You know, finding animals that start with ‘N’ can be a bit of a head-scratcher, right? It’s not like ‘A’ or ‘B’, where examples just jump out at you. But isn’t it fascinating how certain letters challenge our knowledge of the animal kingdom?
This mix of curiosity and a bit of frustration is what makes this topic so intriguing. And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge now and then? It’s like a mini adventure in the vast world of wildlife.
List Of Animals That Start With N
Narwhal
Numbat
Nene Goose
Nightingale
Nuthatch
Newt
Nyala
Nighthawk
Nurse Shark
Nutria
Northern Cardinal
Nubian Ibex
Nilgai
Nandu (Rhea)
Northern Pike
Nautilus
Newfoundland Dog
Norwegian Forest Cat
Natterjack Toad
Neapolitan Mastiff
Northern Flicker
Nubian Goat
Nile Crocodile
Northern Gannet
Nalolo (a type of fish)
Nicator (a genus of birds)
Northern Shoveler (a duck species)
Nase (a type of freshwater fish)
Noctule (a type of bat)
Napu (a type of deer)
Animals That Start With N (Fun Facts & Species Details)
1. Narwhal
Fun Fact: Narwhals are often referred to as the ‘unicorns of the sea’ due to their long, spiral tusk, which is actually an elongated tooth.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Monodon monoceros
Origin
Arctic waters around Greenland, Canada, and Russia
Family
Monodontidae
2. Numbat
Fun Fact: Numbats are unique among marsupials because they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, not at night.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Myrmecobius fasciatus
Origin
Western Australia
Family
Myrmecobiidae
3. Nene Goose
Fun Fact: The Nene Goose is Hawaii’s state bird and has adapted to life on the volcanic islands, unlike other geese typically found in wetlands.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Branta sandvicensis
Origin
Hawaiian Islands
Family
Anatidae
4. Nightingale
Fun Fact: Nightingales are famous for their powerful and beautiful song, which has inspired poets and musicians for centuries.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Luscinia megarhynchos
Origin
Europe and West Asia
Family
Muscicapidae
5. Nuthatch
Fun Fact: Nuthatches have the unique ability to walk down trees headfirst, unlike most other birds which can only go upwards.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Sitta europaea
Origin
North America, Europe, and Asia
Family
Sittidae
6. Newt
Fun Fact: Newts can regenerate lost limbs, eyes, spinal cords, hearts, intestines, and upper and lower jaws.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Varies by species
Origin
North America, Europe, and Asia
Family
Salamandridae
7. Nyala
Fun Fact: The male Nyala has long, spiraled horns and a shaggy mane, while the female is smaller and hornless with a more reddish coat.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Tragelaphus angasii
Origin
Southern Africa
Family
Bovidae
8. Nighthawk
Fun Fact: Nighthawks are not actually hawks. They are nocturnal birds known for their distinct booming call at dusk and dawn.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Chordeiles minor
Origin
North and South America
Family
Caprimulgidae
9. Nurse Shark
Fun Fact: Nurse sharks are known for their docile nature and are often found resting on the ocean floor during the day.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Origin
Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans
Family
Ginglymostomatidae
10. Nutria
Fun Fact: Nutrias, also known as coypus, have webbed hind feet and are excellent swimmers.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Myocastor coypus
Origin
South America
Family
Echimyidae
11. Northern Cardinal
Fun Fact: The Northern Cardinal is known for its bright red plumage and melodic song, which is why it’s a favorite among birdwatchers.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Cardinalis cardinalis
Origin
North America
Family
Cardinalidae
12. Nubian Ibex
Fun Fact: The Nubian Ibex, a desert-dwelling goat, is known for its impressive curved horns, which can grow up to 1.2 meters in males.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Capra nubiana
Origin
Northeastern Africa and the Middle East
Family
Bovidae
13. Nilgai
Fun Fact: The Nilgai is the largest Asian antelope and is notable for its robust body and slender legs.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Boselaphus tragocamelus
Origin
Indian subcontinent
Family
Bovidae
14. Nandu (Rhea)
Fun Fact: The Nandu, or Greater Rhea, is a large, flightless bird similar to an ostrich but smaller, native to South America.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Rhea americana
