Animals That Start With O | List & Examples
Many people search for animal names by letter for different reasons. Students might need these lists for school projects or homework.
Parents and teachers often look for animals that start with specific letters to help children learn the alphabet. This article covers animals that start with the letter O, including both domestic and wild species.
Here’s the simple list of animals that start with O :
- Okapi
- Orangutan
- Ostrich
- Otter
- Owl
- Ox
- Ocelot
- Octopus
- Old English Sheepdog
- Opossum
- Oryx
- Orca
- Oyster
- Osprey
- Olm
- Oarfish
- Ovenbird
- Oriole
- Oxpecker
- Olingo
- Oystercatcher
- Onager
- Orb Weaver Spider
- Orange Roughy
- Olive Baboon
- Ochre Sea Star
- Ocellated Turkey
- Oilbird
- Ornate Box Turtle
- Orb-weaver
- Oyster Mushroom Coral
- Orinoco Crocodile
- Orange Clownfish
- Olive Python
- Ornate Hawk-Eagle
- Oxeye Daisy Crab
- Orchid Mantis
- Ocean Sunfish
- Ornate Ghost Pipefish
- Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
- Orange Spotted Filefish
- Ornate Butterflyfish
- Oystercatcher Bird
- Owlet Moth
- Orchid Bee
- Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad
- Ornate Tinamou
- Olive Colobus
- Orange Oakleaf Butterfly
- Ornate Wobbegong
- Ocellated Lizard
- Orange Baboon Tarantula
- Oyster Toadfish
- Ornate Horned Frog
- Oriental Small-Clawed Otter
Check out the animals that start with the letter P
Domestic Animal Names That Start With O
Here’s a list of domestic animals that start with O :
- Old English Sheepdog
- Oriental Shorthair Cat
- Orpington Chicken
- Oxford Sandy and Black Pig
- Olde English Bulldogge
- Otterhound
- Ojos Azules Cat
- Ocicat
- Old German Shepherd Dog
- Orkney Sheep
- Oregon Duck
- Ouessant Sheep
- Ostfriesische Milchschaf Sheep
1. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog breed known for its thick, shaggy coat. These dogs were first bred in England to help farmers herd sheep and cattle. They are domestic animals that make excellent family pets.
Old English Sheepdogs have a unique appearance with their long, fluffy hair that often covers their eyes. They are gentle and friendly dogs that get along well with children. These dogs need regular grooming because their thick coat can become matted if not brushed often.
These dogs are quite large, usually weighing between 60 to 100 pounds. They are very intelligent and can learn commands quickly. Many people choose Old English Sheepdogs as pets because they are loyal and protective of their families.
2. Oriental Shorthair Cat
The Oriental Shorthair Cat is a sleek, elegant domestic cat breed. These cats come from the same family as Siamese cats but have different coat colors and patterns. They are popular pets in many countries around the world.
Oriental Shorthair cats have short, smooth fur that comes in many colors including black, white, blue, and red. They have large ears and almond-shaped eyes that make them look very alert. These cats are known for being very active and playful.
These cats are very social and like to be around people. They often follow their owners around the house and enjoy being petted. Oriental Shorthair cats are also very vocal and will “talk” to their owners with different meows and sounds.
3. Orpington Chicken
The Orpington Chicken is a popular domestic bird that farmers raise for eggs and meat. These chickens were first developed in England in the 1880s. They are known for being calm and easy to care for.
Orpington chickens are quite large and have fluffy feathers that make them look even bigger. They come in several colors including black, white, blue, and buff (golden-yellow). These chickens are good at laying eggs and can produce about 200 eggs per year.
These chickens are very friendly and gentle, which makes them great for families with children. They don’t fly much and are happy to stay in a fenced yard. Orpington chickens are also good mothers and will sit on their eggs to hatch baby chicks.
4. Ocicat
The Ocicat is a domestic cat breed that looks like a wild cat but is completely tame. These cats were created by breeding different domestic cat breeds together. They get their name because they look similar to ocelots, which are wild cats.
