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Animals That Start With F

Frilled lizard
Image by iwayansumatika via depositphotos.com

Welcome to animals that start with F. Here, we will have a look at some of the animals that live on Mother Earth that start with the letter F. Some might be familiar to you, others not so much! Nonetheless, let’s have a look and see!

Overview of Animals that Start with F

1. Fallow Deer

fallow deer
Image by aolo-manzi via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameDama dama
Where it livesOriginally from Europe, now found worldwide
What it eatsHerbivorous, feeds on grasses, leaves, and crops
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: Fallow deer have spots even when fully grown.

Fallow Deer are native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. However, they have been introduced as game animals to many other parts of the world.

Fallow deer are reared not just for their meat but also for the velvet on male antlers. It is said to have medicinal properties. These animals weigh between 130 and 330 pounds and often have spotted coats.

2. False Widow Spiders

False widow
a long-legged female false widow spider (Steatoda grossa) lurking under a ledge of rock. Image by EWTC via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameSteatoda spp.
Where it livesFound in urban and suburban areas, often near human dwellings
What it eatsCarnivorous; preys on insects such as flies, ants, and beetles
Conservation StatusNot assessed

Fun Fact: False Widow Spiders might benefit humans, as they eat household pests.

False Widow Spiders are usually mistaken for Black Widows, hence the name. But they are pretty harmless. These spiders originated from the Canary Islands and Madeira but have found their way worldwide.

These tiny spiders are normally dark brown or black with distinct markings that resemble a black widow. Although they are venomous their bites are not often serious enough to require medical attention.

3. Fangtooth Fish

Image by © Citron, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Anoplogaster_cornuta_2012.jpg, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameAnoplogaster cornuta
Where it livesDeep ocean waters, depths of 200 to 2,000 meters (660 to 6,560 feet)
What it eatsCarnivorous; feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans
Conservation StatusNot assessed due to its deep-sea habitat and limited human interaction

Fun Fact: Fangtooth Fish’s lower Jaws are so large that it had to evolve special sockets to accommodate them.

Fangtooth Fish aren’t winning any beauty contests anytime soon. It has a grotesque look and oversized teeth. But those features are what enable it to survive in the deep twilight zone.

These vicious fish are only about six inches long, with large sharp teeth. Their large eyes help them to hunt in the darkness of the deep sea.

4. Fennec Fox

Fennec Fox. Image by Cifer88 via Pixabay.
Scientific NameVulpes zerda
Where it livesArid desert regions of North Africa, including the Sahara
What it eatsOmnivorous, eats insects, small mammals, and plants
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: Fennec foxes are the smallest species of fox in the world.

Fennec Foxes make their home in the deserts of Northern Africa. They have huge ears that help them regulate heat and also detect prey.

These foxes are very small only weighing between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds! These nocturnal animals are skilled diggers and hunters to help them survive in their habitat.

5. Ferret

black foot ferret
Ferret. Image by Kimberly Fraser / USFWS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Endangered_Black-Footed_Ferret.jpg
Scientific NameMustela putorius furo
Where it livesEurope, Asia, Africa
What it eatsCarnivorous
Conservation StatusSome species are Endangered and others are of Least Concern

Fun Fact: Ferrets have a very high heart rate of 200 to 250 beats per minute.

Ferrets are carnivorous animals with long, slender bodies and short legs. These animals have been used for hunting rodents like mice and rats for centuries.

Humans can train ferrets to do tricks, and as such, they make good pets. These medium-sized animals have slender bodies with fur coats and markings on their faces. Ferrets are highly energetic and curious creatures – true busybodies.

6. Fiddler Crab

fiddler crab
Uca vocans, Fiddler Crab walking in mangrove forest at Phuket beach, Thailand. Image by wuttichok via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameUca spp.
Where it livesCoastal regions, sandy or muddy shores, mangroves, estuaries
What it eatsOmnivorous, eats algae, detritus, small invertebrates
Conservation StatusNot assessed

Fun Fact: Female Fiddler crabs pick a mate based on the size of the enlarged claw and the male’s fiddling display.

Fiddler crabs are a species that can live both in the sea and on land. Their habitats may include saltwater bodies or estuaries.

Their name comes from the males’ fiddling motion while counting a mate. One noticeable feature of the males is the enlarged claw, which they use for communication and mating.

