Welcome to animals that start with k.
Animals that start with the letter K are not as many as others, but they still exist. This list contains common species and some that you might consider new. Sit back and enjoy the list.
Overview of animals that start with k
1. Kangaroos
Their long hind legs, enormous tails, and arched backs set them apart. They are native to Australia and are the nation’s symbol featuring coins and the coat of arms.
The females possess forward opening pouches in front of them that house their young.
Fun Fact: Kangaroos can stand on their tails.
2. Keel-billed Toucan
The Keel-billed Toucan is also known as rainbow toucan due to its large, colorful bill. This bird can be found in Central and South America.
It is characterized by its small body and large beak, which is one-third of its size.
Fun Fact: This bird is known for its loud calls. These sound like frog calls and can be heard up to half a mile away.
3. Key Deer
It is also known as toy deer because it is smaller than most other deer species. It is colored white on its belly and under its tail.
They do not fear humans.
Fun Fact: Key Deer almost went extinct in the 1950s.
4. Kiko Goat
This is a crossbreed of dairy goat and feral goat. Despite its large horns, the kilo goat is not much of a fighter and can barely defend itself.
Fun Fact: A pedigreed male Kiko goat can cost $1,500!
5. Killer Whale
It is easy to identify due to its black back, white underside, and white eyespot. Killer whales travel in groups called pods.
It possesses a blowhole that serves as a nose and can hold its breath for 10 minutes.
Fun Fact: Female killer whales live longer than their male counterparts.
6. Kinder Goat
This is a crossbreed of an American Pygmy and a Nubian goat. It is resistant to a lot of illnesses that plague goats.
Its milk is fatty and sweet, and Kinder goats can produce up to half a gallon in a day.
Fun Fact: Kinder goats make great pets.
7. King Cobra
This snake can be found in India, southern China, and Southeast Asia. It is known as the longest venomous snake in the world.
This reptile’s dark brown, green, and black scales blend in with its surroundings. When it feels threatened by an animal or human, it will expand its hood and raise the top half of its body off the ground.
Fun Fact: The amount of venom the king Cobra releases in a single bite is enough to kill 20 people.
8. King Crab
Not only does it have a shell for protection, but the King crab’s entire body is also covered in spines. It has an orange hue to it when living but turns red when cooked.
They grow in size through a process called molting, in which they shed their old shells and grow newer, larger ones.
Fun Fact: King Crabs stack upon one another to seem more menacing when facing a threat. These stacks are called pods and can contain up to 100 crabs.
9. King Penguin
The king penguin has a black head with distinguishing orange plumage at the ear and throat. It is as tall as a toddler, making it the second-largest penguin in the world.
It is an expert diver and can dive great depths into the ocean.
Fun Fact: King Harald V of Norway crowned one penguin at the Edinburgh Zoo a knight in 2008. His official name is Sir Nils Olav.
10. Kingfisher
This bird is found worldwide except for the most extreme polar and desert climates. It is a small, brightly-colored bird with a long, sharp, straight beak.
Despite the name, it does not feed on fish alone.
Fun Fact: The kingfisher’s eggs are almost pure white.
11. Kinkajou
The kinkajou’s most important feature is its long prehensile tail, which acts as a third limb that can grip objects or branches.
It has big round eyes that can reflect light, which gives them a bright orange appearance. And the oldest kinkajou ever recorded had a lifespan of about 40 years.
Fun Fact: The kinkajou has a flexible spine that pivots a full 180 degrees from head to pelvis.
12. KitFox
This is the smallest fox in North America. It is designed to thrive in desert climates. Their enormous ears lend them both an exceptional sense of hearing and help disperse the desert heat from their bodies.
Fun Fact: Kit Foxes are monogamous.
13. Kiwi
The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand. It is distinguished by its long, slender beak and whisker-like feathers around its face.
It does not construct nests. Instead, it digs burrows in the ground with its claws.
Fun Fact: The kiwi has a developed sense of smell that is uncommon among birds.
14. Koala
The koala looks like a small bear with its large, broad face and round white-tufted ears. They also lack a visible tail and a smooth, black nose.
Koalas lead a largely inactive lifestyle and can happily spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping or sitting in the trees to conserve energy.
Fun Fact: Koalas have human-like fingerprints.
15. Kodkod
Kodkod features include a small, almost kitten-like head with black vertical markings above the eyes. It also has short, rounded ears with white spots on the back and a short but exceptionally thick tail.
The kodkod is one of the smallest species of cats in the world.
Fun Fact: The kodkod can live up to 11 years in the wild.
16. Koi Fish
Japanese rice farmers started breeding Koi for their beautiful colors in the 19th century.
They enjoy a long lifespan, with the oldest Koi fish living up to 226 years. They are plump without being obese, and their mouth is found at the end of their head.
Fun Fact: The most expensive Koi Fish sold for 1.8 million dollars!
17. Komodo Dragon
This lizard is not only the largest in the world, but it is also one of the most aggressive and dangerous.
The Komodo Dragon is an enormous reptile that can grow up to three meters long and weigh 150kg.
Fun Fact: Komodo Dragons use their tails to fight and stand.
18. Kookaburra
You can also call this bird the Bushman’s alarm clock because it lets out its call early in the morning. Its call sounds like laughter.
They have dark brown bands across their eyes, and the males have blue specks near their tails.
Fun Fact: Kookaburras commonly steal food from snakes.
19. Krill
The krill has a bioluminescent glow. It is one of the most important aquatic animals in the marine ecosystem.
It has a hard shell and transparent body that glows. It is pretty tiny, about the size of a paper clip.
Fun Fact: It is a popular seafood in Russia, Spain, Japan, and the Philippines.
20. Kudu
The kudu is a member of the antelope family native to East and South Africa. The spiral horns on the males set it apart from other members of the antelope family.
Around 6 to 10 white stripes separate its brown fur.
Fun Fact: Male Kudus can grow horns as long as 6 feet.
Summary of animals that start with k
This list has quite several fascinating animals. We hope you enjoyed it. See you next time. But before you leave, you definitely want to explore this list of animals that start with g.
As a little kid, I fell in love with nature, wildlife, and animals. Living in the USA, South Africa, and Germany have me the opportunity to discover the world's Wildlife. My favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Siberian Tigers, and Great White Sharks.
I'm a certified PADI Open Water Diver and hold a Master of Science in Economics.
For any feedback please message [email protected]
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