Ocicats have spotted coats that make them look exotic and wild. Their spots can be different colors including brown, silver, and chocolate. These cats are medium to large in size and have muscular bodies that make them good climbers and jumpers.
These cats are very friendly and outgoing. They like to meet new people and often act more like dogs than cats. Ocicats are also very smart and can learn tricks and commands. They make excellent pets for people who want a cat with a wild appearance but a gentle personality.
Wild Animal Names That Start With O
Here’s a list of wild animals that start with O :
- Okapi
- Orangutan
- Ostrich
- Otter
- Owl
- Ocelot
- Octopus
- Opossum
- Oryx
- Orca
- Osprey
- Olm
- Oarfish
- Ovenbird
- Oriole
- Oxpecker
- Olingo
- Oystercatcher
- Onager
- Orb Weaver Spider
5. Okapi
The Okapi is a unique wild animal that lives in the rainforests of central Africa. Many people call it the “forest giraffe” because it is related to giraffes, even though it looks very different. Okapis are much shorter than giraffes and have dark reddish-brown fur.
The most interesting thing about okapis is their striped legs. They have white stripes on their legs and rear end, which help them blend into the forest shadows. Male okapis have small horns on their heads, but females do not.
Okapis are very shy animals that prefer to live alone in the forest. They eat leaves, buds, and fruits from trees and plants. These animals are excellent at hiding and are very quiet when they move through the forest. Okapis are considered an endangered species because their forest homes are being cut down.
6. Orangutan
The Orangutan is a large ape that lives in the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. These wild animals are among the most intelligent creatures on Earth. Orangutans have long, reddish-brown hair and very long arms that help them swing through trees.
Orangutans spend most of their time high up in the forest canopy. They build nests in trees where they sleep each night. These animals are very good at using tools, such as sticks to get insects out of tree bark or leaves to collect water.
Female orangutans usually have one baby at a time, and the baby stays with its mother for about eight years. This is one of the longest childhood periods of any animal. Orangutans are endangered because people are cutting down their forest homes to make room for farms and cities.
7. Ostrich
The Ostrich is the largest bird in the world, but it cannot fly. These wild animals live in Africa and can run very fast on their long, strong legs. Ostriches can run up to 45 miles per hour when they need to escape from danger.
Ostriches are very tall birds that can grow up to 9 feet high. They have long necks and small heads compared to their large bodies. Male ostriches have black feathers with white wing tips, while females have brown and gray feathers.
These birds eat plants, seeds, and sometimes small animals like insects. Ostriches live in groups and take turns watching for predators like lions and cheetahs. When an ostrich feels threatened, it will either run away quickly or kick with its powerful legs.
8. Otter
Otters are playful wild animals that live near water. There are many different types of otters around the world, including river otters and sea otters. These animals are excellent swimmers and spend much of their time in the water looking for food.
Otters have thick, waterproof fur that keeps them warm and dry even when swimming in cold water. They have webbed feet that help them swim fast and long tails that work like rudders to help them steer. Otters also have whiskers that help them find food underwater.
These animals are very social and often play together in groups. They like to slide down muddy banks into the water and chase each other around. Otters eat fish, frogs, and other water animals. Sea otters are famous for floating on their backs and using rocks to crack open shellfish.
9. Owl
Owls are wild birds that hunt at night. There are many different types of owls around the world, from tiny owl species to large ones. These birds are known for their excellent hearing and eyesight, which help them catch prey in the dark.
Owls have special feathers that make them very quiet when they fly. This helps them sneak up on mice, rabbits, and other small animals without being heard. Most owls have large eyes that face forward, which gives them very good depth perception.
These birds make different sounds to communicate with each other. The most famous owl sound is “hoo-hoo,” but different owl species make different calls. Owls nest in trees, caves, or old buildings. They often swallow their prey whole and then cough up pellets containing bones and fur that they cannot digest.
