Animals That Start With P | List & Examples
Many people look for animals by their first letter when working on school projects, playing word games, or just learning about different species. Students often need to find animals that start with specific letters for homework assignments. Pet owners might want to name their new animals with names that begin with certain letters. This article covers many different animals that start with the letter P.
You’ll find examples of both domestic and wild animals in this list. Some are common pets that people keep at home. Others live in the wild across different parts of the world. Each animal has its own special traits and interesting facts.
Here’s the simple list of animals that start with P :
- Panda
- Penguin
- Pig
- Pony
- Parrot
- Peacock
- Pelican
- Porcupine
- Polar Bear
- Panther
- Puma
- Python
- Platypus
- Penguin
- Pigeon
- Puffin
- Piranha
- Praying Mantis
- Possum
- Prairie Dog
- Poodle
- Persian Cat
- Peafowl
- Pheasant
- Pike
- Pilot Whale
- Pine Marten
- Pintail Duck
- Pipefish
- Piranha
- Pit Bull
- Platypus
- Pointer
- Polar Bear
- Pomeranian
- Pony
- Porcupine
- Porpoise
- Praying Mantis
- Pug
- Puma
- Purple Martin
- Pygmy Goat
- Python
- Quail
- Pangolin
- Parakeet
- Partridge
- Peregrine Falcon
- Petrel
- Phalarope
- Pickerel
- Pied Piper
- Pig-nosed Turtle
- Pilot Fish
- Pink Dolphin
- Pit Viper
- Plover
- Porcupinefish
- Portuguese Man o’ War
- Ptarmigan
- Puffin
- Pygmy Hippopotamus
Check out the animals that start with the letter Q
Domestic Animal Names That Start With P
Here’s a list of domestic animals that start with P :
- Persian Cat
- Poodle
- Pug
- Pony
- Pig
- Pointer
- Pomeranian
- Pygmy Goat
- Parakeet
- Parrot
- Peafowl
- Pheasant
- Polish Chicken
- Pot-bellied Pig
- Pixie-bob Cat
1. Persian Cat
The Persian cat is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world. These cats have long, fluffy fur and flat faces that make them easy to recognize. Persian cats come in many different colors including white, black, gray, and orange.
Persian cats are domestic animals that people keep as pets. They need daily brushing because their long fur can get tangled easily. These cats are known for being calm and gentle, which makes them good pets for families.
Persian cats originally came from Iran, which used to be called Persia. That’s how they got their name. These cats have been popular pets for hundreds of years.
2. Poodle
Poodles are smart dogs that come in three different sizes. Standard poodles are the largest, miniature poodles are medium-sized, and toy poodles are the smallest. All poodles have curly fur that doesn’t shed much.
These dogs are domestic animals that people keep as pets and working dogs. Poodles are very good at learning tricks and following commands. They also make excellent service dogs because they are so smart and easy to train.
Poodles originally came from Germany, but they became very popular in France. Many people think poodles are French dogs because of this. The fancy haircuts that poodles often have were first used to help them swim better when they worked as water dogs.
3. Pug
Pugs are small dogs with wrinkled faces and curly tails. They have short fur that can be light brown, black, or silver. Pugs are known for making funny snorting sounds when they breathe because of their flat faces.
These dogs are domestic pets that love being around people. Pugs are friendly and playful, but they don’t need as much exercise as larger dogs. They are happy living in apartments or small homes.
Pugs first came from China over 2,000 years ago. Chinese emperors loved these dogs and treated them like royalty. Pugs later became popular in Europe when traders brought them from Asia.
4. Pony
Ponies are small horses that stand less than 14.2 hands tall. A hand is about 4 inches, so ponies are shorter than regular horses. Many ponies are strong for their size and can carry adults or pull carts.
Ponies are domestic animals that people use for riding, driving, and companionship. Children often learn to ride on ponies because they are smaller and less scary than full-sized horses. Some ponies work on farms or in shows.
Different types of ponies come from different places around the world. Shetland ponies come from islands in Scotland. Welsh ponies come from Wales. Each type has its own special traits and abilities.
5. Pig
Pigs are smart animals that people raise for food and as pets. Farm pigs can be pink, black, white, or spotted. Pet pigs are usually smaller breeds like pot-bellied pigs or micro pigs.
Most pigs are domestic animals that live on farms or in homes. Farm pigs provide meat for people to eat. Pet pigs are becoming more popular because they are clean, smart, and can learn tricks just like dogs.
Pigs are actually very clean animals when they have the chance to be. They only roll in mud to cool off because they can’t sweat like humans do. Pigs are smarter than dogs and can learn their names and come when called.
