Animals That Start With H | List & Examples
Learning about animals can be fun and helpful for many reasons. Kids often need animal names for school projects or spelling practice. Parents might want to teach their children about different creatures. Teachers use animal lists for games and lessons. Some people just enjoy learning about the amazing animals that share our world.
Finding animals by their first letter makes it easier to organize information. It also helps when you’re playing word games or doing crossword puzzles. Whether you’re looking for domestic pets or wild creatures, this guide will help you find what you need.
Here’s the simple list of animals that start with H:
- Hamster
- Horse
- Hawk
- Hippo
- Hyena
- Hummingbird
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Honeybee
- Hermit Crab
- Hare
- Halibut
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hornbill
- Husky
- Haddock
- Harrier
- Howler Monkey
- Harvest Mouse
- Horned Lizard
- Horseshoe Crab
- Himalayan Tahr
- Hoopoe
- Hornet
- Harbor Seal
- Humpback Whale
- Hedgehog Tenrec
- Honey Badger
- Hartebeest
- Himalayan Bear
- Hoatzin
- Hercules Beetle
- Huntsman Spider
- Horned Owl
- Horsefield’s Tortoise
- Himalayan Monal
- Hooded Seal
- Hamerkop
- Hornshark
- Hutia
- Humboldt Penguin
- Horseshoe Bat
- Harp Seal
- Horned Viper
- Himalayan Wolf
- Honey Possum
- Hornbill
- Highland Cattle
- Havanese Dog
- Himalayan Cat
- Houston Toad
- Hawksbill Turtle
- Harpy Eagle
- Himalayan Snowcock
- Hooded Merganser
- Horned Frog
- Hognose Snake
- Himalayan Marmot
Check out the animals that start with the letter I
Domestic Animal Names That Start With H
Here are some common domestic animals that start with H:
- Hamster
- Horse
- Husky
- Havanese Dog
- Himalayan Cat
- Highland Cattle
- Hampshire Pig
- Holstein Cow
- Hereford Cattle
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Harrier Dog
- Highlander Cat
- Hawfinch (pet bird)
- Hen
- Hog
1. Hamster
Hamsters are small, furry pets that many families love. These tiny creatures are domestic animals that live in cages inside homes. They have round bodies, short tails, and cheek pouches where they store food.
Most hamsters are active at night, which means they might run on their wheels when you’re trying to sleep. They come from wild hamsters that live in places like Syria and China. Pet hamsters usually live for about 2 to 3 years.
Hamsters are great pets for kids because they don’t need much space. They eat special hamster food, fresh vegetables, and sometimes small treats. One fun fact about hamsters is that they can stuff so much food in their cheeks that their heads look twice as big!
2. Horse
Horses are large, strong animals that humans have worked with for thousands of years. These domestic animals help people with farming, transportation, and sports. Horses have long legs, flowing manes, and powerful muscles.
People ride horses for fun, competition, and work. Horses live in stables, barns, or pastures where they have room to run and graze. They eat grass, hay, and special grain feed. A horse can live for 25 to 30 years with good care.
Horses are very smart animals that can learn many commands. They form strong bonds with their owners and other horses. An interesting fact about horses is that they can sleep both lying down and standing up!
3. Husky
Huskies are beautiful dogs with thick fur and bright blue or brown eyes. These domestic animals were first bred to pull sleds in cold, snowy places. They have strong bodies and lots of energy, which makes them perfect for outdoor activities.
Huskies are friendly dogs that love to be around people and other dogs. They need lots of exercise and enjoy running, hiking, and playing. These dogs have double coats that keep them warm in freezing temperatures.
One amazing thing about huskies is that they can run for many miles without getting tired. They’re also known for their howling, which sounds almost like they’re trying to talk to you!
4. Havanese Dog
The Havanese is a small, fluffy dog that comes from Cuba. These domestic animals are known for their silky, long hair and friendly personalities. They make excellent family pets because they’re gentle with children and easy to train.
Havanese dogs are companion animals, which means they love to spend time with their families. They don’t need huge amounts of exercise, but they do enjoy daily walks and playtime. These dogs usually weigh between 7 to 13 pounds.
The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba. They’re very social animals that can become sad if left alone for too long. Their beautiful coats come in many colors, including white, cream, gold, and black.
5. Himalayan Cat
Himalayan cats are beautiful, fluffy pets with long fur and striking blue eyes. These domestic animals are a mix between Persian and Siamese cats. They have the long, thick coat of a Persian and the color patterns of a Siamese.
These cats are calm and gentle, making them great indoor pets. They love to relax and don’t need as much exercise as some other cats. Himalayan cats need daily brushing to keep their fur from getting tangled.
One interesting fact about Himalayan cats is that they’re born all white or cream colored. Their darker colors on their ears, face, legs, and tail develop as they grow older. They can live for 12 to 17 years.
Wild Animal Names That Start With H
Here are wild animals that start with H:
- Hawk
- Hippo
- Hyena
- Hummingbird
- Hedgehog
- Heron
- Honeybee
- Hermit Crab
- Hare
- Halibut
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hornbill
- Howler Monkey
- Harvest Mouse
- Horned Lizard
- Horseshoe Crab
- Himalayan Tahr
- Hoopoe
- Hornet
- Harbor Seal
6. Hawk
Hawks are powerful birds of prey that hunt other animals for food. These wild animals have sharp claws called talons and curved beaks that help them catch and eat their prey. Hawks have excellent eyesight that’s much better than human vision.
You can find hawks flying high in the sky or perched on trees and telephone poles. They live in many places around the world, including forests, deserts, and even cities. Hawks eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Hawks are amazing hunters that can spot a mouse from very far away. They build their nests high up in trees or on cliffs. Mother hawks usually lay 2 to 4 eggs, and both parents help take care of the babies.
