Animals That Start With D: A Complete “D Animals” Guide (With Fun Facts)

In English, many familiar animal names start with the letter D.
From the loyal dog at home, to graceful deer in the forest, to intelligent dolphins in the sea, “animals that start with D” live in almost every kind of habitat on Earth.

On this page, you’ll find a detailed, user-friendly guide to Animals That Start With D, including:

• A quick reference list of D-animals

• An overview table with class, habitat, diet and fun facts

• Detailed profiles of representative D animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, invertebrates)

• FAQs that match common search queries (pets, wild animals, dangerous species, etc.)

This structure makes it easy for students, teachers, parents and animal lovers to quickly scan and learn.

Quick List of Animals That Start With D

Here is a fast alphabetical list of animals that begin with D. Some are very common, others are more unusual.

Mammals

• Dog

• Dolphin

• Deer

• Dingo

• Donkey

• Dromedary camel

Birds

• Duck

• Dove

• Dodo (extinct, but very famous “D animal”)

Reptiles

• Desert tortoise

• Diamondback rattlesnake

Amphibians

• Dart frog (poison dart frog group)

Fish

• Damselfish

Invertebrates (insects and others)

• Dragonfly

• Dung beetle

Next we’ll look at a quick overview table, then dive into detailed profiles.

D-Animals Overview Table

The table below summarizes 15 representative Animals That Start With D, including their class, main habitat, typical diet, and a fun fact.

Detailed Profiles of Key “D Animals”

Below are more detailed explanations for some of the most representative Animals That Start With D, organized by class.

1. Dog

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Human homes, farms, towns, and villages worldwide

• Diet: Omnivore – commercial dog food, meat, grains, vegetables

Key features:

• Dogs were domesticated from wolves thousands of years ago and have since become one of humans’ closest companions.

• There are hundreds of breeds, from tiny Chihuahuas to giant Great Danes, bred for different purposes: guarding, herding, hunting, companionship and more.

• Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, and some work as guide dogs, rescue dogs, or detection dogs.

Fun fact:
A dog’s nose has millions more scent receptors than a human nose, which is why they can track scents over long distances and time.

2. Dolphin (Bottlenose Dolphin)

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Warm and temperate coastal seas and open oceans

• Diet: Carnivore – fish, squid, and other small aquarium/52-marine-animals.html">marine animals

Key features:

• dolphins.html">Dolphins are highly intelligent and social, often living in groups called pods.

• They use echolocation: sending out sound waves and listening to the echoes to locate objects and prey.

• Bottlenose dolphins are known for playful behavior, sometimes riding waves or leaping out of the water.

Fun fact:
Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors and may have unique “signature whistles” similar to names.

3. Deer

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Forests, meadows, mountains, and grasslands around the world

• Diet: Herbivore – leaves, grass, twigs, buds, and fruits

Key features:

• Deer are hoofed mammals, and males of many species (such as white-tailed deer and red deer) grow antlers each year.

• Antlers are used in displays and fights during the mating season, then are shed and regrown.

• Deer are important prey animals for large predators like wolves, cougars, and tigers.

Fun fact:
Deer have a wide field of vision thanks to eyes placed on the sides of their head, helping them watch for danger.

4. Dingo

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Deserts, grasslands, forests, and scrublands of Australia

• Diet: Carnivore – small mammals, birds, reptiles, carrion, sometimes fruits

Key features:

• Dingoes are wild dogs that likely descended from domestic dogs brought to Australia thousands of years ago.

• They often live in pairs or family groups and hunt mainly at night or in the cool hours of morning and evening.

• Dingoes play an important role as top predators, helping control populations of rabbits and other introduced animals.

Fun fact:
Because dingoes can interbreed with domestic dogs, pure wild dingoes are becoming rarer in some areas.

5. Donkey

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Farms, rural villages, grasslands and semi-desert regions worldwide

• Diet: Herbivore – grasses, hay, shrubs, dry vegetation

Key features:

• Donkeys are hardy working animals known for their sure-footedness and ability to carry heavy loads over rough terrain.

• They are closely related to horses but generally smaller, with longer ears and a characteristic braying call.

• Donkeys are often used as pack animals, in agriculture, or kept as companion animals.

Fun fact:
Despite their reputation for being “stubborn”, donkeys are actually cautious and will refuse to move if they sense danger.

6. Dromedary Camel

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Hot deserts and dry regions in North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia

• Diet: Herbivore – dry grasses, shrubs, thorny plants, leaves

Key features:

• Dromedary camels have one hump (Bactrian camels have two). The hump stores fat, which can be converted into energy and water when food is scarce.

• They are extremely well adapted to desert life: long eyelashes, closable nostrils, thick lips, and pads on their feet for walking on hot sand.

• People use camels for transport, milk, meat and even as racing animals in some cultures.

Fun fact:
A thirsty camel can drink dozens of liters of water in a short time when it finally reaches an oasis.

7. Duck

• Class: Bird

• Habitat: Lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands in both wild and farm environments

• Diet: Omnivore – aquatic plants, seeds, insects, small crustaceans

Key features:

• Ducks have webbed feet that act like paddles for swimming and diving.

• Many ducks have waterproof feathers. They spread oil from a gland near their tail to keep water from soaking in.

• Ducks can be wild or domestic; domestic ducks are raised for eggs, meat and sometimes as ornamental birds.

Fun fact:
Not all duck quacks echo in obvious ways, which led to the myth that “a duck’s quack doesn’t echo” – but in fact, it does.

