75+ Animals That Start With E: List, Facts & Fun

Ever wondered how many incredible animals start with the letter E? From energetic eagles soaring across the skies to earth-dwelling echidnas, the variety is astounding. In this guide, you’ll explore animals that start with E, grouped by class — mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.

Each entry includes detailed facts on habitat, diet, and conservation status, plus a fun trivia tidbit to keep learning enjoyable. Whether you’re a student, animal enthusiast, or nature blogger, this curated list of 75 species reveals just how extraordinary the letter E is in the animal kingdom.

Animals That Start With E

🐾 1. Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Eagles are large birds of prey known for their sharp talons, powerful beaks, and keen eyesight. Found across every continent except Antarctica, they inhabit mountains, forests, and coastal cliffs. Most eagles feed on fish or small mammals, depending on species. They can have wingspans exceeding 2 m (6.5 ft). Their nests, called eyries, are built high above ground for protection.
Fun Fact: The bald eagle, America’s national bird, can spot prey from over 1 mile (1.6 km) away.

🐾 2. Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)

Earthworms are segmented invertebrates vital to soil health. They live underground, tunneling through dirt and enhancing aeration and nutrient cycling. Found on every continent except Antarctica, they consume decaying plant matter. Earthworms lack lungs; they breathe through their moist skin.
Fun Fact: Earthworms can eat up to half their body weight in soil daily.

🐾 3. Eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Eels are elongated fish found in freshwater and marine environments. They migrate thousands of kilometers to spawn, often returning to the Sargasso Sea. With slimy, scaleless bodies and small fins, eels are expert swimmers. Their diet includes crustaceans and smaller fish.
Fun Fact: European eels can live 20 years and travel across the Atlantic Ocean!

🐾 4. Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Elephants are the largest land mammals, inhabiting African savannas and Asian forests. They use their trunks for drinking, feeding, and communication. Herbivorous by nature, they eat grasses, bark, and fruit. Elephants live in matriarchal herds and are highly intelligent, showing empathy and memory.
Fun Fact: An elephant’s trunk contains 40,000 muscles!

🐾 5. Elk (Cervus canadensis)

Elk are large deer native to North America and eastern Asia. Males grow massive antlers each year, used for display and defense. They inhabit forests and meadows, grazing on grasses and leaves. During mating season, males “bugle” to attract females.
Fun Fact: Male elk can produce antlers weighing up to 18 kg (40 lb).

🐾 6. Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

The emu is Australia’s largest bird and second only to the ostrich worldwide. Flightless but fast, emus can sprint up to 50 km/h (31 mph). They thrive in open woodlands and grasslands. Their diet includes seeds, fruit, and insects.
Fun Fact: Male emus incubate the eggs for eight weeks without food.

🐾 7. Egret (Ardea alba)

Egrets are elegant white wading birds common in wetlands and coastal areas. They hunt fish, frogs, and insects by standing motionless before striking quickly. Their long necks and slender bills make them graceful predators.
Fun Fact: The great egret was once hunted for its feathers used in hats.

🐾 8. Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Echidnas, also called spiny anteaters, are monotremes (egg-laying mammals) native to Australia and New Guinea. Covered in spines, they feed on ants and termites with long sticky tongues. They curl into balls when threatened.
Fun Fact: Echidnas lay a single egg and carry it in a pouch.

🐾 9. Electric Ray (Torpedo nobiliana)

Electric rays are marine fish capable of producing electric shocks for defense and hunting. Found in warm coastal waters worldwide, they feed on small fish and crustaceans. Their disc-shaped bodies help them bury in sand.
Fun Fact: Some species generate over 200 volts of electricity!

🐾 10. Ermine (Mustela erminea)

The ermine, or stoat, is a small carnivorous mammal native to the Northern Hemisphere. In winter, its fur turns pure white except for the black tail tip. It feeds on rodents and birds and is known for its speed and agility.
Fun Fact: Royal robes in Europe were trimmed with ermine fur.

🐾 11. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx)

This medium-sized wild cat roams European and Asian forests. Recognized by tufted ears and short tails, it hunts deer and hares. The Eurasian lynx plays a key role in controlling prey populations.
Fun Fact: Lynx can hear a mouse from 60 meters (200 ft) away.

🐾 12. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)

A vibrant songbird from North America, the Eastern bluebird is known for its bright blue plumage and charming song. They prefer open fields and orchards with nest boxes or tree cavities.
Fun Fact: Males sing to defend their nesting territory.

