Alphabetical Index

Animals Starting with “A”

Showing verified wildlife species starting with the letter A.

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MammaliaLC

Aardwolf

Proteles cristata

Diet: Obligate insectivore specialized on termites
Wild lifespan: Wild average is poorly measured; captive individuals have approached 20 years

AvesLC

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Diet: Insectivore and aerial predator
Wild lifespan: Often much shorter, but the banding record exceeds 12 years

AvesLC

Adelie Penguin

Pygoscelis adeliae

Diet: Marine carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–20 years; exceptional birds may live longer

MammaliaEN

African Bush Elephant

Loxodonta africana

Diet: Herbivore; grazes and browses
Wild lifespan: Several decades; some approach 60–70 years

AmphibiaLC

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Diet: Opportunistic aquatic carnivore and scavenger
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years; exceptional captive records exceed 20 years

ReptiliaLC

African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

Diet: Insectivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years in responsible captive care; wild longevity is poorly measured

AvesEN

African Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus

Diet: Frugivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is incompletely known; one compiled estimate is about 22.7 years

MammaliaVU

African Leopard

Panthera pardus pardus

Diet: Obligate carnivore and opportunistic ambush predator
Wild lifespan: Commonly around 12–17 years in the wild; longer in managed care

MammaliaVU

African Lion

Panthera leo

Diet: Obligate carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–16 years; males commonly shorter-lived

SarcopterygiiAnimal group

African Lungfish

Protopterus

Diet: Aquatic carnivore and omnivore
Wild lifespan: Can live for decades under managed care

AvesCR

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

Diet: Carnivore: mainly anchovy, sardine and other small fish, plus squid and crustaceans
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years, with some individuals surviving longer

MammaliaCR

African Wild Ass

Equus africanus

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often 20 years or more under favorable conditions

ReptiliaVU

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Aldabrachelys gigantea

Diet: Primarily herbivorous grazer and browser
Wild lifespan: Commonly more than 100 years and potentially around 150 years

ActinopterygiiLC

Alfonsino

Beryx decadactylus

Diet: Deepwater carnivore
Wild lifespan: Long-lived; age estimates extend for several decades

ReptiliaAnimal group

Alligator

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Varies by species

AvesAnimal group

Alpine Birds

Aves of alpine ecosystems

Diet: Species-specific: plants, seeds, insects, other animals, carrion, or mixed foods
Wild lifespan: No group-wide lifespan; it differs by species

MammaliaLC

Alpine Chipmunk

Neotamias alpinus

Diet: Primarily granivorous herbivore with occasional animal food
Wild lifespan: Typically about 2–3 years in the wild

MammaliaLC

Alpine Marmot

Marmota marmota

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years; exceptional individuals live longer

MalacostracaLC

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Diet: Omnivorous grazer and scavenger
Wild lifespan: Commonly around two to three years in aquariums; wild longevity is poorly documented

ActinopterygiiAnimal group

Amberjack

Seriola

Diet: Carnivorous
Wild lifespan: Species have separate longevity records; greater amberjack can live to about 17 years

ReptiliaLC

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Diet: Carnivore and opportunistic predator
Wild lifespan: Often 30–50 years in the wild

MammaliaNT

American Bison

Bison bison

Diet: Herbivore and bulk grazer
Wild lifespan: Usually about 12–20 years

AvesLC

American Bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Diet: Carnivore: fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, reptiles and small mammals
Wild lifespan: Oldest banded record exceeded 8 years 4 months

MammaliaLC

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Diet: Opportunistic omnivore, usually dominated by plant material
Wild lifespan: Often 15–25 years where adult mortality is low; some exceed 30 years

AmphibiaLC

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Diet: Carnivore as an adult; tadpoles graze algae and organic material
Wild lifespan: Often about 7–9 years

InsectaLC

American Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Diet: Herbivore as a caterpillar; nectar feeder as an adult
Wild lifespan: Adults generally live a few weeks; the full cycle may span months when dormant overwintering is included

AvesLC

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

Diet: Specialized granivore with minor seasonal animal food
Wild lifespan: Many survive only a few years; banded individuals have exceeded ten years

MammaliaLC

American Mink

Neogale vison

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 3–4 years in the wild; longer records occur

MammaliaLC

American Pika

Ochotona princeps

Diet: Generalist herbivore
Wild lifespan: Average near three years in the wild; exceptional individuals reach about seven

AvesLC

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Diet: Omnivore: earthworms, insects, snails and many fruits
Wild lifespan: Most live only a few years; the oldest recorded wild bird reached nearly 14 years

AmphibiaLC

American Toad

Anaxyrus americanus

Diet: Insectivore
Wild lifespan: Often several years in the wild; exceptional individuals live longer

AvesLC

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Diet: Primarily small fish, with other aquatic prey taken opportunistically
Wild lifespan: Can live more than 20 years; the oldest banded bird exceeded 23 years