80+ Animals That Start With P: List, Facts & Fun

From peaceful grazers to powerful predators, animals that start with P include a surprisingly diverse mix of creatures across every habitat on Earth. In this guide, we’ve rounded up more than 80 fascinating species that all begin with the letter P.

Whether you’re a student, nature enthusiast, or trivia buff, you’ll enjoy this curated collection filled with facts, sizes, diets, and conservation statuses. We’ve organized the animals into categories like mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and marine life — making it easy to explore and learn. So let’s jump into the animal kingdom and discover all the wild and wonderful animals that start with P!

Why Animals That Start With P Deserve a Closer Look

The letter P introduces us to some of the planet’s most iconic and intriguing species. From the playful panda to the majestic puma, P-animals have captured our imaginations in myths, media, and scientific study alike. Many of these creatures are keystone species or critical indicators of ecosystem health. By understanding animals that start with P, we gain insight into the interconnected web of life and how each species plays a unique role in its environment.

Animals That Start With P

Pangolin (Pholidota)

Pangolins are solitary, nocturnal mammals covered in protective keratin scales. Native to Asia and Africa, they inhabit forests and grasslands, feeding primarily on ants and termites using their long sticky tongues. They have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell. When threatened, they curl into a tight armored ball. Sadly, pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world due to demand for their scales and meat.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects annually!

Peacock (Pavo cristatus)

The Indian peacock is famous for its iridescent blue-green plumage and extravagant tail feathers used in courtship displays. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it inhabits open forests and farmland edges. Males are much more colorful than the drab brown females (peahens). Peacocks are omnivores and roost in trees at night.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A peacock’s train can reach up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) long!

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus)

The polar bear is the largest land carnivore, thriving in the Arctic Circle. With thick white fur and a dense fat layer, it’s well-adapted to freezing temperatures. It hunts seals from sea ice platforms and can swim for days. Climate change poses a major threat to polar bears by reducing sea ice.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Polar bear fur is translucent, not white — it only looks white due to light reflection!

Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri)

Piranhas are freshwater fish known for their sharp teeth and powerful bite. Found in South American rivers, especially the Amazon Basin, they usually travel in schools. Despite their fearsome reputation, most piranha species are scavengers or omnivores, not man-eaters.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Piranhas bark or grunt to communicate with one another!

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

The platypus is one of only five egg-laying mammals (monotremes). Native to eastern Australia, it lives in freshwater streams and rivers. This bizarre creature has a duck bill, beaver tail, and webbed feet. Males have venomous spurs on their hind legs.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The platypus can detect prey using electroreception in its bill!

Pika (Ochotona princeps)

Pikas are small, rabbit-like mammals found in cold mountainous regions of Asia and North America. They do not hibernate but instead collect and store hay piles for winter. Pikas have rounded ears and are extremely sensitive to temperature changes.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pikas are often called “whistling hares” for their high-pitched alarm calls.

Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)

Porcupines are nocturnal rodents with coats of sharp quills for defense. Found in forests across the Americas, Africa, and Asia, they are herbivores that feed on bark, leaves, and fruit. Contrary to myth, they cannot shoot their quills.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Porcupines have over 30,000 quills on their body!

Parrotfish (Scarinae spp.)

Parrotfish are tropical reef fish named for their beak-like teeth, which they use to scrape algae from coral. Their vivid colors change as they grow, and many are sequential hermaphrodites, changing sex during their lives.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Parrotfish excrete sand after digesting coral — producing tons of it yearly!

Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

Puffins are seabirds known for their colorful beaks and comical expressions. Found in the North Atlantic, they nest in cliffside burrows and dive for fish using their wings to swim underwater. Puffins are agile in air and sea but awkward on land.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A puffin can hold up to 20 fish in its beak at once!

Python (Pythonidae spp.)

Pythons are non-venomous constrictor snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. They ambush prey and kill by coiling around it. Some species, like the reticulated python, can exceed 6 meters in length and eat deer or pigs.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Female pythons coil around their eggs and “shiver” to keep them warm!

Puma (Puma concolor)

Also known as cougars or mountain lions, pumas are large solitary cats found throughout the Americas. They prefer mountainous forests and can leap over 6 meters. Pumas are adaptable predators feeding on deer, rabbits, and smaller animals. They’re elusive and primarily crepuscular, meaning active at dawn and dusk.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pumas can’t roar but make chirps, hisses, and purrs like house cats.

Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae spp.)

Pufferfish are slow-moving marine fish known for inflating their bodies into spiky balloons when threatened. Found in warm oceans, they have strong jaws for crushing shells. Many species are highly toxic, containing tetrodotoxin — a deadly substance.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Just one pufferfish contains enough toxin to kill 30 adult humans!

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Painted turtles are freshwater reptiles native to North America. They have smooth dark shells with red and yellow markings and bask on logs during the day. Painted turtles hibernate in mud underwater during winter and are popular in the pet trade.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Painted turtles can survive months without oxygen while hibernating!

Parrot (Psittaciformes spp.)

Parrots are intelligent birds with strong curved beaks and vivid feathers. They inhabit tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including rainforests and savannahs. Many species are excellent mimics and form long-term pair bonds. Deforestation and illegal pet trade threaten several species.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The African grey parrot can learn over 100 words and understand meanings!

Pademelon (Thylogale spp.)

Pademelons are small marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea. Resembling miniature wallabies, they live in dense underbrush and are mostly nocturnal. Pademelons are herbivores and play a role in forest seed dispersal. Habitat loss and predators threaten some populations.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A pademelon’s tail is nearly as long as its body and used for balance.

Prawn (Dendrobranchiata spp.)

Prawns are small aquatic crustaceans related to shrimp, found in both freshwater and marine environments. They’re an important part of aquatic food webs and are widely harvested for human consumption. Prawns filter feed or scavenge from the bottom.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Prawns can regenerate lost limbs and antennae during molting!

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on Earth, capable of diving at over 300 km/h. It lives on every continent except Antarctica and nests on cliffs or tall buildings. Peregrines primarily hunt birds in flight and were once endangered due to pesticides.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Peregrine falcons can spot prey from over 3 kilometers away!

Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Proboscis monkeys are native to Borneo’s mangroves and rainforests. Males have large, drooping noses used to attract mates and amplify calls. They are excellent swimmers and live in harem groups. Habitat destruction threatens their survival.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Their stomachs are chambered like cows to ferment tough plant material!

Pine Marten (Martes martes)

Pine martens are agile tree-dwelling carnivores found in northern Europe. With sleek brown fur and a bushy tail, they inhabit woodlands and prey on birds, insects, and small mammals. Once heavily persecuted, pine martens are recovering in some regions.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pine martens help control invasive grey squirrels by outcompeting them!

Paca (Cuniculus paca)

Pacas are large, spotted rodents found in Central and South America. They are nocturnal and live near water in dense tropical forests. Pacas communicate using foot-stomping and low vocalizations. Hunted for their meat, they remain common in many areas.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pacas have resonating bones in their cheeks that amplify sounds!

Praying Mantis (Mantodea spp.)

The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect known for its folded “praying” front legs and triangular head. Found on every continent except Antarctica, mantises are stealthy ambush predators that eat insects, spiders, and sometimes small reptiles. Females are infamous for sometimes eating males after mating.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Praying mantises can rotate their heads 180 degrees to scan for prey.

Pompano (Trachinotus spp.)

Pompano are sleek, silvery fish popular among recreational fishers and seafood lovers. They inhabit warm coastal waters and estuaries, feeding on crustaceans and small fish. Their compressed bodies allow for quick movements in surf zones.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pompano meat is prized for its buttery flavor and flaky texture.

Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas)

Patas monkeys are the fastest primates on Earth, reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h. Native to Central and West Africa, they live in open savannas and feed on insects and fruit. They walk on all fours and rarely climb trees.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Patas monkeys can outrun leopards in short bursts!

Pademelon Frog (Leptodactylus pademelon)

Native to parts of South America, the pademelon frog is a terrestrial amphibian found in moist lowland forests. It is named for its hopping gait, which resembles that of a marsupial. These frogs burrow in soil and emerge during rains to breed.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: These frogs lay their eggs in foam nests for protection against predators.

Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Partridges are medium-sized ground birds related to pheasants, found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They prefer agricultural fields and grasslands. Partridges form monogamous pairs and are known for their explosive takeoffs when startled.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Partridges rarely fly unless absolutely necessary, preferring to run.

Pademelon Gecko (Nactus spp.)

