How do you classify the millions of different animals and their different subspecies living worldwide? First, you divide them into mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, invertebrates and fish. Sorting this huge number of animals becomes easier when we further categorize them and classify them with the first letter of their name.
The list in the article below contains various types of animals that start with the letter S including some unique ones that you might be hearing about for the first time. So, without further ado, let’s jump straight into the list
Animals that Start with S
1. Squid
Squids are technically classified as molluscs, the same family that spiders are from, due to their ability to shoot ink, change color and their unique pen-like body shape. Their elongated body contains eight arms and two tentacles, which they use to propel themselves like a jet, making them incredibly fast swimmers.
Fun fact: Squids have three hearts! Two for pumping blood to the gills and one for pumping blood to the rest of the body.
2. Squirrel Monkey
Squirrel monkeys are classified as small new world monkeys that primarily exist in Central and South America. As a hybrid between squirrels and monkeys, these animals are known for their long bushy tails that help them maintain balance as they spend most of their lives in trees. Squirrel monkeys are also known for their excellent climbing abilities.
Fun fact: Squirrel monkeys, due to some special antibodies in their system, are immune to certain diseases, including the herpes B virus. Scientists are currently using them to improve their knowledge of infectious diseases.
3. Siberian Tiger
The symbol of strength and power in Russia, the Siberian Tiger is a large native cat that primarily exists in the far east region of Russia. They can weigh up to a whopping 600 pounds and are blessed with thick and long orange fur with black stripes that help protect them against the harsh Siberian climate.
Fun fact: Siberian Tigers are known to use their weight as a hunting tactic by jumping and putting their weight on top of their prey, holding them down using their powerful front paws and delivering a fatal bite to the neck, known as the “death bite”.
4. Stingray
We’ve decided to include Stingrays as the first fish on this list for their distinctive flat, disc-shaped body and long whip-like tail that also contains stingers that they use for their own defense. These fish are mostly found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters, often near the ocean floor.
Fun fact: Stingrays can change the color of their skin to blend in with their surroundings as a tactic to avoid their predators and stalk their prey.
5. Siamese Fighting Fish
As evident from their name, Siamese fighting fish is a particularly aggressive freshwater breed found mostly in southeast Asia. Apart from their attitude, they are also known for their vibrant, colorful, long, flowing fins. This makes them a popular choice in the aquarium trade.
Fun fact: Siamese fighting fish are known to build “bubble nests” made up of bubbles of air and their own saliva. These nests contain their eggs and sometimes their prey.
6. Silver Fox Rabbit
Silver fox rabbits are probably the most elegant-looking rabbits out of the whole species due to their beautiful silver-tipped black fur and large size. These rabbits are incredibly social animals and love to spend time with their owners, which is also why they’re popular as show animals.
Fun fact: The silver tips in a silver fox rabbit’s black fur usually exist due to an abundance of the “agouti” gene.
7. Swallow
Probably the most acrobatic and graceful birds around, Swallows are known to group up and form beautiful patterns in the sky. These majestic birds have small streamlined bodies with long pointed wings that help them swoop low over fields and oceans, catching their prey while demonstrating exceptional flight skills.
Fun fact: Swallows are birds with exceptional stamina, as they’re capable of flying thousands of miles each year between their breeding and wintering grounds.
8. Sloth
Sloths in our world are primarily used as an example of slowness. And for a good reason, they have been officially classified as slow-moving mammals known for their distinctive round shape, shaggy fur and long arms. They also spend most of their lives hanging upside down from tree branches.
Fun fact: Sloths have the slowest metabolism of any mammal on the planet! This helps them preserve their energy and survive in parts of forests where food is scarce.
9. Sea Horse
Another example of a slow-moving creature that exists primarily in shallow tropical and temperate waters is a Sea Horse. This unique marine creature is known mainly for its horse-like appearance, which includes their curled tails.
Fun fact: In an act that seems to defy all logic, male seahorses are the ones that carry the eggs, fertilizing and incubating them in their sack until they eventually hatch and produce baby seahorses.
10. Starfish
Again as evident from the name, starfish are primarily known for their unique star-like shape, including their five spread-out arms. These fish can be found worldwide in all types of waters and can exist in many different colors and patterns. Their ability to change their color also makes them masters of camouflage.
Fun fact: Starfish can regenerate their lost arms, making them exceptionally resilient to injury.
11. Sperm Whale
Technically classified as the largest of the toothed whales, sperm whales are a seriously endangered species known to exist in all types of water and known for their huge foreheads.
Fun fact: Sperm whales are known to have the largest brain of any living species, weighing a whopping average of around 17 pounds.
12. Saluki
One of the oldest breeds of dog, Salukis are exquisite, slender-looking dogs known to originate from the middle east. These sighthounds are typically extremely intelligent and loyal, making them the preferred choice for individuals looking to keep a dog as a pet.
Fun fact: Salukis are also known as one of the fastest breeds of dogs and can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
13. Siberian Forest Cat
A prime example of cats that have been highly domesticated due to their friendly and affectionate personalities is a Siberian Forest cat. These furry creatures are known for their muscular bodies and distinctively expressive face, in addition to existing in various colors and patterns.
