Animals That Start With H (Rare Species Revealed)

You know, it’s really fascinating how the animal kingdom is teeming with creatures whose names start with ‘H’. It’s like opening a treasure trove of biodiversity, each with its unique traits and behaviors. 

You’ve got the hefty hippos lounging in rivers, their massive jaws a sight to behold. And then there’s the humble hedgehog, with its spiky armor, scurrying around gardens at dusk. It’s this mix of the mighty and the modest that makes this group so intriguing.

List Of Animals That Start With H

• Hippopotamus
• Hedgehog
• Hermit Crab
• Hummingbird
• Hyena
• Humpback Whale
• Harpy Eagle
• Hamster
• Hare
• Hornbill
• Halibut
• Hawk
• Hoatzin
• Honey Badger
• Howler Monkey
• Hyrax
• Haddock
• Helmeted Guineafowl
• Horseshoe Crab
• Hoverfly
• Harrier (bird)
• Harris Hawk
• Horned Frog
• Harlequin Fish
• Himalayan Tahr
• Hoopoe
• Hartebeest
• Hellbender (salamander)
• Hammerhead Shark
• Highland Cow

Animals That Start With H (Fun Facts & Species Details)

1. Hippopotamus

Fun Fact: Hippopotamuses secrete a natural sunscreen called “blood sweat” which is neither blood nor sweat. This red fluid provides protection against germs and sunburn.

2. Hedgehog

Fun Fact: Hedgehogs are immune to snake venom, which makes them one of the few mammals with this unique ability.

3. Hermit Crab

Fun Fact: Hermit crabs don’t grow their own shells. Instead, they find and use discarded shells from other creatures, changing them as they grow.

4. Hummingbird

Fun Fact: Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backwards, showcasing their unique and precise flying abilities.

5. Hyena

Fun Fact: Despite their dog-like appearance, hyenas are more closely related to cats and are part of the Feliformia suborder.

6. Humpback Whale

Fun Fact: Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which can last up to 20 minutes and be heard over great distances underwater.

7. Harpy Eagle

Fun Fact: The harpy eagle is one of the largest and most powerful raptors, capable of lifting prey almost equal to their body weight.

8. Hamster

Fun Fact: Hamsters have expandable cheek pouches which they use to transport food and bedding materials to their burrows.

9. Hare

Fun Fact: Unlike rabbits, hares are born with fur and can see at birth, making them more independent from an early age.

10. Hornbill

Fun Fact: Hornbills are known for their unique breeding behavior where the female is sealed inside a tree cavity with mud by the male during nesting.

11. Halibut

Fun Fact: Halibuts are among the largest flatfish, and they can weigh up to several hundred pounds. Their eyes migrate to one side of their body as they grow, adapting to their bottom-dwelling lifestyle.

12. Hawk

Fun Fact: Hawks have incredible vision, being able to see up to eight times more clearly than the sharpest human eye.

13. Hoatzin

Fun Fact: The hoatzin is often called the “stinkbird” due to its unique, manure-like odor, which is a result of its fermentation-based digestive process.

14. Honey Badger

Fun Fact: Honey badgers are known for their toughness and resilience. They have a reputation for being fearless and have been known to fend off much larger predators.

15. Howler Monkey

Fun Fact: Howler monkeys are named for their loud howls, which can be heard up to three miles away in the dense forest, making them the loudest monkey species.

16. Hyrax

Fun Fact: Despite their small size and rodent-like appearance, hyraxes are actually more closely related to elephants and manatees.

17. Haddock

Fun Fact: Haddock fish are important commercially and are known for their distinctive dark blotch above the pectoral fin, often humorously referred to as the “Devil’s thumbprint.”

18. Helmeted Guineafowl

Fun Fact: The helmeted guineafowl is known for its distinctive helmet-like casque on its head and its loud, clucking calls.

19. Horseshoe Crab

Fun Fact: Horseshoe crabs are ancient creatures that have existed for over 450 million years, predating even the dinosaurs.

20. Hoverfly

Fun Fact: Hoverflies are adept at hovering in one spot, and they play a vital role in pollination, much like bees.

21. Harrier (Bird)

Fun Fact: Harriers are unique among hawks for their owl-like facial disks, which help channel sound to their ears for improved hearing while hunting.

22. Harris Hawk

Fun Fact: The Harris Hawk is notable for its remarkable social behavior, often hunting in cooperative groups, a rare trait among raptors.

23. Horned Frog

Fun Fact: Horned frogs get their name from the prominent ‘horns’ above their eyes. They’re known for their voracious appetite, capable of eating prey almost as big as themselves.

24. Harlequin Fish

Fun Fact: Harlequin fish are small, brightly colored fish known for their distinctively patterned bodies, making them popular in the aquarium trade.

25. Himalayan Tahr

Fun Fact: The Himalayan Tahr is a rugged mountain goat with impressive agility, able to navigate steep and rocky terrain with ease.

26. Hoopoe

Fun Fact: The Hoopoe is known for its distinctive crown of feathers and its unique “oop-oop-oop” call, from which it gets its name.

27. Hartebeest

Fun Fact: Hartebeests are known for their speed and endurance, capable of maintaining high speeds over long distances to escape predators.

28. Hellbender (Salamander)

Fun Fact: The Hellbender is one of the largest salamanders in North America, known for its wrinkly skin which helps in absorbing oxygen from water.

29. Hammerhead Shark

Fun Fact: Hammerhead sharks have a distinctive hammer-shaped head which improves their ability to find prey, aiding in maneuverability and sensory perception.

30. Highland Cow

Fun Fact: Highland cows are known for their long, shaggy coats and large horns. These hardy cows are well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Scottish Highlands.