Maybe igloos and ice come to mind with the letter I, but that’s one of the last places in mind for most of these animals that start with letter I. Now as for ice cream, we can’t speak on behalf of the animals because who doesn’t love ice cream? While on the same topic of things everyone loves, check out the fun Animal Coloring Sheets we have available for free! While searching through the different critters you may see one highlighted, click on it to see its coloring page!

Get your learning cap on and take on the exploration of learning about more animals and their interesting facts! From everything to their Genus ⁽¹⁾ and Species ⁽²⁾, to spotlights on fascinating animals that start with letter I and neat facts you may not have known.

Amphibians that Start with the letter I

You may have heard of midwives before, but did you know that Midwife is a species ⁽²⁾ of toads? That’s right, and the Iberian Midwife Toad is on our exciting list of amphibians that start with the letter I!

Like other toads, the female Iberian Midwife Toad lays eggs after she has mated with a male toad. What sets this critter a part is what comes after the male fertilizes the eggs. He actually takes the eggs, that are bundled together, and wraps it around his little toad leg. The male Iberian Midwife Toad is capable of holding 4 of these egg bundles at once; talk about a hands on dad!⁽³⁾

• Iberian Frog (Rana iberica)
• Iberian Midwife Toad (Alytes cisternasii)
• Iberian Painted Frog (Discoglossus galganoi)
• Ice Frog (Amietia vertebralis)
• Idaho Giant Salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus)
• Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris illinoensis)
• Imitator Salamander (Desmognathus imitator)
• Imperial Cave Salamander (Speleomantes imperialis)
• Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus)
• Indian Flying Frog (Pterorana khare)
• Indian Green Frog (Euphlyctis hexadactylus)
• Indoburman Torrent Frog (Amolops indoburmanensis)
• Indonesian Bubble-nest Frog (Philautus vittiger)
• Inelegant Frog (Cophixalus infacetus)
• Inyanga Toad (Bufo inyangae)
• Inyanga River Frog (Amietia inyangae)
• Inyo Mountains Salamander (Batrachoseps campi)
• Iranian Earless Toad (Bufo surdus)
• Isarog Forest Frog (Platymantis isarog)
• Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae)
• Israel Painted Frog (Discoglossus nigriventer)
• Italian Agile Frog (Rana latastei)
• Italian Cave Salamander (Speleomantes italicus)
• Italian Crested Newt (Triturus carnifex)
• Italian Edible Frog (Pelophylax kl. hispanicus)
• Italian Pool Frog (Pelophylax bergeri)
• Italian Stream Frog (Rana italica)
• Italian Tree Frog (Hyla intermedia)

Birds that Start with the letter I

There are so many vibrant and neat birds that start with the letter I, and there is one that would make the sky blush with the beautiful deep blue feathers it possess. Please put your wings together and give a warm welcome to the gorgeous Indigo Flowerpiercer.

This beauty is quite the sight to marvel at and is found flying and chirping in the Andes of South America. But it’s stunning feathers aren’t the only striking feature about the Indigo Flowerpiercer. This unique bird also had a hooked-like beak, and deep red eyes. Although looks can be so stunning they’re intimidating, it’s chirping song is quite light and high-pitched. ⁽⁴⁾

Looks like you can’t judge a bird by its wings!

