Kangaroos aren’t the only intriguing creatures hopping around the list of animals that start with letter K. Although we must admit, Kangaroos are really cool. There are lots of different animal avenues to check out and admire, along with each animal’s unique Genuis (1), Species (2), and fun select Animal Coloring Pages!
Amphibians that Start with the letter K
You can never know too many frogs, right? Lucky for you there are quite a few frogs and other slippery neat amphibians that start with the letter K, and we’re going to check one out together that’s at the top of the list.
The Kajika Frog resides in the rivers, lakes, and streams of Japan and has a tasty appetite of spiders, insects, and in the case of the youngster tadpoles there’s nothing like some yummy algae. Kajika Frog got it’s name from the sound of the males mating call during it’s season. In Japanese the word Kajika translates to “River Deer” and this is what the Kajika Frog’s mating call sounds similar to.
And if frogs could blush, we think this froggy would be blushing if it heard that people in Japan pay compliment to others who have a talented singing voice by calling them Kajika. (3)
- Kajika Frog (Buergeria buergeri)
- Kalimantan Jungle Toad (Barbourula kalimantanensis)
- Kaman Camara’s Slippery Frog (Conraua kamancamarai)
- Kamuk Web-footed Salamander (Bolitoglossa kamuk)
- Karen Stream Toad (Ansonia karen)
- Karez Frog (Chrysopaa sternosignata)
- Karoo Caco (Cacosternum karooicum)
- Katak-pucat Pantaiselatan (Chirixalus pantaiselatan)
- Kelaart`s Dwarf Toad (Adenomus kelaartii)
- Kempholey Toad (Duttaphrynus brevirostris)
- Kern Canyon Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps simatus)
- Kern Plateau Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps robustus)
- Khaki Bromeliad Frog (Eleutherodactylus fowleri)
- Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis)
- Kimberley Froglet (Crinia fimbriata)
- Kinangop Dainty Frog (Cacosternum kinangopensis)
- Kings River Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps regius)
- Klamath Black Salamander (Aneides klamathensis)
- Klipheuwel Dainty Frog (Cacosternum aggestum)
- Knife-footed Frog (Cyclorana cultripes)
- Knysna Spiny Reed Frog (Afrixalus knysnae)
- Koechlin’s Treefrog (Dendropsophus koechlini)
- Kokoe Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates aurotaenia)
- Kotagama’s Dwarf Toad (Duttaphrynus kotagamai)
- Kunming Lake Newt (Cynops wolterstorffi)
- Kutini Boulder-frog (Cophixalus kulakula)
- Kuttal Caecilian (Chikila fulleri)
Birds that Start with the letter K
There are some very interesting and beautiful birds that start with the letter K, and this bird is so exquisite and interesting that it has had quite the handful of movies both fictional and documentary style made about them! You’d definitely want this guy invited to your slip-n-slide party, it’s the King Penguin!
When King Penguins have a little one, as you may have learned from watching a heartfelt Penguin documentary yourself, they must go out into the depths of the Antarctic and hunt for fish. At times, an adult King Penguin (sometimes both the Mother and the Father) can be absent for months before they can return with enough food to give their chick. The King Penguin stores the food deep in their stomach, almost acting as a cooler, and regurgitates the food into the chick’s mouth upon arrival. And even after they return, they must go out again for more. (4) These are some dedicated parents!