6. Pointer
Pointers are medium to large dogs that were bred to help hunters find birds. When they smell a bird, they point their nose toward it and stand very still. This helps hunters know where the birds are hiding.
These dogs are domestic animals that people keep as pets and hunting partners. Pointers need lots of exercise because they were made to run and work in the field. They are good family dogs but need active owners.
There are different types of pointers from different countries. English pointers, German shorthaired pointers, and German wirehaired pointers are some of the most common types. Each type has slightly different looks and abilities.
7. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are very small dogs that weigh only 3 to 7 pounds. They have thick, fluffy fur that makes them look like little balls of fluff. Pomeranians come in many colors including orange, black, white, and brown.
These tiny dogs are domestic pets that love attention from their owners. Pomeranians are brave and will bark at much larger dogs or strangers. They make good watchdogs because they are always alert.
Pomeranians got their name from Pomerania, a region in Europe. These dogs used to be much larger, but people bred them to be smaller over time. Queen Victoria of England loved Pomeranians and helped make them popular pets.
8. Pygmy Goat
Pygmy goats are small goats that stand about 16 to 23 inches tall. They are much smaller than regular goats and are often kept as pets rather than farm animals. Pygmy goats can be many different colors and patterns.
These small goats are domestic animals that people keep in their backyards or on small farms. Pygmy goats are playful and friendly, and they can learn to walk on leashes like dogs. They need to live with other goats because they are social animals.
Pygmy goats originally came from Africa, where they lived in hot, dry areas. They were brought to other countries to be kept in zoos and later became popular as pets. These goats are good at climbing and jumping on rocks and logs.
Wild Animal Names That Start With P
Here’s a list of wild animals that start with P :
- Panda
- Penguin
- Polar Bear
- Panther
- Puma
- Python
- Platypus
- Porcupine
- Pelican
- Peacock
- Puffin
- Piranha
- Praying Mantis
- Possum
- Prairie Dog
- Pangolin
- Peregrine Falcon
- Pilot Whale
- Pine Marten
- Porpoise
9. Panda
Pandas are large, black and white bears that live in the mountains of China. They have round bodies, black ears, and black patches around their eyes. Giant pandas are one of the most famous animals in the world.
These wild animals live in bamboo forests in China. Pandas spend most of their time eating bamboo, which makes up almost all of their diet. They need to eat for 12 to 16 hours every day because bamboo doesn’t have much nutrition.
Pandas are endangered animals, which means there aren’t many left in the wild. Scientists work hard to protect pandas and help them have babies. There are only about 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild today.
10. Penguin
Penguins are birds that can’t fly, but they are excellent swimmers. They have black and white feathers that help them hide from predators in the water. Penguins use their wings like flippers to swim very fast.
These wild animals live in cold places near the ocean, mostly in the southern parts of the world. Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, while other types live in South America, Africa, and Australia. They eat fish, squid, and small sea creatures.
Penguins live in groups called colonies that can have thousands of birds. They take turns keeping their eggs and babies warm. Male emperor penguins hold the eggs on their feet under a flap of skin for two months while the females hunt for food.
11. Polar Bear
Polar bears are the largest bears in the world and live in the Arctic. They have thick white fur and black skin underneath. Their white fur helps them blend in with the snow and ice where they hunt.
These wild animals live on sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and can swim for many miles. They mainly eat seals, which they catch when the seals come up to breathe through holes in the ice.
Polar bears are considered a threatened species because the sea ice where they live is melting due to climate change. Mother polar bears have one to three cubs at a time, and they teach their babies how to hunt and survive in the cold Arctic.
12. Panther
Panthers are large wild cats that are actually black leopards or black jaguars. They have dark fur that can look completely black, but if you look closely, you can still see their spots. Panthers are powerful hunters that can climb trees and swim.
These wild animals live in forests and jungles in Asia, Africa, and South America. Panthers are solitary animals, which means they like to live alone. They hunt at night and eat deer, wild pigs, and other mammals.
Panthers are excellent climbers and often drag their prey up into trees to eat safely. They have very strong jaws and can bite with tremendous force. Panthers are also good swimmers, unlike most other big cats.
13. Puma
Pumas are large wild cats that are also called mountain lions or cougars. They have tan or brown fur and are very muscular. Pumas are one of the few big cats that can’t roar, but they can purr, chirp, and scream.
These wild animals live throughout North and South America. Pumas can live in many different habitats including mountains, forests, deserts, and grasslands. They are excellent hunters and can jump up to 40 feet horizontally.
