Have you ever wondered how many animals are out there that start with letter H? Your curiosity is about to be cured! Take a look at these captivating creatures and expand your animal knowledge!
Don’t let the brain train halt there, you can also access our free and super fun Animal Coloring Sheets! There’s a wide variety to look through, and you’ll notice some animals are linked with their own coloring sheets. What are we waiting for?
Let’s go check out these neat animals that start with letter H!
Amphibians that Start with the letter H
When we think of frogs typically the first words that come to mind are green, slippery, jumpy, and slimy. One word that most definitely doesn’t come to mind is hairy, but you’ll be thinking otherwise after you meet this crazy critter.
Introducing what has been nicknamed as the Wolverine Frog and earned the striking title of Horror Frog, it’s the Hairy Frog. You might be curious why this tropical oddity got the nickname Wolverine Frog, you’ve probably deduced that Horror Frog comes from its harry-features. Allow us to elaborate! In threatening situations, the Hairy Frog has a bone, by the top of their toe bones, that is sharp and spur like that can be retracted and used to defend itself. Just like the unforgettable Marvel character Wolverine. (3) Not many frogs can say that!
Take a look at the Animal Coloring Sheets that are highlighted and each Amphibians that start with the letter H Genus (1) and Species (2)! Interested in knowing more about those words? Check out our Scientific Glossary at the bottom!
- Hainan Knobby Newt (Tylototriton hainanensis)
- Hakuba Salamander (Hynobius hidamontanus)
- Hairy Frog (Trichobatrachus robustus)
- Haraldmeier’s Mantella (Mantella haraldmeieri)
- Harlequin Poison Frog (Oophaga histrionica)
- Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius)
- Haswell’s Froglet (Paracrinia haswelli)
- Heath Frog (Litoria littlejohni)
- Hell Hollow Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps diabolicus)
- Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
- Hensel’s Dwarf Frog (Physalaemus henselii)
- Herveo Plump Toad (Osornophryne percrassa)
- Hewitt’s Ghost Frog (Heleophryne hewitti)
- Hewitt’s Moss Frog (Anhydrophryne hewitti)
- Hida Salamander (Hynobius kimurae)
- Hidden-ear Frog (Cyclorana cryptotis)
- Himalayan Toad (Duttaphrynus himalayanus)
- Himalayan Tree Frog (Polypedates maculatus)
- Hip-pocket Frog (Assa darlingtoni)
- Hispaniolan Common Tree Frog (Osteopilus dominicensis)
- Hispaniolan Crestless Toad (Peltophryne fluviatica)
- Hispaniolan Giant Tree Frog (Osteopilus vastus)
- Hispaniolan Yellow Tree Frog (Osteopilus pulchrilineatus)
- Hoang Lien Frog (Megophrys hoanglienensis)
- Hochstetter’s Frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri)
- Hogsback Frog (Anhydrophryne rattrayi)
- Hokuriku Salamander (Hynobius takedai)
- Holarctic Tree Frogs (Hyla)
- Holdridge’s Toad (Bufo holdridgei)
- Hole-in-the-head Frog (Huia cavitympanum)
- Holst’s Frog (Rana holsti)
- Holy-mountain Salamander (Bolitoglossa heiroreias)
- Hong Kong Warty Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis)
- Hong Kong Whipping Frog (Polypedates megacephalus)
- Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata)
- Hosmer’s Frog (Cophixalus hosmeri)
- Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis)
- Humming Frog (Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata)
- Hurter’s Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus hurterii)
Birds that Start with the letter H
What a beautiful woods of flying creatures it would be if it contained all the birds that start with the letter H. Can you imagine all the different calls, chirping along in harmony? You would especially get a delightful sight at the tiny and iconic Hummingbird.
