List of Animals that Start With O

Searching for an animal name with O? The joy of teaching and learning becomes tenfold when we introduce our little ones to the fascinating world of animals. The alphabet journey is not just about letters and sounds but about discovery. Introducing ‘O’ letter animal names for preschoolers and kids can be a delightful experience. It boosts their kids’ vocabulary and sparks their imagination and curiosity about the world around them. Dive in with us as we explore some amazing animals that proudly wear the letter ‘O’ as their badge of identity.

List of Common Animals That Start With O

Many animals around the world have names that start with the letter ‘O’. This list explores some of the most common and intriguing animals, beginning with the letter O. Dive to discover their unique features and fascinating fun facts.

1. Octopus

Octopuses are soft-bodied, eight-limbed sea creatures known for their intelligence and unique appearance.

Fun Facts:

• They have three hearts: two for pumping blood to the gills and one for the rest of the body.
• When threatened, octopuses can squirt ink to escape predators (4).

2. Ocelot

The Ocelot is a medium-sized wildcat native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Fun Facts:

• They have distinctive fur with beautiful patterns that have been the target for hunters.
• They are solitary creatures and mark their territory with their scent.

3. Orangutan

Orangutans are large apes that live in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.

Fun Facts:

• Orangutans share approximately 97% of their DNA with humans.
• They are known for their ability to use tools, including sticks for termite fishing.

4. Ocellated Lizard

Native to parts of Europe, the Ocellated lizard is known for its bright green, blue, and black spotted pattern, reminiscent of a leopard’s spots.

Fun Facts:

• Ocellated lizards are one of the largest lizard species in Europe, with some individuals reaching over 90 cm in length.
• They are agile hunters and feed on a variety of prey, including insects, smaller lizards, and small mammals.

5. Otter

Otters are carnivorous mammals that can be found in aquatic or marine environments around the world.

Fun Facts:

• Otters have a pouch in their armpits where they store snacks and favourite rocks.
• They have incredibly dense fur, with up to a million hairs per square inch.

6. Ogilby’s Duiker

Ogilby’s Duiker is a small antelope found in the dense forests of West and Central Africa. They have a reddish-brown coat with a distinctive white line running down the centre of their nose.

Fun Facts:

• Duikers get their name from the Afrikaans word for “diver” because they often dive into the underbrush when threatened.
• Ogilby’s Duikers are known to be solitary creatures, usually only coming together during mating seasons.

7. Okapi

Native to the rainforests of Congo, the Okapi looks like a mix between a horse and a zebra.

Fun Facts:

• Although they look like zebras, they are more closely related to giraffes.
• Their long tongues can reach up to 14 inches and are used to clean their eyes and ears.

8. Orca

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest dolphins and can be found in oceans around the world.

Fun Facts:

• Despite their name, they are not whales; they belong to the dolphin family.
• Orcas have complex social structures and communicate with unique vocalisations.

9. Ox

Oxen are domesticated bovines used as draft animals. They are larger and stronger than cows, and they have a calm demeanour.

Fun Facts:

• Oxen has been utilised by humans for thousands of years for plowing, transportation, and other heavy tasks.
• They are often worked in pairs, yoked together, to ensure synchronised movements.

10. Oryx

Oryxes are antelopes with long, straight horns and can be found in the deserts of Africa and Arabia.

Fun Facts:

• Some species of Oryx can survive without water for several weeks (3).
• Their body temperature can rise to adapt to the hot desert conditions without causing heat stress.

11. Olm

The Olm is a blind amphibian found primarily in the underwater caves of central and southeastern Europe. With a slender body, pale pink skin, and long, thin limbs, the Olm can live in complete darkness.

Fun Facts:

• Often called “human fish” due to its skin colour, which resembles some tones of human skin.
• This creature can live up to 100 years, and incredibly, it can survive without food for up to 10 years.

12. Oribi

A small antelope found in the grasslands of Africa, the Oribi stands out with its slender body, long neck, and pointed ears. They’re most commonly found in the open grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa.

Fun Facts:

• Oribis can jump up to 2 meters high when trying to escape predators or displaying a behaviour called “pronking.”
• Unlike other antelopes, Oribis often form monogamous pairs, defending their territories together.

13. Onager

The Onager is a wild ass native to the deserts of Asia, including parts of Iran and India. They have a reddish-brown coat, a sturdy physique, and can run at impressive speeds.

Fun Facts:

• Onagers are among the fastest mammals, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 km/h (43 mph).
• Despite their wild nature, they have a close relationship to the domesticated donkey (2).

14. Opossum

Often just called possums, Opossums are marsupials found primarily in North America. They have a flexible diet, making them highly adaptable to various habitats.

Fun Facts:

• Opossums have an immune system that provides resistance to many snake venoms, allowing them to prey on snakes with relative ease.
• When threatened, they might “play possum,” pretending to be dead to deter predators. This behaviour is an involuntary response, similar to fainting.

Also Read: Interesting Facts About Opossums for Kids

15. Olingo

Olingos are small, nocturnal mammals found in the rainforests of Central and South America. They are related to raccoons and have a similar appearance.

Fun Facts:

• Olingos are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their lives in trees (1).
• Their diet consists mainly of fruits, but they also consume insects and nectar.

Animal Names Beginning With Letter O Chart

Discovering the diverse range of animals whose names start with the letter “O” is an intriguing exercise. This chart offers a visual representation of some of these unique creatures. Look no further if you’ve ever wondered about the world of O for animal names with pictures. Below is a curated selection of animals to pique your curiosity.

