Dogs are pure, cuddly, and wonderful, and probably one of the first creatures that come to mind when we think about animals that start with letter D. Did you know there are dozens of more fascinating, cute, and exotic animals that grace that list? Not only that, but keep your curious eyes out for underlined animal names, for there’s a fun Animal Coloring Sheet attached to it!
Uncover a part of the animal kingdom you didn’t realize was there and learn all about them, their genus (1), and species (2)!
Curious what those sciencey words mean? Take a look at our Scientific Glossary at the bottom!
Amphibians that Start with the letter D
Hippity-hop look out for these jumping froggy fellas! Even though the list of amphibians that start with letter D is a little short, these neat critters certainly don’t fall short of interesting!
The first frog on our list, Darwin’s Frog, is quite the character. Right off the bat, you’ll notice their uniquely shaped head, which resembles closely a triangular shape. And because of their crazy tongue-catching distance and neat whistle-like calling, Darwin’s Frog gained the nickname cowboy frog. (3) Giddy up!
- Dak Lak Narrow-mouth frog
- Damingshan Leaf Litter Toad
- Darevsky’s (pigmy) narrow-mouth frog
- Daribok’s Striped Caecilian
- Darien dink frog
- Darjeeling Caecilian
- Dark-sided Salamander
- Darrel’s Chorus Frog
- Darwin’s Frog
- Del Norte Salamander
- Demonic Poison Frog (Minyobates steyermarki)
- Desert Rain Frog
- Desert Tree Frog
- De Witte’s Clicking Frog
- Diane’s Bare-hearted Glassfrog
- Dominica Frog
- Doria’s Fanged Frog
- Dring’s Dwarf Litter Frog
- Dubois’s Leaping Frog
- Dunn’s Salamander
- Durrell’s Glassfrog
- Dwarf Pixie Frog
- Dwarf Salamander
- Dyeing Poison Frog
Birds that Start with the letter D
HooHoo on the birds that start with the letter D list would make a great mascot for loving, supportive, and lasting relationships? Why it’s the Dove!
When Doves find their partner and mate, those two lovebirds are in it for the long haul! And no matter where they go, they will always find their way back home and to each other; simply because Doves are known for their extremely keen sense of direction. (4)
- Dabchick
- Dagua Thrush
- Dalat Bush Warbler
- Dalat Shrike-babbler
- Dalmatian Pelican
- Damar Flycatcher
- Damara Red-billed Hornbill
- Damara Tern
- Dambo Cisticola
- Dapple-throat
- Darjeeling Woodpecker
- Dark batis
- Darter
- Dartford Warbler
- Darwin’s Flycatcher
- Darwin’s Nothura
- Darwin’s Rhea
- Daurian Jackdaw
- Davison’s Leaf Warbler
- De Filippi’s Petrel
- Dead Sea Sparrow
- Deignan’s Prinia
- Delalande’s Coua
- Delta Amacuro Softtail
- Demoiselle Crane
- Denham’s Bustard
- Des Murs’s Wiretail
- Desert Cisticola
- Desert Finch
- Desert Lark
- Desert Owl
- Desert Sparrow
- Desert Wheatear
- Desert Whitethroat
- Desertas Petrel
- Diademed Amazon
- Diademed Sandpiper-plover
- Diademed Tanager
- Diademed Tapaculo
- Diamantina Tapaculo
- Diamond Dove
- Diamond Firetail
- Diard’s Trogon
- Dickcissel
- Dickinson’s Kestrel
- Diederik Cuckoo
- Dieffenbach’s Rail
- Dimorphic Dwarf Kingfisher
- Dimorphic Egret
- Dimorphic Fantail
- Dinelli’s Doradito
- Dja River Scrub Warbler
- Djibouti Spurfowl
- Dodo
- Dodson’s Bulbul
- Doherty’s Bushshrike
- Dohrn’s Warbler
- Dollarbird
- Dolphin Gull
- Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar
- Donaldson Smith’s Sparrow-weaver
- D’Orbigny’s Chat-tyrant
- Doria’s Goshawk
- Dorst’s Cisticola
- Dot-backed Antbird
- Dot-eared Coquette
- Dot-fronted Woodpecker
- Dotterel
- Double-banded Courser
- Dove
- Downy woodpecker
- Dowitcher
- Drab Hemispingus
- Drab Water Tyrant
- Drab Whistler
- Drakensberg Rockjumper
- Drongo Fantail
- Dubois’s Seedeater
- Duchess Lorikeet
- Dugand’s Antwren
- Duida Grass Finch
- Duida Woodcreeper
- Dulit Frogmouth
- Dull-blue Flycatcher
- Dull-coloured Grassquit
- Dull-mantled Antbird
- Dune Lark
- Dunlin
- Dunnock
- Dunn’s Lark
- Dusky Eagle-owl
- Dusky Turtle Dove
- Dwarf Cuckoo
- Dybowski’s Twinspot
Dogs that Start with the letter D
D is for D-O-G! And there are so many fluffy, adorable, and loyal dogs that start with the letter D to check out.