Although there is a huge and colorful variety of Hummingbird species, broadly speaking they are distant travelers that go solo on their journeys. But when a female Hummingbird is expecting she of course creates a nest for her eggs. Imagine the tiny cuteness of a Hummingbird, and then let that cuteness get 10x bigger by imagining their teeny tiny nests and eggs. Their nests are typically around the size of an American half-dollar coin, and their eggs are even smaller! Hummingbirds just can’t help being cute, but you don’t want to ruffle their feathers because they do have a mean side if you irk them. (4)
- Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)
- Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
- Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii)
- Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula)
- Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)
- Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)
- Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
- Hawk (Buteo)
- Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)
- Heermann’s Gull (Larus heermanni)
- Hedge Sparrow (Prunella modularis)
- Helldiver (Podiceps auritus)
- Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava)
- Hermit (Thrush Catharus guttatus)
- Hermit Warbler (Setophaga occidentalis)
- Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
- Heron (Ardeidae)
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
- Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)
- Hoatzin (Ophisthocomus hoazin)
- Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
- Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus)
- Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)
- Homing Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)
- Honey Creeper (Carduelinae)
- Honeyeater (Meliphagidae)
- Honey Guide (Indicatoridae)
- Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
- Hoopoe (Upupidae)
- Hornbill (Bucerotidae)
- Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)
- Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
- Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata)
- House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
- House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
- Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)
- Hummingbird (Trochilidae)
- Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni)
Dogs that Start with the letter H
There are quite a few fast, fluffy, and loving dogs that start with the letter H, and coming all the way from Nepal and India, where its roots reside, comes the mighty and stunning Himalayan Sheepdog!
These loyal and protective dogs were breed to be guardians of their owners, land, and property. Their large size helps with the guarding, for they can be anywhere between 26-32 inches in height and weigh up to 84 lbs. You can put a checkmark by intimidation! But, if you’re the owner of this pup you’ll be receiving some doggy kisses and cuddles, for Himalayan Sheepdogs love to love their companions. (5)
- Hällefors Elkhound
- Halden Hound
- Hamiltonstövare
- Hanover Hound
- Harrier
- Havanese
- Himalayan Sheepdog
- Hierran Wolfdog
- Hokkaido
- Hovawart
- Huntaway
- Hygen Hound
Fish that Start with the letter H
There are lots of funny looking fish in the sea, and who else remembers that funny looking shark in Finding Nemo? That fellow follower of the philosophy Fish Are Friends Not Food was a Hammerhead Shark!
Their names are apparent due to the shape of their head, but there are other cool things about their unique heads besides the hammer shape. The Hammerhead Shark actually has sensors within its head that assist in finding other fish/food around. It is able to pick up on this signal, if you will, due to the electrical signals that the living sea creatures have. (6) So they’re much more than a funny face, these sharks are serious hunters!
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
- Hagfish (Myxini)
- Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus)
- Hake (Merluccius merluccius)
- Halfbeak (Hemiramphidae)
- Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis)
- Halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis)
- Halosaur (Halosauridae)
- Hamlet (Hypoplectrus)
- Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrnidae)
- Hammerjaw (Omosudis lowii)
- Handfish (Brachionichthyidae)
- Hardhead Catfish (Ariopsis felis)
- Harelip Sucker (Moxostoma lacerum)
- Hatchetfish (Sternoptychinae)
- Hawkfish (Cirrhitidae)
- Herring (Clupea harengus)
- Herring Smelt (Argentinidae)
- Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris)
- Hillstream Loach (Balitoridae)
- Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans)
- Hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae)
- Horn Shark (Heterodontus francisci)
- Horse Fish (Hippocampus)
- Houndshark (Triakidae)
- Huchen (Hucho hucho)
- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus)
- Hussar (Lutjanus adetii)
Insects & Spiders that Start with the letter H
Although the list of Insects that start with the letter H isn’t vast make no mistake that it is mighty and it’s creatures are important. Speaking of important, let’s get the buzz on the beloved, and necessary, Honey Bee!
We all know that we need Honey Bees to be able to sustain a happy and healthy life here on our beautiful planet, but it feels a little more impactful when there a number attached to the message. With that being said, here’s a percentage you can try to wrap your head around: 75% of the world’s most valuable crops are relying on pollination. According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) 1 in every 3 mouthfuls of the food we eat is thanks to the Honey Bees! That in itself is enough to be thankful for, for a lifetime. But Honey Bees also pollinate the precious flowers of our planet as well, and don’t forget the honey. (7)
Goodness, how generous they are, Honey Bees really are the bees knees!
- Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
- Hawk Moth (Sphingidae)
- Hedge Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis)
- Heliotrope Moth (Utetheisa pulchelloides)
- Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)
- Holly Leaf Miner (Phytomyza ilicis)
- Honey Bee (Apis)
- Hornet (Vespa)
- Hoverfly (Syrphidae)
- House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum)
- Housefly (Musca domestica)
- Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
- Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae)
Mammals that Start with the letter H
Out of all the mammals that start with the letter H, which one would you want for Christmas? Why that’s easy, a Hippopotamus of course! (Okay, and maybe a Hedgehog too, they’re adorable.) There’s more to these enormous creatures than meets the eye, let’s learn some more!