Fun fact: Siberian Forest cats have been identified to have a double-layered, dense undercoat of waterproof fur, probably to help them brave the cold in the winters of Russia.
14. Seagulls
Found mostly along coastlines, lakes, and rivers, Seagulls have a stunning appearance due to their white heads, grey wings, and yellow beaks. They’re also known to be less picky with their prey as they can eat various foods, including crustaceans, fish and even garbage.
Fun fact: Seagulls are part of a small set of animal species that actually toilet-train their young ones by encouraging them to relieve themselves outside the nest.
15. Salmon
Starting off our little sub-list of sea animals that start S is the Salmon. This incredibly resilient fish is known for its migratory abilities and the journey from fresh water to the ocean and back, which can take years to complete. A journey that’s been depicted in the famous Finding Nemo movie.
Fun fact: Salmon have an incredible sense of smell and can smell their natal stream from miles away to return to their birthplace when needed.
16. Sea Urchin
Found in oceans all over the world, often near the ocean bed, Sea Urchins are creatures born with a hard exterior shell, made of plate-like structures that protects their soft body and helps them hunt down their prey.
Fun fact: These sea juggernauts can regenerate their spine if it breaks off due to physical stress or while defending themselves from predators.
17. Salamander
Speaking of animals that can regrow body parts, salamanders, apart from their resilience to injury, are known to only exist in unpolluted waters and are used as indicators of water quality.
Fun fact: Adding on to their ability to regrow body parts, Salamanders are the only vertebrates that can regrow their spinal cord completely.
18. Skunk
When you imagine a skunk, the first thing that must come to mind has to be the foul-smelling spray they release from their backside or their distinctive black and white fur. While that’s all true, you may not know that Skunks also have a solid sense of smell and use it primarily to find their prey.
Fun fact: Skunks can spray that foul-smelling liquid up to six times in succession and accurately aim it at a target up to 15 km away.
19. Stoat
Stoats are small weasel-like animals with an appearance that consists of a slim body, short legs and long, furry tails. Even though they’re smaller, Stoats are known to hunt rabbits and squirrels almost exclusively.
Fun fact: The coat of stoats have a unique ability to change color with the seasons. In winter, they turn white to blend in with the snow, which makes them masters of camouflage.
20. Snowy Owl
Known to live out their entire lives in freezing climates, snowy owls are probably the most beautiful owls in existence due to their stunning yellow eyes, snowy white feathers and pitch-black beaks.
Fun fact: Unlike most owls, Snowy owls can hunt during both the day and night, making them efficient predators in the arctic tundra and the boreal forests.
21. Slow Loris
Belonging to the family of primates, the animals with a unique name are seriously endangered due to excessive hunting and illegal pet trade. In terms of appearance, they take after their name, as they have large, slow-moving bodies and long slender arms and legs.
Fun fact: Slow lorises have a unique gland on their elbow which secretes a toxic, poisonous liquid making them the only poisonous primates in the world.
22. Saiga Antelope
Another critically endangered species is the Saiga Antelope, a form of mammal native to Asia. Most individuals identify them by their unique downward-facing horns and their abnormally large noses.
Fun fact: Their unique nasal structure and huge nose allow Saiga Antelopes to filter dust out when they breathe in.
Here’s a full list of Animals that start with S
- Saanen Goat
- Saarloos Wolfdog
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Sable
- Sable Black German Shepherd
- Sable Ferret
- Sable German Shepherd
- Saddleback Caterpillar
- Saiga
- Sailfish
- Saint Berdoodle
- Saint Bernard
- Saint Shepherd
- Salamander
- Salmon
- Salmon Shark
- Saluki
- Sambar
- Samoyed
- San Francisco Garter Snake
- Sand Cat
- Sand Crab
- Sand Dollar
- Sand Lizard
- Sand Tiger Shark
- Sand Viper
- Sandhill Crane
- Sandpiper
- Sandworm
- Saola
- Sapsali
- Sarcosuchus
- Sardines
- Sarkastodon
- Sarplaninac
- Sarus Crane
- Satanic leaf-tailed gecko
- Saturniidae Moth
- Sauropoda
- Sauropoda
- Savanna Goat