Let’s throw a bone to the ever-famous Dalmatian, we all know this spotted iconic pupper. So iconic, in fact, that within the ancient tombs in Egypt the Dalmatian can be found painted in all its stoic glory. Not many dogs can bark up that tree! (5)
- Dachshund
- Dalmatian
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Danish Spitz
- Danish-Swedish Farmdog
- Denmark Feist
- Dingo
- Dobermann
- Dogo Argentino
- Dogo Guatemalteco
- Dogo Sardesco
- Dogue Brasileiro
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Drentse Patrijshond
- Drever
- Dunker
- Dutch Shepherd
- Dutch Smoushond
Fish that Start with the letter D
Here fishy fishy fishy, let’s get a good look at ya! Speaking of Dogs, from up above, and fish, as we are right now did you know there’s such thing as a Dogfish? Nope, we’re not kidding, it’s right here on fish that start with the letter D list!
Unfortunately, these sharks did not get their cool name from looking like dogs (Bummer, we know.) but because of their tendency to stay in a pack and chase after fish. And, you’ll never believe this, the young of this species is called a pup! (6)
- Dab
- Dace
- Daggertooth Pike Conger
- Damselfish
- Danio
- Darter
- Dartfish
- Dealfish
- Death Valley Pupfish
- Deep Sea Eel
- Deep Sea Smelt
- Deepwater Cardinalfish
- Deepwater Flathead
- Deepwater Stingray
- Delta Smelt
- Demoiselle
- Denticle Herring
- Desert Pupfish
- Devario
- Devil Ray
- Dhufish
- Discus
- Dogfish
- Dogfish Shark
- Dogteeth Tetra
- Dojo Loach
- Dolly Varden Trout
- Dolphin Fish
- Dorab Wolf-herring
- Dorado
- Dory
- Dottyback
- Dragonet
- Dragonfish
- Dragon Goby
- Driftfish
- Driftwood Catfish
- Drum
- Duck
- Duckbill
- Duckbill Eel
- Dusky Grouper
- Dusky Shark
- Dwarf Gourami
- Dwarf Loach
Insects and Spiders that Start with the letter D
One of the neatest insects on this list of animals that start with letter D is the hovering and soaring Dragonfly. One of the oldest evolving insects, these bugs are flying showoffs! Their flying skills are so relied on that its actually the only way they catch food, and they are mighty good at it. One of the main reasons for this, besides their incredible flight skills is the fact that their entire head is an eye. Freaky right? But in the Dragonfly’s case, it is extremely helpful because they can see from every tiny angle, expect for directly behind them of course. (7)
- Daddy Long Legs
- Damselfly
- Dead Leaf Mantis
- Dictynidae
- Domestic Spider
- Dragonfly
- Dung Beetle
- Dysderidae
Mammals that Start with the letter D
If you’ve been fortunate enough, you’ve heard at least once about the mysterious detective character that fits crime and solves case after case on the entertaining Disney channel show Pheias and Ferb, Perry the Platypus. And wouldn’t you know, here on the list of mammals that start with letter D, the Duck-billed Platypus resides!