Pumas are solitary animals that need large territories to find enough food. They mainly eat deer, but they will also hunt smaller animals like rabbits and birds. Female pumas have two to four kittens at a time and teach them to hunt for about two years.
14. Python
Pythons are large snakes that kill their prey by squeezing it. They are not poisonous, but they are very strong. Pythons can grow to be very long, with some species reaching over 20 feet in length.
These wild animals live in Africa, Asia, and Australia. Pythons prefer warm climates and can be found in forests, grasslands, and near water. They are excellent swimmers and can also climb trees when they are smaller.
Pythons are cold-blooded animals, which means they need to warm up in the sun to have energy. They eat birds, mammals, and other reptiles. Large pythons can eat animals as big as deer or wild pigs, but they only need to eat every few weeks or months.
15. Platypus
The platypus is one of the strangest animals in the world. It has a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver, and webbed feet. Platypuses are mammals, but they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live babies.
These wild animals live in rivers and streams in Australia. Platypuses are excellent swimmers and spend most of their time in the water looking for food. They eat small fish, insects, and worms that they find in the mud.
Platypuses are one of only two types of mammals that lay eggs. The other is the echidna. Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their back legs that can inject poison. This makes them one of the few venomous mammals in the world.
16. Porcupine
Porcupines are animals covered in sharp quills that protect them from predators. When threatened, they raise their quills and can shoot them at attackers. The quills have barbs that make them hard to remove once they stick in something.
These wild animals live in forests in North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. Porcupines are good climbers and often sleep in trees during the day. They eat bark, leaves, and other plant materials.
There are two main types of porcupines: Old World porcupines that live in Africa and Asia, and New World porcupines that live in the Americas. New World porcupines are better climbers, while Old World porcupines stay mostly on the ground.
17. Pelican
Pelicans are large water birds with huge beaks and throat pouches. They use their pouches like nets to catch fish from the water. Pelicans are excellent fliers and can soar for long distances without flapping their wings.
These wild animals live near oceans, lakes, and rivers around the world. Pelicans work together to catch fish by swimming in groups and herding the fish into shallow water. They then scoop up the fish with their large beaks.
Brown pelicans dive into the water from high in the air to catch fish. White pelicans don’t dive but instead swim on the surface and dip their heads underwater. Baby pelicans are fed by their parents, who bring up partially digested fish for them to eat.
18. Peacock
Peacocks are large, colorful birds known for their beautiful tail feathers. Male peacocks have long tail feathers with eye-like spots that they spread out like a fan to attract females. Female peacocks are called peahens and have more plain brown feathers.
These wild animals originally come from India and other parts of Asia. Peacocks live in forests and grasslands where they can find plenty of food. They eat insects, small reptiles, seeds, and fruits.
Peacocks can fly, but they prefer to walk or run on the ground. They roost in trees at night to stay safe from predators. The beautiful tail feathers of male peacocks can be over 6 feet long and have more than 200 individual feathers.
19. Puffin
Puffins are small seabirds with colorful beaks that look like clowns. During breeding season, their beaks become bright orange, red, and yellow. Puffins are excellent swimmers and use their wings to “fly” underwater while chasing fish.
These wild animals live on islands and coastal cliffs in the North Atlantic Ocean. Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land to breed. They dig burrows in the ground where they lay their eggs and raise their babies.
Puffins can carry multiple small fish in their beaks at once thanks to special spines on their tongues and the roof of their mouths. They can hold up to 60 small fish at one time. Puffins are sometimes called “sea parrots” because of their colorful beaks.
20. Piranha
Piranhas are small fish with very sharp teeth that live in rivers in South America. They have powerful jaws that can bite through flesh and bone. Most piranhas are actually not dangerous to humans and eat plants, insects, and small fish.
These wild animals live in the Amazon River and other rivers in South America. Piranhas travel in groups called schools for protection. When food is scarce, they may work together to attack larger animals, but this is rare.
There are about 60 different species of piranhas. The red-bellied piranha is the most famous and aggressive type. Most piranhas are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and meat. They play an important role in their ecosystem by cleaning up dead animals.
Conclusion
This article covered many different animals that start with the letter P. You learned about domestic animals like Persian cats, poodles, and ponies that people keep as pets or companions. You also discovered wild animals that start with P, including pandas, penguins, polar bears, and many others.
These animals come from all over the world and live in many different habitats. Some are tiny like pomeranians, while others are huge like polar bears. Each animal has special traits that help it survive in its environment.
If you enjoyed learning about animals that start with P, you might want to explore animals that begin with other letters of the alphabet. There are many fascinating creatures to discover in the animal kingdom.
