Animals That Start with S | List, Exercise & Examples

List of Animals That Start with S

Animal	Type	Where It Lives	Interesting Fact
Salamander	Amphibian	Forests, Streams Worldwide	Some salamanders can regenerate lost limbs.
Salmon	Fish	Rivers and Oceans of the Northern Hemisphere	Salmon return to their birthplace to spawn.
Sawfish	Fish	Coastal Waters of the Tropics	Sawfish use their saw-like snout to detect and stun prey.
Scallop	Mollusk	Oceans Worldwide	Scallops have dozens of tiny, light-sensitive eyes.
Scorpion	Arachnid	Deserts, Forests, Grasslands Worldwide	Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light due to a chemical in their exoskeleton.
Seagull	Bird	Coastal Areas Worldwide	Seagulls are highly adaptable and can drink saltwater.
Seahorse	Fish	Shallow Oceans Worldwide	Male seahorses carry and birth the young.
Seal	Marine Mammal	Oceans and Coastal Waters Worldwide	Seals can hold their breath for up to two hours underwater.
Serval	Mammal	Grasslands of Africa	Servals are excellent hunters, with a 50% hunting success rate.
Shark	Fish	Oceans Worldwide	Sharks have been around for over 400 million years.
Sheep	Mammal	Grasslands Worldwide	Sheep have excellent peripheral vision due to their rectangular pupils.
Shih Tzu	Mammal (Dog)	Domesticated Worldwide	This ancient breed originated in Tibet and was bred as a companion dog.
Siberian Tiger	Mammal	Forests of Russia and Northeast Asia	The Siberian tiger is the largest big cat species.
Skunk	Mammal	Forests and Grasslands of the Americas	Skunks spray a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism.
Sloth	Mammal	Rainforests of Central and South America	Sloths move so slowly that algae grow on their fur.
Snail	Mollusk	Gardens, Forests, Oceans Worldwide	Some land snails can hibernate for years in extreme conditions.
Snake	Reptile	Forests, Deserts, Grasslands Worldwide	Snakes can dislocate their jaws to swallow prey larger than their heads.
Snow Leopard	Mammal	Mountain Ranges of Central Asia	Snow leopards have thick fur and large paws adapted for cold environments.
Sparrow	Bird	Forests, Grasslands, Urban Areas Worldwide	Sparrows are social birds, often forming large flocks.
Spider	Arachnid	Forests, Deserts, Urban Areas Worldwide	Some spiders can spin webs strong enough to catch small birds.
Squirrel	Mammal	Forests, Urban Areas Worldwide	Squirrels bury nuts, which often grow into new trees.
Starfish	Echinoderm	Oceans Worldwide	Starfish can regenerate their arms and even their entire body.
Stingray	Fish	Coastal Waters Worldwide	Stingrays use their flat bodies to hide in the sand from predators.
Stoat	Mammal	Forests, Grasslands of Europe, Asia, North America	Stoats turn white in winter to blend into snowy environments.
Squid	Mollusk	Oceans Worldwide	Squids can propel themselves by jetting water through their siphons.
Swan	Bird	Lakes, Ponds, Rivers Worldwide	Swans form monogamous bonds that often last a lifetime.

Animals that start with S - Flashcards and Exercise

These exercises focus on Animals that start with S

Illustration of Animals That Start with S

Featured Animals

Salamander

Salamanders are amphibians with remarkable regenerative abilities, capable of regrowing lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their heart or brain. They play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling insect populations.

Siberian Tiger

The Siberian tiger, also known as the Amur tiger, is the largest and one of the most endangered big cat species. These solitary hunters are highly adapted to cold environments, with thick fur and a layer of fat to insulate against harsh winters.

Seahorse

Seahorses are unique among fish due to their upright swimming posture and male pregnancy. The males carry fertilized eggs in a specialized pouch until they hatch, making them extraordinary parents in the animal kingdom.

Snow Leopard

Snow leopards are elusive predators that inhabit the rugged mountains of Central Asia. With their thick, spotted fur and long tails, they are perfectly adapted to blend into their snowy surroundings. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect this endangered species.

Starfish

Starfish, or sea stars, are echinoderms with remarkable regenerative abilities. If a starfish loses an arm, it can grow a new one. Some species can even regenerate their entire body from a single arm and part of the central disk.

Everyday Use of Animal Names

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

"Slow as a sloth": Refers to someone or something moving at a very slow pace.
"As sly as a snake": Symbolizes cunning or deceitful behavior.
"Swim like a fish": Describes someone who is an excellent swimmer.

Common Errors

Spelling Mistakes

Incorrect: "Seahorsefish" → Correct: "Seahorse"
Incorrect: "Siberain Tiger" → Correct: "Siberian Tiger"

Pronunciation Issues

Salamander: Pronounced as (/ˈsæl.əˌmæn.dər/), not "sala-mender."
Stoat: Pronounced as (/stoʊt/), not "stote."

Using Articles

Incorrect: "I saw skunk in the woods." → Correct: "I saw a skunk in the woods."
Incorrect: "Snails is slimy creatures." → Correct: "Snails are slimy creatures."

FAQ

Why do skunks spray?

Skunks spray a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism to deter predators. They typically give a warning, such as stomping their feet, before spraying.

Can sloths swim?

Yes, sloths are surprisingly good swimmers and can move faster in water than on land.

Are stingrays dangerous to humans?

Stingrays are generally not aggressive, but they can sting if accidentally stepped on. Shuffling your feet in shallow waters can help avoid this.

How do snow leopards stay warm in freezing climates?

Snow leopards have thick fur, large paws that act as snowshoes, and long, bushy tails that they wrap around their bodies for warmth.

What do seahorses eat?

Seahorses feed on small crustaceans and plankton, sucking them into their mouths with a tube-like snout.