10. Ocelot
The Ocelot is a wild cat that lives in Central and South America. These animals are much smaller than lions or tigers but larger than house cats. Ocelots are excellent hunters and spend most of their time alone in the forest.
Ocelots have beautiful spotted coats that help them blend into the shadows of the forest. Their fur is golden-yellow with black spots and stripes. These wild cats are very good climbers and swimmers, which helps them catch different types of prey.
These cats hunt at night and sleep during the day in trees or hidden spots on the ground. Ocelots eat small mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. They have excellent night vision and hearing, which makes them successful hunters in the dark forest.
11. Octopus
The Octopus is a fascinating sea animal with eight arms. These wild animals live in oceans around the world and are known for being very intelligent. Octopuses can change colors and shapes to hide from predators or communicate with other octopuses.
Octopuses have soft bodies with no bones, which allows them to squeeze through very small spaces. Each of their eight arms has suction cups that help them grab onto things and taste their food. These animals also have excellent eyesight and can see in color.
These sea creatures are very smart and can solve puzzles and learn new things. They use tools like rocks and shells to protect themselves or catch food. Octopuses eat crabs, fish, and other sea animals. They have a short lifespan, usually living only one to two years.
12. Opossum
The Opossum is North America’s only wild animal that carries its babies in a pouch. These animals are marsupials, which means they are more closely related to kangaroos than to other mammals that live in North America. Opossums are about the size of a house cat.
Opossums have grayish fur and white faces with black eyes. They have long, hairless tails that help them climb trees and balance. When opossums feel scared or threatened, they sometimes “play dead” by lying very still and not moving.
These animals are active at night and sleep during the day. Opossums eat many different things including fruits, insects, small animals, and even garbage. They are good climbers and swimmers, which helps them find food and escape from danger.
13. Orca
The Orca, also called the Killer Whale, is actually the largest type of dolphin. These wild animals live in oceans around the world and are known for being very intelligent and social. Orcas live in family groups called pods.
Orcas are black and white in color, with white patches around their eyes and on their bellies. They can grow up to 32 feet long and weigh as much as 6 tons. These marine mammals are excellent hunters and work together to catch fish, seals, and other sea animals.
These animals are very smart and can learn complex behaviors. Different orca pods have their own “language” of clicks and whistles that they use to communicate. Orcas are also known for their acrobatic abilities and can jump completely out of the water.
14. Oryx
The Oryx is a wild animal that looks like a large antelope with long, straight horns. These animals live in desert areas of Africa and the Middle East. Oryx are well-adapted to hot, dry climates and can survive without drinking water for long periods.
Oryx have light-colored fur that helps reflect the sun’s heat. Both males and females have long, sharp horns that they use to defend themselves from predators. These animals can run very fast across the desert sand when they need to escape danger.
These animals get most of their water from the plants they eat. Oryx are very good at finding food in the desert, eating grasses, leaves, and roots. They often travel in small groups and are active during the cooler parts of the day.
15. Osprey
The Osprey is a wild bird that is also called the Fish Hawk. These birds live near lakes, rivers, and oceans around the world. Ospreys are expert fishers and eat almost nothing but fish.
Ospreys are large birds with long, narrow wings that help them soar over water while looking for fish. They have excellent eyesight and can spot fish swimming underwater from high in the sky. When they see a fish, they dive down feet-first to catch it.
These birds build large nests on tall trees, cliffs, or man-made structures like telephone poles. Osprey nests can be several feet wide and are used year after year. These birds migrate long distances, traveling thousands of miles between their summer and winter homes.
Conclusion
This article covered many different animals that start with the letter O, including both domestic and wild species. From familiar pets like Old English Sheepdogs and Oriental Shorthair cats to exotic wild animals like okapis and orangutans, there are many fascinating creatures whose names begin with this letter. These animals live in various habitats around the world, from forests and deserts to oceans and people’s homes. Learning about different animal names can help expand your knowledge of the natural world and the diverse species that share our planet.
