In the vast tapestry of the animal kingdom, each species contributes to the intricate balance of nature, showcasing the diversity and wonder that our planet holds.
Among the myriad of creatures that inhabit Earth, some stand out with names that commence with the letter ‘F.’ From the ferocious to the fragile, the feathered to the finned, the animals that fall under this alphabetical category encompass a wide array of sizes, shapes, and habitats.
As we delve into the distinctive traits and engrossing stories of these amazing creatures, come along on an adventure of the fascinating world of Animals That Start With F.
Different Types of Animals That Start With F
Fire Ant
Small insects known as fire ants are found throughout much of the United States, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii (though they have been reported there as well). They dwell underground and rear their young there. Unless you have an allergy, their bites hurt but are not harmful; in that case, you should stay away from them completely.
Fire Eel
The fish known as the fire eel has a maximum length of six feet. Their bodies are red or orange, and they have vivid yellow markings on their heads and tails. They are typically found in tropical waters.
Fire Salamander
North America, South America, and Central America are home to the fire salamander, an amphibian. Its body is brownish-gray, with red eyes and yellow patches on its back.
Fire-bellied Toad
Although it spends the majority of its existence underground, this aquatic species emerges to the surface annually during the breeding season. Its body is dark brown, with yellow stripes down its sides and around its belly. Its eyes are red, and its mouth is black with black lips.
Firefly
Insects known as fireflies use a phenomenon called bioluminescence—the production of light at night by living things—to create light. Depending on where they live, they can be green, yellow/white, orange/red/brown, or even shine blue! Depending on where they reside, fireflies’ mating season, which lasts from June to August, is when they use their light to attract mates.
Fish
With gills and fins, fish are aquatic, cold-blooded creatures. Fish are diverse in size, shape, and color and have existed for more than 500 million years. Though there are millions of fish species worldwide, carp, trout, and salmon are the most popular fish.
Fisher Cat
A medium-sized cat native to North America is the fisher cat. Its capacity to scale trees and capture prey such as birds and squirrels gives it its name. Because they so closely resemble this animal, pine martens are another name for fisher cats!
Fishing Cat
In Asia, the fishing cat is a small wild cat that inhabits areas near bodies of water like rivers or lakes. Their name comes from the fact that, unlike other cats, they can catch fish using their paws rather than their teeth! These cats are also capable of diving into the water and using their claws to grip their prey!
Falcon
Falcons are raptors that can be found on nearly every continent in the globe. They can dive at over 300 kilometers per hour and have a wingspan of up to two meters. These birds pursue huge prey such as deer, but they also consume other birds, reptiles, and small animals.
Fallow Deer
Europe and Asia are home to a kind of deer known as fallow deer. They are covered in brown coats with white rings around their eyes and white patches all over their bodies. Living in grasslands and forests, fallow deer consume berries, leaves, and grasses among other plants.
False Cobra
Born in Africa and Asia, false cobras are poisonous snakes. The hoods that real cobras have on their heads are absent from false cobras, which instead have lengthy bodies covered in black scales with yellow bands running down them from the head to the tip of the tail (just like in real cobras). They blend into trees where insects hide from predators during the day (when most other animals would be resting) to use their pigmentation as camouflage when they are on the lookout for food.
False Coral Snake
A colorful snake that can be found in both Mexico and the US. It can be identified from other snakes despite having bands of red, black, and yellow because it is not poisonous.
False Killer Whale
There is a type of dolphin in the water called a fake killer whale. A large beak and a very lengthy body characterize the fake killer whale. It can be either black, white, or brown, but its body is a grayish tint. At 1,000 to 3,000 pounds, the false killer whale often reaches a length of 10 feet.