The gigantic Hippo takes 2nd for the entire world’s largest animal, but their diet doesn’t come from other animals, they’re vegetarians! When they’re not enjoying some greenery in the night hours of the day, they can be found cooling off in bodies of water by swimming around or just taking it easy. Look at Hippos, living their best lives, why they can live to be up to 50 years old! (8)
- Hagen’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys hageni)
- Haig’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys haigi)
- Hainan Gymnure (Neohylomys hainanensis)
- Hainan Hare (Lepus hainanus)
- Hairless Bat (Cheiromeles torquatus)
- Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus pilosus)
- Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur (Allocebus trichotis)
- Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas)
- Handley’s Slender Mouse Opossum (Marmosops handleyi)
- Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
- Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
- Harrington’s Gerbil (Taterillus harringtoni)
- Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
- Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi)
- Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius)
- Heaviside’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii)
- Hector’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon hectori)
- Hector’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori)
- Hedgehog (Erinaceinae)
- Heermann’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys heermanni)
- Hill Wallaroo (Macropus robustus)
- Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
- Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
- Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus)
- Hog-nosed Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana)
- Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)
- Hoary Fox (Lycalopex vetulus)
- Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris)
- Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)
- Honey Possum (Tarsipes rostratus)
- Horse (Equus caballus)
- House Mouse (Mus musculus)
- Howler Monkey (Alouatta)
- Hugh’s Hedgehog (Mesechinus hughi)
- Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- Huon Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei)
- Hyena (Hyaenidae)
Reptiles that Start with the letter H
Even though this majestic creature is found in the ocean it is also listed here on reptiles that start with the letter H, it’s the Hawksbill Turtle! When this sea turtle lays eggs, it’s not messing around. The Hawksbill Turtle will lay 140 eggs for each nest it lays, and females will usually lay nests 4 times during their mating season. So many baby turtle eggs! With that being said, it’s also sad to know that these beautiful critters are highly endangered throughout the entire world. Unfortunately, they are hunted for their unique shells, which are made into products and furniture. Pollution also takes a toll on the lives of these creatures. (9)
Let’s keep working hard to keep our oceans clean!
- Hallberg’s Cloud Forest Snake (Cryophis hallbergi Bogert)
- Hannstein’s Spot-lipped Snake (Rhadinaea hannsteini)
- Harold’s Writhing Skink (Lygosoma haroldyoungi)
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Hellmich’s Tree Iguana (Liolaemus hellmichi)
- Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
- Herrera’s Mud Turtle (Kinosternon herrerai)
- Hierophis Cypriensis (Hierophis cypriensis)
- Highland Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae pulchra)
- Highland Garter Snake (Thamnophis fulvus)
- Hispaniola Slider (Trachemys decorata)
- Hoge’s Toadhead Turtle (Ranacephala hogei)
- Home’s Hingeback Tortoise (Kinixys homeana)
- Hoplodactylus Rakiurae (Tukutuku rakiurae)
- Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma)
- Horned Pit Viper (Trimeresurus cornutus)
- Hornless Adder (Bitis caudalis)
- Horrible Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus horridus)
- Horseshoe Snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis)
- Horsfield’s Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)
- Horvath’s Rock Lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi)
- Hunsaker’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus hunsakeri)
You can never have too much fun learning about new animals, especially the hoot of an adventure you must have had exploring animals that start with letter H. Why not continue on that path of joy and take a dive into our free and cute Animal Coloring Pages! From Aardvarks to Wolves, you’ll be having some good old-fashioned coloring fun.
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 sub-genus, 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 07/12/2022)
2) “Species”, Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/species (accessed 07/12/2022)
3) Man, Critter. “Meet the Hairy Frog.” Critter Science. Last modified July 12, 2019. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://critter.science/meet-the-hairy-frog/.
4) Schrader, Kirsten. “22 Jaw-Dropping Hummingbird Facts.” Birds & Blooms. Last modified April 26, 2022. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/attracting-hummingbirds/13-jaw-dropping-facts-about-hummingbirds/.
5) Brewer, Jean. “Himalayan Sheepdog.” Wag!. Last modified January 9, 2021. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://wagwalking.com/breed/himalayan-sheepdog.
6) “Hammerhead Shark.” National Geographic Kids. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/hammerhead-shark.
7) “Top 10 Facts About Bees.” WWF. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/bees.
8) “10 Hippo Facts!.” National Geographic Kids. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/ten-hippo-facts/.
9) “Hawksbill Sea Turtles.” See Turtles. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://www.seeturtles.org/hawksbill-turtles.