From fluffy rabbits and curious raccoons, to fiery red foxes, armored rhinos, clever ravens, and gliding rays, a surprising number of animal names in English start with the letter R.
This guide is written to match real search intent for “Animals That Start With R” and related queries such as:
“List of animals that start with R”
“R animals for kids / homework”
“Dangerous animals that start with R”
“Pets that start with R”
“Ocean animals that start with R”
You’ll find:
A quick list of R animals by group
A summary table (class, habitat, diet, fun facts)
Detailed profiles of popular animals beginning with R
FAQ: pets, dangerous species, and ecologically important “R animals”
Perfect for an A–Z animal encyclopedia, school projects, or an SEO-friendly animal blog.
Here’s a fast reference list of animals that begin with R, grouped by type.
Rabbit
Raccoon
Rat
Red panda
Red fox
Reindeer (caribou in North America)
Rhinoceros (black rhino, white rhino, Indian rhino, etc.)
Ring-tailed lemur
Raccoon dog
Robin (European robin, American robin)
Raven
Rhea
Roadrunner
Red-tailed hawk
Red-winged blackbird
Roseate spoonbill
Rattlesnake
Red-eared slider (aquatic turtle)
River turtle (various species)
Rock iguana
Rough-skinned newt
Ray (stingray, manta ray, eagle ray, etc.)
Rainbow trout
Red lionfish
Red snapper
Remora
Ratfish (chimaera)
Redback spider
Rhino beetle (rhinoceros beetle)
Robber fly
Roundworm
River prawn
Next is an overview table of 15 representative “R animals.”
| Animal | Class | Main Habitat | Typical Diet | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Mammal | Grasslands, forests, fields & urban edges worldwide | Herbivore: grass, leaves, bark | Powerful back legs help them sprint and leap to escape predators. |
| Raccoon | Mammal | Forests, wetlands & cities in the Americas | Omnivore: fruit, insects, eggs, scraps | Known for “masked” faces and nimble, hand-like front paws. |
| Red panda | Mammal | Temperate forests of Himalayas & SW China | Mostly bamboo, plus fruit, eggs & small prey | Despite the name, it’s not a bear—its own unique family. |
| Red fox | Mammal | Forests, grasslands, farmland & cities across Eurasia & N. America | Omnivore: rodents, rabbits, fruit, insects | Extremely adaptable; common in both wild countryside and big cities. |
| Reindeer (Caribou) | Mammal | Arctic tundra & boreal forests in N. America & Eurasia | Herbivore: lichens, grasses, leaves | Both males and females grow antlers—unusual among deer. |
| Rhinoceros | Mammal | Savannas, grasslands & forests in Africa & Asia | Herbivore: grasses & browse | Thick skin and one or two horns make rhinos instantly recognizable. |
| Ring-tailed lemur | Mammal | Dry forests & scrublands in Madagascar | Omnivore: fruit, leaves, flowers, insects | Famous for their long, black-and-white ringed tails. |
| Robin (American) | Bird | Gardens, parks, forests in North America | Omnivore: earthworms, insects, berries | Often seen hopping on lawns hunting worms after rain. |
| Raven | Bird | Mountains, coasts, forests, deserts & cities | Omnivore: carrion, insects, fruit, leftovers | Among the most intelligent birds; known for problem-solving and play. |
| Rattlesnake | Reptile | Deserts, grasslands, forests in the Americas | Carnivore: rodents, lizards, small birds | Uses a rattle on its tail to warn threats before striking. |
| Red-eared slider | Reptile | Ponds, lakes, slow rivers & wetlands | Omnivore: plants, insects, fish, carrion | A popular pet turtle that has become invasive in many countries. |
| Rainbow trout | Fish | Cool, clear streams & lakes | Carnivore: insects, small fish, crustaceans | Popular in sport fishing and aquaculture, prized for its colorful body. |
| Ray (stingray) | Fish | Coastal seas, coral reefs & ocean floors worldwide | Carnivore: crustaceans, mollusks, small fish | Flattened bodies with wing-like fins; some have venomous tail spines. |
| Red lionfish | Fish | Coral reefs & rocky areas (native Indo-Pacific) | Carnivore: small fish & invertebrates | Striking striped fish with venomous spines; invasive in the Atlantic. |
| Redback spider | Insect (Arachnid) | Gardens, sheds, dry scrub in Australia & beyond | Carnivore: insects & other small animals | Small but medically important spider with a distinctive red stripe. |
| Rhino beetle | Insect | Tropical & subtropical forests & gardens worldwide | Adults: sap & fruit; larvae: decaying wood | Males have horn-like structures and can lift many times their own weight. |
Now let’s look more closely at some of the most searched and interesting Animals That Start With R.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Grasslands, meadows, woodland edges, farmlands and even suburbs and city parks
Diet: Herbivore – grass, tender shoots, leaves, bark and garden plants
Key features:
Rabbits have long ears, large back legs and short fluffy tails (sometimes called “cotton tails” in some species).