False Widow Spider
A poisonous spider can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world. It is regarded as an invasive species there because of its potential to harm native ecosystems and because large numbers of these spiders have been known to bite people, with recent reports of bites occurring in parts of California, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
Fangtooth
A fish found in deep waters, the fangtooth has long, needle-shaped teeth that stick out of its mouth. It often inhabits tropical waters around the world at depths of up to 4,000 meters below sea level. Fangtooths can reach lengths of three feet and weights of up to two kilos (4 pounds). They have huge eyes and fins close to their mouths, and their bodies are cylindrical.
Feist
A dog breed that can be trained to hunt tiny game like squirrels and rabbits is called a feist. Feists have short coats in a variety of colors, such as black with tan markings on their faces, brown with white markings on their faces, or red or brindled tan coats with white markings on their paws or legs.
Fennec Fox
Small foxes like the Fennec fox are indigenous to North Africa. Its big ears are foldable back to shield it from the sun and sand. It’s been tamed to make it a companion.
Fer-de-lance Snake
Found in Central and South America, the Fer-de-lance snake is also known as “vipera delinqens.” Given that it may kill people with its poisonous bite, this snake is among the deadliest in South America.
Ferret
Mammals that are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae) include ferrets. Depending on where they reside, their fur can range in color from brown to black. They have lengthy bodies and short legs. Ferrets are intelligent animals that are primarily maintained as pets or study subjects these days. In the past, farmers utilized them as hunting animals in their barns to catch rats and mice.
Ferruginous Hawk
Large brown hawks, known as ferruginous hawks, are found in the southwest region of the United States. Its rusty-brown feathers give it the name “ferruginous,” which is derived from the Latin word for rust. It frequently soars high above the plains of the desert.
Fiddler Crab
With its two claws, the fiddler crab may fight other crabs and get food. In addition to being a weapon against other crabs, the larger claw enables them to travel on land without having to drag their abdomen across the sand, as other crabs do.
Field Spaniel
This particular breed of dog was developed especially for prairie and open field bird hunting. These bright and energetic dogs can be trained to execute tricks like sitting up straight when called upon or retrieving objects.
Fierce Snake
In South America, especially in Brazil and Argentina, Fierce snakes can be found living under logs or rocks in woods close to rivers or lakes. Despite not being poisonous, their bite has the potential to seriously hurt people if medical attention is not given right after.
Fila Brasileiro
Large and white, with black spots and a long, bushy tail, is the Fila Brasileiro dog breed. It is renowned for its bravery, intelligence, and stamina and was trained to hunt big game like deer and boar.
Fin Whale
The second-largest mammal after the blue whale, the fin whale can reach lengths of up to 100 feet! Since the 19th century, mankind have hunted it almost to extinction.
Finch
With the exception of Antarctica, finches are little birds with short beaks that inhabit all continents. Finches are available in an array of hues and sizes; some have black faces, while others have red ones!
Finnish Spitz
The tail of the Finnish Spitz, a medium-sized dog, curls up like a question mark over its back. Its face and legs are surrounded by brown patterns on its white coat.
Flamingo
In Africa and South America, flamingos are a type of bird with long legs that inhabit areas near bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers. Because they feed on shrimp, flamingos get their pink feathers on their heads.
Flat-Coated Retriever
Originally developed in England for waterfowl hunting, the flat-coated retriever is a breed of dog. Other names for the breed are English flats or just flats. They are flat-coated, medium-sized canines that have a lengthy coat that can be colored in a variety of ways. They have feathery tails and drooping ears. A wonderful family companion, the flat-coated retriever has a calm disposition.
Frilled Lizard
The Australian native frilled lizard is found in forests near water features like ponds and creeks. It feeds primarily on insects and occasionally on small vertebrates like frogs or lizards during the mating season, which runs from April to May until September, when the female lays her eggs.
Fur Seal
Marine creatures known as fur seals inhabit the chilly ocean waters that surround Antarctica. They can dive up to 500 meters deep and spend the majority of their time in the water. Living in social groups known as harems, fur seals are made up of one male and numerous females that mate with him. Every year, a single pup is born to each female; the puppies nurse for around six months before departing from their mothers’ harems to establish their own territories outside of the breeding season, which runs from May to August.
