A-z - Animals

animals that start with me

Read below to find out about 39 different animals that start with the letter I, from ibis to indri. The most popular animal starting with the letter I is the iguana, a common exotic pet. The least popular I animal is the Indian star tortoise, named for the distinctive star-shaped pattern on its shell. Some interesting facts about animals named with the letter I are:

  • Impalas can jump 10 feet and run over 50 mph
  • The Indian palm squirrel is considered sacred in India and an invasive species in Australia
  • Often domesticated and formerly used for combat, the population of Indian elephants in the wild is estimated at only about 20,000 today.

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List of animals starting with I

animals that start with me

ibex

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
family
Bovine
belongs to
Capra

Fun Fact: Can jump straight over 6 feet from a standstill

As one of the main ancestors of the domestic goat, the ibex can be found everywhere in the mountains of Europe, West Asia and northeastern Africa. There are five main species, but some data show as many as eight when subspecies are counted. Ibex are wild goats with forked hooves and very long curved horns […] read more


Ibis

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Aves
Order
Coral polyps
family
Longbillidae
scientific name
Longbillidae

Fun Fact: Found in swamps, bogs and wetlands!

Ibis were revered as sacred by the ancient Egyptians, but no species of bird currently inhabits modern Egypt. The ibis is a bird found on every continent except Antarctica and is one of the most famous wading birds in the world. Nearly 30 different species currently exist, but they vary widely in […] Read more


Ibizan Hound

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: Naturally intelligent, active and charming!

The Ibizan Hound is a hunting dog that originated in the Balearic Islands off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. They were first used by Phoenician traders about 3,000 years ago to help hunt rabbits. Phoenician traders brought hounds to the island from Egypt to assist in catching food. Ibizans can make remarkable family pets. They […] read more


Icadips

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Aves
Order
Butterfly
family
Snail family
belongs to
Icadips
scientific name
sea buckthorn

Fun fact: Unlike modern penguins, Icadyptes lived in warmer habitats near the equator.

The Icadyptes are a group of large water birds that once existed in tropical South America during the Late Eocene. They are members of the penguin family, which means they are the ancestors of modern penguins. They were much larger and lived in a completely different environment than modern penguins. Only one species, Icadyptes salasi, has been identified […] read more


icelandic sheepdog

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: The Icelandic Sheepdog is the only dog breed entirely native to Iceland.

One of the funniest facts is that the Icelandic Sheepdog always seems to have a happy and friendly facial expression, as if it is frozen in a smile. The Icelandic Sheepdog is an affectionate and loving herding dog that hails from the cold, rocky environment of Iceland. There are many interesting facts about its […] read more


Ichthyosaur

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Ichthyosaurs
family
Ichthyosauridae
belongs to
Ichthyosaur
scientific name
Ichthyosaur

Fun Fact: Give birth to offspring instead of laying eggs like other reptiles

There are already some fearsome predators swimming around our oceans. Now, imagine a dolphin-like creature with huge eyes that can swim to the darkest depths of the ocean to hunt fearsome creatures like giant squid. This describes the extinct ichthyosaur. The name ichthyosaur means fish and lizard, which nicely describes the […] read more


Ichthyosa

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
Order
Ichthyote
family
fish family
belongs to
Ichthyosa
scientific name
Ichthyosis

Fun Fact: Ichthyostega was one of the first aquatic animals to land on land

Ichthyoloides are a genus of aquatic animals closely related to four-legged terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods). Ichthyologis lived during the Devonian period about 370 million years ago. Originally thought to be an aquatic quadruped because it had four limbs and fingers, paleontologists now know it lived before the first quadrupeds arose. Ichthyote […] read more


Iguana

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
Iguana

Fun Fact: Use Visual Signals to Communicate!

Native to the jungles of Central and South America and many islands in the Caribbean, iguanas are large lizards that are also popular with Americans who want to keep them as pets. The name iguana comes from the original Taino name for these lizards, iwana. Green iguanas are the most widely known species because they […] read more

Read more  antelope

Iguanodon

Iguanodon was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods (1.612 to 99.6 million years ago). Fossil distributions show that the species lived mainly in Europe, but may also have lived in North Africa and North America. Iguanodon was originally identified and named after […] read more


img python

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
Bovine
belongs to
python
scientific name
python

Fun Fact: The first IMG python was born from a litter of tinea-free pythons.