🐾 13. Electric Eel (Electrophorus electricus)

Despite its name, the electric eel is a knifefish found in South American rivers. It uses electric organs to hunt and navigate murky waters. Electric eels can produce over 600 volts to stun prey.
Fun Fact: They can leap from the water to shock predators.

🐾 14. Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

The emperor penguin is the largest penguin species, native to Antarctica. It endures temperatures below −50 °C (−58 °F) by huddling in groups. They feed on fish and krill.
Fun Fact: Males incubate eggs on their feet through the winter.

🐾 15. Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus)

This bright green snake inhabits rainforests of South America. It rests coiled on branches and hunts birds and small mammals at night. Though non-venomous, it strikes swiftly to capture prey.
Fun Fact: Their neon green color helps camouflage in canopy leaves.

🐾 16. Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo)

One of the largest owl species in the world, the Eurasian eagle-owl has striking orange eyes and ear tufts. It inhabits forests, cliffs, and mountainous regions across Europe and Asia. These nocturnal hunters feed mainly on rodents, rabbits, and other birds. Their deep hoots can carry for several miles at night.
Fun Fact: Eurasian eagle-owls can capture prey larger than themselves, including small foxes.

🐾 17. Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Found throughout eastern Australia, this marsupial is famous for its powerful legs and long tail used for balance. They graze on grasses and leaves in open plains. Females carry their young, called joeys, in pouches for up to 11 months.
Fun Fact: Eastern grey kangaroos can hop up to 9 m (30 ft) in a single leap.

🐾 18. European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

A small nocturnal mammal covered in sharp spines, the European hedgehog is common across Europe and parts of Asia. It rolls into a tight ball for protection. Feeding mainly on insects, slugs, and worms, it helps control pests.
Fun Fact: Hedgehogs hibernate during winter in leaf nests or burrows.

🐾 19. Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator)

Named for its white, mustache-like whiskers, the emperor tamarin is a small monkey from South America’s rainforests. Agile and social, they live in family groups led by females. Their diet includes fruits, insects, and nectar.
Fun Fact: Emperor tamarins communicate with bird-like whistles.

🐾 20. Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)

The Eurasian beaver is a semi-aquatic rodent known for building dams and lodges. Once hunted for fur, it has made a strong comeback through reintroduction programs. Beavers play a crucial role in creating wetland ecosystems.
Fun Fact: Beaver dams can be seen from space due to their size.

🐾 21. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

Native to Africa but introduced elsewhere, the Egyptian goose is a striking waterfowl with chestnut patches around its eyes. It lives near rivers and lakes, feeding on grasses and seeds.
Fun Fact: Ancient Egyptians considered them symbols of fertility.

🐾 22. Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)

This metallic-green beetle is native to Asia but invasive in North America, where it destroys ash trees. The larvae tunnel under bark, disrupting water flow. Despite its beauty, it’s one of the most destructive forest pests.
Fun Fact: Females can lay up to 200 eggs in one season.

🐾 23. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

Brightly colored with red, yellow, and black bands, this venomous snake inhabits the southeastern U.S. It prefers forests and sandy areas. Its potent neurotoxic venom makes it one of North America’s most dangerous snakes.
Fun Fact: The rhyme “Red touches yellow, kills a fellow” helps identify it.

🐾 24. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Known for its red-orange breast, the European robin is a cheerful songbird found across Europe. It’s often seen in gardens and symbolizes winter and Christmas.
Fun Fact: Robins fiercely defend their territories year-round.

🐾 25. Emperor Angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator)

A reef-dwelling fish of the Indo-Pacific, the emperor angelfish dazzles with blue, yellow, and black stripes. Juveniles look completely different, with circular patterns. They graze on sponges and algae around coral reefs.
Fun Fact: Their striking coloration signals territory ownership.

🐾 26. Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)

A small owl found in North America, it camouflages perfectly against tree bark. It hunts insects and small vertebrates at night. Their soft, trilling call is common in wooded suburbs.
Fun Fact: They use tree cavities made by woodpeckers.

🐾 27. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

This small white vulture uses tools to crack open eggs, a rare trait in birds. It’s found in Africa, Europe, and South Asia. Feeding mainly on carrion, it’s vital for ecosystem cleanup.
Fun Fact: It uses stones to break ostrich eggs — true tool use!

🐾 28. Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina)

A terrestrial turtle from eastern North America, it has a domed shell with yellow and brown patterns. It can close its shell completely to protect from predators.
Fun Fact: Box turtles can live over 100 years in the wild.