Frilled Shark
In the waters off Australia and Japan lives a unique type of shark known as the frilled shark. It is distinguished by its huge mouth and pointed teeth, along with its long body and paddle-like tail. Although it is thought that the frilled shark can live in deep water, not much else is known about this enigmatic animal.
Flat-headed Cat
Since the 1970s, there has been a unique-looking cat breed known as the flat-headed cat. Despite having big eyes, ears, and noses, they have very little body hair! Although these cats are quite amiable, they dislike having their privacy violated when they are eating or resting, thus they do not like being picked up by people.
Flat-headed Snake
The flat-headed snake is a snake that may reach a length of five feet (1 meter) and is found in Asia, Australia, and Africa. When foraging for prey, such as birds or lizards, on the ground below where they coexist, it can blend in with the tree bark thanks to its olive or brown coloring and black markings all over its body.
Flea
The flea is a microscopic blood-feeding bug. Dogs, cats, and other mammals can harbor fleas. In humans, they have been known to trigger some allergic reactions.
Frog
A tiny amphibian that may live on land or in the water is the frog. There are frogs everywhere, and they are diverse in size and color. It’s also commonly known that frogs can jump really high.
Frogfish
One kind of fish that inhabits the ocean floor is the frogfish. It appears to be smiling all the time because of its big mouth, which opens wide as it eats!
Frogmouth
Australia, New Guinea, and other parts of Asia are home to the frogmouth bird. When it goes food hunting at night, its big eyes help it see. Birds known as frogmouths have big heads that resemble frogs.
Fruit Bat
In tropical forests, fruit bats can find an abundance of fruits to consume. To avoid being discovered by predators, they spend the day sleeping upside down from trees!
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies consume fruit and vegetables that have fell to the ground or were eaten earlier in the day (or even yesterday) by birds or humans. Up to 500 eggs can be laid by a single fruit fly!
Fulmar
A seabird that inhabits the northern hemisphere is the fulmar. With its white patches on its wings and black feathers, it has a striking appearance. Small fish make up the majority of the bird’s diet; it also consumes octopus, krill, and squid. The best places to see fulmars are on the rocky beaches of Norway and Scotland.
Florida Gar
A freshwater fish native to Florida is called the Florida gar. It shares a strong kinship with the American alligator and can reach a maximum length of 6 feet.
Florida Panther
A big cat species that is endangered and only found in Florida is the Florida panther. Despite being smaller than their relatives—averaging only 85 pounds—they are closely related to other big cats, such as lions and tigers.
Florida Woods Cockroach
The Florida woods cockroach can reach a length of 2 inches and can fly short distances when necessary. It likes damp places, like beneath logs or rocks, where there is an abundance of water close by for the insects to drink as needed.
Flounder
Due to its flatfish body type, the flounder has one eye on each side of its body, with both eyes located on the same side as the mouth. It can be prepared in a variety of ways, including frying, and is found in both fresh and saltwater.
Flowerhorn Fish
China is the birthplace of the freshwater flower horn fish. Their huge heads that support the growth of corals make them a popular aquarium fish. Additionally, they are well-known for having fins that curve upward like flowers.
Flowerpecker
A bird found in Australia and New Guinea is called a flowerpecker. Its orange head is surrounded by yellow chestnut feathers around the neck. Because of the chilly weather, the flowerpecker feeds on the nectar from flowers and fruit that are located on trees or bushes in the spring when there aren’t many insects around to consume.
Fluke Fish
Fluke Fish, also known as Summer flounders, have light bellies with dark spots, a white underside bordered with black on the sides, and pale-gray backs with dark spots and blotches. Their two dorsal fins are positioned far back on their body, and they have big eyes.
Fly
An insect with two wings that flies is called a fly. They are found all across the world, with the exception of Antarctica and the most severe polar regions, where air oxygen levels are quite low. Every continent has flies, with the exception of Antarctica, where there is not enough oxygen for them to live.
