Animals That Start with O | List, Exercise & Examples

List of Animals That Start with O

Animal	Type	Where It Lives	Interesting Fact
Oarfish	Fish	Deep Oceans	The oarfish is the longest bony fish, growing up to 36 feet.
Ocelot	Mammal	Forests of Central and South America	Ocelots are nocturnal and known for their striking spotted coats.
Octopus	Mollusk	Oceans Worldwide	Octopuses have three hearts and can regenerate lost arms.
Okapi	Mammal	Forests of the Congo	Often called the "forest giraffe," okapis are the only living relatives of giraffes.
Olm	Amphibian	Underground Lakes in Europe	This aquatic salamander is blind and can live for over 100 years.
Onager	Mammal	Deserts of the Middle East and Central Asia	Also known as the Persian zebra, onagers are wild asses adapted to arid habitats.
Opah	Fish	Oceans Worldwide	Also called moonfish, opah are the only fully warm-blooded fish.
Opossum	Mammal	Forests and Urban Areas in the Americas	Opossums play dead as a defense mechanism, a behavior called thanatosis.
Orangutan	Mammal	Rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra	Orangutans share 97% of their DNA with humans and use tools in the wild.
Orca	Marine Mammal	Oceans Worldwide	Also known as killer whales, orcas are apex predators and highly social.
Oryx	Mammal	Deserts and Savannas of Africa and the Middle East	Oryxes can survive for long periods without water.
Otter	Mammal	Rivers, Lakes, Oceans Worldwide	Otters hold hands while sleeping to keep from drifting apart.
Otterhound	Mammal (Dog)	Domesticated (Worldwide)	This rare dog breed was originally bred for hunting otters.
Osprey	Bird	Rivers, Lakes, Oceans Worldwide	Ospreys are skilled fish hunters and can dive feet first into water.
Ostrich	Bird	Savannas and Grasslands of Africa	Ostriches are the largest birds and can run up to 43 mph.
Owl	Bird	Forests, Deserts, Grasslands Worldwide	Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
Ox	Mammal	Domesticated Worldwide	Oxen are used as draft animals and can pull heavy loads.
Oyster	Mollusk	Oceans Worldwide	Oysters filter water and are considered ecosystem engineers.

Animals that start with O - Flashcards and Exercise

These exercises focus on Animals that start with O

Illustration of Animals That Start with O

Featured Animals

Oarfish

Often referred to as "sea serpents," oarfish are rarely seen as they live in deep ocean waters. Despite their size, they are harmless and feed primarily on plankton. Their appearance has inspired many myths about sea monsters.

Okapi

Native to the dense rainforests of the Congo, the okapi has stripes like a zebra but is actually closely related to the giraffe. These shy creatures use their long tongues to strip leaves from trees.

Olm

This blind aquatic salamander is perfectly adapted to life in dark caves. The olm can go without food for up to 10 years and is often called a "baby dragon" due to its pale, otherworldly appearance.

Osprey

Ospreys are remarkable raptors with reversible outer toes that help them grip slippery fish. They are found near bodies of water and are known for their dramatic fishing dives.

Opossum

Opossums are the only marsupials native to North America. They are immune to snake venom and play a crucial role in ecosystems by eating ticks and other pests.

Everyday Use of Animal Names

Some animal names starting with "O" are used metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions:

Play possum: Refers to pretending to be asleep or unaware, inspired by the opossum’s defense mechanism.
Wise as an owl: Describes someone who is very knowledgeable or perceptive.
Hold tight like an otter: Reflecting the bonding behavior of otters.

Common Errors

Spelling Mistakes

Incorrect: "Oktopus" → Correct: "Octopus"
Incorrect: "Orangatun" → Correct: "Orangutan"

Pronunciation Issues

Okapi: Pronounced as (/oʊˈkɑː.pi/), not "oh-ka-pee."
Onager: Pronounced as (/ˈɒn.ə.dʒər/), not "on-ah-ger."

Using Articles

Incorrect: "I saw ocelot in the jungle." → Correct: "I saw an ocelot in the jungle."
Incorrect: "Owls is nocturnal." → Correct: "Owls are nocturnal."

FAQ

Are oarfish dangerous to humans?

No, oarfish are harmless and feed mainly on small plankton and krill.

Why are orangutans endangered?

Orangutans are critically endangered due to habitat destruction, particularly deforestation for palm oil plantations.

What makes the opah unique?

The opah is the only fish known to be fully warm-blooded, maintaining a stable body temperature in cold waters.

Can ostriches really bury their heads in sand?

No, this is a myth. Ostriches lower their heads to the ground to avoid detection or to turn their eggs, which may appear like they are "burying" them.

What role do oysters play in the ecosystem?

Oysters filter and clean water, removing algae and pollutants, and their reefs provide habitats for many marine species.