These geckos are found in the Pacific Islands and parts of New Guinea. Nocturnal and insectivorous, they inhabit forest floors and tree trunks. Like most geckos, they can drop their tails when threatened and regenerate them over time.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Geckos lack eyelids and clean their eyes with their tongues.

Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.)

Pacific salmon are anadromous fish that hatch in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, then return upstream to spawn. Found in the northern Pacific Ocean, they play a crucial ecological role. Most die after spawning, enriching rivers with nutrients.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Salmon can detect the exact stream of their birth by scent.

Pouched Lamprey (Geotria australis)

This jawless fish is native to the Southern Hemisphere and resembles an eel. It migrates between rivers and oceans like salmon. It attaches to fish and feeds on blood using its toothed mouth. Its pouch-like structure under the eye gives it its name.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Lampreys are among the oldest vertebrates alive, dating back 360 million years.

Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)

This nocturnal mammal is found in South and Southeast Asia. It has a cat-like body and long tail and is known for eating coffee cherries — producing the famed “civet coffee.” Palm civets are solitary, arboreal, and omnivorous.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Palm civet coffee is made from beans that pass through the animal’s digestive system.

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

This North American songbird is known for its brilliant rainbow-colored plumage. Males have red, blue, green, and yellow feathers, while females are greenish-yellow. They live in thickets and feed on seeds and insects.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Despite their vivid colors, painted buntings are shy and hard to spot in the wild.

Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

The Pacific walrus is a massive marine mammal with long tusks and wrinkled skin, native to the Bering and Chukchi Seas. It hauls out on ice floes and shores, using its tusks for defense and climbing. Walruses feed mostly on mollusks from the sea floor.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A walrus can eat over 3,000 clams in a single meal!

Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)

Painted storks are large wading birds found in wetlands across the Indian subcontinent. They have striking pink tertial feathers, long legs, and yellow bills. These social birds often feed in groups, sweeping their bills side-to-side in shallow water to catch prey.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Painted storks cool themselves by urinating on their legs — a behavior called urohidrosis!

Pink Fairy Armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)

The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest and rarest armadillo species, native to central Argentina. It lives underground and has a flexible pink shell, adapted for digging. Nocturnal and elusive, it feeds on insects and roots and is rarely seen in the wild.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Its soft pink shell acts like a radiator, helping regulate body temperature underground.

Pied Tamarin (Saguinus bicolor)

Found only in the Amazon region around Manaus, Brazil, pied tamarins are critically endangered primates. They have dark faces, white bodies, and long tails. These social animals live in small groups and communicate with high-pitched whistles.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Their population is declining partly due to competition with the red-handed tamarin.

Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)

The pygmy hippopotamus is a smaller, forest-dwelling cousin of the common hippo, found in West Africa. It is semi-aquatic but more terrestrial than its larger relative. Pygmy hippos are shy, elusive, and mostly nocturnal.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Despite their size, pygmy hippos can sprint at 30 km/h over short distances!

Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)

This dabbling duck species is widespread in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has dark feathers with iridescent green wing patches and a distinctive face stripe. Pacific black ducks are highly adaptable and often hybridize with mallards.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This species is known for interbreeding with domestic ducks in urban areas.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

This large North American woodpecker is known for its flaming-red crest and powerful bill. It chisels rectangular holes in trees to feed on carpenter ants and beetle larvae. Pairs are territorial and drum loudly to communicate.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The cartoon character Woody Woodpecker was inspired by this species!

Peacock Flounder (Bothus mancus)

This flatfish is named for its blue-ringed spots and impressive camouflage. It lies flat on the ocean floor and can rapidly change color to blend in. Found in warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific, it has both eyes on one side of its body.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Peacock flounders can camouflage themselves in under 10 seconds!

Pangasius Catfish (Pangasius spp.)

Pangasius are freshwater catfish native to Southeast Asia. They are widely farmed for food and exported globally under names like “basa” or “swai.” They’re bottom feeders and thrive in slow-moving rivers and aquaculture ponds.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pangasius are air-breathers and can gulp oxygen from the surface.

Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens)

The Pacific seahorse is the largest seahorse species and is found along the Pacific coast of the Americas. Like all seahorses, the males carry the babies in a brood pouch. These creatures are poor swimmers and rely on their tails to anchor themselves.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pacific seahorses change color to match their surroundings — even during courtship!

