Animals That Start with "J"


A scenic view of nature

Have you ever wondered how many animals have names that start with the letter J? You might know a few, like the jaguar, a powerful big cat, or the jellyfish, a creature that floats through the ocean. But there are many more fascinating animals that start with J, and each one has something unique about it!

Some of these animals are fast and fierce, like the jackal, a wild dog found in Africa and Asia. Others are small and cute, like the Japanese chin, a tiny dog with a fluffy coat. Some animals, like the junglefowl, are important to history—it’s believed to be the ancestor of the modern chicken! Did you know that the jerboa, a tiny desert rodent, can jump over three feet in the air? Or that the jacana, a water bird, has such long toes that it looks like it can walk on water?

Learning about different animals is a fun way to explore the world. Some animals that start with J live in the jungle, like the jaguarundi, a small wild cat. Others swim in the ocean, like the Japanese spider crab, which has the longest legs of any crab! Whether they run, fly, swim, or crawl, each of these creatures has an important role in nature.

Whether you’re working on a school project, playing a trivia game, or just love learning about animals, this list will help you discover more. You’ll find wild animals, sea creatures, birds, and even some rare species. Each name comes with a short description, so you can learn fun facts along the way.

Are you ready to explore? Scroll down to see the full list of animal names that start with J and find out which one is your favorite!

List of Animal Names That Start with 'J'

Explore a diverse collection of animals that start with "J"! This list includes a variety of mammals, birds, sea creatures, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other fascinating species. Whether you're a student, teacher, or wildlife enthusiast, you'll find an exciting mix of creatures from different habitats. From land to sea and even the skies, discover the incredible diversity of animals that begin with the letter "J"!

Mammal Names That Start with 'J'

  • Jackal: A medium-sized omnivorous mammal of the dog family found in Africa and Asia.
  • Jaguar: A large, spotted wild cat native to Central and South America.
  • Jaguar
  • Japanese Macaque: Also known as the snow monkey, found in Japan.
  • Jerboa: A small, hopping desert rodent with long hind legs.
  • Javan Rhino: A critically endangered species of rhinoceros native to Indonesia.
  • Jungle Cat: A medium-sized wild cat found in forests and grasslands in Asia and the Middle East.
  • Japanese Spaniel: A small, toy dog breed originally from Japan.
  • Javan Slow Loris: A nocturnal primate native to Southeast Asia.
  • Japanese Squirrel: A tree-dwelling rodent found in Japan.
  • Javan Gibbon: A small ape species found only on the island of Java.

Bird Names That Start with 'J'

  • Japanese Crane: A large, elegant bird also known as the red-crowned crane.
  • Jungle Fowl: A wild bird that is the ancestor of domestic chickens.
  • Jacana: A wading bird with long toes that allow it to walk on floating vegetation.
  • Japanese Quail: A small game bird commonly found in Asia.
  • Java Sparrow: A small, colorful bird often kept as a pet.
  • Junco: A small, sparrow-like bird with a distinctive dark hood.
  • Japanese White-eye: A small, greenish bird with a white ring around its eye.
  • Jandaya Parakeet: A brightly colored parrot native to Brazil.
  • Jabiru: A large stork species found in Central and South America.
  • Jabiru
  • Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: A small bird with long, elegant tail feathers.

Sea Animal Names That Start with 'J'

  • Jellyfish: A soft-bodied marine animal with tentacles.
  • Japanese Eel: A freshwater eel found in rivers and coastal waters of East Asia.
  • Japanese Spider Crab: The largest crab species, known for its long legs.
  • Japanese Angelshark: A flat-bodied shark species found in the Pacific Ocean.
  • Jewel Moray Eel: A brightly colored eel found in coral reefs.
  • Jewel Squid: A small, bioluminescent squid found in deep waters.
  • Japanese Goby: A small fish found in rivers and streams in Japan.
  • Japanese Pufferfish: A fish known for its ability to inflate and its toxic organs.
  • Jade Perch: A freshwater fish native to Australia, also found in aquaculture.
  • Jade Perch
  • Jingle Shell: A bivalve mollusk found along sandy beaches.

Reptile Names That Start with 'J'

  • Jackson’s Chameleon: A small, tree-dwelling lizard with three horn-like protrusions on its head.
  • Japanese Pond Turtle: A freshwater turtle native to Japan.
  • Jamaican Boa: A non-venomous snake species found in Jamaica.
  • Jungle Carpet Python: A large snake species native to Australia and New Guinea.
  • Japanese Gecko: A small lizard found in urban and rural areas of Japan.
  • Javan Spitting Cobra: A venomous snake capable of spitting venom as a defense.
  • Japanese Rat Snake: A non-venomous snake commonly found in Japan.
  • Jamaican Slider Turtle: A freshwater turtle native to Jamaica.
  • Jungle Monitor: A large, carnivorous lizard found in tropical forests.
  • Japanese Sea Snake: A venomous snake found in coastal waters of Japan.

Amphibian Names That Start with 'J'

  • Japanese Tree Frog: A small, arboreal frog found in Japan.
  • Japanese Giant Salamander: A large, aquatic salamander found in rivers and streams.
  • Jungle Toad: A toad species found in tropical forests.
  • Jungle Toad
  • Japanese Fire-bellied Newt: A small amphibian with a bright red belly.
  • Javan Torrent Frog: A frog species found in fast-flowing streams in Java.

Insect Names That Start with 'J'

  • Japanese Beetle: A shiny, metallic green beetle that feeds on plants.
  • Jewel Wasp: A small wasp with iridescent, jewel-like coloring.
  • Jungle Nymph Stick Insect: A large stick insect found in tropical forests.
  • Japanese Hornet: A large hornet species native to Japan.
  • Jade Butterfly: A brightly colored butterfly species.
  • Jade Butterfly
  • Javanese Cicada: A loud insect known for its distinctive call.
  • Jungle Dragonfly: A large, colorful dragonfly found in tropical rainforests.
  • Jewel Bug: A brightly colored bug with metallic hues.
  • Jungle Ant: A species of ant found in forested areas.
  • Jamaican Moth: A moth species native to the Caribbean.

Other Name That Start with 'J'

  • Japanese Sea Cucumber: A marine animal with a soft, elongated body.
  • Jewel Anemone: A colorful sea anemone found in rocky coastal waters.
  • Jamaican Rock Iguana: A critically endangered iguana species.
  • Jungle Starfish: A starfish species found in tropical waters.
  • Japanese Feather Star: A marine animal with feather-like arms.