7. Hippo
Hippos are huge, heavy animals that spend most of their time in water. These wild animals live in rivers and lakes in Africa. Despite their chunky appearance, hippos are actually very dangerous and can run faster than humans on land.
A hippo’s skin makes a natural sunscreen that looks red or pink. This helps protect them from getting sunburned. Hippos eat mostly grass and plants, and they can weigh as much as 4,000 pounds!
One surprising fact about hippos is that they can’t swim very well, but they can walk on the bottom of rivers and lakes. They can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes. Baby hippos are born underwater and must swim to the surface for their first breath.
8. Hyena
Hyenas are wild animals that look somewhat like dogs but are more closely related to cats. They live in Africa and parts of Asia. Hyenas are famous for their loud laughing sounds, but they also make other noises to communicate.
These animals are excellent hunters and scavengers. They work together in groups called clans to hunt large animals. Hyenas have very strong jaws that can crush bones. They play an important role in nature by cleaning up dead animals.
Female hyenas are larger and stronger than males, which is unusual in the animal world. Hyenas are very smart and can solve problems. They can run up to 37 miles per hour when chasing prey or escaping danger.
9. Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are tiny, colorful birds that can fly in amazing ways. These wild animals are the only birds that can fly backwards, upside down, and hover in one spot like helicopters. They have very fast wingbeats that make a humming sound.
Hummingbirds eat nectar from flowers and small insects. They have long, thin beaks that fit perfectly into flowers. These birds are found mainly in North and South America, living in gardens, forests, and mountains.
The smallest hummingbird is the bee hummingbird, which is only about 2 inches long. Their hearts beat over 1,000 times per minute when they’re flying. Hummingbirds must eat every 10 to 15 minutes to keep up their energy.
10. Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are small, spiky animals that roll into tight balls when they feel scared. These wild animals have thousands of sharp spines on their backs that protect them from predators. They’re found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
When hedgehogs feel threatened, they curl up so only their spines show. They eat insects, worms, snails, and small creatures they find on the ground. Hedgehogs are mostly active at night, sleeping during the day.
One cool thing about hedgehogs is that they can survive snake bites that would kill other animals. They make grunting and snorting sounds to communicate. Baby hedgehogs are born with soft spines that harden as they grow.
11. Heron
Herons are tall, elegant birds that live near water. These wild animals have long legs, long necks, and sharp beaks that help them catch fish. You can find herons standing very still in shallow water, waiting for fish to swim by.
Herons are patient hunters that can stand motionless for long periods. When they see a fish, they strike quickly with their beaks. These birds live near rivers, lakes, ponds, and ocean shores around the world.
Great blue herons are the largest herons in North America and can stand over 4 feet tall. They build their nests high in trees, often in groups called colonies. Herons can live for 15 to 20 years in the wild.
12. Honeybee
Honeybees are small insects that play a huge role in our world. These wild animals make honey and help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from flower to flower. They live in large groups called colonies in hives.
A honeybee colony can have up to 60,000 bees working together. Each bee has a specific job, whether it’s gathering nectar, building the hive, or taking care of baby bees. Only female bees can sting, and they die after stinging once.
Honeybees communicate through special dances that tell other bees where to find good flowers. They can fly up to 15 miles per hour and visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day. Without bees, many of the foods we eat wouldn’t exist.
13. Hermit Crab
Hermit crabs are interesting sea creatures that live in empty shells. These wild animals don’t have hard shells of their own, so they find shells left by other sea animals. As they grow bigger, they must find larger shells to live in.
Hermit crabs live in oceans around the world, crawling along the sea floor looking for food. They eat dead plants and animals, helping to keep the ocean clean. Some hermit crabs also live on land near beaches.
When hermit crabs outgrow their shells, they sometimes form long lines and trade shells with each other. The largest crab gets the biggest shell, and everyone else moves into the next size up. This teamwork helps all the crabs find proper homes.
14. Hare
Hares are fast-running animals that look similar to rabbits but are actually different. These wild animals have longer ears, longer legs, and can run much faster than rabbits. Hares live in open areas like fields and grasslands.
Unlike rabbits, hares don’t dig burrows to live in. Instead, they make shallow nests on the ground. Baby hares are born with fur and open eyes, ready to run soon after birth. This is different from baby rabbits, which are born helpless.
Hares can run up to 45 miles per hour to escape from predators like foxes and hawks. They eat grasses, herbs, and plants. The snowshoe hare changes color from brown in summer to white in winter to blend in with the snow.
15. Halibut
Halibut are large, flat fish that live in cold ocean waters. These wild animals are some of the biggest fish in the sea, with some growing over 8 feet long and weighing 500 pounds or more. They have both eyes on one side of their head.
Halibut start life swimming upright like normal fish, but as they grow, one eye moves to the other side of their head. They then swim and rest on the sea floor with both eyes facing up. This helps them watch for food and predators.
These fish are excellent hunters that eat smaller fish, squid, and crabs. Halibut can live for over 50 years. They’re important food fish for people and are caught by commercial fishing boats in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans.
Learning about animals that start with H shows us how diverse and amazing the animal kingdom is. From tiny hummingbirds to huge hippos, these creatures all have special features that help them survive. Some are gentle pets that live with families, while others are wild animals that play important roles in nature.
Each animal has its own way of living, eating, and caring for its young. Understanding these differences helps us appreciate the natural world around us. Whether you’re interested in domestic animals that start with H or wild animals that start with H, there’s always something new to discover about these fascinating creatures.
