List Of 22 Animals that Start with R – Complete List

How many animals that start with R, you know? There are quite a few.

From reptiles to rodents, you might be surprised by just how many different types of creatures there are, beginning with the letter R.

In this blog post, we’ll explore more interesting and lesser-known animals that start with this letter.

Racoon Dog

raccoon, raccoon dog.
An animal that starts with R, “Raccoon Dog.”

The raccoon dog is an animal that starts with ‘ R,’ and it’s usually found across the central and southern parts of America.

This species is closely related to other animals, such as dogs, wolves, foxes, and several more animals, making them unique creatures in their environments.

They stand apart from other animals due to their specific diet habits, crepuscular behavior, and physical builds resembling cats and dogs.

However, you can identify a Racoon Dog by its small ears, wide body shape, and short legs.

Radiated Tortoise

The Radiated Tortoise is a magnificent animal that starts with “R” and may be one of the most majestic creatures in the animal kingdom.

animal, turtle, coral reef
An animal that starts with “R.”

This elegant and unique tortoise species is found primarily in Madagascar’s dry forests and bushland. Which have evolved for millions of years to create an incredibly unique form.

Although it is not closely related to tortoises from Central or South America, it has truly earned its place amongst them as one of the most alluring animals on our planet.

Red Finch

Red finches are common animals that start with ‘ R’ and are among the most widespread birds in the animal kingdom.

zebra finch, bird, animal
The animal that starts with “R.”

The male red finch boasts bright red coloring on their backs, head, wings, and tail feathers. Male red finches often appear more vividly red than their female counterparts.

Not only do they differ in color but also in size, with males being slightly larger than females. Red Finches are like other birds in the animal kingdom, making them interesting birds.

Red Knee Tarantula

The Red Knee Tarantula is an animal that starts with “R “and is an arachnid species native to parts of Central and South America.

The fun fact about the Red Knee Tarantula is they are related to other animals such as scorpions, mites, and ticks. Unfortunately, this unique species is also critically endangered due to threats such as habitat loss.

Even more interesting is that the Red Knee Tarantula has close relatives, such as the Salmon Pink Bird Eating Spider.

The Red Knee Tarantula can live up to 15 years or longer if cared for properly, and its relatively large size makes it intriguing to watch.

The red knee tarantula is a poisonous spider. However, it rarely bites. These spiders are beautiful spiders that start with r.

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are animals that start with “R” and are natives of Mexico. They are related to cobras and mambas. They have a few unique characteristics. At the same time, rattlesnakes aren’t necessarily critically endangered animals that start with R.

Due to habitat loss, there have been population declines across many areas where the animals are found. Rattlesnakes are a subfamily of venomous snakes belonging to Viperidae. Rattlesnakes are just one of many animals that start with an “R,” such as rats, rabbits, and raccoons.

Rattlesnakes have captivated people for centuries due to their unique and menacing appearance and ability to strike if provoked quickly. Rattlesnakes come in various sizes and live on every continent except Antarctica.

The iconic rattle at the end of their tail serves multiple purposes, such as warning potential predators to stay away or being used to communicate during mating season.

Rockhopper Penguin

The Rockhopper Penguin is one of the animals that starts with the letter R. They are similar to Macaroni Penguins and are native to Campbell Island in New Zealand. This species of penguin is a critically endangered animal.

The fun fact about Rockhopper Penguins is they are known for their unique style of “hops” when they move quickly across the land.

Although they may seem like the typical penguin, one fun fact about them is that Rockhopper Penguins are closely related to macaroni penguins.

Roseate Spoonbill

One of the most exotic animals that start with R is the Roseate Spoonbill. It is a critically endangered wading bird found in Central America.

It’s closely related to ibises, storks, and herons, but you can quickly identify it by the bright pink feathers on its head, neck, and wings.

With its large bill shaped like a spoon, it can find food like shrimp, insects, and small fish close to shore. Even though Roseate Spoonbills number fewer than 20,000 individuals in the wild, conservationists are working hard to protect them from becoming even more threatened.