8. Dove

• Class: Bird

• Habitat: Forests, woodlands, farmlands, cities and parks worldwide

• Diet: Herbivore – seeds, grains, fruits and occasionally small invertebrates

Key features:

• Doves are closely related to pigeons; in everyday language, “dove” often refers to smaller, lighter-colored species.

• They have soft cooing calls and swift, direct flight.

• Many species form strong pair bonds and take turns caring for eggs and chicks.

Fun fact:
Doves are widely used as symbols of peace, love and purity in art, religion and literature.

9. Desert Tortoise

• Class: Reptile

• Habitat: Deserts and dry shrublands of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico

• Diet: Herbivore – grasses, wildflowers, cacti and other desert plants

Key features:

• Desert tortoises spend much of their time in burrows to avoid extreme heat and cold.

• They can store water in their bodies and survive long dry periods by conserving moisture.

• Their strong, domed shells protect them from predators and the harsh environment.

Fun fact:
Desert tortoises can live for 50–80 years or more, making them one of the longest-lived reptiles in their native habitat.

10. Dart Frog (Poison Dart Frog Group)

• Class: Amphibian

• Habitat: Humid tropical rainforests of Central and South America

• Diet: Carnivore – ants, mites, small insects and other tiny invertebrates

Key features:

• Many dart frogs are brightly colored with patterns of blue, yellow, red or green – a warning signal to predators that they may be toxic.

• Some species have skin toxins strong enough to harm or even kill larger animals. Indigenous people historically used these toxins on blowgun darts, giving the frogs their name.

• Their toxicity is linked to their diet in the wild; frogs raised in captivity on different food are usually far less toxic.

Fun fact:
Not all dart frogs are equally poisonous; some are relatively mild, while others are among the most toxic vertebrates on Earth.

11. Damselfish

• Class: Fish

• Habitat: Tropical coral reefs in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans

• Diet: Omnivore – algae, plankton, tiny crustaceans

Key features:

• Damselfish are small, often brightly colored reef fish that may be blue, yellow or multicolored.

• Many species defend very small territories, including “gardens” of algae they cultivate and eat.

• They provide food for bigger predators and help control algae growth on reefs.

Fun fact:
Some damselfish will chase away fish much larger than themselves to protect their tiny patch of reef.

12. Dragonfly

• Class: Insect

• Habitat: Near ponds, streams, lakes and wetlands worldwide

• Diet: Carnivore – mosquitoes, flies, and other small flying insects

Key features:

• Dragonflies have large eyes, two pairs of strong wings and long slender bodies.

• They are excellent fliers, able to hover in place, fly backwards and change direction quickly.

• Dragonfly larvae (called nymphs) live underwater and are also fierce predators.

Fun fact:
Dragonflies can catch prey in mid-air with an impressive success rate, making them natural mosquito controllers.

13. Dung Beetle

• Class: Insect

• Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, forests, farmland and even deserts

• Diet: Dung (animal droppings), decaying plant material, carrion

Key features:

• Many dung beetles roll balls of dung away from the original pile, then bury them as food stores or as places to lay eggs.

• They play a crucial role in ecosystems by recycling nutrients, improving soil structure and reducing parasites in pastures.

• Some species navigate using the sun, the moon, or even the Milky Way.

Fun fact:
A few dung beetle species are incredibly strong for their size, capable of moving objects many times their own body weight.

Frequently Asked Questions About Animals That Start With D

How many animals start with the letter D?

There is no fixed number, because:

• New species continue to be discovered.

• Common names vary across regions and languages.

However, in English there are hundreds of animal names starting with D, covering all major groups:

• Mammals: dog, dolphin, deer, dingo, donkey, dromedary camel

• Birds: duck, dove, dodo, drongo

• Reptiles: desert tortoise, diamondback rattlesnake, desert iguana

• Fish: damselfish, dogfish, dolphinfish (also called mahi-mahi)

• Amphibians: dart frog, desert rain frog

• Invertebrates: dragonfly, dung beetle, damselfly, dog whelk and many more

What are some common pets that start with D?

Common pet animals that start with D include:

• Dog – one of the world’s most popular companion animals

• Dwarf rabbit – small rabbit breeds often kept as pets

• Dove – some species are kept in aviaries or as homing pigeons

• Domestic duck – kept on farms or in large gardens

• Dwarf hamster – often sold as “dwarf hamsters” (though some common names start with other letters)

Always research care requirements, space, diet and lifespan before choosing any pet.

What are some dangerous wild animals that start with D?

Several wild D animals can be dangerous if threatened or handled carelessly:

• Diamondback rattlesnake – venomous snake with a potentially serious bite

• Dart frog – some species have extremely potent skin toxins (dangerous if handled or ingested)

• Dingo – usually shy of humans, but still a wild predator

• Dog (feral or aggressive individuals) – most dogs are safe if trained and treated well, but bites can be dangerous

In general, most wild animals prefer to avoid humans. Respecting their space and following safety guidelines greatly reduces risk.

Which D animals are important for ecosystems?

Some Animals That Start With D play key roles in their ecosystems:

• Dung beetles – recycle nutrients, bury dung, improve soil and reduce parasites.

• Dragonflies – help control mosquito and small insect populations.

• Deer – important herbivores that shape plant communities, and provide prey for large predators.

• Dolphins – top predators in marine food webs, helping keep fish populations balanced.

• Damselfish – influence algae growth and provide food for larger reef predators.

Protecting these species helps maintain healthy, balanced ecosystems on land and in water.

By exploring this guide to Animals That Start With D, you’ve seen how a single letter of the alphabet can connect a huge variety of life—from dogs and dolphins to desert tortoises, dragonflies and dung beetles.

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We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a Animals Top editor.