🐾 29. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

The largest rattlesnake species, this venomous reptile is native to the southeastern U.S. It prefers pine forests and coastal plains. It warns threats with its distinctive rattle before striking.
Fun Fact: Its rattle adds one new segment after each shed.

🐾 30. European Bison (Bison bonasus)

Also called the wisent, this is Europe’s heaviest land mammal. Once nearly extinct, reintroduction efforts have revived its populations in Eastern Europe. These massive grazers prefer open forests and meadows.
Fun Fact: European bison can run up to 55 km/h (34 mph).

🐾 31. Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)

The Eastern cottontail is the most common rabbit in North America, named for the fluffy white underside of its tail. It thrives in meadows, farmlands, and suburban yards. This herbivore feeds on grasses and clover, and its population helps sustain many predators.
Fun Fact: A single female can produce up to 35 offspring per year!

🐾 32. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

These glossy black songbirds with iridescent plumage were introduced to North America from Europe. They form massive flocks called murmurations that move in mesmerizing patterns. Starlings mimic other birds and human sounds.
Fun Fact: One famous flock in Rome contained over a million birds.

🐾 33. Electric Catfish (Malapterurus electricus)

Native to African rivers, this nocturnal fish produces strong electric shocks to stun prey. Its smooth, scaleless body helps it glide through murky waters. Electric catfish feed mostly on smaller fish.
Fun Fact: Ancient Egyptians depicted electric catfish in tomb art.

🐾 34. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

A small but fierce bird of prey, the Eurasian sparrowhawk hunts songbirds through agile forest flight. Females are larger than males, showing strong sexual dimorphism.
Fun Fact: Males may catch over 40 small birds a day during nesting season.

🐾 35. Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

This venomous snake of North Africa is famed in ancient Egyptian history. It prefers deserts and savannas, preying on rodents and birds. Its hood flares when threatened, a hallmark of cobras.
Fun Fact: The symbol on pharaoh crowns, the “uraeus,” was inspired by this snake.

🐾 36. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)

The longest native snake in the U.S., this glossy blue-black reptile is nonvenomous and gentle. It helps control populations of venomous snakes and small mammals. Found mostly in the southeastern states, it prefers pine forests.
Fun Fact: It’s immune to rattlesnake venom.

🐾 37. Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

A tiny brown songbird with an upturned tail, the Eurasian wren sings powerfully for its size. Found across Europe and Asia, it nests in mossy crevices.
Fun Fact: Males build multiple nests to impress females.

🐾 38. Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

A small spiny lizard native to the eastern U.S., it lives on trees, fences, and rocks. Its gray scales help it blend into bark, while males display blue bellies during mating.
Fun Fact: It can drop its tail to escape predators.

🐾 39. European Badger (Meles meles)

This stout, burrowing mammal lives across Europe. Recognizable by its black-and-white striped face, it builds large underground tunnel systems called setts. Omnivorous and social, badgers live in clans.
Fun Fact: They keep their burrows clean by creating toilet pits outside.

🐾 40. Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

A small striped rodent from North America, the Eastern chipmunk gathers seeds and nuts in cheek pouches to store for winter. It digs elaborate burrows with nesting and food chambers.
Fun Fact: A single chipmunk can collect 165 acorns a day.

🐾 41. Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

A striking bird with black, white, and rufous plumage, the Eastern towhee scratches through leaves to find insects. Common in eastern North America, it’s known for its “drink-your-tea” song.
Fun Fact: Towhees often share territories with cardinals.

🐾 42. Eland (Taurotragus oryx)

The eland is Africa’s largest antelope, known for spiral horns and gentle temperament. Found in savannas and grasslands, it grazes on herbs and leaves. Despite its size, it can jump 2.5 m (8 ft) high.
Fun Fact: Eland milk has double the fat of cow’s milk.

🐾 43. Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)

Native to Australia, this forest bird is famous for its distinctive two-part call — a sharp whip crack followed by a reply from its mate. It prefers dense undergrowth and feeds on insects.
Fun Fact: Male and female whipbirds duet precisely in time.

🐾 44. Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

Intelligent and social, the Eurasian magpie belongs to the crow family. Its black-and-white plumage shines with blue and green iridescence. Magpies collect shiny objects and recognize themselves in mirrors.
Fun Fact: They are among the few non-human species to show self-awareness.

🐾 45. Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)

This small, brightly colored amphibian from North America has three life stages: aquatic larva, terrestrial red eft, and aquatic adult. It thrives in ponds and forest pools.
Fun Fact: Eastern newts can regenerate lost limbs and organs.

