Learning about animals that begin with N introduces readers to a wide range of creatures, from the tall nyala to the clever nighthawk. These animals come from every part of the world and show how diverse wildlife truly is.
In this post, you’ll find short facts and examples that make learning each name easy. Knowing Names of F animals helps students and nature fans talk confidently about creatures in forests, oceans, and zoos.
In This Page
List of Popular Animals That Begin with N
Animals beginning with N live in many habitats on land, in water, and in the air. Below are common examples with short facts.
- Narwhal: A sea mammal with a long spiral tusk often called the “unicorn of the sea.”
- Newt: A small amphibian that lives both on land and in water.
- Nighthawk: A bird that hunts insects at dusk with silent wings.
- Numbat: An Australian marsupial that eats ants and termites.
- Nyala: A spiral-horned antelope found in southern Africa.
- Nautilus: A sea creature with a spiral shell that helps it float.
- Nurse Shark: A calm bottom-dwelling shark found in warm seas.
- Nutria: A large, semi-aquatic rodent that lives near rivers.
- Nene: A Hawaiian goose known as the state bird of Hawaii.
- Needlefish: A long, thin fish that swims quickly near the water’s surface.

Animals That Start with N for Kids
Children love learning about animals that start with N because they have fun names and interesting shapes.
Narwhal
A whale with a long spiral tusk that looks like a unicorn’s horn.
Newt
A small animal that can live in both water and on land.
Nighthawk
A bird that flies at sunset and catches insects in the air.
Numbat
A cute Australian animal that eats ants with its long sticky tongue.
Nyala
A tall antelope with curved horns and striped fur.
Nurse Shark
A friendly shark that rests during the day and hunts at night.
Nene
A goose that lives in Hawaii and has soft gray feathers.
Nautilus
A sea creature with a spiral shell that helps it float.
Nutria
A large water-loving rodent with orange teeth.
Needlefish
A thin fish that jumps above the water when escaping predators.
Nightingale
A bird famous for its beautiful singing voice.
Noodlefish
A small, thin fish that lives in rivers and ponds.
Noolbenger
Another name for the numbat, an insect-eating marsupial.
Northern Cardinal
A bright red bird found in North America.
Nandu
A large flightless bird from South America.
Napoleon Wrasse
A giant coral reef fish with a bump on its head.
Nilgai
A large Asian antelope with a bluish-gray coat.
Nile Crocodile
A huge reptile that lives in African rivers.
Nightcrawler
A large earthworm that helps plants grow by loosening soil.
Nile Monitor
A strong African lizard that lives near rivers.
Land Animals That Start with N
These land animals that start with N live in forests, deserts, and mountains.
- Numbat
- Nyala
- Nutria
- Nilgai
- Naked Mole Rat
- Night Monkey
- Northern Tamandua
- Nubian Goat
- Noolbenger
- North American Beaver
- Nabarlek
- Northern Lynx
- Nene
- Northern Raccoon
- Nilgiri Tahr
- Northern Hare
- Nepal Gray Langur
- North American Porcupine
- Nubian Ibex
- Nightjar
Mammals That Start with N
Mammals beginning with N come in many shapes and sizes—from small rodents to ocean giants.
- Narwhal
- Numbat
- Nyala
- Nutria
- Nilgai
- Naked Mole Rat
- Night Monkey
- Noolbenger
- Northern Elephant Seal
- North American Beaver
- Northern Tamandua
- Northern Raccoon
- Nubian Goat
- Nabarlek
- North American Deer Mouse
- Northern Pika
- Nepal Gray Langur
- Northern Flying Squirrel
- Northern Fur Seal
- Nilgiri Marten
Birds Beginning with N
Birds that start with N are known for their bright colors and lovely songs.
- Nighthawk
- Nene
- Nightingale
- Northern Cardinal
- Nandu
- Northern Mockingbird
- Nicator
- Needle-tailed Swift
- Northern Shoveler
- Nightjar
- New Zealand Falcon
- Nankeen Kestrel
- Nubian Bustard
- Northern Pintail
- Nicobar Pigeon
- Northern Lapwing
- Neotropic Cormorant
- Northern Goshawk
- Northern Flicker
- Northern Fulmar
Reptiles and Amphibians Starting with N
Reptiles and amphibians beginning with N are cold-blooded creatures that thrive in different climates.
