50 Incredible Animals That Start With I | List, Fun Facts, And A Worksheet

Learn the names of animals that start with I with this vocabulary list! Below you’ll find a list of 50 animals that begin with the letter I, together with fun facts about each animal and a free worksheet to help you learn or teach these animal names.

Animals Starting With The Letter I

Ibex
Ibis
Ichneumon
Iguana
Iguanodon
Impala
Indian Cobra
Indian Elephant
Indian Peafowl
Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Star Tortoise
Indian Python
Indigo Bunting
Indigo Snake
Indri
Inland Taipan
Insect
Intermediate Egret
Irish Setter
Irish Wolfhound
Irrawaddy Dolphin
Isopod
Italian Greyhound
Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Ivory Gull
Izu Thrush
Iceland Gull
Indian Mynah
Indian Pangolin
Indian Roller
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Indigo Finch
Irish Draught
Irish Water Spaniel
Island Fox
Island Night Lizard
Italian Cave Salamander
Italian Spadefoot Toad
Ivory-backed Woodswallow
Indian Skimmer
Indian Vulture
Indian Hare
Indian Jackal
Inanga (a type of fish)
Inca Dove
Inca Tern
Indigo-winged Parrot
Indian Bustard
Indian Flying Fox
Indian Robin

Animals That Start With I – Worksheet

This worksheet has a list of 12 animals that start with the letter I and pictures of each animal. To complete the worksheet, you must read the animal name and match it to the corresponding animal picture. As always, this worksheet is free.

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Fun Facts About Animals That Start With I

Ibex

The ibex, a species of wild goat, is known for its incredible climbing abilities. They can scale the steep and rocky sides of mountains with ease due to their specially designed hooves.

Ibis

The ibis is often associated with the Egyptian god Thoth, who was often depicted with the head of an ibis in ancient Egyptian mythology.

Ichneumon

Ichneumon is a type of parasitoid wasp. These insects have a unique reproductive process where the female injects her eggs into a host insect. The larvae then consume the host from the inside out.

Iguana

Iguanas have a ‘third eye’ on the top of their head. This eye doesn’t see in the same way their two primary eyes do, but it is sensitive to changes in light and dark, helping them detect predators from above.

Iguanodon

The Iguanodon was one of the first dinosaurs ever discovered and named. It is known for its characteristic ‘thumbs’, which are actually conical spikes.

Impala

Impalas can jump distances up to 33 feet (10 meters). This helps them escape predators and navigate their savannah habitats.

Indian Cobra

The Indian Cobra, or the “Spectacled Cobra,” has a unique ‘hood’ that it expands when it feels threatened or is ready to attack.

Indian Elephant

Indian Elephants are smaller than their African counterparts. They have smaller ears, and only the males typically have visible tusks.

Indian Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl, also known as the Peacock, is widely recognized for its beautiful, iridescent tail feathers, which are spread out in a dazzling display during courtship.

Indian Rhinoceros

The Indian Rhinoceros has a single horn, unlike the African rhinoceros species, which has two. These horns are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.

Indian Star Tortoise

Indian Star Tortoises have a striking star-like pattern on their shells, making them a highly sought-after species in the illegal pet trade.

Indian Python

Indian Pythons are one of the largest snake species in the world, capable of reaching lengths up to 20 feet (6.1 meters).

Indigo Bunting

The Indigo Bunting is a small bird that migrates at night, using the stars for guidance.

Indigo Snake

Indigo snakes are non-venomous and are known for their docile nature and brilliant indigo-blue coloration.

Indri

The Indri is the largest species of lemur and is known for its unique, song-like calls that can carry for more than 2 km through its forest home.

Inland Taipan

The Inland Taipan is considered the most venomous snake in the world. Its venom is potent enough to kill over 100 men with a single bite.

Insect

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet, with over a million described species and many more undiscovered.

Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egrets are unique in that they change the color of their eyes from yellow to red during the breeding season.

Irish Setter

Irish Setters are known for their striking red coats and their jovial and friendly personalities.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are one of the tallest breeds of dogs. Despite their imposing size, they’re known for their gentle and friendly nature.

