From bamboo-munching pandas and icy polar bears, to waddling penguins, colorful parrots, powerful panthers and sharp-toothed piranhas, a huge variety of animals in English start with the letter P.
This guide is written to match real search intent for “Animals That Start With P”:
A quick list of P animals by group
An overview table (class, habitat, diet, fun facts)
Detailed profiles of well-known animals beginning with P
FAQs: pets that start with P, dangerous P animals, and ecologically important P animals
You can use this as part of an A–Z animal encyclopedia, homework resource, or SEO-friendly wildlife article.
Here’s a fast reference list of animals that begin with P, grouped by type.
Panda (giant panda)
Polar bear
Panther (often used for black leopards or jaguars)
Porcupine
Puma (mountain lion / cougar)
Platypus
Porpoise
Penguin (emperor, king, rockhopper, etc.)
Peacock (Indian peafowl)
Parrot (macaws, cockatoos, African greys, etc.)
Pelican
Pigeon (including rock dove / city pigeon)
Puffin
Partridge
Python (ball python, reticulated python, etc.)
Puff adder
Pond turtle / Painted turtle
Poison dart frog
Plumed basilisk
Pufferfish (blowfish, fugu)
Pickerel (a kind of pike)
Parrotfish
Pipefish
Porbeagle (a type of shark)
Praying mantis
Paper wasp
Pill bug (woodlouse, roly-poly)
Prawn
Peacock spider
Pharaoh ant
Next is an overview table of 15 representative “P animals.”
| Animal | Class | Main Habitat | Typical Diet | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giant panda | Mammal | Mountain forests in central China | Mostly bamboo, plus shoots & occasional fruit | Has a carnivore’s digestive system but eats almost entirely plants. |
| Polar bear | Mammal | Arctic sea ice and coasts | Seals, carcasses, fish | The largest living land carnivore. |
| Panther | Mammal | Forests & jungles (leopard/jaguar forms) | Deer, monkeys, wild pigs | “Black panther” is usually a melanistic leopard or jaguar. |
| Pig (wild boar) | Mammal | Forests, farmland & grasslands worldwide | Omnivore: roots, fruit, insects, carrion | Wild boars are ancestors of domestic pigs. |
| Platypus | Mammal | Freshwater rivers & streams in eastern Australia | Insects, worms, small aquatic animals | An egg-laying mammal with a duck-like bill and venomous spurs. |
| Porpoise | Mammal | Coastal seas & estuaries | Fish, squid | Often confused with dolphins but usually smaller with blunt snouts. |
| Penguin (emperor) | Bird | Antarctic sea ice & surrounding ocean | Fish, krill, squid | Tallest and heaviest of the penguins; famous for group huddling. |
| Peacock (peafowl) | Bird | Forests & farmland (South Asia; introduced elsewhere) | Seeds, insects, small animals | Males display huge, iridescent tails to impress females. |
| Parrot | Bird | Tropical forests, savannas, some cities worldwide | Seeds, nuts, fruit, buds | Highly intelligent; many species can mimic human speech. |
| Pelican | Bird | Lakes, rivers, coasts | Fish, sometimes crustaceans | Uses a large throat pouch as a “scoop net” for catching fish. |
| Python | Reptile | Tropical forests, savannas, rocky areas in Afro-Asia | Carnivore: birds, mammals, reptiles | Non-venomous constrictors; some grow among the longest snakes on Earth. |
| Poison dart frog | Amphibian | Humid rainforests of Central & South America | Ants, mites, small insects | Bright colors warn predators about their skin toxins. |
| Piranha | Fish | Rivers & lakes in South America | Omnivore: fish, insects, plants, carrion | Known for sharp teeth, but many species mostly scavenge or eat plants. |
| Pufferfish | Fish | Coastal seas & coral reefs | Algae, invertebrates | Can inflate its body; some species contain deadly nerve toxins. |
| Praying mantis | Insect | Gardens, grasslands, forests worldwide | Carnivore: other insects | Front legs fold like hands in prayer; ambush predators of garden pests. |
Now we’ll look in more depth at some of the most searched and interesting Animals That Start With P.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Cool, humid mountain forests with dense bamboo in central China
Diet: Up to 99% bamboo (stems, leaves, shoots), plus occasional fruit, eggs or small animals
Key features:
Giant pandas are famous for their black-and-white fur and round faces.