- Newt
- Nile Crocodile
- Northern Water Snake
- Nile Monitor
- Northern Leopard Frog
- Northern Alligator Lizard
- Namib Sand Gecko
- Night Anole
- Neotropical Salamander
- Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle
- Northern Pine Snake
- Northern Skink
- Neuse River Waterdog
- Nicaraguan Tree Frog
- Northern Desert Gecko
- Northern Blind Snake
- Northern Brown Snake
- Northern Red Salamander
- Noodle Snake
- Neotropical Whipsnake
Fish and Marine Life Beginning with N
Marine animals that start with N include colorful fish and large ocean dwellers.
- Narwhal
- Nautilus
- Nurse Shark
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Needlefish
- Nudibranch
- Northern Pike
- Neon Tetra
- Noodlefish
- Numbfish
- Northern Anchovy
- Nannygai
- Norway Haddock
- Northern Blenny
- Nile Perch
- Northern Cod
- Noodle Catfish
- Nightfish
- Norwegian Lobster
- Northern Squid
Insects Starting with N
Insects beginning with N play key roles in pollination and ecosystems.
- Net-winged Beetle
- Navel Orangeworm
- Northern Bee Fly
- No-see-um
- Nursery Web Spider
- Northern Moth
- Nymph Fly
- Narrow-winged Damselfly
- Night Moth
- Northern Ant
- Needle Bug
- Nut Weevil
- Nymphal Butterfly
- Neriid Fly
- Northern Grasshopper
- Nectar Bee
- Nettle Moth
- Nose Fly
- Northern Beetle
- Noctuid Moth
Wild Animals That Start with N
Wild animals that start with N live across different continents.
- Narwhal
- Numbat
- Nyala
- Nilgai
- Naked Mole Rat
- Northern Lynx
- Northern Elephant Seal
- Nile Crocodile
- Northern Raccoon
- Night Monkey
- Nabarlek
- Nightjar
- Northern Pika
- Nubian Ibex
- Northern Goshawk
- Neotropic Cormorant
- Northern Leopard Frog
- Northern Fulmar
- Nilgiri Marten
- Napu
Cute Animals That Start with N
Many animals that start with N are known for their adorable looks and gentle behavior.
- Numbat
- Narwhal
- Nene
- Night Monkey
- Naked Mole Rat
- Nutria
- Northern Pika
- Northern Flying Squirrel
- Neon Tetra
- Northern Tamandua
- Nyala Calf
- Nubian Goat
- Nilgiri Tahr
- Nightingale
- Noolbenger
- Nile Monitor Hatchling
- Nabarlek
- Northern Shoveler Duckling
- Nursery Web Spider
- Nudibranch
Zoo Animals That Start with N
Zoos often have animals that start with N from different parts of the world.
- Narwhal
- Numbat
- Nyala
- Nene
- Nilgai
- Nile Crocodile
- Northern Raccoon
- Nubian Goat
- Northern Elephant Seal
- Night Monkey
- Northern Lynx
- Nurse Shark
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Newt
- Northern Fur Seal
- Nightjar
- Northern Cardinal
- Northern Mockingbird
- Northern Giraffe
- Nudibranch
Fun Facts About N Animals
Animals that start with N have unique traits and abilities.
- Habitats and Diets: The narwhal lives in icy Arctic waters, while the numbat eats thousands of termites each day.
- Unique Features: The nautilus has a perfect spiral shell, and the nighthawk catches bugs in midair.
Conclusion
Animals that start with N show how creative nature can be. From the swimming narwhal to the singing nightingale, every creature plays an important role in our world. Learning their names helps students talk about animals with confidence and curiosity.
FAQs About Animals That Begin with N
The narwhal is one of the most popular animals that start with N, known for its unicorn-like tusk.
Sea animals that start with N include the narwhal, nautilus, and nurse shark.
Zoos often have nyalas, numbats, nene geese, night monkeys, and nile crocodiles.
Birds like the nightjar, nighthawk, and northern shoveler migrate far across countries.
Many people think the numbat or northern pika is the cutest because of their tiny size and soft fur.
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