Complete List of Animals: 100+ Species A-Z

Scientists estimate there are 8.7 million animal species on Earth, with about 1.2 million cataloged so far. Our list covers 100+ of the most well-known species with their baby names.

Animals are classified into six main groups: mammals (dogs, cats, whales), birds (eagles, penguins, swans), reptiles (snakes, crocodiles, turtles), amphibians (frogs, salamanders), fish (sharks, salmon, clownfish), and invertebrates (butterflies, jellyfish, octopuses).

No. While many well-known animals have specific baby names (puppy, kitten, cub, calf), some species do not have widely used baby names. "Baby octopus" or "baby jellyfish" are perfectly acceptable.

Animals are classified by shared characteristics: mammals have hair and produce milk, birds have feathers and lay eggs, reptiles have scales, fish have gills and fins, and insects have exoskeletons and six legs.