Although they belong to the order Carnivora and still have carnivore-type guts, they’ve evolved to eat mostly plants.
Pandas spend many hours a day eating because bamboo is low in calories and nutrients.
Fun fact:
Adult pandas can eat 12–38 kg (25–84 lb) of bamboo per day just to get enough energy.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Arctic sea ice, coastal areas, and nearby islands
Diet: Mainly seals (especially ringed and bearded seals), plus whale carcasses, fish and occasional bird eggs
Key features:
Polar bears are the largest land carnivores, with thick white fur that camouflages them on snow and ice.
They are strong swimmers and can travel long distances over open water.
Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice as a platform from which to hunt seals.
Fun fact:
Under their fur, polar bears’ skin is actually black, helping them absorb heat from sunlight.
“Panther” isn’t a separate species; it’s usually a common name for:
Black leopards (Africa & Asia)
Black jaguars (Central & South America)
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Tropical rainforests, woodlands and sometimes grasslands
Diet: Deer, monkeys, wild pigs, small mammals and birds
Key features:
The dark color is caused by melanism, a genetic variation that produces extra dark pigment.
Under bright light, you can still see the classic rosette spots hidden in the dark coat.
Panthers are solitary, stealthy ambush predators.
Fun fact:
In some habitats, melanistic (black) individuals may have an advantage when hunting at night in dense forests.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Wild boars live in forests and scrub; domestic pigs live on farms worldwide
Diet: Omnivore – roots, tubers, nuts, fruit, worms, insects, carrion and human food scraps
Key features:
Wild boars have coarse fur, tusks and powerful snouts for digging.
Domestic pigs have been bred into many shapes and sizes but still share the same species origin.
Pigs are more intelligent than many people think, capable of learning tricks, solving simple puzzles and using mirrors.
Fun fact:
Wild boars are ecosystem engineers—by digging for roots, they turn over soil, influencing plant growth and nutrient cycling.
Class: Mammal (monotreme – egg-laying mammal)
Habitat: Freshwater rivers, streams and lakes in eastern Australia and Tasmania
Diet: Aquatic insect larvae, worms, small crustaceans and other tiny invertebrates
Key features:
Platypuses look like a mash-up of different animals: duck-like bill, beaver-like tail and otter-like feet.
They lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, then nurse the hatchlings with milk.
Male platypuses have venomous spurs on their hind legs, which they can use in fights with other males.
Fun fact:
The platypus bill is packed with electroreceptors that detect faint electrical signals from prey moving in the water.
There are several penguin species; the emperor penguin is one of the most iconic.
Class: Bird
Habitat: Antarctic sea ice and surrounding ocean
Diet: Fish, krill and squid
Key features:
Emperor penguins are the tallest and heaviest penguins, growing to about 1.1 m (3.7 ft) tall.
They breed in the harsh Antarctic winter; males incubate the single egg on their feet under a warm brood pouch.
Penguins are excellent swimmers, using their wings like flippers under water.
Fun fact:
To survive extreme cold and wind, emperor penguins huddle in large groups and rotate positions, so individuals take turns at the warm center.
Class: Bird
Habitat: Forests, farmland and parks in South Asia (introduced to many other countries)
Diet: Seeds, grains, fruit, insects and small animals
Key features:
The word “peacock” technically refers to male peafowl; females are called peahens.
Males have spectacular long tail feathers with iridescent “eyespots” that they fan out during courtship.
They are ground-dwelling birds that can also fly short distances to escape danger or roost in trees.
Fun fact:
Peacock tail colors come not just from pigments, but also from microscopic feather structures that bend light, creating shimmering blues and greens.
“Parrot” covers many species, including macaws, cockatoos, budgerigars and African grey parrots.
Class: Bird
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, savannas and even city parks on several continents
Diet: Primarily seeds, nuts, fruit, flowers and sometimes insects
Key features:
Parrots have strong, curved beaks for cracking seeds and zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two back) for gripping branches and food.