• Iago Sparrow (Passer iagoensis)
• Ibadan Malimbe (Malimbus ibadanensis)
• Ibera Seedeater (Sporophila iberaensis)
• Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
• Iberian Green Woodpecker (Picus sharpei)
• Iberian Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)
• Iberian Magpie (Cyanopica cooki)
• Ibis (Threskiornithinae)
• Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii)
• Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
• Icterine Greenbul (Phyllastrephus icterinus)
• Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina)
• Ihering’s Antwren (Myrmotherula iheringi)
• ʻIʻiwi (Drepanis coccinea)
• Ijima’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus ijimae)
• Imeri warbling Antbird (Hypocnemis flavescens)
• Imitator Goshawk (Accipiter imitator)
• Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis)
• Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps)
• Imperial Snipe (Gallinago imperialis)
• Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis)
• Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
• Inca Flycatcher (Leptopogon taczanowskii)
• Inca Jay (Cyanocorax yncas)
• Inca Tern (Larosterna inca)
• Inca Wren (Pheugopedius eisenmanni)
• Indian Blackbird (Turdus simillimus)
• Indian Black-lored Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus)
• Indian Blue Robin (Luscinia brunnea)
• Indian Bush Lark (Mirafra erythroptera)
• Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)
• Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus)
• Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus)
• Indian Eagle-owl (Bubo bengalensis)
• Indian Golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo)
• Indian Grassbird (Graminicola bengalensis)
• Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris)
• Indian Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos culminatus)
• Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus)
• Indian Nuthatch (Sitta castanea)
• Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)
• Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
• Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)
• Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)
• Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus)
• Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
• Indian Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldii)
• Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
• Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica)
• Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
• Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)
• Indian Spotted Creeper (Salpornis spilonotus)
• Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata)
• Indian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
• Indian Swiftlet (Aerodramus unicolor)
• Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)
• Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)
• Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri)
• Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)
• Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglossa indigotica)
• Indigo Flycatcher (Eumyias indigo)
• Indigo-banded Kingfisher (Alcedo cyanopectus)
• Indigo-capped Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanifrons)
• Indochinese Barbet (Psilopogon annamensis)
• Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis sumatrensis)
• Indochinese Bush Lark (Mirafra erythrocephala)
• Indochinese Cuckooshrike (Coracina polioptera)
• Indochinese Fulvetta (Fulvetta danisi)
• Indochinese Green Magpie (Cissa hypoleuca)
• Indochinese Roller (Coracias affinis)
• Indochinese Yuhina (Staphida torqueola)
• Indonesian Honeyeater (Lichmera limbata)
• Inland Dotterel (Charadrius australis)
• Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)
• Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)
• Invisible Rail (Habroptila wallacii)
• Iphis Monarch (Pomarea iphis)
• Iquitos Gnatcatcher (Polioptila clementsi)
• Iraq Babbler (Turdoides altirostris)
• Iringa Akalat (Sheppardia lowei)
• Iriomote Tit (Sittiparus olivaceus)
• Iris Lorikeet (Psitteuteles iris)
• Isabela Oriole (Oriolus isabellae)
• Isabelline Bush-hen (Amaurornis isabellina)
• Isabelline Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)
• Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)
• Island Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba malherbii)
• Island Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pistrinaria)
• Island Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus poliocephalus)
• Island Monarch (Monarcha cinerascens)
• Island Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma insularis)
• Island Swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta natalis)
• Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus)
• Island Whistler (Pachycephala phaionota)
• Islet Kingfisher (Todiramphus colonus)
• Isthmian Wren (Cantorchilus elutus)
• Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae)
• Itatiaia Spinetail (Asthenes moreirae)
• Itombwe Flycatcher (Muscicapa itombwensis)
• Ituri Batis (Batis ituriensis)
• Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea)
• Ivory-backed Woodswallow (Artamus monachus)
• Ivory-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus azara)
• Ivory-billed Coucal (Centropus menbeki)
• Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster)
• Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)
• Ivory-breasted Pitta (Pitta maxima)
• Izu Thrush (Turdus celaenops)

Dogs that Start with the letter I

Look! Over there! Is it a dog? Is it a wolf? Well, actually it’s an Irish Wolfhound! Often these big majestic dogs (The tallest breed of dogs!) are referred to as gentle giants, because although they are indeed very big their heart is even bigger. Need some perspective on how large and mighty they are? The Irish Wolfhounds breed stretches back centuries, and used to be called the “war dog”. They earned this name by assisting in the battlefield, helping drag the wounded from accidents or unsafe places. But now, in modern times, they make an incredibly loyal, loving, and friendly family dog. ⁽⁵⁾

Now that’s a pup with some history!

• Ibizan Hound
• Icelandic Sheeddog
• Indian Pariah dog
• Indian Spitz
• Irish Red and White Setter
• Irish Setter
• Irish Terrier
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Irish Wolfhound
• Istrian Coarse-haired Hound
• Istrian Shorthaired Hound
• Italian Greyhound

Fish that Start with the letter I

Let’s take a spotlight on the first fish that start with the letter I, the Icefish. Can you take a wild guess where this fish resides?

Well, Sherlock Holmes, if you guessed Antarctica you are correct! These swimmy fellas are very familiar with the Antarctic’s freezing ocean floor, and to help them survive those horrendously frigid temperatures the Icefish traded it’s swim bladder ⁽⁶⁾ for antifreeze protiens within their blood instead! Speaking of their blood, it’s quite unique. Instead of blood that we would typically imagine, deep red, the Icefish’s blood is clear! ⁽⁷⁾ Which sounds pretty fitting for a fish named after Ice.

• Icefish (Channichthyidae)
• Ide (Leuciscus idus)
• Illish (Tenualosa ilisha)
• Inanga (Galaxias maculatus)
• Inconnu (Stenodus leucichthys)

Insects that Start with the letter I

There’s one insect species in particular that makes us cringe when we hear its name, often because we’re afraid it’s near us! And that is, the wasp.

Wasps have a pretty bad wrap, for good reason, and a wasp here on our list of insects that start with the letter I is a pretty good example as to why. And that is, the Ichneumon Wasp.

Although what looks to be their big and painful stingers is actually what the females use to lay their eggs and these wasps are not directly harmless to humans, they do have a dark side. Female Ichneumon Wasps lay their eggs on another insect, or in other words a host. They are essentially parasites ⁽⁹⁾, and the host has little to no chance of survival. Pretty dark! But on a bright note, in some cases the Ichneumon Waps are helping to keep other insect pests under control. ⁽⁸⁾

That’s the circle of life in nature!

