Animals That Start With S: Complete “S Animals” List (With Fun Facts)

From stealthy sharks and snakes to slow-moving sloths, playful seals, elegant swans, tiny squirrels, and colorful seahorses, a huge number of animal names in English start with the letter S.

This guide is written to match real search intent for “Animals That Start With S”, including:

• List of animals that start with S

• Sea animals that start with S

• S animals for kids / homework / alphabet projects

• Dangerous animals that start with S

• Pets that start with S

You’ll find:

• A quick list of S animals by group

• An overview table (class, habitat, diet, fun facts)

• Detailed profiles of popular “S animals”

• FAQ: pets, dangerous species and ecologically important animals starting with S

Perfect for an A–Z animal encyclopedia, school projects or an SEO-friendly wildlife blog.

1. Quick List of Animals That Start With S

Here’s a fast reference list of animals that begin with S, grouped by type.

Mammals

• Sloth

• Squirrel

• Seal (harbor seal, monk seal, etc.)

• Sea lion

• Sheep

• Snow leopard

• Siberian tiger

• Sika deer

• Stoat (short-tailed weasel)

• Skunk

• Squirrel monkey

Birds

• Swan (mute swan, black swan, trumpeter swan)

• Sparrow

• Seagull (gulls in general)

• Stork (white stork, marabou stork)

• Spoonbill

• Sandpiper

• Snowy owl

• Starling

• Secretary bird

Reptiles & Amphibians

• Snake (many species: king snake, garter snake, etc.)

• Sea turtle

• Salamander

• Skink

• Spiny-tailed lizard

• Sand boa

• Surinam toad

Fish & Marine Animals

• Shark (great white, hammerhead, whale shark, etc.)

• Salmon

• Seahorse

• Stingray

• Swordfish

• Sardine

• Snapper (red snapper, etc.)

• Squid

• Sea star (often called starfish)

• Shrimp

Invertebrates (Insects, Spiders & Others)

• Spider (orb-weaver, tarantula, jumping spider…)

• Scorpion

• Snail

• Slug

• Silkworm

• Stag beetle

• Stick insect

• Sand dollar

Next, an overview table of 15 well-known “S animals.”

2. S-Animals Overview Table

3. Detailed Profiles of Key “S Animals”

Now let’s look more closely at some of the most searched and recognizable Animals That Start With S.

3.1 Shark

• Class: Cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes)

• Habitat: Oceans around the world, from shallow coastal waters to the open sea and ocean depths

• Diet: Mostly carnivores – fish, squid, crustaceans, marine mammals; some (like whale sharks) filter-feed plankton

Key features:

• Sharks have skeletons made of cartilage, not bone, which makes them lighter and more flexible.

• They have several rows of sharp teeth that are continually replaced throughout their lives.

• Excellent senses: they detect tiny amounts of blood in water, sense electrical signals from muscles and feel vibrations through a special lateral line.

Fun fact:
Despite their fierce reputation, most sharks are not dangerous to humans and many species are actually threatened by overfishing, finning and habitat loss.

3.2 Snake

• Class: Reptile

• Habitat: Almost everywhere except very cold polar regions—forests, deserts, grasslands, wetlands, farms and even cities

• Diet: Strict carnivores – rodents, birds, eggs, frogs, fish, insects and other reptiles

Key features:

• Snakes have elongated bodies with no legs, flexible backbones and jaws that can open extremely wide.

• Some species are venomous, using venom to paralyze prey; others squeeze (constrictors) or simply swallow small prey whole.

• They periodically shed their outer layer of skin in one piece or large sections.

Fun fact:
Most of the world’s snake species are non-venomous. Even venomous species usually prefer to avoid humans and only bite in self-defense.

3.3 Sloth

• Class: Mammal

• Habitat: Tropical rainforests in Central and South America, living high in the canopy

• Diet: Mainly herbivores – leaves, buds, fruit and occasionally flowers

Key features:

• Sloths are famous for being extremely slow. Their low-calorie leaf diet gives them very little energy, so they move carefully and rest a lot.

• They have long, curved claws to hang from branches and strong grip muscles in their limbs.

• Their fur often hosts algae and tiny insects, helping them blend into the trees.

Fun fact:
Sloths usually come down from the trees only about once a week, mainly to defecate at the base of their favorite trees—a behavior still puzzling scientists.

3.4 Squirrel

• Class: Mammal (rodent)

• Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens, urban areas and mountainous regions worldwide (except some islands and very dry deserts)

• Diet: Mostly herbivorous – seeds, nuts, buds, fruits, fungi; some species also eat insects, eggs or small animals

Key features:

• Squirrels have sharp claws, strong hind legs and bushy tails for balance and communication.

• Tree squirrels are agile climbers and jumpers; ground squirrels dig burrows.

• Many species store food by burying nuts and seeds in the soil for winter.

Fun fact:
Squirrels forget some of the nuts they hide. Those forgotten seeds can sprout, meaning squirrels unintentionally replant forests.

