Animals That Start with N | List, Exercise & Examples

List of Animals That Start with N

Animal	Type	Where It Lives	Interesting Fact
Nabarlek	Mammal	Australia	A small rock-wallaby that lives in rocky areas.
Naked Mole Rat	Mammal	Africa	Can live without oxygen for long periods!
Nandu	Bird	South America	A flightless bird also known as the rhea.
Narwhal	Mammal	Arctic Ocean	Known for its long tusk, which is actually a tooth.
Nautilus	Mollusk	Indian and Pacific Oceans	Has a beautiful spiral shell for protection.
Newfoundland	Mammal (Dog)	Worldwide (origin: Canada)	A large, strong dog breed often used in rescue missions.
Newt	Amphibian	Europe, Asia, North America	Can regenerate lost limbs, such as a tail.
Nightcrawler	Worm	Soil worldwide	A type of earthworm important for soil health.
Nighthawk	Bird	Americas	A bird active during dusk and dawn.
Nightingale	Bird	Europe, Asia, Africa	Renowned for its melodious singing.
Nile Crocodile	Reptile	Africa	One of the largest and most aggressive crocodiles.
Nilgai	Mammal	South Asia	A large antelope often found in grasslands.
Norwegian Elkhound	Mammal (Dog)	Worldwide (origin: Norway)	A hunting dog with a thick coat and friendly nature.
Nudibranch	Mollusk	Oceans worldwide	A colorful sea slug with unique patterns.
Numbat	Mammal	Australia	A marsupial that eats up to 20,000 termites daily.
Nurse Shark	Fish	Warm ocean waters	A slow-moving shark that rests during the day.
Nuthatch	Bird	Forests worldwide	A small bird that can climb trees upside down.
Nutria	Mammal	South America, USA	A large rodent, also known as a coypu.
Nyala	Mammal	Africa	A spiral-horned antelope found in woodlands.

Understanding These Animals

1. Narwhal

Narwhals are marine mammals that live in the icy waters of the Arctic. They are known for their long tusks, which are actually elongated teeth. People often compare them to mythical unicorns because of their appearance.

Everyday Use:

"Narwhals are rare animals found in the cold Arctic waters."

Common Error:

Some people confuse narwhals with whales. Narwhals are a specific type of whale but are unique due to their tusks.

2. Numbat

The numbat is a small, termite-eating marsupial found only in Australia. It has a striped back and uses its long tongue to collect termites.

Everyday Use:

"Numbats are endangered animals native to Australia."

Common Error:

Students often think numbats eat ants because of their similarity to anteaters, but they prefer termites.

3. Nightingale

The nightingale is a bird famous for its melodious singing, especially during the night. These birds are often referenced in poetry and literature.

Everyday Use:

"The nightingale sang beautifully under the moonlight."

Common Error:

Some people mistakenly believe that all nightingales sing only at night, but they can sing during the day too.

4. Nautilus

The nautilus is a fascinating sea creature with a coiled shell. It moves through the water by expelling air and water from its shell.

Everyday Use:

"A nautilus shell has a perfect spiral shape."

Common Error:

Students sometimes confuse nautiluses with snails, but nautiluses live in the ocean and are very different.

5. Nile Crocodile

The Nile crocodile is one of the most powerful reptiles in the world. Found in African rivers, they are known for their strength and size.

Everyday Use:

"The Nile crocodile is a top predator in its environment."

Common Error:

Learners often confuse the Nile crocodile with alligators, but crocodiles have longer, pointier snouts.

Illustration of Animals That Start with N

Everyday Use of Animal Names

Descriptive Sentences: Use animal names in sentences to describe characteristics or actions.
Example: "The narwhal swims gracefully under the ice."
Conversation: Talk about animals when discussing nature, travel, or interests.
Example: "Did you know numbats can eat thousands of termites in one day?"

Common Errors

Mistake	Correction	Why It Happens
Calling a narwhal a "fish"	A narwhal is a mammal.	Students assume all sea creatures are fish.
Confusing a crocodile with an alligator	The Nile crocodile has a longer snout.	They look similar but belong to different families.
Believing nautiluses are extinct	Nautiluses are still alive today.	Some learners mix them up with fossils.

FAQ

What is the most famous animal that starts with N?

The narwhal is probably the most famous due to its unique tusk and its nickname, the "unicorn of the sea."

Are there any birds that start with N?

Yes, birds like the nightingale and the northern cardinal start with N.

Which animals that start with N live in water?

The narwhal, nautilus, and Nile crocodile all live in or near water.

Are there endangered animals starting with N?

Yes, the numbat is an endangered species found in Australia.

What small animals start with N?

Small animals include the newt and the numbat.