• Icebugs (Grylloblattidae)
• Ichneumon Wasp (Ichneumonidae)
• Isoptera (Isoptera)

Mammals that Start with the letter I

If you’re a fan of dogs you’ll definitely love this little guy on the mammals that start with the letter I list, give a warm and cuddly welcome to the Island Gray Fox!

Descending from the well known Gray Foxes, a member of the Canidae family of animals, you may be curious to know why they are called Island Gray Foxes. Well, as it turns out, these foxes love that California sun and they are only native to 6 out of the 8 Channel Islands! They are living the high life on their islands, for they really have no other predators and they have each other. ⁽¹⁰⁾

We’re pretty sure there needs to be a cute Pixar Disney movie about these furballs!

• Iberian Mole (Talpa occidentalis)
• Ibex (Capra ibex)
• Idaho Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus)
• Idaho Pocket Gopher (Thomomys idahoensis)
• Ihering’s Hocicudo (Brucepattersonius iheringi)
• Ihering’s Short-tailed Opossum (Monodelphis iheringi)
• Ihering’s Spiny Rat (Trinomys iheringi)
• Ikonnikov’s Bat (Myotis ikonnikovi)
• Ili Pika (Ochotona iliensis)
• Ilin Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat (Crateromys paulus)
• Imaizumi’s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus imaizumii)
• Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
• Imposter Hutia (Hexolobodon phenax)
• Inca Oldfield Mouse (Thomasomys incanus)
• Incan Hocicudo (Oxymycterus inca)
• Incan Little Mastiff Bat (Mormopterus phrudus)
• Incan Shrew Opossum (Lestoros inca)
• Indefatigable Galapagos Mouse (Nesoryzomys indefessus)
• Indian Bush Rat (Golunda ellioti)
• Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica)
• Indian Desert Jird (Meriones hurrianae)
• Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)
• Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii)
• Indian Gerbil (Tatera indica)
• Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis)
• Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica)
• Indian Gray Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)
• Indian Hairy-footed Gerbil (Gerbillus gleadowi)
• Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis)
• Indian Hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus)
• Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris)
• Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus)
• Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)
• Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum)
• Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
• Indian Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus coromandra)
• Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
• Indian Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros lankadiva)
• Indian Spotted Chevrotain (Moschiola indica)
• Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)
• Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)
• Indochinese Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes phayrei)
• Indochinese Ground Squirrel (Menetes berdmorei)
• Indochinese Shrew (Crocidura attenuata)
• Indonesian Mountain Weasel (Mustela lutreolina)
• Indonesian Porcupine (Hystrix pumila)
• Indri (Indri indri)
• Inland Hill Rat (Bunomys penitus)
• Inornate Squirrel (Callosciurus inornatus)
• Inquisitive Shrew Mole (Uropsilus investigator)
• Insular Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus keyensis)
• Insular Mole (Mogera insularis)
• Insular Myotis (Myotis insularum)
• Insular Single Leaf Bat (Monophyllus plethodon)
• Insular Vole (Microtus abbreviatus)
• Intelligent Grass Mouse (Akodon iniscatus)
• Intermediate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis)
• Intermediate Long-tailed Bat (Choeroniscus minor)
• Intermediate Rice Rat (Euryoryzomys russatus)
• Intermediate Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros larvatus)
• Intermediate Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris intermedia)
• Inyo Shrew (Sorex tenellus)
• Ipanema Bat (Pygoderma bilabiatum)
• Iranian Jerboa (Allactaga firouzi)
• Iranian Shrew (Crocidura susiana)
• Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)
• Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus)
• Isabel Naked-tailed Rat (Solomys sapientis)
• Isabella Shrew (Sylvisorex isabellae)
• Isabelle’s Ghost Bat (Diclidurus isabellus)
• Isarog Shrew Rat (Rhynchomys isarogensis)
• Isarog Striped Shrew-rat (Chrotomys gonzalesi)
• Island Gray Fox (Urocyon littoralis)
• Island Mouse (Nesomys rufus)
• Island Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene major)
• Issel’s Groove-toothed Swamp Rat (Pelomys isseli)
• Ivory Coast Rat (Dephomys eburneae)

Reptiles that Start with the letter I

Iguanas seem quite exotic, and that they are considering their roots are in South America, but for the state of Flordia its a fairly common occurrence to spot an Iguana. Something that may surprise you about Iguanas is that they actually have a third eye! Perhaps not the kind of eye you’re thinking of, blinking and looking around at surrounding, but this third eye can be found on top of an Iguana’s head and it helps them sense movement. ⁽¹¹⁾

With their third eye open, if you will, the cool kids would say this reptile is woke!

• Iguana (Iguana)
• Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)
• Island Night Lizard (Xantusia riversiana)
• Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus)

What a fascinating adventure to search through and discover more about animals that start with letter I. And there’s more animal fun on the horizon! Take a look through our free and entertaining Animal Coloring Sheets and get your creativity cap on. These cute and majestic animals wont color themselves, they need your artistic touch!

Footnotes