Royal Penguin

The Royal Penguin is one of the animals that start with ‘R,’ and they certainly live up to their majestic-sounding name.

These fascinating animals are prominent penguin family members and can be found in the waters and shores of Antarctica, Macquarie Island, and New Zealand.

Royal Penguins are great swimmers, able to dive to incredible depths. The animals never molt but continuously replace old feathers until new ones grow under their furs. 

This fascinating creature can swim and gather around islands in small groups to feed on squids, shrimps, fish, and krill.

Red Fox

Red Foxes are animals that start with R and are pretty interesting animals. The Red Fox is a mammal belonging to the Canidae family, including wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and domestic dogs.

fox, animal, red fox
Animal that starts with “R.”

They are known for their uniquely handsome appearance. It’s even believed that red foxes can outrun greyhounds in terms of speed.

Red Fox has reddish-orange fur, black legs, and matching white underbelly. They grow from only 8 lbs to 30 lbs. They can develop even bigger versions, typically staying within 2-3 feet in length.

The thick red fur of a red fox provides them a camouflage amongst autumn leaves, sharp ears twitching for sound, and a fantastic sense of smell. The natural habitat of a Red Fox is boreal forests and deserts.

Russian Blue

Many animals start with R, and one is Russian Blue. Though you may have seen grey cats, this breed is different. It has a unique blue-grey color, with platinum tips on its thick fur and vivid green eyes.

With correct nurturing, Russian Blues can live up to 15 years or longer. This breed is valued for its soft, plush fur and pleasant disposition.

Russian Blue animals have plenty of interesting facts that distinguish them from other animals. For example, they have thicker tails than most cats, which helps keep them warm in cold climates.

Red-Handed Tamarin

The incredible Red-Handed Tamarin animals that start with R. This species of Tamarin monkey is native to the rainforest in South America and has a yellowish hue on its hands and feet.

Not only do they have unique physical characteristics, but they also have some fascinating behavioral traits. These animals are known to live in large groups of up to 16 individuals, where each group has a distinct “leader who makes decisions for the others.

They also form strong bonds with members of their group, rarely straying from their companions, even when looking for food.

They’re sensitive to loud noises. They also make their own homes out of trees and shrubs.

Red Deer

Red Deer are animals that start with “R” and are part of the deer family. They are known for their large antlers and reddish-brown colored coats.

The Red Deer is found in many countries, including Canada, the United States, France, and much of Europe. An interesting fact about these animals is that during the mating season, males fight each other fiercely for a mate using their antlers as weapons.

One interesting fact is that Red Deer typically molt during summer to reveal an even brighter red fur coat in the winter.

Red Winged Blackbird

The Red Winged Blackbird is a beautiful creature commonly seen across North America. It’s one of the animals that start with R.

These red-winged blackbirds eat mostly insects, including beetles, grasshoppers, and dragonflies. By doing this, they play an essential part in the environment by helping with pest control.

As far as exciting facts go, the male red wings flaunt their bright orange and black feathers while singing to attract mates.

They are very social animals, often gathering in large flocks to help each other search for food or defend their shared territory. Additionally, they love to perch atop trees which is how they create their famous “trill” call, which can be listened to a mile away.

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are certainly one of the animals that start with R and are truly unique creatures. These frogs live in humid, tropical regions and have bright green bodies with red eyes and yellow bellies.

Interesting facts about the Red-Eyed Tree Frog include their size, which ranges from 2-4 inches, they eat insects, and can stick to any surface.

This species of tree frog gets its name from the distinct red eyes it sports, giving them a slightly mischievous yet fascinating look. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are primarily nocturnal animals and emerge at night in search of insects to eat.

They spend their days resting on wet leaves until dusk and sleep during the day when temperatures rise.

River Turtles

River turtles are animals that start with the letter ‘R’ and make for an interesting topic. Found primarily in freshwater habitats, they have an evolutionary history steeped in mystery, including their origins that trace back almost 60 million years ago.

animal, turtle

Discovered worldwide, River Turtles exhibit various behaviors unique to their habitat and local ecosystems. These animals have thick shells to protect them from predators.