7. Fin Whale

Fin whale
Fin Whale. Image by Aqqa Rosing-Asvid – Visit Greenland, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameBalaenoptera physalus
Where it livesOceans worldwide, temperate and polar waters
What it eatsCarnivorous, feeds on small fish and krill
Conservation StatusEndangered

Fun Fact: Fin whales can be found in many oceans around the world because they migrate all year round.

Fin whales are some of the largest animals on earth, in fact, they are the second-largest whale species! However, their size doesn’t hinder them, as they can maintain 25 miles per hour speeds.

Despite their size, Fin whales don’t eat other animals. Instead, they are filter feeders.

8. Fire Salamander

Fire Salamander. Image via Pixabay.
Scientific NameSalamandra salamandra
Where it livesDeciduous forests, wooded areas, near water sources
What it eatsCarnivorous, feeds on insects, spiders, worms, and small vertebrates
Conservation StatusNear Threatened

Fun Fact: Fire Salamanders give birth to their young alive, a rarity in the reptile world.

Fire Salamanders were once thought to be born from fire, and that’s where the name comes from. Their bright colors are indicative of the poison in their skin.

Thanks to their bright colors and large size, Fire Salamanders are usually kept as pets.

9. Fire-bellied Toad

Fire-bellied toad
Fire-bellied Toad. Image by Chris Paul from England, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameBombina spp.
Where it livesEast Asia and Europe
What it eatsCarnivorous, eats insects, invertebrates, tadpoles
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: Fire-bellied Toads catch prey with their mouths instead of a sticky tongue.

Fire-bellied toads are found in parts of China, North and South Korea, and Russia. These tiny amphibians can live for 12-15 years in the wild.

The poison on their skin deters predators while they eat insects, snails, and plant materials.

10. Firefly

Firefly
Image by ergregory via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameLampyridae family
Where it livesVarious, grasslands, forests, wetlands
What it eatsLarvae are predatory; adults consume nectar and pollen
Conservation StatusVaries; some threatened by habitat loss and light pollution

Fun Fact: Firefly bioluminescence is very effective, as nearly 96% of the reaction’s energy is turned to light.

Fireflies are truly just magical little creatures. Anyone who has watched a single Disney princess movie knows about fireflies. Yes, they do produce light from their bodies. And they do other things than fly around couples during romantic moments.

These nocturnal flying insects use their bioluminescence for mating and communication.

11. Fisher Cat

Fisher cat
Image by Douglas H. Domedion, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NamePekania pennanti
Where it livesForested areas of North America, including mixed and coniferous forests
What it eatsCarnivorous, preys on small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and mice
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: This is one of the few animals that can prey on porcupines successfully.

Fisher Cat neither eats fish nor is a cat. Instead, it’s called that because of its resemblance to the European polecat.

These animals are medium-sized with dark brown fur and a bushy tail. They live solitary and territorial lives, partaking in activities both during the day and night.

12. Flamingo

Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus. Colony of pink Flamingos grooming while wading in a pond.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus. Colony of pink Flamingos grooming while wading in a pond. Image by Tverdohlib.com via Depositphotos.
Scientific NamePhoenicopteridae family
Where it livesVarious wetlands, lakes, lagoons
What it eatsFilter feeders – algae, small crustaceans
Conservation StatusNot Extinct

Fun Fact: When Flamingos sleep, they balance on a single leg.

Flamingos are beautiful water birds that have pink feathers and long spindly legs. They have webbed feet that enable them to move across water bodies.

These social birds live in large flocks where they can wade in peace while hunting for prey.

13. Flea

flea
Image by cosmln via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameSiphonaptera spp.
Where it livesParasitic, found on mammals and birds
What it eatsPrimarily feed on host blood
Conservation statusNot Extinct

Fun Fact: Fleas can jump nearly seven inches high.

Fleas are notorious pests and Pet owners probably see these insects in their nightmares. These pests transmit a lot of diseases with their bites.

These flat-bodied and wingless insects have strong hind legs and can transmit diseases like typhus and the bubonic plague.

14. Florida Gar

florida gar
Image by Infinitysend at English Wikipedia, Public domain, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Lepisosteus_platyrhincus.JPG, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameLepisosteus platyrhincus
Where it livesFreshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, and swamps
What it eatsCarnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and small vertebrates
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: The Florida Gar survives the dry season by burrowing into the sediments and slowing its metabolism.