Origin
South America
Family
Rheidae
15. Northern Pike
Fun Fact: Northern Pike are aggressive freshwater fish known for their elongated bodies and sharp teeth, making them formidable predators.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Esox lucius
Origin
Northern Hemisphere
Family
Esocidae
16. Nautilus
Fun Fact: The Nautilus is a marine mollusk with a beautiful spiral shell, and it hasn’t changed much in over 500 million years.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Nautilus pompilius
Origin
Indo-Pacific region
Family
Nautilidae
17. Newfoundland Dog
Fun Fact: Newfoundland Dogs are known for their giant size, immense strength, and swimming ability, often used for water rescues.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Canis lupus familiaris
Origin
Canada (Newfoundland)
Family
Canidae
18. Norwegian Forest Cat
Fun Fact: The Norwegian Forest Cat is a hardy, large breed known for its lush coat, suited for the cold Scandinavian climate.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Felis catus
Origin
Norway
Family
Felidae
19. Natterjack Toad
Fun Fact: Natterjack Toads are distinguished by a yellow line down their back and are known for their distinctive, loud mating call.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Epidalea calamita
Origin
Western Europe
Family
Bufonidae
20. Neapolitan Mastiff
Fun Fact: The Neapolitan Mastiff is famous for its massive size and wrinkled face, originally bred by the Romans as a guard dog.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Canis lupus familiaris
Origin
Italy
Family
Canidae
21. Northern Flicker
Fun Fact: The Northern Flicker is a type of woodpecker known for its loud drumming on metal objects during the mating season, often mistaken for construction noise.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Colaptes auratus
Origin
North America, parts of Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands
Family
Picidae
22. Nubian Goat
Fun Fact: Nubian Goats are known for their long, floppy ears and are highly prized for their high-quality milk, which has more butterfat content.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Capra aegagrus hircus
Origin
Middle East and North Africa
Family
Bovidae
23. Nile Crocodile
Fun Fact: The Nile Crocodile is one of the most feared and respected members of the crocodile family, known for its incredible strength and predatory skills.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Crocodylus niloticus
Origin
Africa
Family
Crocodylidae
24. Northern Gannet
Fun Fact: Northern Gannets are spectacular divers, plunging into the ocean at high speeds to catch fish, often from heights of 30 meters.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Morus bassanus
Origin
North Atlantic coasts
Family
Sulidae
25. Nalolo (a type of fish)
Fun Fact: The Nalolo is a small, colorful fish known for its unique ability to change colors, helping it blend into coral environments.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Ecsenius nalolo
Origin
Western Pacific Ocean
Family
Blenniidae
26. Nicator (a genus of birds)
Fun Fact: Birds in the Nicator genus are known for their loud and melodious songs, making them a delightful presence in their natural habitats.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Nicator
Origin
Sub-Saharan Africa
Family
Nicatoridae
27. Northern Shoveler (a duck species)
Fun Fact: The Northern Shoveler is easily recognizable by its large, spoon-shaped bill, used to sift food from the water.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Anas clypeata
Origin
Widely distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia
Family
Anatidae
28. Nase (a type of freshwater fish)
Fun Fact: The Nase is known for its distinctive downward-facing mouth, adapted for scraping algae off rocks.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Chondrostoma nasus
Origin
Rivers in Europe
Family
Cyprinidae
29. Noctule (a type of bat)
Fun Fact: The Noctule is one of the largest bats in Europe and is known for its fast and powerful flight, often flying at high altitudes.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Nyctalus noctula
Origin
Europe and Asia
Family
Vespertilionidae
30. Napu (a type of deer)
Fun Fact: The Napu, or Greater Mouse-Deer, is known for its small size and delicate features, resembling a tiny deer with a mouse-like face.
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!