They are mostly crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) and live in burrows or dense vegetation to hide from predators.
Many wild species live in social groups and dig complex burrow systems called warrens.
Fun fact:
Rabbits practice “coprophagy”—they eat a special type of soft droppings to re-digest plant material and absorb extra nutrients.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Forests, wetlands, farmlands and urban areas throughout much of North and Central America (introduced in some other regions)
Diet: Omnivore – fruit, nuts, insects, frogs, eggs, small vertebrates, carrion and human food waste
Key features:
Raccoons are instantly recognizable by their black “mask” of fur around the eyes and ringed tails.
They have extremely dexterous front paws, able to open latches, rummage through containers and manipulate small objects.
Highly adaptable, raccoons do well in cities, where they raid trash cans and sometimes even pet food bowls.
Fun fact:
The “washing” behavior raccoons show in captivity (dunking food in water) is not really about cleanliness—wild raccoons often handle food in streams where their sensitive paws can feel textures better when wet.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Cool, temperate forests with bamboo understory in the Himalayas and parts of southwest China
Diet: Mostly bamboo leaves and shoots, plus fruit, eggs, insects and small animals
Key features:
Red pandas have reddish-brown fur, bushy ringed tails and a face somewhat like a raccoon’s.
Despite the name, they are not closely related to giant pandas; they belong to their own family (Ailuridae).
They are excellent climbers and spend much of their time in trees, especially when resting.
Fun fact:
A false thumb (an extended wrist bone) helps red pandas grasp bamboo stalks—similar to the “thumb” adaptation in giant pandas, but evolved separately.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, farmlands, tundra and urban areas across much of Europe, Asia and North America; introduced to Australia
Diet: Omnivore – rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, fruit and carrion
Key features:
Red foxes are slender, with reddish-orange fur, white undersides, dark legs and a big bushy tail often tipped in white.
They hunt mostly at night and at twilight, using keen hearing to detect small animals moving under grass or snow.
Red foxes are highly adaptable and can live close to humans—some even den under sheds or in city parks.
Fun fact:
Red foxes use their tails for balance, warmth (wrapping around the face while resting) and communication with other foxes.
Class: Mammal (deer family)
Habitat: Arctic tundra and boreal forests in North America, Europe and Asia
Diet: Herbivore – winter: lichens; summer: grasses, leaves, shrubs, mushrooms
Key features:
In North America they are called caribou; in Eurasia, reindeer, especially when domesticated or semi-domesticated.
Both males and females can grow antlers—this is unusual among deer.
Reindeer herd in large migratory groups, sometimes traveling hundreds of kilometers each year.
Fun fact:
Their hooves change with the seasons: soft and spongy in summer for walking on wet ground, then harder and sharper in winter, helping them cut into ice and packed snow.
There are several rhino species (white, black, Indian, Javan, Sumatran), but they share similar traits.
Class: Mammal
Habitat: African savannas and grasslands, Asian grasslands and forests (depending on species)
Diet: Herbivore – mostly grasses for some species, leaves and shrubs for others
Key features:
Rhinos are large, heavy-bodied animals with thick, folded skin and one or two horns on their snouts.
Their horns are made of keratin, the same material as human hair and nails.
They have poor eyesight but good hearing and smell.
Fun fact:
Some rhino species rely on small birds called oxpeckers, which perch on their backs and eat ticks and other parasites from their skin.
Class: Mammal (primate)
Habitat: Dry forests, scrub and rocky areas in southern Madagascar
Diet: Omnivore – fruit, leaves, flowers and occasionally insects or other small prey
Key features:
Ring-tailed lemurs are easy to recognize by their long tails with alternating black and white rings.