Irrawaddy Dolphin

The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a unique species that can live in both salt and freshwater. They are recognized by their rounded faces and short dorsal fins.

Isopod

Isopods are one of the most diverse crustacean groups, with species ranging from tiny soil-dwellers to the giant isopods found in the deep sea.

Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds, with depictions of this breed found in ancient Egyptian art dating back 4,000 years.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in the world. It’s currently considered critically endangered, possibly extinct.

Ivory Gull

The Ivory Gull is known for its pure white plumage that helps it blend into its Arctic habitat.

Izu Thrush

The Izuthrush is a species of bird from the Old World Warbler family. They are known for their melodious songs, especially during breeding seasons.

Iceland Gull

The Iceland Gull breeds in the Arctic regions and migrates south during the winter. They are noted for their all-white appearance.

Indian Mynah

The Indian Mynah, also known as the Common Myna, is known for its adaptability to urban environments and its ability to mimic human speech.

Indian Pangolin

Indian Pangolins are unique animals covered in large, protective scales. They are the most trafficked animal in the world due to demand for their scales and meat.

Indian Roller

Indian Rollers are known for their stunning aerobatic displays during the breeding season, from which they derive their name.

Indian Spot-billed Duck

Indian Spot-billed Ducks have a unique spot on their bill, giving them their name. They are also known for their distinctive calls.

Indigo Finch

Indigo Finches are known for their vibrant blue coloration. They are a popular choice for pet birds due to their color and melodious song.

Irish Draught

The Irish Draught is a horse breed known for its strength, versatility, and good nature. They are often used in crossbreeding to produce sport horses.

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is known for its curly coat and its excellent swimming ability, making it an excellent water retriever.

Island Fox

The Island Fox is a unique species of fox that is found only on the Channel Islands of California. They are significantly smaller than their mainland relatives.

Island Night Lizard

The Island Night Lizard is a unique species of lizard that is found only on three of the California Channel Islands.

Italian Cave Salamander

The Italian Cave Salamander is a unique species that has adapted to life in dark, damp caves in Italy. Unlike most salamanders, it lacks lungs and breathes through its skin.

Italian Spadefoot Toad

Italian Spadefoot Toads are unique in that they have a special ‘spade’ on their hind legs, which helps them dig burrows.

Ivory-backed Woodswallow

The Ivory-backed Woodswallow is a small bird found in New Guinea. Despite their name, they do not actually swallow wood!

Indian Skimmer

Indian Skimmers are known for their unique hunting method. They fly low over water with their lower beak skimming the surface to catch fish.

Indian Vulture

The Indian Vulture faced a major decline in the early 2000s due to a drug called diclofenac, used in livestock, which is poisonous to vultures. Conservation efforts are ongoing to save this species.

Indian Hare

The Indian Hare, also known as the Black-naped Hare, is unique in that it has a patch of black fur on the back of its neck.

Indian Jackal

The Indian Jackal, also known as the Golden Jackal, has a wide range of vocalizations and is often heard ‘howling’ at dusk.

Inanga

Inanga is a type of fish that belongs to the whitebait group. They have a unique life cycle involving both freshwater and marine stages.

Inca Dove

Inca Doves are known for their distinctive ‘scaly’ appearance and their cooing calls. They are common in the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Inca Tern

The Inca Tern is easily recognizable by its dark grey body, white mustache, and red-orange beak and feet.

Indigo-winged Parrot

The Indigo-winged Parrot, also known as Fuertes’s Parrot, is a critically endangered species from Colombia. There are fewer than 250 individuals left in the wild.

Indian Bustard

The Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. They are critically endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting.

Indian Flying Fox

The Indian Flying Fox is one of the largest bat species in the world. Despite their scary appearance, they are harmless and feed primarily on fruit.

Indian Robin

The Indian Robin, especially the male, is known for its black body and white shoulder patches. They are common across the Indian subcontinent and are popular for their melodious songs.

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