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
Fun Fact: Iguanas have a ‘third eye’ on top of their head, known as the parietal eye, which helps them detect predators from above.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Iguanidae family |
Origin | Central and South America, and the Caribbean |
Family | Iguanidae |
2. Impala
Fun Fact: Impalas are known for their incredible jumping ability, leaping up to 3 meters high and 10 meters in length.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Aepyceros melampus |
Origin | Eastern and southern Africa |
Family | Bovidae |
3. Ibex
Fun Fact: The ibex’s curved horns can grow up to 140 cm long, providing a striking display of its age and strength.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Capra ibex |
Origin | European Alps |
Family | Bovidae |
4. Indri
Fun Fact: The Indri is the largest living lemur and is known for its loud, distinctive calls that can be heard for miles.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Indri indri |
Origin | Madagascar |
Family | Indriidae |
5. Irish Setter
Fun Fact: Known for their friendly demeanor, Irish Setters have a rich red coat and were originally bred for bird hunting.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Origin | Ireland |
Family | Canidae |
6. Ibis
Fun Fact: The Ibis is known for its long, curved bill which it uses to probe into soft mud for food.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Threskiornithidae family |
Origin | Various, worldwide |
Family | Threskiornithidae |
7. Iberian Lynx
Fun Fact: The Iberian Lynx is considered the world’s most endangered feline species, native to the Iberian Peninsula.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Lynx pardinus |
Origin | Iberian Peninsula |
Family | Felidae |
8. Indian Rhinoceros
Fun Fact: The Indian Rhinoceros has a unique single black horn and a distinctive armor-like skin.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Rhinoceros unicornis |
Origin | Northern India and Nepal |
Family | Rhinocerotidae |
9. Iguanodon (extinct)
Fun Fact: Iguanodon was one of the first dinosaurs to be discovered and recognized, known for its thumb spikes.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Iguanodon |
Origin | Early Cretaceous Period |
Family | Iguanodontidae |
10. Insectivore
Fun Fact: Insectivores are a group of animals that primarily feed on insects, including moles, hedgehogs, and shrews.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Various |
Origin | Worldwide |
Family | Various |
11. Indian Elephant
Fun Fact: Indian Elephants are known for their highly sociable nature, forming close bonds within their herds.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Elephas maximus indicus |
Origin | Mainland Asia |
Family | Elephantidae |
12. Indochinese Tiger
Fun Fact: This subspecies of tiger has adapted to thrive in both highland and lowland environments.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Panthera tigris corbetti |
Origin | Southeast Asia |
Family | Felidae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Campephilus principalis |
Origin | Southeastern United States and Cuba |
Family | Picidae |
14. Italian Greyhound
Fun Fact: Despite their delicate appearance, Italian Greyhounds are surprisingly athletic and can reach speeds up to 25 mph.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Origin | Italy |
Family | Canidae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Pavo cristatus |
Origin | South Asia |
Family | Phasianidae |
16. Imperial Moth
Fun Fact: The Imperial Moth caterpillar undergoes drastic color changes through its development stages, from brown to green.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Eacles imperialis |
Origin | North and South America |
Family | Saturniidae |
17. Immortal Jellyfish
Fun Fact: Known for its potential immortality, this jellyfish can revert back to its juvenile form after reaching maturity.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Turritopsis dohrnii |
Origin | Worldwide in temperate to tropical waters |
Family | Oceaniidae |
18. Irish Wolfhound
Fun Fact: Irish Wolfhounds, one of the tallest dog breeds, were originally bred for hunting wolves and elk.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Origin | Ireland |
Family | Canidae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Naja naja |
Origin | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
Family | Elapidae |
20. Iberian Pig
Fun Fact: The Iberian Pig, renowned for producing high-quality ham, thrives on a diet rich in acorns.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Sus scrofa ibericus |
Origin | Iberian Peninsula |
Family | Suidae |
21. Indigo Snake
Fun Fact: The Eastern Indigo Snake is the longest native snake species in North America and is non-venomous.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Drymarchon couperi |
Origin | Southeastern United States |
Family | Colubridae |
22. Inca Tern
Fun Fact: Inca Terns are identifiable by their unique mustache-like facial feathers and are the only member of their genus.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Larosterna inca |
Origin | Coastal South America |
Family | Laridae |
23. Icelandic Sheepdog
Fun Fact: The Icelandic Sheepdog, Iceland’s only native dog, is known for its cheerful temperament and herding abilities.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Origin | Iceland |
Family | Canidae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Pteropus giganteus |
Origin | South Asia |
Family | Pteropodidae |
25. Island Fox
Fun Fact: The Island Fox is a small, endangered fox species native to the Channel Islands of California.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Urocyon littoralis |
Origin | Channel Islands, California |
Family | Canidae |
26. Imparfinis
Fun Fact: Imparfinis is a genus of small catfish primarily found in freshwater environments in South America.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Imparfinis (genus) |
Origin | South America |
Family | Heptapteridae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Origin | Balearic Islands |
Family | Canidae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Ratufa indica |
Origin | India |
Family | Sciuridae |
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.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Oxyuranus microlepidotus |
Origin | Australia |
Family | Elapidae |
30. Ivory Gull
Fun Fact: The Ivory Gull is an Arctic bird known for its pure white plumage and foraging skills in cold climates.
Attribute | Detail |
Scientific Name | Pagophila eburnea |
Origin | Arctic regions |
Family | Laridae |