They spend more time on the ground than many other lemurs and live in social groups led by dominant females.
They use scent glands to mark territory and communicate, even having “stink fights” by rubbing scent on their tails and wafting it at rivals.
Fun fact:
Ring-tailed lemurs often sit facing the sun with arms spread in a “sun worshipping” pose to warm up on chilly mornings.
We’ll use the American robin as a classic example, though the European robin is also famous.
Class: Bird
Habitat: Gardens, parks, forests, farmlands and suburbs throughout much of North America
Diet: Earthworms, insects, snails and berries
Key features:
American robins have gray-brown backs, warm reddish-orange breasts and a cheerful, whistling song.
They are often one of the first birds people notice in spring, hopping across lawns hunting worms.
Robins build cup-shaped nests from mud and grass, usually in trees or on ledges.
Fun fact:
Seeing the first robin of spring is a traditional sign that winter is ending in many parts of North America.
Class: Bird (crow family)
Habitat: Mountains, coastal cliffs, deserts, forests, tundra and cities across much of the Northern Hemisphere
Diet: Omnivore – carrion, insects, small animals, eggs, fruit, seeds and human food waste
Key features:
Ravens are large, all-black birds with thick bills and wedge-shaped tails.
They are exceptionally intelligent: they can solve puzzles, recognize individual people and may use tools.
Ravens are often seen in pairs or small family groups and are known for playful behavior like sliding in snow or soaring on wind currents.
Fun fact:
In some long-term studies, ravens have been observed caching (hiding) food and watching to see if other ravens are spying on them—then moving the food later to avoid theft.
Class: Reptile (pit viper)
Habitat: Deserts, grasslands, rocky hillsides and forests throughout much of the Americas
Diet: Carnivore – mainly rodents, plus lizards, birds and other small animals
Key features:
Rattlesnakes get their name from the rattle at the end of the tail: a series of hollow segments that buzz when vibrated.
They are venomous; fangs deliver venom that immobilizes prey and begins digestion.
Heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils allow rattlesnakes to detect warm-blooded prey even in darkness.
Fun fact:
Rattlesnakes usually prefer to avoid confrontation. The rattle is a warning signal to make larger animals (including humans) back off, preventing bites in many cases.
Class: Reptile (turtle)
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow rivers and wetlands with basking spots and soft bottoms
Diet: Omnivore – aquatic plants, insects, snails, fish and carrion
Key features:
Named for the red stripe behind each eye and the way it “slides” quickly off logs or rocks into the water when alarmed.
Young sliders are more carnivorous; adults eat proportionally more plant material.
They bask in groups, often stacking on top of each other on logs or rocks to soak up sun.
Fun fact:
Because they are popular pets and frequently released into the wild, red-eared sliders have become invasive species in many parts of the world, competing with native turtles.
Class: Fish (salmon family)
Habitat: Cool, clear, well-oxygenated rivers and lakes; also stocked in many regions for fishing
Diet: Aquatic insects, terrestrial insects that fall into the water, small fish and crustaceans
Key features:
Rainbow trout have a colorful pink or reddish stripe along their sides, with speckles on their backs and fins.
They are popular with anglers for their fighting spirit and with farmers in aquaculture.
Some populations migrate to the ocean and return to rivers to spawn; these are often called steelhead.
Fun fact:
The coloring of rainbow trout can change depending on water quality, diet and environment—fish in clear, cold streams often show particularly bright colors.
Class: Fish (cartilaginous fish, related to sharks)
Habitat: Coastal seas, estuaries, coral reefs and some freshwater systems worldwide
Diet: Clams, crabs, shrimp, worms and small fish
Key features:
Rays have flattened bodies with large “wing-like” pectoral fins that they flap to swim or ripple along the sea floor.
Many stingrays have one or more sharp spines with venom near the base of the tail, used primarily for defense.
They often hide under sand with just eyes and spiracles (breathing holes) visible.
Fun fact:
Some rays, like manta rays, are enormous plankton feeders that glide through open water, while others stay hidden on the bottom almost their entire lives.
Class: Fish
Habitat: Coral reefs and rocky areas; native to the Indo-Pacific but invasive in the Atlantic and Caribbean
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates
Key features:
Red lionfish are striking, with red, white and brown stripes and long, fan-like fins.