- Kabobo Apalis (Apalis kaboboensis)
- Kadavu Fantail (Rhipidura personata)
- Kadavu Honeyeater (Xanthotis provocator)
- Kaempfer’s Tody-tyrant (Hemitriccus kaempferi)
- Kaempfer’s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni)
- Kagu (Rhynochetos jubatus)
- Kai Cicadabird (Coracina dispar)
- Kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
- Kakamega Greenbul (Arizelocichla masukuensis)
- Kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus)
- Kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)
- Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)
- Kalinowski’s Chat-tyrant (Ochthoeca frontalis spodionota)
- Kalkadoon Grasswren (Amytornis ballarae)
- Karoro (Larus dominicanus)
- Karthala Scops Owl (Otus pauliani)
- Katanga Masked Weaver (Ploceus katangae)
- Kea (Nestor notabilis)
- Keel-billed Motmot (Electron carinatum)
- Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
- Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrida)
- Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
- Kemp’s Longbill (Macrosphenus kempi)
- Kenrick’s Starling (Poeoptera kenricki)
- Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
- Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosus)
- Kenya Sparrow (Passer rufocinctus)
- Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)
- Kerguelen Petrel (Lugensa brevirostris)
- Kerguelen Shag (Phalacrocorax verrucosus)
- Kerguelen Tern (Sterna virgata)
- Kermadec Petrel (Pterodroma neglecta)
- Kessler’s Thrush (Turdus kessleri)
- Key West Quail-dove (Geotrygon chrysia)
- Kikau (Foulehaio procerior)
- Kikuyu White-eye (Zosterops kikuyuensis)
- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
- Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
- King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
- Kingfisher (Alcedinidae)
- King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus)
- King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
- Kittlitz’s Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris)
- Kittlitz’s Plover (Charadrius pecuarius)
- Kiwi (Apteryx)
- Klaas’s Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas)
- Klages’s Antbird (Drymophila klagesi)
- Klages’s Antwren (Myrmotherula klagesi)
- Kloss’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus ogilviegranti)
- Knobbed Hornbill (Aceros cassidix)
- Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
- Knob-billed Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus insolitus)
- Knot (Calidris canutus)
- Knysna Turaco (Tauraco corythaix)
- Knysna Warbler (Bradypterus sylvaticus)
- Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera notata)
- Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)
- Koepcke’s Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae)
- Koepcke’s Screech Owl (Megascops koepckeae)
- Kofiau Monarch (Symposiachrus julianae)
- Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher (Tanysiptera ellioti)
- Kōkako (Callaeas)
- Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)
- Kookaburra (Dacelo)
- Kordofan Lark (Mirafra cordofanica)
- Kordofan Sparrow (Passer cordofanicus)
- Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
- Kosrae Crake (Porzana monasa)
- Kosrae Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus hernsheimi)
- Kotare (Todiramphus sanctus)
- Kotuku (Ardea modesta)
- Kozlov’s Accentor (Prunella koslowi)
- Kretschmer’s Longbill (Macrosphenus kretschmeri)
- Krüper’s Nuthatch (Sitta krueperi)
- Kuhl’s Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii)
- Kungwe Apalis (Apalis argentea)
- Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna)
- Kurrichane Thrush (Turdus libonyana)

by tanakawho from Tokyo, Japan
Dogs that Start with the letter K
The lovely King Charles Spaniel, otherwise known as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is quite the elegant looking pup! These loveable dogs are not only appear cuddly they totally are! As one of the friendliest breeds, they are also amongst one of the most affectionate ones, and make for a terrific therapy dog for those in need. But they aren’t couch potatoes by any means, the King Charles Spaniel loves to show off its agility and moves with sports and learning new tricks! (5) What a talented sweet pup!
- Kai Ken
- Kaikadi
- Kangal Shepherd Dog
- Kanni
- Karakachan Dog
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Kars
- Karst Shepherd
- Keeshond
- Kerry Beagle
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Khala
- King Charles Spaniel
- King Shepherd
- Kintamani
- Kishu
- Kokoni
- Kombai
- Komondor
- Kooikerhondje
- Koolie
- Koyun Dog
- Kromfohrländer
- Kuchi
- Kuvasz
Fish that Start with the letter K
Oye, check out the Koi! One of the prettiest and mesmerizing fish that start with the letter K, and have quite the interesting background.
You and a Koi fish may have something in common, a few things actually! Do you like being around your family and friends, or even meeting some new people? Well, the Koi fish very much enjoys being in the presence of other Koi fish and swimming around with them. Have you ever gotten a really bad sunburn? Koi fish are prone to getting sun burns too! Who would have thought! And hey, did you also know that the goldfish and Koi fish are distant cousins? (6) It’s a small fishy world out there!