3.5 Seal

• Class: Mammal (pinniped)

• Habitat: Cold and temperate oceans, polar ice edges, sandy beaches and rocky coasts

• Diet: Carnivores – fish, squid, crustaceans and sometimes penguins or smaller seals (for large species)

Key features:

• Seals have streamlined bodies and flippers instead of legs, making them excellent swimmers.

• They can dive deep and stay underwater for long periods thanks to extra oxygen stored in their blood and muscles.

• “True seals” (like harbor seals) lack external ear flaps and move on land in a wriggling, caterpillar-like way.

Fun fact:
Seal pups often have soft, fluffy fur coats (like harp seal “whitecoats”) that they shed as they grow and start spending more time in cold water.

3.6 Sea Lion

• Class: Mammal (pinniped, but different family from true seals)

• Habitat: Pacific coasts of North and South America, parts of Asia and the Southern Hemisphere; often haul out on beaches, docks and rocks

• Diet: Fish, squid, octopus and other aquarium/52-marine-animals.html">marine animals

Key features:

• Sea lions have external ear flaps and large, strong front flippers. They can rotate their back flippers under their bodies, allowing them to “walk” quite well on land.

• Highly social; many species gather in large colonies to rest, mate and give birth.

• They are very vocal, making loud barks, growls and roars.

Fun fact:
Sea lions are intelligent and trainable, which is why they are often seen in zoos and aquariums demonstrating natural behaviors on cue.

3.7 Swan

• Class: Bird (waterfowl, family Anatidae)

• Habitat: Lakes, ponds, slow rivers, estuaries and coastal lagoons in temperate regions

• Diet: Mostly herbivores – aquatic plants, algae and some grasses; also small insects and invertebrates

Key features:

• Swans are among the largest flying birds, with long necks and large, powerful wings.

• Many species form long-term or lifelong pair bonds, and both parents care for the young (cygnets).

• They are elegant on the water, but can be surprisingly aggressive if they feel their nests or young are threatened.

Fun fact:
When swimming in calm water, some swans hold their wings raised and curved over their backs in an “S” shape called busking, often a display of dominance or courtship.

3.8 Salmon

• Class: Fish (salmon family)

• Habitat: Born in freshwater rivers or streams, then migrate to oceans, and later return to freshwater to spawn (anadromous life cycle)

• Diet: Insects, zooplankton, small fish and crustaceans

Key features:

• Salmon are famous for their long migrations, often swimming hundreds of kilometers upstream to their birthplace to breed.

• Their bodies change color during spawning season; males may develop hooked jaws and brighter or deeper colors.

• They are a major food source for bears, eagles, otters, people and many other animals.

Fun fact:
Salmon can use smell and even the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate back to the exact river where they were born.

3.9 Seahorse

• Class: Fish (seahorses are a type of fish, despite their unusual shape)

• Habitat: Coastal seagrass beds, mangroves and coral reefs in warm and temperate seas

• Diet: Small crustaceans like copepods and tiny shrimp, sucked up through their tube-like snouts

Key features:

• Seahorses swim upright and have curled tails that wrap around plants for stability.

• They have bony plates under the skin instead of regular fish scales.

• Males have a special brood pouch where females deposit eggs; the male then carries the eggs until they hatch.

Fun fact:
Seahorses are one of the few animals where the male becomes “pregnant”, fertilizing and incubating eggs in his pouch before giving birth to tiny fully formed young.

3.10 Spider

• Class: Arachnid

• Habitat: Almost everywhere on land: forests, deserts, grasslands, caves, buildings and gardens

• Diet: Carnivores – mainly insects, but some large species eat frogs, lizards or small mammals

Key features:

• Spiders have eight legs, two main body segments and fangs connected to venom glands (most species have venom, but only a small number are dangerous to humans).

• Many spin webs using silk from special glands called spinnerets, but some hunt actively without webs.

• Silk is extremely strong for its thickness and can be used for webs, egg sacs, safety lines and ballooning (dispersal through the air).

Fun fact:
Spiders eat huge numbers of insects. They are one of our best natural allies in controlling crop pests and disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes.

3.11 Scorpion

• Class: Arachnid

• Habitat: Deserts, savannas, forests, grasslands and caves on every continent except Antarctica

• Diet: Insects, other spiders, small lizards and sometimes small mammals

Key features:

• scorpions.html">Scorpions have a pair of claw-like pincers in front and a segmented tail ending in a venomous stinger.

• They hunt mostly at night, using sensitive hairs and sensory organs on their legs to detect vibrations.

• Venom strength varies by species; many scorpions deliver painful but non-lethal stings in healthy adult humans.

Fun fact:
Under ultraviolet (UV) light, scorpions glow a bright blue-green due to natural chemicals in their exoskeleton—a useful trick for researchers (and a spooky sight at night).

