Pulpo (Octopus), Tiburón (Shark), Tiburón martillo (Hammerhead shark), Tortuga (Turtle), Tortuga baula (Leatherback turtle), and Tortuga marina (Sea turtle).

Sky Animals
The last category is air - the flying animals. Those translations are: Dragon (Dragon - yes, it's mythical, but it flies, right?), Águila (Eagle), Albatros (Albatross), Ardilla voladora (Flying squirrel - hey it flies... sometimes :P), Avispa (Wasp), Buitre (Vulture), Colibrí (Hummingbird), Faisán (Pheasant - though I think they run more than they fly), Ganso (Goose), Gorrión (Sparrow), Halcón (Falcon), Libélula (Dragonfly), Loro (Parrot), Luciérnaga (Firefly), Mariposa (Butterfly), Mariposa monarca (Monarch butterfly), Mosca (Fly), Mosca de la fruta (Fruit fly), Murciélago (Bat), Pajaro (Bird), Pájaro carpintero (Woodpecker), Pelícano (Pelican), and Polilla (Moth).

Spanish Animal Names Used in Sentences

You can also view these sentences with translations from English to Spanish.

El camaleón cambió su color. ➔ The chameleon changed its color.

El elefante es grande. ➔ The elephant is big.

El niño quiere mucho a su gato. ➔ The boy really loves his cat.

El pájaro carpintero esta maravilloso. ➔ The woodpecker is wonderful.

El perro es el mejor amigo del hombre. ➔ A dog is man's best friend.

El pez es rojo. ➔ The fish is red.

Es tu la vaca? ➔ Are you a cow?

Este animal no es una mascota. ➔ This animal is not a pet.

Esta ardilla listada de peluche es tan realista! ➔ This stuffed chipmunk is so realistic!

Esto es un león. ➔ This is a lion.

Eres un mono. ➔ You are a monkey.

John tiene un perro y un gato. ➔ John has a dog and a cat.

Me encantan los animales. ➔ I love animals.

Me encantan los pingüinos. ➔ I love penguins.

Me gusta dormir con las vacas. ➔ I like to sleep with the cows.

Me gustan los animales. ➔ I like animals.

Mi gato es grande. ➔ My cat is big.

Mi perro es muy lindo. ➔ My dog is very cute.

Mi perro se comió mi tarea. ➔ My dog ate my homework.

Pelo de mascota ➔ Pet hair

Quiero alquilar un avestruz. ➔ I want to rent an ostrich.

Tengo un gato. ➔ I have a cat.

Tengo un gato en mis pantalones. ➔ I have a cat in my pants.

Yo tengo un mono. ➔ I have a monkey.


*List of Spanish animals last updated: December 29, 2024.



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Learn Spanish Animals with Videos

Animal names in Spanish with BASHO & FRIENDS - Animales

A very good children's video with a catchy musical flair. Includes translations for several animals - Pig, Chicken, Frog, Horse, Cat, Dog, Sheep, and Bird.

Next Up

Colors: Learn how to say color words in Spanish.


Perhaps you want to learn animal words in these other languages?

French, German, Hawaiian, Japanese, Malay, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.


The Fine Print

I don't speak Spanish myself, so there could be mistakes in the translations. Most of what is here is user-submitted, but I do try to check for accuracy and make corrections as I can. Thanks for your understanding.



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