- Kafue Pike (Hepsetus odoe)
- Kahawai (Arripis trutta)
- Kaluga (Huso dauricus)
- Kelp Perch (Brachyistius frenatus)
- Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus)
- Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)
- King of the Herrings (Regalecus glesne)
- Kingfish (Scomberomorus cavalla)
- King-of-the-salmon (Trachipterus altivelis)
- Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminckii)
- Knifefish (Notopteridae)
- Knifejaw (Oplegnathus fasciatus)
- Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)
- Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
- Kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus)
- Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)
Insects & Spiders that Start with the letter K
We’ve heard of flying bugs, stinking bugs, and stinging bugs, now get ready for the oddity on the insects that start with the letter K list, the Kissing Bug.
Yuck! You definitely don’t want a kiss from this creepy crawler, it gets its off-putting and misleading name by handing out bites instead of kisses around the mouth area of humans. (7) They are packed with parasites and diseases, most pest than date if you ask us!
- Katydid (Tettigoniidae)
- Ked (Lipoptena mazamae Rondani)
- Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
- Killer Bee (Apis mellifera)
- King Baboon Spider (Pelinobius muticus)
- Kissing Bug (Triatominae)
Mammals that Start with the letter K
Killer whales, Kit foxes, Kangaroos, the mammals that start with the letter K are full of iconic critters! Alas there is one that is unbearably cute and meet all of our spotlight koalafications, it’s the adorable Koala!
These Australian native creatures often get tagged with the name bear at the end but they actually have more in common with the mighty Kangaroo for they both have pouches and their babies are referred to as a joey! The Koala’s favorite things are eating eucalyptus leaves (They can easily eat up to 2 lbs a day!) and collecting plenty of Zs for their nap times can be as long as 18 hours. (8) Who’s hero also just became the Koala?
- Kalubu Echymipera (Echymipera kalubu)
- Kangaroo (Macropodidae)
- Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis aitkeni)
- Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys)
- Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
- Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis)
- King Colobus (Colobus polykomos)
- Kinkajou (Potos flavus)
- Kirk’s Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii)
- Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
- Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
- Koopmans Porcupine (Coendou nycthemera)
- Korean Hare (Lepus coreanus)
- Kouprey (Bos sauveli)
- Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
- Kulan (Equus hemionus)
Reptiles that Start with the letter K
Talk about a reptile that would make you freeze in your footsteps, for this fella certainly demands your attention when you come across its path. The Komodo Dragon can be up to a whopping 154 lbs and a little over 10 feet in length, and they certainly crave a large meal for their appetite. These insane reptiles have been known to eat Water Buffalo, can you imagine?!
But this mostly comes from the fact that the Komodo Dragon has a venomous bite which helps take down its prey. And in the case of a Komodo Dragon feeling a bit anxious and threatened by a predator, they have the capability of spewing out whatever is in their stomach so they can briefly feel lighter therefore get on the run. (9)
- King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
- Kingsnake (Lampropeltis)
- Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
- Knight Anole (Anolis equestris)
Pondering and learning about the vast critters and majestic creatures that grace the list of animals that start with letter K doesn’t have to stop here. Get more fun out of your animal curiosity with our free and entertaining Animal Coloring Sheets! From Aardvarks to Walruses there are a lot of animals waiting to be colored!
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 07/21/2022)
2) “Species”, Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/species (accessed 07/21/2022)
3) “Kajika frog.” Wikipedia. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajika_frog#:~:text=The%20Kajika%20frog%20or%20Buerger’s,and%20construction%20of%20concrete%20riverbanks.
4) Gregory, Bertie. “Go Inside an Antarctic ‘City’ of 400,000 King Penguins — Ep. 4 | Wildlife: Resurrection Island.” YouTube National Geographic. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://youtu.be/r1_8rRDHtQ8.
5) Reisen, Jan. “7 Things To Know About Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.” American Kennel Club. Last modified November 6, 2020. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/7-facts-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel/.
6) Braaten, Paige. “15 FUN KOI FISH FACTS.” Koi Story. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://koistory.com/blog/15-fun-koi-fish-facts.
7) “THE FACTS ABOUT KISSING BUGS.” Turner Pest Control. Last modified December 2, 2015. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://www.turnerpest.com/pests/the-facts-about-kissing-bugs/.
8) “10 FACTS ABOUT KOALAS!.” National Geographic Kids. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/general-animals/ten-facts-about-koalas/.
9) “Komodo dragon.” Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute . Last modified January 8, 2021. Accessed July 21, 2022. https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/komodo-dragon.