If you have seen the Perry the Platypus character, you’ll remember that he is a turquoise sort of color. Perhaps you’ve wondered why that is, as platypus critters are a dark brown. Well, it may just be that the idea was inspired by the real life fact that these mammals (that lay eggs, mind you!) actually glow a greenish blue color when under a UV light. (8) How wild is that!
- D’albertis’s Ringtail Possum
- Daghestan Pine Vole
- Dahl’s Jird
- Dainty Fat Mouse
- Dall’s Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
- Dall’s Sheep
- Dallon’s Gerbil
- Dama Gazelle
- Damara Ground Squirrel
- Damara Mole Rat
- Damara Woolly Bat
- Daphne’s Oldfield Mouse
- Dar-es-Salaam Pipistrelle
- Darien Harvest Mouse
- Darien Pocket Gopher
- Dark Bolo Mouse
- Dark Flying Fox
- Darling Downs Hopping Mouse
- Darling’s Horseshoe Bat
- Darwin’s Galapagos Mouse
- Darwin’s Leaf-eared Mouse
- Dassie Rat
- Deer
- Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Degu
- Dense-beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris)
- Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus)
- Desert Woodrat (Neotoma lepida)
- Dhole
- Diana Monkey
- Dik-Dik
- Dolphin
- Donkey
- Dormouse
- Drill
- Dromedary Camel
- Duck-billed Platypus
- Dugong
- Duiker
- Dulzura Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys simulans)
- Dusky Dolphin
- Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes)
- Dwarf Antelope
- Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia sima)
- Dzhungarian Hamster
Reptiles that Start with the letter D
There are many creatures that roam the desert lands of the U.S. and Mexico, but none that move with such determination and a straight face like the Desert Tortoise.
In the desert terrain we typically don’t imagine water and greenery, and for good reason because it’s hard to come by. That’s why the Desert Tortoise can store lots and lots of water within it’s bladder to help it stay hydrated; this stash of water can last for up to a year! And to catch a break from the heat, as it can get up to a boiling 140 degrees, the Desert Tortoise digs and digs until it has created a little bunker for itself underground. Dig this (pun intended) those holes the Desert Tortoise creates can get up to lengths of 32 feet! (9)
- Desert Iguana
- Desert Horned Lizard
- Desert Night Lizard
- Desert Nightsnake
- Desert Spiny Lizard
- Desert Tortoise
- Diamondback Rattlesnake
- Dumeril’s Monitor
- Dwarf Crocodile
Well, well, well look at you all stocked up on your facts about animals that start with letter D, knowledge looks great on you! You know what would also look great? A beautifully finished fun-filled animal coloring sheet! Checkout all of the coloring fun, and keep the animal fun rolling!
Scientific Glossary
Here is your very own easy-peasy scientific glossary that you can refer to in case a word looks peculiar to you. No one likes to have strange words thrown at them, especially if they’re left to scratch their heads and wonder what they just read. Not on our watch!
Genus: The usual major subdivision of a family or subfamily in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of more than one species. (1)
Species: The major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species. (2)
Footnotes
1) “Genus”, Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/genus (accessed 07/05/2022)
2) “Species”, Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/species (accessed 07/05/2022)
3) “Darwin’s Frog Fact File.” The Animal Facts. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.theanimalfacts.com/amphibians/darwins-frog/.
4) Cosgrove, Nicole. “17 Fascinating & Fun Dove Facts You Never Knew.” Pet Keen. Last modified May 5, 2022. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://petkeen.com/dove-facts/.
5) Ripley, Katherine. “6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Dalmatian.” American Kennel Club. Last modified September 16, 2016. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/6-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-dalmatian/.
6) “Squalidae.” Wikipedia. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squalidae.
7) Zielinski, Sarah. “14 Fun Facts About Dragonflies.” Smithsonian Magazine. Last modified October 5, 2011. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/14-fun-facts-about-dragonflies-96882693/.
8) “8 Interesting platypus facts.” WWF Australia . Last modified May 31, 2021. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://www.wwf.org.au/news/blogs/8-interesting-platypus-facts.
9) “Desert Tortoise.” National Geographic Kids. Accessed July 5, 2022. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/deserttortoise.