Flying Fish
Fish that are able to glide through water by using their pectoral fins as wings until they reach the surface are known as flying fish. Then, utilizing their tail fin, which functions as an aerodynamic rudder when submerged, and pelvic fins, which resemble wings, they may propel themselves into the air. Nevertheless, while above water, it serves as a stabilizer to prevent them from toppling over onto their backs.
Flying Lemur
Small, nocturnal primates native to Madagascar are called flying lemurs. They can easily swing through the trees thanks to their grabbing hands and feet. They can hear better at night thanks to their enormous ears.
Flying Snake
One type of snake that can glide from tree to tree is the Flying Snake. It can glide for a great distance without flapping its wings because of its aerodynamic flat body.
Flying Squirrel
Small squirrels known as “Flying Squirrels” may glide from tree to tree because to membranes that separate their front and rear legs. They can also steer in midair thanks to the length of their tails.
Football Fish
Football fish are marine fish with a maximum length of two meters and a maximum weight of 200 pounds! Due to the flattening of their bodies and heads, they are able to move swiftly through the water and avoid becoming entangled in coral reefs or rocky nooks, unlike other fish.
Forest Cobra
Venomous forest cobras can grow up to three meters in length, but certain species can grow up to five meters! Forest cobras are found in forests across Asia and Africa.
Formosan Mountain Dog
Taiwan is home to the medium-sized Formosan mountain dog. It is a sturdy, nimble, and devoted friend that excels at tracking, herding, and hunting. In recent years, the breed’s loyalty and intelligence have made it popular.
Fossa
A “giant mongoose” is another name for the fossa. It is native to Madagascar, where it employs its long tail as a balance aid when living in trees. It has the ability to swim, climb trees, and run quickly on land.
Fox
Of all wild animals, foxes are among the most clever; they can identify certain humans based only on their scent. They are also renowned for their slyness, which enables them to outwit smaller birds and rabbits as prey.
Fox Snake
Non-venomous constrictors found in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America are called fox snakes. These snakes have huge eyes that let them to see well even in low light or underground. They also have good hearing that aids in locating food that, because of their small size, may be able to escape detection (e.g., mice).
Fox Squirrel
One species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus is the fox squirrel. Living in deciduous forests, it is native to the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. It gets its name from its red fur, which contrasts sharply with the green foliage of the trees it lives in.
Fox Terrier
A dog breed with short legs, a thick-set body, and a wavy or prickly tail slung over its back is the fox terrier. It was raised to hunt foxes and other pests in England where it first appeared.
French Bulldog
By crossing Old English Bulldogs with several other breeds, such as Poodles, Mastiffs, and Pugs, bulldogs were originally used to create the French bulldog, a tiny type of domestic dog.
Frenchton
An American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) mixed breed dog, known as a Frenchton, may have been created through deliberate breeding between APBTs and French Bulldogs. Despite having characteristics like big heads and robust bodies in common with purebred APBTs, they are frequently smaller.
Frengle
An Australian sheepdog known as a frengle resembles both an Australian Shepherd and a Border Collie, yet it is neither of them! This unusual breed was created by crossing collie-like dogs that were brought over from England by settlers in the 1800s with dingoes that they discovered on the continent.
Freshwater Crocodile
Australia’s rivers are home to the massive, carnivorous freshwater crocodile. The species has recovered to a robust population after being in risk of extinction.
Freshwater Eel
An eel is a long, lean fish without paired fins or scales that resembles a snake. The freshwater eel is a global species that reaches a maximum length of five feet.
Freshwater Jellyfish
Freshwater jellyfish are ubiquitous and can hurt people if they come into contact with them or disturb them. This sting is not deadly, but it can be extremely painful and needs to be treated right away.
Frigatebird
Around the world, huge seabirds near oceans are known as frigatebirds. It can fly over open sea for hours at a time without stopping to rest on land thanks to its broad wings and webbed feet.