They are highly intelligent, capable of problem-solving, using tools and learning vocal patterns.
Many parrots form long-term pair bonds and live in noisy social flocks.
Fun fact:
Some parrots can learn hundreds of words or sounds, and a few individuals have shown the ability to use words in meaningful ways, not just mimicry.
Class: Reptile (snake)
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, rocky outcrops and wetlands in Africa, Asia and Australia (depending on species)
Diet: Birds, rodents, monkeys, pigs and other mammals or reptiles, swallowed whole
Key features:
Pythons are non-venomous constrictors. They bite to grab prey, then coil around it and squeeze until the animal can’t breathe.
Some species, such as the reticulated python, are among the longest snakes on Earth.
Pythons have heat-sensing pits around their mouths to help detect warm-blooded prey in the dark.
Fun fact:
Female pythons often coil around their eggs and may shiver their muscles to generate heat, helping incubate the clutch.
Class: Amphibian
Habitat: Humid rainforests in Central and South America, often near streams or on the forest floor
Diet: Tiny ants, mites and other small insects
Key features:
These small frogs are famous for their bright warning colors—yellows, blues, oranges and more.
Some species have extremely potent skin toxins that can deter or kill predators. Indigenous people historically used these toxins to tip blow darts, inspiring the name.
The toxicity comes largely from chemicals present in their natural insect diet.
Fun fact:
Poison dart frogs raised in captivity on different diets usually lose most of their toxicity, because they no longer eat the specific wild prey that supply toxin precursors.
Class: Fish
Habitat: Freshwater rivers, floodplains and lakes in South America (especially the Amazon basin)
Diet: Omnivore – fish, insects, fruits, seeds, invertebrates and carrion
Key features:
Piranhas have sharp, triangular teeth and strong jaws, ideal for slicing.
Many species are shy scavengers or opportunistic feeders rather than pure “killing machines.”
They usually live in schools, which can provide protection from predators and help them find food.
Fun fact:
The famous image of piranhas stripping large animals to the bone within seconds is greatly exaggerated; such frenzies are rare and usually involve stressed or confined fish.
Class: Fish
Habitat: Coastal seas, estuaries and coral reefs; some species in freshwater
Diet: Algae, sponges, shellfish, worms and other invertebrates
Key features:
Pufferfish can rapidly inflate their bodies by swallowing water (or air), becoming a spiky ball that’s harder to swallow.
Many species contain tetrodotoxin, a powerful nerve toxin concentrated in organs like the liver, ovaries or skin.
They have strong beak-like teeth to crush shells and hard prey.
Fun fact:
In some countries, specially trained chefs carefully prepare pufferfish as a delicacy (fugu). Incorrect preparation can be deadly, so strict regulations apply.
Class: Insect
Habitat: Gardens, grasslands, forests and shrubs across many temperate and tropical regions
Diet: Carnivore – flies, moths, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders and even small vertebrates
Key features:
Praying mantises are named for their folded front legs, which resemble hands in prayer position.
Those same legs act as lightning-fast grasping arms to catch passing prey.
Their triangular heads and large compound eyes give them excellent binocular vision.
Fun fact:
Mantises can rotate their heads far more than most insects, sometimes appearing to “watch” you as you move.
There isn’t a single official number because:
New species are still being described.
Many animals have multiple common names.
However, there are dozens of well-known “P animals” across all groups:
Mammals: Panda, polar bear, panther, pig, porcupine, puma, platypus, porpoise, possum
Birds: Penguin, peacock, parrot, pelican, pigeon, puffin, partridge
Reptiles & Amphibians: Python, puff adder, pond turtle, poison dart frog
Fish & Marine Animals: Piranha, pufferfish, parrotfish, pipefish, porbeagle shark
Invertebrates: Praying mantis, paper wasp, pill bug, peacock spider, prawn
For an alphabet project or SEO page, you can easily extend the list with more scientific or regional names.