IMG pythons change color with age, often almost to black. Designer snakes have been popular among ball pythons for decades. However, pythons have fewer mutations in color and pattern, so breeders are constantly seeking to develop new and beautiful colors for snake lovers. 4 Incredible Facts IMG Stands for "Increased Melanin […] Read More


Immortal jellyfish

kingdom
animal world
Door
cnidaria
class
Hydrozoa
Order
flower sunflower
family
Oceanidae
belongs to
lighthouse jellyfish
scientific name
lighthouse jellyfish

Fun Fact: Excellent hitchhikers on long-distance cargo ships

The immortal jellyfish can be reborn and become immortal. The immortal jellyfish, sometimes called Benjamin Button's jellyfish, is one of the only animals known to have the ability to fully regenerate, and the only jellyfish species with an infinite lifespan. It was first recorded in the Mediterranean in 1883. However, researchers and […] read more


impala

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
family
Bovine
belongs to
Mars
scientific name
Black Charmander

Fun Fact: Able to jump over 10 feet high

When startled, impala animals can jump up to 10 feet high. Impalas are animals that live in the open woodlands and savannahs of southern and eastern Africa. These medium-sized antelopes migrate and gather in herds of hundreds or thousands during the rainy season. The rains brought an abundance of grasses, shoots, herbs, shrubs and shrubs to […]


king moth

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
family
Saturnidae
belongs to
Eccles
scientific name
imperial eagle

Fun fact: Since the monarch moth doesn't eat, it does die shortly after laying its eggs. Its lifespan is only about a week.

Since the emperor moth doesn't eat, it dies shortly after laying its eggs. Its lifespan is only about a week. "Moths like dead leaves!" The emperor moth is the most widespread, largest, and prettiest of the silk moths. Its color mimics fall leaves, possibly hiding it […] read more


Inchworm

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
family
Geometridae

Fun fact: Inchworms have no legs in the middle of their bodies.

Geometrids are the larvae of geometric moths (Giometridae). Caterpillars are named for their unique way of locomotion, as if they were surveying the ground. They move this way because they don't have legs in the middle of their body. Inchworms are primarily herbivores that feed on bark, twigs, and other parts of […] read more


indian cobra

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
cobra family
belongs to
cobra
scientific name
cobra cobra

Fun Fact: One of the Big Four.

"The Indian cobra, also known as the cobra, is one of the most dangerous snake species in the world with its powerful venom and distinctive appearance." In India, this cobra is considered one of the "big four" snake species annually Causes most bites and deaths. As an important religious […] read more


indian elephant

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Proboscis
family
Elephant
belongs to
elephant class
scientific name
elephant elephant

Fun fact: all over Southeast Asia!

Indian elephants are very intelligent and articulate. Indian elephants are gray-black animals, a subspecies of Asian elephants. They are about 6.6 to 11.5 feet tall and weigh about 6000 to 11,000 pounds. The elephants, whose scientific name is Elephas maximus indicus, had long trunks that were completely boneless. Trunk […] read more


indian giant squirrel

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
rodents
family
Sciuridae
belongs to
Latour
scientific name
jujube

Fun fact: Indian giant squirrels use their large tails to help them maintain their balance.

"The Indian giant squirrel is the largest squirrel in India!" The Indian giant squirrel is a large rodent native to India. More specifically, it's a tree squirrel. Due to its bright colors and remarkable size, this animal looks different from most other squirrel species. The Indian giant squirrel is also often called […] read more


indian palm squirrel

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
rodents
family
Sciuridae
belongs to
wind mill
scientific name
Anthurium gourd

Fun Fact: Native to parts of India and Sri Lanka!

Considered sacred in India, this Indian squirrel species has become an invasive threat in countries such as Australia. In India, it's not just cattle that are considered sacred. In Hindu texts, a powerful deity named Lord Rama was building a bridge over the sea to help him find his kidnapped wife when a squirrel was […] Help read more


indian python

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
Python
belongs to
Python
scientific name
python

Fun fact: Kaa in Radeyard Kipling's The Jungle Book is an Indian python.

Indian pythons are slow-moving, relatively docile giant snakes. These snakes are native to the Indian subcontinent and several surrounding countries. They are non-aggressive and can live up to 30 years old. Incredible Indian Python Facts The snake that guides Mowgli in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book Kaa is an Indian python. Women can lie […] read more

Read more  Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois: Key Differences Explained

indian rhino

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Perissodactyla
family
Rhinoceros
belongs to
rhino
scientific name
one horned rhino

Fun fact: Also known as the one-horned rhino!