3.12 Snail

• Class: Mollusk (gastropod)

• Habitat: Gardens, forests, grasslands, freshwater ponds and streams, and oceans

• Diet: Many are herbivores eating algae, leaves and decaying plant matter; some are predators or scavengers

Key features:

• Land snails have coiled shells that they can withdraw into for protection and moisture conservation.

• They move on a muscular “foot,” secreting mucus to glide over rough surfaces.

• A rasping tongue-like structure called a radula scrapes food into the mouth.

Fun fact:
Some tropical snails are tiny (a few millimeters), while the giant African land snail can grow up to 20 cm (8 inches) in length.

3.13 Starfish (Sea Star)

• Class: Echinoderm

• Habitat: Ocean floors, rocky shores, coral reefs and sandy bottoms around the world

• Diet: Clams, mussels, snails, barnacles and dead animals

Key features:

• Sea stars typically have five arms, though some species have more.

• They move using hundreds of tiny tube feet powered by a water vascular system.

• Many can push their stomachs outside their bodies to digest prey like mussels from inside the shell.

Fun fact:
If a sea star loses an arm, it can often regrow it. In some species, a single arm with part of the central disc can regenerate into a whole new sea star.

4. FAQ: Animals That Start With S

4.1 How many animals start with S?

There’s no exact official number, because:

• New species and common names are still being described.

• Many names (like shark, snake or spider) cover hundreds of individual species.

However, there are dozens of well-known S animals across all major groups, including:

• Mammals: sloth, squirrel, seal, sea lion, sheep, snow leopard, skunk, stoat, squirrel monkey

• Birds: swan, sparrow, seagull (gulls), stork, spoonbill, sandpiper, snowy owl, starling, secretary bird

• Reptiles & amphibians: snake, sea turtle, salamander, skink, sand boa

• Fish & aquarium/52-marine-animals.html">marine animals: shark, salmon, seahorse, stingray, swordfish, sardine, snapper, squid, sea star, shrimp

• Invertebrates: spider, scorpion, snail, slug, silkworm, stag beetle, sand dollar, stick insect

For an A–Z animal project or SEO site, you can easily expand this list with regional and lesser-known species.

4.2 What pets start with S?

Some popular pets and domestic animals that start with S include:

• Snake – many non-venomous species (corn snakes, king snakes, ball pythons).

• Siamese cat – a well-known cat breed with blue eyes and color-pointed fur.

• Scottish Fold – cat breed with folded ears.

• Sphynx cat – hairless cat breed.

• Sheepdog – several breeds (Old English Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog).

• Shetland pony – small horse breed often kept for riding or as a companion animal.

• Syrian hamster – a very common pet hamster species.

• Silkworm – sometimes kept by students or hobbyists to watch metamorphosis.

• Snail – some people keep land or aquatic snails in terrariums or aquariums.

Before choosing an “S pet,” always:

• Check local laws (especially for snakes and exotic animals).

• Research enclosure, diet and enrichment needs.

• Consider lifespan and long-term commitment (snakes and some cats can live well over 10–15 years).

4.3 What dangerous animals start with S?

Several Animals That Start With S can be dangerous to humans if handled or approached carelessly:

• Sharks – a few large coastal species occasionally attack humans.

• Snakes – many venomous species (like cobras, vipers, mambas) are dangerous if they bite.

• Scorpions – some species have medically significant venom.

• Spider – a small number of species (black widow, funnel-web, etc.) can be medically dangerous.

• Stingrays – tail spines can cause painful and serious injuries.

• Snow leopard / Siberian tiger – powerful big cats that can be dangerous in close contact.

Most of these animals do not seek out people. They bite or sting mainly in self-defense. Keeping distance, not provoking wildlife and following local safety guidelines greatly reduces risk.

4.4 Which S animals are especially important for ecosystems?

Many “S animals” play crucial ecological roles:

• Sharks – top or mid-level predators that help regulate fish populations and keep marine food webs balanced.

• Snakes – control rodent and pest populations in fields, forests and even cities.

• Sloths – support unique communities of insects and algae in their fur and are part of tropical forest food webs.

• Squirrels – disperse seeds and nuts, helping forests regenerate.

• Salmon – move nutrients from the ocean back into rivers and forests; their carcasses feed bears, birds, insects and enrich the soil.

• Seahorses & shrimps – important small predators and prey in seagrass beds and reefs.

• Spiders – major predators of insects, helping control pest species naturally.

• Scorpions – part of desert and grassland food webs, both as predators and prey.

• Sea stars – influence populations of clams, mussels and other invertebrates, shaping rocky shore communities.

Protecting these Animals That Start With S and their habitats helps keep forests, grasslands, deserts, rivers and oceans healthy and in balance.

By exploring this guide to Animals That Start With S, you’ve met a large slice of the animal alphabet: sharks and snakes, sloths and squirrels, seals and sea lions, swans and sparrows, salmon and seahorses, spiders, scorpions, snails and sea stars.

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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.