Some pets and domestic animals that start with P include:
Parrot – budgies, cockatiels, macaws and other pet parrots
Parakeet – often used for small parrots like budgerigars
Pug – a small dog breed with a wrinkled face and curled tail
Poodle – intelligent, curly-coated dog breed in several sizes
Persian cat – long-haired cat breed with a flat face
Pig – miniature pigs or pot-bellied pigs kept as companion animals in some places
Python – ball pythons and some other species kept by experienced reptile keepers
Pony – small horse breeds used for riding or as companions
Before getting any P-animal pet, always check:
Local laws (especially for parrots, reptiles and exotic mammals)
Space, enrichment and social needs
Lifespan (parrots and some reptiles can live for decades)
Access to proper veterinary care
Several Animals That Start With P can be dangerous if provoked or treated carelessly:
Polar bear – one of the most powerful land predators; obviously dangerous in the wild.
Puma (mountain lion / cougar) – capable of attacking large prey and, rarely, humans.
Panther (leopards and jaguars) – strong big cats with sharp claws and teeth.
Piranha – can inflict painful bites; danger increases in stressful conditions like drought or confined waters.
Pufferfish – one of the most toxic vertebrates; toxins can be deadly if ingested.
Poison dart frog – wild frogs of certain species have extremely toxic skin secretions.
Pit viper (if you include viper names starting with P, like “pit viper”) – venomous snakes.
Most wild animals prefer to avoid humans, so respecting their space and not feeding or handling them is the best safety strategy.
Many P animals play key ecological roles:
Pandas – help shape bamboo forests; conserving pandas also protects many other species that share their habitat.
Pigs / wild boars – disturb soil and leaf litter, affecting plant communities and nutrient cycles.
Penguins – act as mid-level predators in Southern Ocean food webs and are indicators of ocean health.
Parrots – important seed dispersers, especially in tropical forests; some also help pollinate flowers.
Pythons – top or mid-level predators in many ecosystems, helping control rodent and bird populations.
Piranhas – scavengers that help clean up dead animals and may influence fish community structure.
Praying mantises – significant predators of insects, including agricultural pests and mosquitoes.
Protecting these P animals and their habitats helps keep forests, rivers, grasslands and oceans in balance.
By exploring this guide to Animals That Start With P, you’ve met a whole alphabet slice of wildlife: pandas, polar bears, panthers, pigs, platypuses, penguins, peacocks, parrots, pythons, poison dart frogs, piranhas, pufferfish, praying mantises and more.
animal tags:
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a Animals Top editor.
you may also like
Zebras are a very common large herbivore found in ecosystems such as grasslands and savannas in sub-Saharan Africa. In China, zebras are not included in the national list of key protected wild animals. However, in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, zebras are protected by law and li...
When we think about climate change, we often imagine rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events. But one major contributor to this global issue is often overlooked: raising animals for meat. From greenhouse gas emissions to deforestation and water consumption, animal agricultu...
Free-range chicken farming is a very popular way of raising chickens that focuses on their welfare and natural growth. The following is a detailed introduction to the breeding methods of free-range chickens: House construction: Site selection: Choose a location away from w...
The emu is a large bird that lives in Africa and South Asia. It is mainly found in the edge of the Sahara Desert south of the Sahara Desert, the East African grasslands, the South African plateau and the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, it can be said that emu do not belong to a specific country, but...
The fat content of chicken depends on the specific cut and meat quality. Generally speaking, chicken has a lower fat content than other meats (such as beef, pork), especially skinless chicken. Here are a few common chicken parts and their fat content:...
The map turtle is a common pet turtle. The following are the methods and precautions for raising map turtles: 1. Turtle house preparation: - Prepare a turtle tank or turtle box of appropriate size to ensure there is enough space for the map turtle t...
Mickey usually refers to Mickey Mouse created by Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse is a fictional little mouse, one of Disney's most famous characters and one of the mascots of the Walt Disney Company. Mickey Mouse made his debut in the 1928 animated film "Willie's Steamboat", voiced by Wal...
Some turtles may be less interested in activities in the water. This may be due to various factors such as individual differences, environment, and habits. Here are some suggestions to try: 1. Create a comfortable water area: Make sure your turtle’s water area meets its...
Email: jsset668#gmail.com (change # to @) Please indicate your purpose of visit! Guangdong ICP No. 2022053326 XML| map| Chinese