The one-horned "armored unicorn" once roamed India and Nepal, but is now recovering from near extinction. The Indian rhinoceros (also known as the great one-horned rhinoceros and the Asian one-horned rhinoceros) is a species of rhinoceros native to parts of India and Nepal. Although the Indian rhino is still threatened today, its numbers […] read more


Indian star tortoise

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
testosterone
family
Turtle Branch
belongs to
Geognathus
scientific name
Lobster crab

Fun Fact: Popular in the exotic pet trade!

With its distinctive star-shaped pattern and relatively compact body size, the Indian star tortoise is one of the most striking tortoises on Earth. Found in the forests, grasslands and scrublands of most of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, this species has a high tolerance for seasonally wet or dry habitats, making it very adaptable. Unfortunately, […] read more


Indian mealworm

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
family
Dragonfly
belongs to
Prodia
scientific name
Plodia interpunctella

Fun fact: Indianmeal moths are not from India

Despite the name, the Indianmeal moth is not native to India. They got their name because they are usually eaten with Indian meal or cornmeal. Exactly where the Indianmeal moth is found The Indianmeal moth is found in tropical climates on every continent except Antarctica Summary The Indianmeal moth is a common cereal-eating household pest found in […] Read more


blue snake

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
Snakes
belongs to
Drymarchon
scientific name
Drymarchon

Fun fact: Indigo snakes use brute force to overwhelm their prey.

Indigo Snake Summary The indigo snake belongs to the genus Drymarchon, which means "king of the forest". Drymarchon is a large nonvenomous snake commonly known as an indigo snake or cribos. Up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, the indigo snake is one of the largest in North America and can be found in southern […] read more


indochinese tiger

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
cat family
belongs to
Panthera
scientific name
Panthera Tigris Corbetti

Fun Fact: Now considered extinct in China!

"Each Indochinese tiger has its own stripe pattern, so no two tigers are exactly alike" Indochinese tigers live in southeastern Asia. They have an orange or gold coat with a black striped pattern. This tiger lives alone and hides most of the time. They can live to […] read more


indri

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Primates
family
catfish
belongs to
indri
scientific name
India Delhi

Fun Fact: The largest species of lemur!

Taxonomy and evolution Indri is the largest species of lemur found only on the island of Madagascar. Although they resembled ancestral primates, Indri actually shared a more common ancestor with Loris and likely evolved from small animals that came to the island from Africa in the early Eocene, about 5,000 Million […] read more


Inland Taipan

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
reptile
Order
Squamata
family
cobra family
belongs to
sharp-billed dragon
scientific name
Spikefish

Fun Fact: One mouthful of venom from an inland taipan snake is enough to kill a hundred people.

The inland taipan is thought to produce one of the deadliest venoms in the world. The inland taipan, also known as the fierce snake, the small scale snake, and the western taipan, kills with one bite, but surprisingly few deaths have been recorded. They only strike when they feel directly […] read more


insect

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
scientific name
Insecta

Fun Fact: Insects date back 350 million years, making these creatures older than humans, flowering plants, and dinosaurs.

Insects are one of the most abundant and common species in the world. Depending on the source, there are believed to be approximately 900,000 to 10 million different species of insects. Insects make up perhaps 90 percent of all animal life forms. Like people, each species has its unique appearance, behavior, habitat, […] read more


insect

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
scientific name
Insecta

Fun fact: there are an estimated 30 million species!

Insects are the most abundant biome on Earth, with an estimated 30 million insect species worldwide. To answer a question we get often: Yes, insects are animals. Insects can be found in all environmental ranges, even (but limitedly) in oceans and rivers. Insects feed on other food, […] read more


IO moth

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
family
Saturnidae
belongs to
Otto Meris
scientific name
Automeris io

Fun fact: Io moth larvae have a venomous and painful sting.

The larvae of the Io moth have a venomous and painful sting. Summary The Io moth, also known as the peacock moth, is a beautiful moth species native to the North American continent. Arguably one of the most recognizable moths in the world, the Iomoth has prominent eye spots on its hind wings. The caterpillar of […] read more


irish graffiti

Fun Fact: Irish Doodles may be very active dogs, but they also love hanging out around the house with their families.

