Animals That Start with "O"


A scenic view of nature

Have you ever wondered how many animals have names that start with the letter O? Some, like the octopus, are well-known sea creatures with eight arms and the ability to change color. Others, like the okapi, are rare and look like a mix between a giraffe and a zebra. Animals that start with O come from all over the world, from deep oceans to high forests.

Some of these animals are strong and fast, like the oryx, a type of antelope with long, sharp horns that lives in dry deserts. Others are small and sneaky, like the opossum, which can play dead to trick predators. Did you know that the oyster is an important sea creature that helps clean the ocean? Or that the orangutan is one of the smartest primates and can use tools to get food?

Learning about different animals is a fun way to explore the world of nature. Some, like the olive ridley sea turtle, travel thousands of miles across the ocean. Others, like the owl, are expert hunters that can fly silently at night. Whether they live in the water, on land, or in the sky, each animal has something unique about it.

Whether you're doing a school project, playing an animal guessing game, or just curious, this list will help you learn more. You’ll find mammals, reptiles, birds, sea creatures, and even some endangered species. Each name comes with a short description so you can discover fun facts along the way.

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

List of Animal Names That Start with 'O'

Explore a diverse collection of animals that start with "D"! 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 "O"!

Mammal Names That Start with 'O'

  • Ocelot: A small, spotted wild cat found in Central and South America.
  • Orangutan: A large, tree-dwelling ape native to Southeast Asia.
  • Okapi: A rare forest giraffe found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Otter: A playful, aquatic mammal found in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • Otter
  • Oribi: A small antelope native to Africa's grasslands.
  • Ox: A domesticated bovine used for agricultural work.
  • Oldfield Mouse: A small rodent native to the southeastern United States.
  • Olingo: A nocturnal mammal related to raccoons, found in Central and South America.
  • Olympic Marmot: A large ground squirrel endemic to Washington State, USA.
  • Oncilla: A small spotted wild cat found in South America.

Bird Names That Start with 'O'

  • Osprey: A large bird of prey that feeds primarily on fish.
  • Ostrich: The largest flightless bird, native to Africa.
  • Oriental Magpie Robin: A small songbird found in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Flying Fox
  • Ovenbird: A small, ground-dwelling songbird known for its distinctive call.
  • Orange-bellied Parrot: A critically endangered parrot species native to Australia.
  • Oilbird: A nocturnal bird found in caves in South America.
  • Oxpecker: A bird that feeds on parasites found on large mammals.
  • Oriental Pied Hornbill: A large bird with a prominent casque on its bill.
  • Oriole: A brightly colored songbird found in many parts of the world.
  • Oriental Turtle Dove: A medium-sized bird found in Asia.

Sea Animal Names That Start with 'O'

  • Octopus: A highly intelligent cephalopod with eight arms.
  • Octopus
  • Orca (Killer Whale): A large, toothed whale known for its hunting prowess.
  • Olive Ridley Turtle: A small sea turtle known for its synchronized nesting behavior.
  • Orange Roughy: A deep-sea fish prized for its meat.
  • Ocellaris Clownfish: A brightly colored fish often associated with coral reefs.
  • Opah (Moonfish): A large, colorful fish found in deep waters.
  • Ocean Sunfish: The heaviest bony fish, known for its flattened body.
  • Oyster: A bivalve mollusk that produces pearls.
  • Oceanic Whitetip Shark: A shark species found in tropical and subtropical waters.
  • Oar Fish: A long, ribbon-like fish found in deep seas.

Reptile Names That Start with 'O'

  • Olive Python: A large, non-venomous snake native to Australia.
  • Ocellated Lizard: A brightly colored lizard found in Europe and North Africa.
  • Ornate Box Turtle: A small turtle with intricate shell patterns.
  • Ocellated Skink: A small lizard with eye-like patterns on its scales.
  • Orange-tailed Gecko: A gecko species with a distinctive orange tail.
  • Olive Sea Snake: A venomous snake found in tropical seas.
  • Ornate Monitor: A large lizard native to Southeast Asia.
  • Oaxaca Spiny Lizard: A lizard species endemic to Mexico.
  • Ocellated Viper: A venomous snake found in parts of Europe.
  • Oriental Garden Lizard: A common lizard species found in Asia.

Amphibian Names That Start with 'O'

  • Okinawa Tree Frog: A frog species native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
  • Orange-thighed Frog: A frog species found in tropical rainforests.
  • Ornate Horned Frog: A large frog known for its ornate skin patterns.
  • Omani Toad: A toad species found in the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Ozark Hellbender: A giant salamander found in rivers in the United States.

Insect Names That Start with 'O'

  • Orange Tip Butterfly: A butterfly with orange-tipped wings.
  • Orange Tip Butterfly
  • Orb Weaver Spider: A spider known for spinning intricate webs.
  • Ox Beetle: A large, horned beetle found in the Americas.
  • Oriental Cockroach: A common household pest found in Asia.
  • Owl Moth: A large moth with eyespot markings on its wings.
  • Oleander Aphid: A yellow aphid species that feeds on oleander plants.
  • Orchid Bee: A brightly colored bee known for pollinating orchids.
  • Olive Fruit Fly: A pest insect that damages olive crops.
  • Orange Assassin Bug: A predatory insect that feeds on other insects.
  • Oriental Hornet: A large wasp species native to Asia.

Other Animal Names That Start with 'O'

  • Oyster Mushroom Fungus: A type of edible fungus.
  • Ocellated Crab: A crab species with eye-like spots on its shell.
  • Orange Sea Sponge: A marine sponge found in coral reefs.
  • Ox-eye Daisy Snail: A small snail found in gardens and forests.
  • Orb Snail: A freshwater snail with a coiled shell.