- Savannah Monitor
- Savannah Sparrow
- Savu Python
- Saw-scaled Viper
- Sawfish
- Scale-Crested Pygmy Tyrant
- Scaleless Ball Python
- Scallops
- Scarab Beetle
- Scarlet Kingsnake
- Scarlet Macaw
- Scarlet Tanager
- Schapendoes
- Schipperke
- Schneagle
- Schnoodle
- Scimitar-horned Oryx
- Scorpion
- Scorpion Fish
- Scotch Collie
- Scottish Deerhound
- Scottish Fold Cat
- Scottish Terrier
- Scrotum Frog
- Sculpin
- Scutosaurus
- Sea Anemone
- Sea Bass
- Sea Dragon
- Sea Eagle
- Sea Lion
- Sea Otter
- Sea Roach
- Sea Slug
- Sea Snake
- Sea Spider
- Sea Squirt
- Sea Trout
- Sea Turtle
- Sea Urchin
- Seagull
- Seahorse
- Seal
- Sealyham Terrier
- Sedge Warbler
- Sehuencas Water Frog
- Sei Whale
- Senegal Parrot
- Senepol Cattle
- Sequined Spider
- Serval
- Seymouria
- Shantungosaurus
- Shark
- Sharp-Shinned Hawk
- Sharp-Tailed Snake
- Shastasaurus
- Sheep
- Sheepadoodle
- Sheepshead Fish
- Shepadoodle
- Shepkita
- Shepweiler
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Shiba Inu
- Shiba Inu Mix
- Shichi
- Shih Poo
- Shih Tzu
- Shih Tzu Mix
- Shikoku
- Shiloh Shepherd
- Shiranian
- Shoebill Stork
- Shollie
- Short-Eared Owl
- Short-Faced Bear
- Shortfin Mako Shark
- Shrew
- Shrimp
- Siamese
- Siberian
- Siberian Husky
- Siberian Ibex
- Siberian Retriever
- Siberian Tiger
- Siberpoo
- Sichuan Takin (Tibetan Takin)
- Sidewinder
- Sika Deer
- Silken Windhound
- Silkie Chicken
- Silky Shark
- Silky Terrier
- Silver Dollar
- Silver Labrador
- Simbakubwa
- Sinosauropteryx
- Sivatherium
- Six-Eyed Sand Spiders
- Sixgill shark
- Skate Fish
- Skeleton Tarantula
- Skink Lizard
- Skipjack Tuna
- Skua
- Skunk
- Skye Terrier
- Sleeper Shark
- Sloth
- Slovak Cuvac
- Slow Worm
- Slug
- Smallmouth Bass
- Smilosuchus
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Smooth Earth Snake
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Smooth Green Snake
- Smooth Hammerhead Shark
- Smooth Snake
- Snail
- Snailfish
- Snake
- Snapping Turtle
- Snook Fish
- Snorkie
- Snouted Cobra
- Snow Bunting
- Snow Crab
- Snow Leopard
- Snowberry Clearwing Moth
- Snowflake Eel
- Snowshoe
- Snowshoe Hare
- Snowy Owl
- Sockeye Salmon
- Soldier Beetle
- Somali
- Song Sparrow
- Song Thrush
- South China Tiger
- Southeastern Blueberry Bee
- Southern Black Racer
- Southern Flannel Moth
- Southern Hognose Snake
- Southern House Spider
- Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
- Spadefoot Toad
- Spanador
- Spanish Goat
- Spanish Mackerel
- Spanish Mastiff
- Spanish Water Dog
- Sparrow
- Sparrowhawk
- Speckled Kingsnake
- Speckled Trout
- Spectacled Bear
- Sperm Whale
- Sphynx
- Spider
- Spider Ball Python
- Spider Beetle
- Spider Monkey
- Spider Wasp
- Spider-Tailed Horned Viper
- Spinner Shark
- Spinone Italiano
- Spinosaurus
- Spiny bush viper
- Spiny Dogfish
- Spiny Hill Turtle
- Spitting Cobra
- Spixs Macaw
- Sponge
- Spongy Moth
- Spongy Moth
- Spotted Bass
- Spotted Gar
- Spotted Garden Eel
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Spotted python
- Spotted Skunk
- Springador
- Springbok
- Springerdoodle
- Squash Bee
- Squash Beetle
- Squid
- Squirrel
- Squirrel Monkey
- Squirrelfish
- Sri Lankan Elephant
- Stabyhoun
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Stag Beetle
- Standard Schnauzer
- Star-nosed mole
- Starfish
- Stargazer Fish
- Steelhead Salmon
- Steller’s Sea Cow
- Stick Insect
- Stiletto Snake
- Stingray
- Stoat
- Stone Crab
- Stonechat
- Stonefish
- Stoplight Loosejaw
- Stork
- Strawberry Hermit Crab
- Striped Bass
- Striped Hyena
- Striped Rocket Frog
- Stromatolite
- Stupendemys
- Sturgeon
- Styracosaurus
- Suchomimus
- Suckerfish
- Sugar Glider
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Sumatran Elephant
- Sumatran Orangutan
- Sumatran Rhinoceros
- Sumatran Tiger
- Summer Tanager
- Sun Bear
- Sunbeam Snake
- Sunset Ball Python
- Super Pastel Ball Python
- Supersaurus
- Superworm
- Surgeonfish
- Sussex Chicken
- Swai Fish
- Swainson’s Hawk
- Swallow
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Swan
- Swedish Elkhound
- Swedish Lapphund
- Swedish Vallhund
- Swordfish
- Syrian Hamster
Final Thoughts
And with that last entry, we’ve finally reached the end of the list and the conclusion of this article. Did you see any new animals that piqued your interest?
Well, that’s all from our side. We hope you enjoyed this article and that you gleaned some helpful information from it and can put that information to use for yourself.
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