In this article we learn about 11 animals that end with the letter P, starting with the Bighorn sheep known for their large, curved horns, to the Mantis shrimp known for their vibrant colors. Let’s find out about their characteristics, where they can be found, what they look like, their diet, and how they survive.
1. Bighorn sheep
Scientific Name: Ovis canadensis
Bighorn sheep, native to North America, are known for their large, curved horns that can weigh over 30 pounds, serving as a symbol of status and a weapon used in male dominance-battles. These majestic animals display a brown fur coat and a white rump, with males (Rams) being significantly larger than females (Ewes). Bighorn sheep inhabit rugged mountainous terrains, where they skillfully navigate steep slopes and cliffs to evade predators.
They are herbivores, grazing on grasses, and plants, and their diet changes with the seasons. Social animals, bighorn sheep live in segregated herds: males in bachelor groups and females with young in nursery herds. One interesting fact is their incredible balance and agility, which are crucial for their survival in the steep, rocky environments they prefer.
2. Dall sheep
Scientific Name: Ovis dalli
Dall sheep, recognized by their white coats and curved, golden horns, are native to the mountain ranges of Alaska and northwestern Canada. Both males and females have horns, but the rams’ are much larger and more spiraled. These sheep are well-adapted to their cold, rugged habitat, residing in subarctic mountainous terrains where they graze on a variety of grasses, sedges, and mosses.
Dall sheep prefer steep, rocky outcrops for resting and evading predators, such as wolves and bears. They live in separate sex groups for most of the year, with rams forming bachelor groups and ewes staying with their lambs. Social hierarchy among rams is established through horn size and head-butting contests.
3. Barbary sheep
Scientific Name: Ammotragus lervia
The Barbary sheep, or aoudad, is a wild sheep species native to the rocky mountains and desert areas of North Africa. Characterized by its sandy-brown color, long, flowing mane along the throat and forelegs, and distinctive curved horns found in both males and females, the Barbary sheep is well adapted to arid environments. They can survive without free water for extended periods, obtaining moisture from their food.
Barbary sheep are highly agile and sure-footed, enabling them to navigate steep, rugged terrain with ease. Typically, they are found in small herds, though older males may lead solitary lives. Introduced populations can also be found in parts of Europe, North America, and elsewhere, where they have adapted to similar habitats. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, and shoots, reflecting their adaptability to harsh conditions.
4. Mantis shrimp
Scientific Name:Stomatopoda
Mantis shrimp are marine crustaceans known for their vibrant colors and formidable hunting techniques. They inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, burrowing in the seabed of shallow waters, reefs, and muddy bottoms worldwide. Mantis shrimp are distinguished by their powerful claws, which they use to strike prey with the speed of a bullet, capable of breaking glass and dismembering prey.
They are divided into two types: “smashers,” with club-like appendages for bludgeoning their victims, and “spearers,” with spiny appendages for impaling fish and other soft-bodied prey. One of their most remarkable features is their complex eyes, which have the most advanced vision of any animal, capable of detecting polarized light and seeing a spectrum of colors beyond human capability.
5. Sand wasp
Scientific Name: Bembicini
Sand wasps, belonging to the tribe Bembicini, are a group of solitary wasps known for their preference for sandy environments where they excavate their nests. These wasps are found worldwide, thriving in deserts, beaches, and anywhere with loose, sandy soil. Characterized by their slender bodies and typically yellow and black markings, sand wasps are proficient hunters of insects and spiders, which they paralyze with their sting to feed their larvae.
Unlike social wasps, sand wasps are not aggressive towards humans and rarely sting unless directly handled or threatened. A unique feature of sand wasps is their contribution to pest control, as their hunting activities help regulate populations of harmful insects.
6. Carp
Scientific Name: Cyprinus carpio
Carp are freshwater fish native to Asia and Europe, widely introduced around the world due to their adaptability and economic value. They inhabit a variety of water bodies, including rivers, lakes, and ponds, thriving in both clear and muddy waters. Carp are known for their robust, elongated bodies, large scales, and barbels (whisker-like organs) near their mouths, which help them locate food in murky environments.