🐾 46. Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus)

The eelpout is a bottom-dwelling fish found in cold North Atlantic and Arctic waters. It resembles an eel but is actually part of the perch family. Eelpouts prefer rocky seabeds and are unique among fish for giving birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
Fun Fact: They can survive in oxygen-poor environments under ice.

🐾 47. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

A colorful member of the crow family, the Eurasian jay has pinkish plumage and striking blue wing patches. It lives in woodlands across Europe and Asia. Known for intelligence, it hides acorns for winter, helping forests regenerate.
Fun Fact: A single jay can bury 5,000 acorns each autumn.

🐾 48. Eastern Wolf (Canis lycaon)

The Eastern wolf, native to Canada’s Great Lakes region, is a mid-sized species between the gray and red wolves. It hunts deer and smaller mammals in forested areas and communicates with complex howls.
Fun Fact: Genetic studies show it’s a distinct hybrid species.

🐾 49. European Polecat (Mustela putorius)

The ancestor of the domestic ferret, the European polecat is a nocturnal carnivore found throughout Europe. It inhabits forests and farmlands, hunting rabbits, rodents, and amphibians.
Fun Fact: When threatened, polecats emit a strong musky odor.

🐾 50. Emperor Goose (Anser canagicus)

A striking Arctic bird, the emperor goose breeds in coastal Alaska and Siberia. It has silver-gray plumage and a white head. During migration, it travels thousands of kilometers to milder climates.
Fun Fact: Their feet and bills turn bright orange during breeding season.

🐾 51. Electric Rayfish (Narcine bancroftii)

Also known as the lesser electric ray, this species lives in shallow tropical waters. It delivers mild electric shocks to stun prey like shrimp and small fish. It hides under sand during the day.
Fun Fact: Its electricity is strong enough to stun a crab instantly.

🐾 52. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

This pale gray dove has expanded rapidly across Europe and North America. It thrives in towns and farmlands, feeding mainly on seeds and grains. Its soft “coo-COO-coo” call is familiar worldwide.
Fun Fact: The species’ name “decaocto” means “eighteen” in Greek, inspired by its call pattern.

🐾 53. Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

This aggressive flycatcher is known for fearlessly chasing larger birds away from its territory. It’s found across North America during summer, feeding on flying insects.
Fun Fact: It can catch bees mid-air without being stung.

🐾 54. European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)

A long, snake-like fish that migrates between rivers and the ocean. Born in the Sargasso Sea, young eels drift to Europe before maturing in freshwater. Its mysterious life cycle puzzled scientists for centuries.
Fun Fact: It travels over 6,000 km (3,700 miles) to spawn once in a lifetime.

🐾 55. Eastern Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)

Native to Australia, this large skink is named for its bright blue tongue used to scare predators. It’s omnivorous, eating snails, fruits, and insects. Gentle and slow-moving, it’s popular in pet trade.
Fun Fact: It hisses and puffs up to mimic a snake.

🐾 56. Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

This agile bird can climb down tree trunks headfirst — a rare skill. Found in Europe and Asia, it feeds on insects and nuts, storing food in bark crevices for winter.
Fun Fact: It seals unused nest holes with mud.

🐾 57. Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)

A legless lizard that looks like a snake but can blink and has ear openings. Found in the southeastern U.S., it breaks its tail to escape predators — hence the name “glass.”
Fun Fact: The tail can make up two-thirds of its body length.

🐾 58. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)

The largest European shorebird, with a long curved bill for probing mudflats. It breeds in grasslands and migrates to coasts for winter. Its haunting call echoes across wetlands.
Fun Fact: The Eurasian curlew’s bill can reach up to 20 cm (8 in) long.

🐾 59. Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

A majestic raptor of Eastern Europe and Asia, this eagle has dark brown plumage with golden highlights. It nests in tall trees and hunts rabbits, birds, and carrion.
Fun Fact: Revered in many cultures as a symbol of strength and courage.

🐾 60. European Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

This colorful woodpecker has a red crown and green wings. Found across Europe, it prefers open woodlands and lawns where it hunts ants with a long sticky tongue.
Fun Fact: Its call sounds like laughter echoing through the forest.

🐾 61. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Smaller than its house sparrow cousin, the Eurasian tree sparrow has a chocolate-brown crown and black cheek spots. Found across Europe and Asia, it nests in cavities and thrives in farmlands and gardens.
Fun Fact: Tree sparrows mate for life and share nesting duties equally.