Animals That Starting With O by Habitat

Every habitat around the world boasts unique and fascinating animals. Let’s dive into the realm of creatures starting with the letter ‘O’ and discover where they predominantly reside, be it in the wild, homes, oceans, zoos, or even in the annals of history.

Wild Animals That Start With O

The wild is a treasure trove of biodiversity, housing countless species, each with its unique set of traits. Among these, there are some particularly intriguing animals that begin with the letter ‘O’. Let’s take a glimpse at a few of them:

1. Ocelot

2. Orangutan

3. Okapi

4. Olive baboon

5. Otter

6. Owl

7. Oryx

8. Osprey

9. Oncilla

10. Olm

11. Opossum

12. Orb-weaving spider

Domestic Animals Begins With O

The world of domesticated animals is diverse and expansive. From companions to workers, animals have been by our side for millennia. Here are some domestic animals that start with the letter ‘O’:

1. Old English Sheepdog

2. Orpington Chicken

3. Ostrich (domesticated for farming)

4. Oberhasli goat

5. Oldenburg horse

6. Orlov Trotter

7. Oriental cat

8. Otterhound

9. Owczarek Podhalanski (Polish mountain dog)

10. Old Danish Pointer

11. Oland goose

12. Onagadori (Japanese ornamental chicken)

Sea and Ocean Animals With O

The vast oceans and seas cover over 70% of our planet’s surface, hiding countless mysteries and incredible creatures. When we think of animals, several marine species come to mind, starting with ‘O’. Here’s a list:

1. Orca (killer whale)

2. Octopus

3. Oarfish

4. Opah (moonfish)

5. Ocean sunfish

6. Olive ridley turtle

7. Orange roughy

8. Osprey (also found inland)

9. Oyster

10. Ocellaris clownfish

11. Opalescent squid

12. Ornate ghost pipefish

13. Orangespine unicornfish

14. Otter (sea otter species)

15. Ocellated flounder

16. Ornate butterflyfish

17. Octocoral

18. Organ-pipe coral

19. Odontodactylus (mantis shrimp)

20. Ochre starfish

Zoo Animals That Start With O

Zoos around the world play host to a rich array of animals from every conceivable habitat. From the rare to the familiar, here are some animals starting with ‘O’ that you might encounter in a zoo:

1. Okapi

2. Ostrich

3. Orangutan

4. Ocelot

5. Owl (various species)

6. Otter

7. Oryx

8. Olive baboon

9. Osprey

10. Oncilla

11. Olm

12. Opossum

13. Ornate horned frog

14. Ornate box turtle

15. Ocellated lizard

16. Olive colobus monkey

17. Ocellated turkey

18. Orange-winged amazon (parrot)

19. Ornate hawk-eagle

20. Orinoco crocodile

Extinct Animals Starting With O

In the vast timeline of Earth’s history, countless species have come and gone. Some of these long-lost creatures that begin with the letter ‘O’ are genuinely fascinating. Let’s discover a few:

1. Ornithomimus

2. Ouranosaurus

3. Oviraptor

4. Ornitholestes

5. Opabinia

6. Odontochelys (an early turtle)

7. Ornithocheirus (a pterosaur)

8. Ornithodesmus

9. Orthacanthus (prehistoric shark)

10. Oxalaia (a type of Spinosaurus)

11. Ophthalmosaurus (an ichthyosaur)

Animals That Start With O by Type

The animal kingdom is categorised into various types: mammals, insects, reptiles, and birds. Let’s journey through some intriguing ‘O’ name animal species and discover the animals beginning with O that belong to specific categories.

Mammals That Begin With O

Mammals, recognised for their warm-blooded nature and hair or fur, form an intricate part of our ecosystem. Some of the intriguing mammals that boast an O-starting name include:

1. Ocelot

2. Orangutan

3. Okapi

4. Otter

5. Opossum

6. Olingo

7. Oncilla

8. Oldfield mouse

9. Orca

10. Olive baboon

11. Omiltemi rabbit

Insects That Begin With O

The insect world is diverse and fascinating, with millions of species occupying our planet. As we delve into this microcosm, here are some notable insects and similar critters that are O-named animal specimens:

1. Orchid bee

2. Oakworm moth

3. Orb-weaving spider

4. Oil beetle

5. Owlfly

6. Orange-tip butterfly

7. Osmia bee (a type of mason bee)

8. Oak treehopper

9. Old house borer

10. Onion thrips

11. Oak gall wasp

12. Oblique-banded leafroller

13. Olive fruit fly

14. Orchard spider

15. Owl butterfly

16. Orange tortrix

17. Omopterus beetle

18. Oulema beetle

19. Oriental fruit moth

20. Odd beetle

Reptiles With Letter O

Reptiles, cold-blooded vertebrates with scaly skin, have been present for millions of years. The following list highlights some of the most captivating reptiles, animals beginning with O, that grace our planet:

1. Olive sea snake

2. Ornate box turtle

3. Ocellated lizard

4. Otago skink

5. Ornate monitor lizard

6. Ornate diamondback terrapin

7. Ornate ghost pipefish (though aquatic, it resembles a reptile)

8. Olive Ridley sea turtle

9. Oaxacan spiny-tailed iguana

10. Okinawan habu (a snake)

11. Ornate earless agama

12. Ornate chorus frog

13. Ocellated skink

14. Olive python

15. Orange-throated whiptail

16. Oaxaca worm lizard

17. Ornate burrowing frog

18. Oustalet’s chameleon

19. Omilteme cottontail

20. Ocellated gecko

In navigating the vast expanse of the animal kingdom, the letter ‘O’ unveils a world of diverse creatures across different habitats and types. These animals, each with unique attributes and roles, serve as a testament to the incredible tapestry of life our planet sustains.