They are omnivorous, feeding on plants, insects, and detritus, contributing to their reputation for altering aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native species and stirring up sediment. Carp are highly valued in aquaculture for their growth rate and resistance to harsh conditions. Interesting behaviors include their strong social schooling tendency and their ability to survive in low-oxygen environments by gulping air at the surface. Carp also has significant cultural importance in many societies, symbolizing luck and prosperity, especially in Asian cultures
7. Chimp
Scientific Name: Pan troglodytes
Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives along with bonobos, are highly intelligent primates native to the forests and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. They have robust bodies with long arms, short legs, and opposable thumbs, enabling them to use tools and perform complex tasks. Chimps are known for their social behaviors, living in large, complex communities where they form bonds, engage in politics, and sometimes even wage war against other groups.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting mainly of fruits, nuts, seeds, and leaves, and occasionally hunting smaller animals. Chimpanzees communicate through a rich array of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions. One of their most remarkable traits is their ability to use and modify tools, such as sticks to fish for termites or leaves to drink water, showcasing their cognitive abilities.
8. Greater scaup
Scientific Name: Aythya marila
The Greater scaup, a medium-sized diving duck, is known for its distinctive blue bill and rounded head. Males have a dark head with an iridescent green or purple sheen, white sides, and a black tail, while females are brown with a white patch near the bill. They breed in the tundra regions of northern North America and Eurasia, near freshwater lakes and ponds, and winter along coastal shores, estuaries, and large lakes of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Greater scaups are highly social birds, often forming large flocks on open water. They dive to feed on mollusks, aquatic plants, and small fish. An interesting aspect of their behavior is their strong, fast flying capability, even able to take off directly from water without running.
9. Lesser scaup
Scientific Name: Aythya affinis
The Lesser scaup, a smaller counterpart to the greater scaup, is a diving duck with a distinctive blue bill and a peaked head profile. Males have a dark, iridescent head, white sides, and a black tail, while females are mottled brown with a white facial patch.
These birds breed in the boreal forests and wetlands of northern North America, migrating to southern regions of the United States, Mexico, and Central America for the winter. They inhabit freshwater lakes, rivers, and marshes, as well as coastal estuaries and bays during migration and winter.
The Lesser scaup’s diet mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates, plants, and seeds, which they forage by diving. Known for their gregarious nature, they often form large flocks on water bodies. An interesting fact is that the lesser scaup is one of the most abundant and widespread diving ducks in North America, yet its populations have experienced declines, prompting research into their ecology and conservation needs.
10. Snowcap
Scientific Name: Microchera albocoronata
The Snowcap is a small, distinctive hummingbird found in Central America, ranging from Honduras to Panama. Males are especially notable for their striking white cap, contrasting with their otherwise dark plumage, while females have a more subdued green and white appearance. They inhabit humid lowland and foothill forests, particularly favoring areas near streams and waterfalls.
Snowcaps are known for their agility in flight, hovering and darting between flowers to feed on nectar with a preference for Heliconia and other tubular flowers, which they pollinate. Despite their small size, they are territorial and will defend their feeding areas from intruders.
11. Eurasian blackcap
Scientific Name: Sylvia atricapilla
The Eurasian blackcap, a small warbler known for its distinctive cap – black in males and brown in females – is widely distributed across Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa. It inhabits woodland areas, gardens, and shrubs, showing a preference for dense vegetation where it can find insects and berries, its primary food sources.
The Blackcap is celebrated for its melodious song, a rich and fluty sequence that is often heard during the breeding season, making it a favorite among birdwatchers. This bird exhibits interesting migratory behavior; while northern populations are largely migratory, heading to the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa for winter, some western European populations have adapted to overwintering in milder climates, often visiting gardens and feeders.
Patricia is a wildlife enthusiast that loves traveling and learning about wildlife all over North America and the world. Aside from being writer for Wildlife Informer, she’s an avid bird watcher as well as the owner of several pet reptiles. She enjoys visiting national parks and seeing new sights in her free time.