🐾 62. Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis)

Africa’s rarest canid, the Ethiopian wolf lives high in Ethiopia’s mountains. Slim and fox-like, it hunts rodents by pouncing with precision. Packs defend vast territories in alpine meadows.
Fun Fact: Fewer than 500 remain in the wild.

🐾 63. Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoides)

This small, silver-green fish glimmers in sunlight and swims in schools in North American rivers and lakes. It’s an important prey species for bass and walleye.
Fun Fact: Emerald shiners are often used as live bait by anglers.

🐾 64. Eastern Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus)

A master of camouflage, the Eastern frogfish mimics coral or sponges in tropical Atlantic reefs. It lures prey with a small fishing-rod-like appendage on its head.
Fun Fact: Can swallow fish as large as itself in one gulp.

🐾 65. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

With its bright yellow chest and black “V,” the Eastern meadowlark brightens grasslands across North America. It sings flute-like melodies and nests on the ground.
Fun Fact: Its song carries over half a mile on open plains.

🐾 66. Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

This secretive heron hides among reeds, perfectly camouflaged by streaky plumage. Found across Europe and Asia, it emits a deep booming call that can be heard 3 km away.
Fun Fact: Known as the “Bog Bull” because of its low call.

🐾 67. European Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

Black with bright yellow spots, this amphibian lives in humid European forests. It’s active at night and secretes mild toxins as defense.
Fun Fact: Legends once claimed it could live in fire.

🐾 68. Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)

The largest living primate, the Eastern gorilla includes the mountain and Grauer’s gorilla subspecies. Found in the Congo and Rwanda forests, it’s herbivorous and highly social.
Fun Fact: They share about 98% of human DNA.

🐾 69. Emerald Swallowtail (Papilio palinurus)

This butterfly from Southeast Asia dazzles with metallic green wings that shimmer blue under light. It drinks nectar from tropical flowers and aids pollination.
Fun Fact: Its colors come from microscopic scale structure, not pigment.

🐾 70. Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)

A small, sturdy turtle from the eastern U.S., it prefers shallow ponds and marshes. It spends much of its time buried in mud to stay cool.
Fun Fact: It can brumate (hibernate) underwater for months.

🐾 71. European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Native to the Iberian Peninsula, this species has spread worldwide. Living in warrens, rabbits breed rapidly and are key prey for many predators.
Fun Fact: Their teeth grow continuously through life.

🐾 72. Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

A playful semi-aquatic mammal that slides along riverbanks and dives for fish. Its dense fur keeps it warm in cold water. Once hunted for pelts, it’s now recovering across Europe.
Fun Fact: Otters hold hands while sleeping to avoid drifting apart.

🐾 73. Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

A small Australian honeyeater with a slender curved bill, ideal for nectar feeding. It flits among shrubs and has a distinctive metallic call.
Fun Fact: It pollinates many native Australian flowers.

🐾 74. Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

A small flycatcher recognized by its tail-wagging habit, the Eastern phoebe nests under bridges and cliffs. It migrates between Canada and Central America.
Fun Fact: One of the first birds studied with bird banding (1800s).

🐾 75. Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)

Europe’s largest dragonfly, the emperor dragonfly patrols lakes and ponds in summer. Its brilliant blue body and fast flight make it a top insect predator.
Fun Fact: It can fly forward, backward, and hover like a helicopter.

FAQs About Animals That Start With E

1. How many animals in the world start with the letter E?
Scientists recognize well over a hundred species beginning with E, spanning mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and insects.

2. Which is the largest animal starting with E?
The elephant holds that title, weighing up to 6 tons and standing over 3 meters tall.

3. Are there endangered animals that start with E?
Yes — the Ethiopian wolf, Eastern gorilla, and European eel are all threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.

4. Which E animal is most intelligent?
The elephant is renowned for memory, empathy, and complex communication within its herds.

5. What ecosystems do E-animals inhabit most?
From Arctic ice (Emporer penguin) to tropical rainforests (Emerald swallowtail), these species span virtually every climate zone on Earth.

Conclusion

From majestic elephants to tiny earthworms, this journey through animals that start with E reveals extraordinary diversity across our planet. Each species plays a unique role in balancing ecosystems — whether pollinating flowers, hunting pests, or recycling nutrients. Exploring wildlife alphabetically encourages curiosity and a deeper respect for nature’s complex connections. Keep learning, observing, and protecting the incredible creatures that share our world.