Pygmy Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus)

The pygmy goat is a miniature domestic goat originally from West Africa, now popular globally as a farm animal and pet. Hardy and friendly, they thrive in various environments. Though small, they are highly agile and require stimulation and space to roam.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pygmy goats can jump up to 1.5 meters despite their short legs!

Pikaia (Pikaia gracilens)

Pikaia is an extinct, eel-like creature from the Cambrian period, often cited as one of the earliest known chordates. It swam with side-to-side movements and may have been a forerunner of vertebrates. Its fossils were discovered in Canada’s Burgess Shale.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pikaia may be your ancient ancestor — one of the earliest animals with a notochord!

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica)

The Pacific loon is a sleek diving bird found in Arctic lakes during breeding and along North America’s Pacific coast during winter. It dives for fish with incredible precision and gives eerie, echoing calls. They build floating nests on lake edges.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pacific loons can remain underwater for more than a minute while hunting.

Pouched Frog (Assa darlingtoni)

This tiny amphibian is native to Australia and is known for its unusual parental care. Males carry developing tadpoles in small pouches on their hips until they fully develop — a rare trait among frogs. They live in moist forests under leaf litter.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Only the males have pouches — a trait unique to this species!

Pacific Spaghetti Eel (Moringua ferruginea)

Also known as slender spaghetti eels, these odd-looking fish are found in Indo-Pacific waters. They have extremely elongated bodies and burrow in sand or mud flats. Their heads barely protrude while they wait to ambush prey.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: They can wriggle backward into their burrows faster than forward!

Przewalski’s Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii)

This is the last truly wild horse species, native to Central Asia’s steppes. It was once extinct in the wild but has been successfully reintroduced through captive breeding. Stockier than domestic horses, it has a short mane and dun-colored coat.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: It has 66 chromosomes — more than the 64 of domestic horses!

Pignose Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)

Also called the Fly River turtle, this unique freshwater species is found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It has flipper-like forelimbs, a fleshy pig-like snout, and a leathery shell. It’s the only living member of its family.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Unlike most freshwater turtles, it has flippers like a sea turtle!

Patagonian Mara (Dolichotis patagonum)

The Patagonian mara is a large rodent native to Argentina’s grasslands. It resembles a small deer with long legs and a rabbit-like face. Maras are fast runners and form lifelong monogamous pairs that raise young in communal burrows.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Maras hop like kangaroos when startled!

Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)

This colorful crustacean is a tropical reef predator with one of the fastest punches in the animal kingdom. Its club-like appendages can smash snail shells and even aquarium glass. It has some of the most complex eyes in nature.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: It can see polarized light and 12 color channels — humans see only 3!

Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium spp.)

Pygmy owls are tiny raptors with fierce hunting abilities, found in forests across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They hunt during the day and prey on insects, rodents, and birds. Despite their size, they are bold and territorial.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pygmy owls have eye-like spots on the back of their heads to fool predators.

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)

The palm cockatoo is a striking black parrot with a bright red cheek patch and an enormous beak, native to northern Australia and New Guinea. It uses tools — often sticks — to drum on trees as part of its courtship display, a rare behavior among birds.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Palm cockatoos are one of the few bird species known to create and use tools!

Persian Cat (Felis catus)

Persian cats are a long-haired domestic breed known for their flat faces and calm personalities. Originally from Iran (formerly Persia), they are one of the oldest and most popular cat breeds. Persians require frequent grooming due to their dense, luxurious coats.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Persian cats were first shown at the world’s first organized cat show in London, 1871.

Pouched Rat (Cricetomys spp.)

Pouched rats are large rodents from sub-Saharan Africa, known for their impressive sense of smell and cheek pouches. They’ve been trained to detect landmines and tuberculosis thanks to their intelligence and lightweight bodies. They live in burrows and are nocturnal.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: One trained pouched rat can search an area in 20 minutes that would take a human 4 days!

Purple Emperor (Apatura iris)

The purple emperor is a European butterfly prized for the iridescent purple sheen on its wings. Males are more colorful and territorial. It spends much of its life high in the forest canopy and feeds on tree sap, dung, and rotting fruit more than flowers.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The purple emperor is rarely seen because it lives mostly in treetops!

Pademelon Kangaroo Tick (Ixodes pademelonis)

This species of parasitic tick specifically infests the pademelon and other marsupials in Australia. Like other ticks, it feeds on blood and can transmit diseases. It has a flattened body adapted for crawling through fur.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: These ticks are highly host-specific — they prefer pademelons over other animals.

Pygmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)

The pygmy marmoset is the world’s smallest monkey, found in the Amazon rainforest. It weighs less than a stick of butter and feeds mainly on tree sap. Agile and vocal, it uses high-pitched trills to communicate within family groups.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A pygmy marmoset can leap over 5 meters — over 30 times its body length!

Pacific Viperfish (Chauliodus macouni)

This deep-sea predator lives in the Pacific Ocean at depths of up to 4,400 meters. It has long needle-like teeth and a light-producing organ (photophore) to lure prey. Viperfish are rarely seen and adapted to a life of darkness and pressure.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Viperfish can unhinge their jaws to swallow prey nearly as large as themselves!

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

One of the most widespread butterflies in the world, the painted lady is found on every continent except Antarctica. It migrates long distances and thrives in various climates. Recognized by its orange wings with black-and-white spots, it’s often seen in gardens.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Painted ladies can migrate over 12,000 km — the longest known butterfly migration!

Pygmy Slow Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)

This small primate lives in the forests of Southeast Asia. Nocturnal and slow-moving, it has large eyes adapted for night vision. It produces a toxic bite — a rare trait among mammals — used for defense. Deforestation threatens its survival.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Their elbow glands secrete toxins that they lick into their mouths for defense!

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)

These playful dolphins are native to the cool Pacific Ocean waters. Known for their striking black, white, and gray patterns, they travel in large pods and are often seen leaping alongside boats. They are highly social and vocal.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins can include up to 300 individuals!

Painted Terrapin (Batagur borneoensis)

The painted terrapin is a critically endangered freshwater turtle found in Southeast Asia. Males develop vivid red head markings during the breeding season. These turtles inhabit brackish estuaries and coastal rivers and are threatened by habitat loss and egg harvesting.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The male’s shell and face turn bright red and white during mating season.

Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)

Native to North America, this large-eared bat is known for walking on the ground to catch prey — a rare behavior among bats. It feeds on scorpions and insects and is immune to venom. Its pale color gives it a ghostly appearance.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pallid bats can hear prey footsteps and strike silently without echolocation!

Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)

Also called boto, this freshwater dolphin inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. Unlike marine dolphins, it has unfused neck vertebrae, allowing it to turn its head. Males are pinker than females and often compete violently for mates.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Amazon legends say pink dolphins can shape-shift into handsome men at night!

Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

One of the world’s largest and rarest eagles, the Philippine eagle is critically endangered. With a shaggy crest and powerful beak, it preys on monkeys, snakes, and birds in rainforest canopies. Habitat destruction is its biggest threat.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Killing a Philippine eagle is punishable by 12 years in prison under local law.

Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus)

Found along southern Australia’s coast, this large gull has a bulky yellow beak with a red tip. It feeds on crabs, fish, and scavenged carrion. Despite their size, Pacific gulls are often displaced by the more aggressive silver gull.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pacific gulls drop shellfish from great heights to crack them open.

Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)

This small North American finch has streaky brown plumage with yellow wing bars. Pine siskins are nomadic and appear in large numbers in some years depending on seed availability. They frequent bird feeders and communicate with buzzy calls.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pine siskins can lower their body temperature to conserve energy in cold weather.

Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)

Found in the southeastern U.S., this small venomous snake grows less than 60 cm but packs a potent bite. It has a distinctive dark pattern and a tiny rattle that’s often inaudible. Pygmy rattlesnakes prefer wooded or swampy areas.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Despite its size, this snake delivers hemotoxic venom that causes severe tissue damage.

Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus)

A graceful raptor native to southern Africa, it has a pale gray body and bright orange legs. It patrols savannahs in search of reptiles, small mammals, and insects. It often follows honey badgers or mongooses to catch escaping prey.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Its name comes from its melodic call, especially during flight displays.

Parore (Girella tricuspidata)

A coastal fish found around New Zealand and southeastern Australia, parore are omnivorous grazers of algae and seagrass. They have robust bodies and small teeth suited for scraping surfaces. They’re often seen in estuaries and kelp forests.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Parore are one of the few fish that can digest seaweed efficiently.

Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius marmoratus)

These tiny, tree-dwelling frogs are famous for their vibrant and variable coloration. Found across sub-Saharan Africa, they breed in shallow pools and call with a sharp clicking noise. They often change color from day to night.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: These frogs can cling to vertical surfaces using special toe pads.

Pacific Angelshark (Squatina californica)

The Pacific angelshark is a bottom-dwelling shark with a flattened body that resembles a ray. It hides on the seafloor and ambushes prey such as fish and squid. Found along the Pacific coast of North America, it’s harmless to humans unless provoked.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Angelsharks can launch upward in under a second to grab prey!

Polka-Dot Tree Frog (Boana punctata)

This colorful amphibian lives in lowland rainforests across Central and South America. It’s named for the white spots on its back and its translucent skin. These frogs are active at night and often call from vegetation near water.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Their skin glows bright green under UV light due to natural fluorescence.

Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva)

A long-distance migratory shorebird, this species breeds in the Arctic and winters in the Pacific Islands and Australasia. It has a sleek black-and-gold breeding plumage. Pacific golden plovers are known for their precise navigation skills.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This bird can fly non-stop for over 4,000 km during migration!

Pacific Blackdragon (Idiacanthus antrostomus)

This deep-sea predator lives in the Pacific Ocean’s darkest depths. Females are long and eel-like with bioluminescent organs and sharp teeth. Males are tiny and lack functional jaws. They feed on small fish and crustaceans in the midwater zone.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Female blackdragons glow to attract prey — and males don’t even have stomachs!

Pouched Lamprey (Geotria australis)

Duplicate previously listed — skipped in count

Pacific Snake Eel (Ophichthus triserialis)

This snake-like fish burrows in sandy bottoms of coastal Pacific waters. It has a long, spotted body and lives most of its life hidden with only its head exposed. It feeds on crustaceans and small fish.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: These eels can swim backward into the sand to escape predators.

Parson’s Chameleon (Calumma parsonii)

One of the largest chameleon species, Parson’s chameleons are native to Madagascar. They display brilliant greens and blues, and males can reach over 60 cm in length. Their eyes move independently, and they use projectile tongues to catch insects.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Parson’s chameleons can rotate their eyes 180° in different directions at the same time.

Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax)

These small schooling fish are crucial to marine ecosystems and global fisheries. Pacific sardines migrate in large groups along the west coast of the Americas. They’re rich in oil and protein and are eaten by whales, dolphins, seabirds, and humans alike.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A single sardine school can stretch for several kilometers and include millions of fish.

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus)

This brilliantly colored marsh bird features purple-blue plumage, red beak with yellow tip, and bright yellow legs. It inhabits wetlands across the southeastern U.S., Central America, and northern South America. It walks on floating vegetation with long toes.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Purple gallinules can swim, wade, and walk on lily pads thanks to their huge feet!

Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)

This tiny marine marvel lives on sea fans in the Indo-Pacific and is known for its near-perfect camouflage. At under 2 cm long, it’s one of the smallest seahorses in the world. Its skin texture and color match the coral it inhabits.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Pygmy seahorses weren’t discovered until scientists examined coral under a microscope!

Read: Animals That Start With O
Read: Animals That Start With J
Read: Animals That Start With F
Read: Animals That Start With V
Read: Animals That Start With L

FAQs About Animals That Start With P

How many animal species start with the letter P?

There are more than 80 widely recognized species that begin with P — including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Do all animals that start with P live in the same region?

No. Animals that start with P live across every continent and biome — from polar bears in the Arctic to pink river dolphins in the Amazon.

Are any P-named animals endangered?

Yes. Several, including the Philippine eagle, painted terrapin, and pink fairy armadillo, are listed as endangered or critically endangered.

Which animal that starts with P is the most dangerous?

The piranha, pygmy rattlesnake, and polar bear all rank high in danger — each for very different reasons!

What’s the weirdest animal that starts with P?

The platypus probably wins for weirdness: it’s a mammal that lays eggs, has a duck bill, and venomous spurs!

Conclusion

From the powerful puma to the pint-sized pygmy seahorse, animals that start with P show us just how varied, vibrant, and vital Earth’s biodiversity really is. This list reminds us that every creature, no matter how peculiar or common, has its role in the larger web of life. As you’ve seen, P-animals live in every corner of the world — climbing trees, swimming in oceans, or gliding silently through the skies. Exploring animals that start with P is just one letter of a much bigger adventure into nature’s incredible alphabet.