They have venomous spines along the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins that can deliver painful stings.
In invaded regions, lionfish have few natural predators and can heavily prey on native reef fish.
Fun fact:
Because lionfish reproduce quickly and eat many reef fish, some regions organize lionfish derbies and promote lionfish as seafood to help control their numbers.
Class: Insect (scarab beetle family)
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests, gardens and agricultural areas around the world
Diet:
Larvae: decaying wood and organic matter
Adults: fruit, nectar, tree sap
Key features:
Male rhino beetles have impressive horn-like projections on the head or thorax used in battles with other males.
Despite their scary appearance, they do not bite or sting people.
They are among the strongest animals relative to size and can lift many times their own body weight.
Fun fact:
In some cultures, rhino beetles are kept as pets, admired for their strength or even used in beetle “wrestling” contests (not recommended for the beetles’ welfare).
There’s no exact official number, because:
New species and common names are still being described.
Many names refer to groups (e.g., rattlesnake covers multiple species).
However, there are dozens of well-known R animals across all major groups:
Mammals: Rabbit, raccoon, rat, red panda, red fox, reindeer, rhinoceros, ring-tailed lemur, raccoon dog
Birds: Robin, raven, rhea, roadrunner, red-tailed hawk, red-winged blackbird, roseate spoonbill
Reptiles & Amphibians: Rattlesnake, red-eared slider, rock iguana, rough-skinned newt
Fish & Marine Animals: Ray (stingray, manta ray), rainbow trout, red lionfish, red snapper, ratfish, remora
Invertebrates: Redback spider, rhino beetle, robber fly, river prawn, roundworm
For an A–Z animal project or SEO hub page, you can easily expand this list further with more regional species and subspecies.
Some popular pets and domestic animals that start with R include:
Rabbit – one of the most common small pets; many breeds exist.
Rat – domesticated “fancy rats” are intelligent and social.
Rex rabbit – a rabbit breed with velvet-soft fur.
Retriever – dog breeds like Labrador retriever, Golden retriever.
Ragdoll cat – a large, relaxed, blue-eyed cat breed.
Russian Blue – sleek, short-haired cat breed.
Red-eared slider – common pet turtle (requires proper care and is invasive if released).
Before getting an “R animal” as a pet, always:
Check local laws (especially for reptiles and exotic mammals).
Research space, enrichment and social needs.
Consider lifespan—rabbits, turtles and some rodents may live longer than people expect.
Several Animals That Start With R can be dangerous if provoked or handled carelessly:
Rattlesnake – venomous bite; can be serious or deadly without treatment.
Rhino (rhinoceros) – very powerful and can be aggressive when threatened.
Redback spider – venomous spider; bites can cause significant pain and medical issues.
Ray (stingray) – some species have venomous tail spines that can cause painful injuries.
Red lionfish – venomous spines can hurt divers or handlers.
Most of these animals do not seek out humans; they bite or sting primarily in self-defense. Keeping a respectful distance and not touching wild animals is the best safety strategy.
Many R animals play key ecological roles:
Rabbits – major herbivores; they help shape plant communities and are crucial prey for many predators.
Raccoons – opportunistic omnivores that help clean up carrion and redistribute seeds.
Red foxes & ravens – predators and scavengers that control rodent populations and recycle nutrients.
Reindeer (caribou) – central to Arctic food webs and nutrient cycling; their grazing shapes tundra vegetation.
Rhinos – large grazers/browsers that create open areas and paths, influencing plant structure and providing habitat for smaller animals.
Rattlesnakes – help keep rodent populations in check.
Rays & rainbow trout – important mid-level predators in freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Red lionfish (in native range) – natural reef predators; in invaded areas they dramatically alter reef fish communities.
Rhino beetles & other decomposers – help break down dead wood and plant matter, returning nutrients to the soil.
Protecting these Animals That Start With R and their habitats helps maintain the balance of forests, grasslands, deserts, rivers and oceans.
By exploring this guide to Animals That Start With R, you’ve met a whole alphabet slice of wildlife: rabbits, raccoons, red pandas, red foxes, reindeer, rhinos, ring-tailed lemurs, robins, ravens, rattlesnakes, red-eared sliders, rainbow trout, rays, red lionfish, redback spiders and rhino 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.
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