Florida Gar, as the name suggests, is usually found in Florida. It has a long narrow body and sharp teeth. It also has gulls that can double as lungs to help it breathe air.

These solitary and territorial animals are often seen submerged in vegetation where they lurk waiting for an opportunity to strike prey.

15. Flounder

Image by kevskoot via Pixabay.
Scientific NamePleuronectidae family
Where it livesCoastal regions, sandy or muddy seabeds
What it eatsCarnivorous, eats small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates
Conservation StatusVaries, some face overfishing pressure

Fun Fact: Some Flounders can even change colors to better blend into their surroundings.

Flounder fish are popular bottom-dwelling fish that capture prey by ambushing. These fishes are a famous cuisine, and as such, are in danger of reducing population.

They have flat bodies with eyes sitting close together, and grow between 10 and 30 inches in size!

16. Flying Fish

Flying Fish
Image by feather0510 via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameExocoetidae family
Where it livesTropical and subtropical oceans, particularly near the surface
What it eatsCarnivorous, feeds on plankton and small fish
Conservation StatusVaries, some species may face threats from habitat degradation and overfishing

Fun Fact: Flying fish can glide for more than 650 feet.

Flying fish actually fly! The pectoral fins of these fishes are modified to serve as wings. They enable them to leap out of the water and glide. This helps them escape predators.

These fish are excellent swimmers and use their fins to glide and escape from predators.

17. Freshwater Crocodile

Image by pen_ash via Pixabay.
Scientific NameCrocodylus johnsoni
Where it livesFreshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and swamps in northern Australia
What it eatsCarnivorous, preys on fish, crustaceans, and small mammals
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: Sexual maturity in freshwater crocodiles is achieved once they reach 4.9 feet long.

Freshwater crocodiles are not a danger to humans. That might be a shock, but saltwater crocodiles are the dangerous ones.

These nocturnal animals spend their days baking in the sun and grow to about 9.8 feet in size.

18. Frilled Lizard

Frilled lizard
Image by iwayansumatika via Depositphotos.
Scientific NameChlamydosaurus kingii
Where it livesWoodlands, tropical forests of northern Australia
What it eatsInsectivorous, eats insects, small vertebrates
Conservation StatusLeast Concern

Fun Fact: Frilled lizards are usually kept as exotic pets, but they need a lot of care.

Frilled Lizards definitely look scary. Thanks to the frill around its neck, which it raises when threatened. But there’s no need to worry, as it isn’t poisonous.

They grow between 28 and 35 inches in length.

19. Frogfish

Well camouflaged frogfish sitting in coral in Sodwana Bay. Image by Tara Panton
Well camouflaged frogfish sitting in coral in Sodwana Bay. Image by Tara Panton
Scientific NameAntennariidae spp.
Where it livesTropical and subtropical oceans, typically found near coral reefs and rocky bottoms
What it eatsCarnivorous, ambush predators that feed on small fish and crustaceans
Conservation StatusData Deficient

Fun Fact: Frogfishes don’t swim. Instead, they propel themselves with water from openings in their gills.

Frogfishes are scaleless and are found in the deeper parts of the ocean. They stay motionless and use lures to draw in prey, then strike in milliseconds.

These well-camouflaged fish lure their prey with their striking appearance.

20. Fruit Fly

fruit fly
Image by sauce7 via depositphotos.com
Scientific NameDrosophila melanogaster
Where it livesUbiquitous, found worldwide wherever suitable food sources are available
What it eatsOmnivorous, feeding on decaying fruits and other organic matter
Conservation StatusNot Extinct

Fun Fact: Fruit flies can beat their wings up to 250 times in a second.

Fruitflies can usually be found around decomposing fruit, meat, and organic materials. They typically live for about 25-50 days.

Although they have a short lifespan, these flies reproduce at impressive speeds. They lay their eggs in fermenting fruit and other organic materials.

Summary of Animals that Start with F

YouTube video
Animals Starting with F. Source: Youtube, Uploaded: James English

And we’ve gotten to the end of the list. We hope you love it. Now hasten to this list of animals that start with D. A lot of fun animals await.

You might also like to read about our other Animal Letter Lists.

Thank you for reading!

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