Animal Names

Animals That Start With I (Unveil Hidden Wonders)

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by Emily Wolfe

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Finding the perfect animal that starts with ‘I’ can be a real head-scratcher, right? It’s not like these critters are always in the limelight. Sure, everyone knows the iconic iguana, but what about the less famous ones?

Isn’t it fascinating how some animals remain just under the radar of our everyday knowledge? Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone casually mention an ibex or an impala over lunch? It’s a bit like uncovering hidden gems in the animal kingdom.

List Of Animals That Start With I

  • Iguana
  • Impala
  • Ibex
  • Indri
  • Irish Setter
  • Ibis
  • Iberian Lynx
  • Indian Rhinoceros
  • Iguanodon (extinct)
  • Insectivore
  • Indian Elephant
  • Indochinese Tiger
  • Ivory-billed Woodpecker
  • Italian Greyhound
  • Indian Peafowl
  • Imperial Moth
  • Immortal Jellyfish
  • Irish Wolfhound
  • Indian Cobra
  • Iberian Pig
  • Indigo Snake
  • Inca Tern
  • Icelandic Sheepdog
  • Indian Flying Fox
  • Island Fox
  • Imparfinis
  • Ibiza Hound
  • Indian Giant Squirrel
  • Inland Taipan
  • Ivory Gull

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

1. Iguana

Iguana

Fun Fact: Iguanas have a ‘third eye’ on top of their head, known as the parietal eye, which helps them detect predators from above.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameIguanidae family
OriginCentral and South America, and the Caribbean
FamilyIguanidae

2. Impala

Impala

Fun Fact: Impalas are known for their incredible jumping ability, leaping up to 3 meters high and 10 meters in length.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameAepyceros melampus
OriginEastern and southern Africa
FamilyBovidae

3. Ibex

ibex

Fun Fact: The ibex’s curved horns can grow up to 140 cm long, providing a striking display of its age and strength.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCapra ibex
OriginEuropean Alps
FamilyBovidae

4. Indri

Indri

Fun Fact: The Indri is the largest living lemur and is known for its loud, distinctive calls that can be heard for miles.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameIndri indri
OriginMadagascar
FamilyIndriidae

5. Irish Setter

Irish Setter

Fun Fact: Known for their friendly demeanor, Irish Setters have a rich red coat and were originally bred for bird hunting.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
OriginIreland
FamilyCanidae

6. Ibis

Ibis

Fun Fact: The Ibis is known for its long, curved bill which it uses to probe into soft mud for food.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameThreskiornithidae family
OriginVarious, worldwide
FamilyThreskiornithidae

7. Iberian Lynx

Iberian Lynx

Fun Fact: The Iberian Lynx is considered the world’s most endangered feline species, native to the Iberian Peninsula.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameLynx pardinus
OriginIberian Peninsula
FamilyFelidae

8. Indian Rhinoceros

Indian Rhinoceros

Fun Fact: The Indian Rhinoceros has a unique single black horn and a distinctive armor-like skin.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameRhinoceros unicornis
OriginNorthern India and Nepal
FamilyRhinocerotidae

9. Iguanodon (extinct)

Iguanodon

Fun Fact: Iguanodon was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered and recognized, known for its thumb spikes.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameIguanodon
OriginEarly Cretaceous Period
FamilyIguanodontidae

10. Insectivore

Insectivore

Fun Fact: Insectivores are a group of animals that primarily feed on insects, including moles, hedgehogs, and shrews.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameVarious
OriginWorldwide
FamilyVarious

11. Indian Elephant

Fun Fact: Indian Elephants are known for their highly sociable nature, forming close bonds within their herds.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameElephas maximus indicus
OriginMainland Asia
FamilyElephantidae

12. Indochinese Tiger

Fun Fact: This subspecies of tiger has adapted to thrive in both highland and lowland environments.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NamePanthera tigris corbetti
OriginSoutheast Asia
FamilyFelidae

13. Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Fun Fact: Often referred to as the “Lord God Bird,” it’s one of the largest woodpeckers, noted for its distinctive ivory-colored bill.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCampephilus principalis
OriginSoutheastern United States and Cuba
FamilyPicidae

14. Italian Greyhound

Fun Fact: Despite their delicate appearance, Italian Greyhounds are surprisingly athletic and can reach speeds up to 25 mph.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
OriginItaly
FamilyCanidae

15. Indian Peafowl

Fun Fact: The male peacock, famous for its vibrant tail feathers, can fan them out to create an impressive display during courtship.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NamePavo cristatus
OriginSouth Asia
FamilyPhasianidae

16. Imperial Moth

Fun Fact: The Imperial Moth caterpillar undergoes drastic color changes through its development stages, from brown to green.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameEacles imperialis
OriginNorth and South America
FamilySaturniidae

17. Immortal Jellyfish

Fun Fact: Known for its potential immortality, this jellyfish can revert back to its juvenile form after reaching maturity.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameTurritopsis dohrnii
OriginWorldwide in temperate to tropical waters
FamilyOceaniidae

18. Irish Wolfhound

Fun Fact: Irish Wolfhounds, one of the tallest dog breeds, were originally bred for hunting wolves and elk.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
OriginIreland
FamilyCanidae

19. Indian Cobra

Fun Fact: A symbol of mythology and folklore in India, the Indian Cobra can spread its hood as a defensive gesture when threatened.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameNaja naja
OriginIndia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
FamilyElapidae

20. Iberian Pig

Fun Fact: The Iberian Pig, renowned for producing high-quality ham, thrives on a diet rich in acorns.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameSus scrofa ibericus
OriginIberian Peninsula
FamilySuidae

21. Indigo Snake

Fun Fact: The Eastern Indigo Snake is the longest native snake species in North America and is non-venomous.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameDrymarchon couperi
OriginSoutheastern United States
FamilyColubridae

22. Inca Tern

Fun Fact: Inca Terns are identifiable by their unique mustache-like facial feathers and are the only member of their genus.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameLarosterna inca
OriginCoastal South America
FamilyLaridae

23. Icelandic Sheepdog

Fun Fact: The Icelandic Sheepdog, Iceland’s only native dog, is known for its cheerful temperament and herding abilities.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
OriginIceland
FamilyCanidae

24. Indian Flying Fox

Fun Fact: Indian Flying Foxes are among the largest bats in the world, with a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NamePteropus giganteus
OriginSouth Asia
FamilyPteropodidae

25. Island Fox

Fun Fact: The Island Fox is a small, endangered fox species native to the Channel Islands of California.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameUrocyon littoralis
OriginChannel Islands, California
FamilyCanidae

26. Imparfinis

Fun Fact: Imparfinis is a genus of small catfish primarily found in freshwater environments in South America.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameImparfinis (genus)
OriginSouth America
FamilyHeptapteridae

27. Ibiza Hound

Fun Fact: The Ibiza Hound, or Ibizan Hound, is known for its impressive leaping ability and was originally bred for hunting rabbits.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
OriginBalearic Islands
FamilyCanidae

28. Indian Giant Squirrel

Fun Fact: The Indian Giant Squirrel, also known as the Malabar giant squirrel, is notable for its vivid multi-colored fur and impressive size.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameRatufa indica
OriginIndia
FamilySciuridae

29. Inland Taipan

Fun Fact: The Inland Taipan is considered the world’s most venomous snake, with venom potent enough to kill 100 adult humans in one bite.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NameOxyuranus microlepidotus
OriginAustralia
FamilyElapidae

30. Ivory Gull

Fun Fact: The Ivory Gull is an Arctic bird known for its pure white plumage and foraging skills in cold climates.

AttributeDetail
Scientific NamePagophila eburnea
OriginArctic regions
FamilyLaridae
About
Emily Wolfe

Emily is a lifelong animal lover and the founder of PETS CRAZIES. She started this blog after realizing the great need for quality pet information on the internet. Emily has two dogs, a cat, and two rabbits of her own.

She has a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University and is a professional writer specializing in the pet industry. Learn More About Our Team!