River Turtles inhabit waterways, including freshwater rivers and lakes, but can also be found near estuaries and marine habitats. They are omnivorous reptiles and can live up to 50 years.

Moreover, they have evolved to survive in various conditions, and some species will even hibernate during winter.

Rhinoceros Beetles

Animals that start with the letter R are often fierce and intimidating. Rhinoceros Beetles, however, stand out as a unique exception.

Despite their bulky, armored look, these beetles are harmless to humans and can make decent pet animals.

They come in various vibrant colors depending on the species. Some have horns or protrusions on their head for digging or defense.

Reindeer

Reindeer are animals that start with the letter R and they are some of the most well-known animals. These animals are actually quite distinct in many ways.

roe deer, deer, antlers

One such notable difference is their large, palmate antlers, known as “horns”, which can be used for digging for food beneath snow.

The males tend to have larger horns than females, making them distinctively different from each other. They live in cooler climates and migrate across large distances in search of food in winter months, but often return back to the same locations before mating season rolls around.

Rhinoceros

The Rhinoceros is impressive animals that start with R. They stands out in the entire animal kingdom.

rhino, calf, horns

Rhinos are easily identifiable due to their distinctive horn which gives them some interesting capabilities like defending themselves from threats and digging for food.

Even though they come in several different species, the animals all share common features like wrinkly, thick skin and being able to carry pretty big loads.

.With four species of rhino currently known (the white and black rhinos, plus two types of Asian rhinos). These animals live mostly in Africa but can also be found in parts of the world like India.

Reef sharks

Reef sharks are animals that start with R, but rarely have they had such captivating appeal than these sea dwellers. Found in coral reefs thriving throughout oceans across the world.

Reef sharks are lives in a variety of warm, shallow sea environments. They have unique shapes and sizes, ranging from small to large depending on their environment.

These animals come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them one of the more interesting animals in the entire animal kingdom.

Reef sharks typically feed on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, and they can reach lengths of up to 8 feet.

Ringed Kingfisher

The Ringed Kingfisher is one of many animals beginning with the letter R in the animal kingdom.

kingfisher, bird, close up

This bird species is aptly named for its remarkable circlet of rust-colored feathers around its neck, which stand out against their light-blue body.

The Ringed Kingfisher can be found primarily in tropical regions of South America and Asia, usually living near still bodies of water where they search for prey.

They use their sharp vision to spot small fish or frogs swimming below the surface and swoop down to grab them with their powerful beaks.

Rabbits

Rabbits are animals that start with R and are commonly found worldwide. They stand out due to their distinctive long ears.

rabbit, bunny, hare

These animals often live in burrows and feed on grass, herbs, shrubs, and leaves. They are jumpers, able to reach heights up to 3 feet.

They make a sound known as ‘thumping,’ which startles predators when threatened. It’s also believed that rabbits have excellent vision, allowing them to see objects from almost 360 degrees.

Rabbits are also domesticated pets, whether adopted from a shelter or hand-raised by a breeder.

Red Wolf

The Red Wolf is a nocturnal, omnivorous animal that starts with R. It is found in various parts of the southeastern United States and is listed as an endangered species.

wolf, canis lupus, mammal

The coat of a red wolf varies from reddish to grey, which is why they get the title in their name, red.

The fun fact about the red wolf is they’re highly adaptable animals. And they face many predators, such as dogs, humans, coyotes, and bobcats, leading to population decline in recent years.

The Red Wolf is a threatened species found mostly in the southeastern United States. They rely heavily on their hearing, sight, and smell.

Which mammals start with R?

There’s a wide variety of mammals that start with r. But the most famous mammals that begin with r are Rabbits, Raccoon Dogs, Ragamuffins, Ragdoll, Raggle, rats, etc.

Which rodent starts with R?

Rodents that are omnivores start with R. Like Rabbit Raccoon, Ram, Rat, Rattlesnake, Raven, Rays, and Red Eyed Tree Frog.

What animal starts with R and has a horn on its nose?

Rhinoceros is an animal that starts with R and has a horn on its face.

Finally, checkout the entire series of animals that begin with or start with the letter: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Olivia Kepner