With over 2 million animal species on earth, it is not surprising that there are quite a few animal names containing double letters. Double letters come in the form of consonants and vowels. Some species even have two sets of double letters, like the raccoon that you’ll see further down this list. This article shows 25 animals with double letters in their names.
Enjoy!
25 Animals with Double Letters
1. Aardvark
Scientific name: Orycteropus afer
It is not every day you see a word starting with two A’s, but aardvark is one of these unique words. This unique animal is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Aardvarks have long snouts and sticky tongues perfect for eating thousands of insects.
2. Alligator
Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis
Another member of the double letter club is a giant reptile – the alligator. This dinosaur-like creature can weigh up to 1000 pounds and grow up to 15 feet in length. Alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the southeastern US.
3. Baboon
Scientific name: Papio
There are five different species of these large monkeys, all of which live in Africa or Arabia. Baboons can weigh up to 82 pounds and be up to 40 inches in length, not including their tails, which can measure up to 23 inches.
4. Butterfly
Scientific name: Rhopalocera
Butterflies are colorful winged creatures that start their lives out as caterpillars. They go through a process called metamorphosis to change from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Butterflies do not have noses. Instead, they use their antennas “to smell” and their feet “to taste.”
5. Cheetah
Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus
Cheetahs are large cats native to sub-Saharan Africa. These spotted mammals are known for their speed. They are the fastest land mammals, reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in as little as three seconds.
6. Chimpanzee
Scientific name: Pan troglodytes
Chimpanzees are apes native to West and Central Africa. The DNA of humans and the DNA of chimpanzees is actually 98.5% the same, making us closely related to these intelligent mammals.
7. Deer
Scientific name: Cervidae
There are over 60 deer species in the world, all of which have antlers except for the Chinese water deer. Deer can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In the deer family, males are called bucks, females are called does, and babies are called fawns.
8. Ferret
Scientific name: Mustela putorius furo
Ferrets have long, lean bodies and short legs. These adorable members of the weasel family were domesticated around 2500 years ago and were used for hunting rabbits and other rodents. Today, they are very popular pets.
9. Giraffe
Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis
Giraffes are large land mammals native to Africa. Giraffes have legs measuring up to six feet in length, and their necks can be six feet long as well, making them the tallest land mammals on earth.
10. Goose
Scientific name: Anserini
The goose is a waterfowl. There are 26 goose species in the world. While the singular form is a goose, it changes to geese when discussing more than one goose. Geese spend time on land and in the water eating grasses and plants.
11. Gorilla
Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla
Like chimpanzees, gorillas have double letters and share a close relation with humans. A gorilla’s DNA is 98.3% the same as a human’s.
There are two species of gorilla, both of which are native to Africa. These gentle giants are known to exhibit human emotions and actions like laughter and sadness.
12. Leech
Scientific name: Hirudinea
Leeches are a subclass of worms with a penchant for blood. Many leech species attach to other living creatures to consume their blood. These creatures are found in fresh and marine waters on every continent except Antarctica.
13. Llama
Scientific name: Lama glama
Llamas are pack animals closely related to the camel that are native to South America. They have been domesticated to help natives carry loads of up to 75 pounds for distances of up to 20 miles per day.
14. Moose
Scientific name: Alces alces
These large mammals are the largest members of the deer family, weighing up to 1800 pounds and measuring up to 6.5 feet in height at the shoulder. Moose have large antlers that can be up to six feet wide. Each year, they lose their antlers in the winter and regrow them in the spring.
15. Otter
Scientific name: Mustelidae
Otters are aquatic members of the weasel family. There are 13 otter species in the world, most of which live in freshwater except for the sea otter and marine otter that can be found in the Pacific Ocean.
16. Rabbit
Scientific name: Leporidae
There are 29 rabbit species in the world. Rabbits have long ears and excellent hearing to help them detect predators. Their strong hind legs help them jump long distances and run quickly to escape. These herbivorous creatures eat mostly plant matter.
17. Raccoon
Scientific name: Procyon lotor
The raccoon has two sets of double letters. These mammals are characterized by their bandit-like black mask markings and their hand-like paws.
Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They will eat pretty much anything they can get their paws on, including human trash, frogs, eggs, small rodents, and more.
18. Sheep
Scientific name: Ovis aries
Sheep are domesticated animals used for wool, meat, and milk. There are over 10,000 recognized breeds of domestic shape.
Sheep are almost as intelligent as pigs and have excellent memories. Studies show that they can remember up to 50 sheep or humans for years.
19. Woodpecker
Scientific name: Picidae
Woodpeckers are birds known for their unique adaptations that allow them to drill holes in trees to find insects and extract them. They have strong beaks and neck muscles. Woodpeckers have a special bone in their head called the hyoid bone and a unique toe arrangement called zygodactylism.
20. Jellyfish
Scientific name: Scyphozoa
Jellyfish are aquatic creatures known for their gelatinous bodies and long tentacles that contain stinging cells. They have no brain, heart, or bones and rely on a simple network of nerves. Jellyfish are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction.
21. Grasshopper
Scientific name: Caelifera
Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects that play an important role in the food chain by feeding on plants and grasses. They have the ability to regenerate lost limbs and a special ear on their abdomen to detect sounds.
22. Eel
Scientific name: Anguilla dieffenbachii
Eels are long, snake-like fish found in both freshwater and saltwater environments around the world. They have a unique life cycle, migrating from freshwater to the ocean to spawn. Eels can absorb oxygen through their skin and are carnivorous, feeding on a variety of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
23. Cockatoo
Scientific name: Cacatuidae
Cockatoos, a family of parrots renowned for their striking crests, encompass a wide size spectrum, ranging from the diminutive cockatiel to the imposing palm cockatoo. These avian creatures are profoundly social, forging robust connections with their partners and gaining recognition for their melodious vocalizations. Coveted as pets for their endearing and lively disposition, cockatoos demand substantial attention and meticulous care.
24. Opossum
Scientific name: Didelphidae
Found in North and South America, opossums are marsupials with a distinctive appearance and omnivorous diets. Remarkably, they are immune to the venom of numerous snakes, but they live relatively short lives in the wild, typically ranging from 2 to 4 years. Notably, when faced with threats, opossums employ a unique defense mechanism known as “playing dead.”
25. Paddlefish
Scientific name: Polyodon spathula
Paddlefish, freshwater denizens inhabiting North America and Asia, are distinguished by their elongated, paddle-shaped snouts. These ancient creatures, having endured for over 100 million years, rank among the largest freshwater fish in North America. Paddlefish play a pivotal role in their ecosystems as filter feeders, yet their survival is imperiled by the twin threats of overfishing and habitat loss.
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