Irish Doodles make great companion dogs. They do poorly if left alone for long periods of time. Irish Doodles are a hybrid dog breed created by mixing one breed with another. Irish Doodles inherit a mix of genes from their respective parents, giving them a unique […] read more

Read more  Which Animals Are Extinct? Exploring the Disappearance of Our Planet's Most Fascinating Creatures

irish elk

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
family
deer family
belongs to
big horned deer
scientific name
giant horned deer

Fun fact: The Irish elk have the largest antlers of any known deer species.

The Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus), also popularly known as the giant deer, is an extinct species of deer that lived 2.6 million years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch until about 11,000 years ago. It is known for its large size and huge antlers up to 12 feet long. Many scientists believe that its […] read more


irish hound

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: Has a beautiful coat, flowy and feathered!

The Irish Setter is energetic, short-tempered and has a sweet temperament. They are the most popular family dogs because of their loyal and playful nature. Known for their rich, silky mahogany or chestnut coat, the Irish Setter is a member of the sporting dog breed. Their excellent sense of smell, stamina and incredible speed have earned them […] read more


irish terrier

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: An average of 300 Irish Terrier puppies are born in the United States each year.

One of the Irish Terrier's nicknames is "D'Artagnan". It refers to his winning style and calm confidence. Another nickname is "Daredevil," a nod to the dog's knack for danger. Bold and rugged, the Irish Terrier is one of the original terrier breeds. With her fiery, often red, sturdy coat, the dog's […] read more


irish water spaniel

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: The only known purple-hued canid.

The Irish Water Spaniel is a mystery to many, as no one is entirely sure what breed it was originally bred from. Sporty and sporty The Irish Water Spaniel was bred almost entirely on folklore and theory, but it is a lovable, quiet dog. With hypoallergenic jackets, in high demand, […] read more


irish wolfhound

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: Grumpy, patient and thoughtful!

Throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, the Irish Wolfhound was praised in literature for its gentleness and strength. Evolution and History The 4th century Romans mentioned very large dogs among the Gaels (ancient Irish). However, zooarchaeologists say no one knew of a dog the size of an Irish wolfhound before AD 1200. That may be because […] read more


Irukandji jellyfish

kingdom
animal world
Door
cnidaria
class
cube
Order
Stonefish class
family
Turtle Branch
belongs to
Karukia
scientific name
C. barnesi

Fun Fact: Tiny Ocean Killers

The Irukandji jellyfish is a tiny sea creature, but don't be fooled by its size! If stung, this venomous jellyfish can cause excruciating pain and even death. About the Irukandji Jellyfish The Irukandji jellyfish is a rare but highly venomous creature that remains one of the world's most mysterious marine creatures. They were found […] read more


italian greyhound

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Mammalia
Order
carnivora
family
canine
belongs to
Canis
scientific name
lupus

Fun Fact: The Italian Greyhound is a small dog with a great drive and personality!

The Italian Greyhound is a small dog with great drive and personality. According to the American Kennel Club, this breed is actually in the toy group, but it has all the physical characteristics of the old sighthound group: a slender athletic body, a tucked-in belly, and a pointed, smooth nose. Fur […] read more


ivory-billed woodpecker

kingdom
animal world
Door
chordate
class
Aves
Order
cactus
family
tiger family
belongs to
curved nematode
scientific name
mulberry

Fun fact: the ivory-billed woodpecker can use its sharp beak to drill into wood

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is one of the most elusive birds in the southern United States and Cuba. The iconic species may have been extinct since the last confirmed sighting in 1987, inspiring people to comb the forests and swamps of the South for signs of it. Back when it was still common, […] read more


ivy bee

kingdom
animal world
Door
Arthropoda
class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
family
Formicidae
belongs to
neck brace
scientific name
ivy

Fun Fact: Not applicable

Did you hear the buzz? There's a new kid in town and its name is the Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae). This charming little bee has captured the hearts of entomologists and nature lovers with its vibrant stripes and efficient foraging habits since its discovery in Italy in 1993. But don't be fooled by its […] read more




newest animals starting with the letter i

Recently added animals starting with the letter I.

Inchworm

Inchworms have no legs in the middle of the body.

Animals beginning with the letter i, including the immortal jellyfish and Indian star turtle

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