The animal kingdom has a lot of members. Listing all one by one, there are thousands if not millions of species. Putting them all in alphabetical order is a tough job.
Since that will be too long, let’s do a smaller group. How about listing some animals whose names start with the letter “T”?
Get your thinking cap ready and let us begin!
The animal kingdom has a lot of members. Listing all one by one, there are thousands if not millions of species. Putting them all in alphabetical order is a tough job. Since that will be too long, let’s do a smaller group.
1. Tiger
The tiger is a carnivorous mammal and the largest feline in the animal kingdom. The tiger is characterized by the black vertical stripes on its orange fur. Underneath its belly is coated white fur. Tigers are territorial and like to do things alone.
Tigers are dangerous predators. They have sharp fangs and claws, plus muscular bodies and forelimbs. They also run very fast. It is hard for prey to escape when targeted. A tiger can survive without eating for as much as two weeks. But can consume as much as 34 kilograms of flesh when they feed.
2. Turtle
The turtle is a cold-blooded reptile that moves very slowly. It is known for its cartilaginous and bony shell. Their shell develops from the ribs and acts as protective armor. Whenever they sense danger, the turtle would retract and hide inside.
Turtles are omnivores since their diet consists of aquatic plants and small invertebrates. Turtles live thrive in salt water and lay eggs on beaches to procreate.
3. Tarsier
The tarsier is a small mammal with huge eyes always wide open. Despite their tiny size, they are carnivorous primates. Tarsiers feed on insects that they catch by leaping at them. A tarsier can move their head to 180 degrees without moving the rest of their body.
That is why when you see one, they look very still. Their big eyes look as if they are staring at you. They are nocturnal species that live on top of trees.
4. Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian devil received the honor of being assigned as the state emblem of Tasmania. It is the largest carnivorous marsupial. It has a large head and a tail half of its body length.
This black-furred mammal has a stocky and muscular build. They have a strong odor and are very loud especially when eating. As predators, they have a strong sense of smell and easily track their prey. They can devour all the remains of their hunt. It includes bones and fur.
5. Tarantula
The tarantula is a type of spider that has a hairy body and legs. They are also larger than the rest of their species. Tarantulas have eight legs, fangs, and two to four spinnerets to create webs. There are over 900 different species of tarantulas in the world.
They have the ability shed off their old skeleton and can even replace their internal organs. Some species of these cool spiders are suitable pets. But there should be utmost caution and supervision.
6. Terrier
The terrier is a small breed of dog that is fearless and energetic. The terrier, in the past, was bred to catch pests like rats on the farms. They were also accompanying hunters to quarry burrowing animals like rabbits and foxes.
The terrier is an adorable canine that has an independent personality. It is intelligent and learns easily during training. Now, they are dependable house pets that are loyal and loving.
7. Trout
A trout is a freshwater fish that often resides in lakes and rivers. Some can survive in salt water, but they have to return to fresh waters to breed. Trouts come in various colors that usually camouflage their natural environment. The Trout is a carnivorous fish.
They like to feed on shrimps, worms, insects, and mollusks. These fishes are an important part of the food chain. Both wildlife and humans depend on them for nourishment.
8. Tawny Owl
A Tawny Owl is a nocturnal bird that resides in woodlands. They have round and stocky bodies. Their fur is often colored brown or grey, and their build is medium-sized. Around their eyes are accentuated with a ring of dark feathers.
They are agile and very vocal, so expect them to screech and hoot most of the time. They communicate with other owls by doing these actions. They are very territorial and tend to fight for their nest most of the time.
9. Takin
Takin is a big furry mammal with a muscular body often seen in regions like Tibet. Takin has a big head and a deep chest. It is often associated with goats and antelopes but closely related to sheep. They have horns on the midline of their head regardless of gender. Their build is stocky and powerful. It is adaptive to survive harsh mountainous habitats.
The takin’s body produces natural oil and keeps them warm from the cold weather. They like to travel in herds and would cough as a warning sign for predators. They graze on different types of leaves and grass. They also feed on salt in mineral deposit sites to
survive.
10. Tapir
A tapir is a strange-looking animal. It looks like a combination of a pig, hippotamus, and anteaters. The tapir is said to have survived living on the earth since the Ice Age. They are adaptable and a tough species. A tapir is a solitary animal by nature. But there are instances it stays in pairs.
A tapir runs fast and can swim, solidifying its common ancestorship with horses and rhinos. It is the reason why they like to live in areas near bodies of water. The tapir is a herbivore and likes to eat leaves, fruits, grasses, and berries.
11. Tuatara
A tuatara is a rare reptile only living in New Zealand and the largest in the country. Tuataras are from an ancient species called the Rhynchocephalia. They look like a lizard with a greenish-brown and grey color. It has a spiny crest on its back that is very prominent, especially in males.
They like cold weather, not like lizards who prefer warm temperatures. Tuataras are also nocturnal and have a peculiar “third eye” on top of their head. It is not for seeing but rather to sense light.
This way, the tuatara will know the time of the day. They are carnivorous and feed on small insects, birds, and lizards.
12. Tanager
Tanagers are medium-sized songbirds that have many different colors per specie. They live in woodlands and have a liking for tall pine trees. In the summer months, they tend to visit gardens too.
A Tanager has a big head and body with a large, thick, and blunt-tipped bill. Tanagers are omnivores. They forage on small insects like bees and wasps and eat s berries and fruit. Whenever they sing, tanagers sound melodic, slurred, and sharp. They are a joy to listen to every time and are often listed in the bird watcher’s list.
13. Toucan
A toucan is a very peculiar and unique-looking bird. It is easy to recognize this breed. It has a big multicolored bill that is very eye-catching. Toucans live in rainforests and are the loudest birds in the jungle.
They like to live in huge groups called flocks. They only fly short distances and love to hop between branches. Toucans are naturally intelligent, friendly, and curious.
Due to their beauty, they are popular pets but are in danger of extinction. Many governing bodies are doing their best to save them. As of date, their population is monitored closely, and their habitats are protected.
14. Turkey
A turkey is a domesticated animal often seen in zoos and farms. It is a large bird and can weigh as much as 25 pounds. It has good eyesight, which can see a full 270 degrees compared to humans. It tends to be aggressive, so people should interact cautiously with them.
Turkeys have a short round dark tail that is very attractive. It responds negatively to shiny objects because they mistake their reflection for an enemy. Turkeys are expressive, and it is possible to gauge their mood. By observing the color changes of their head, the stronger their emotions, the shade is darker.
15. Tiger Shark
A Tiger Shark is a large predatory fish that lives in warm saltwater areas. During their juvenile years, they have vertical stripes on the back. As they mature, these marks fade. They can grow as long as 14 feet and weigh up to 1400 pounds.
Tiger sharks are solitary and nocturnal but tend to feed in groups. They prefer to hunt in shallow waters at night and retreat to the deeper waters during the day. Finding their prey is no trouble as they have a strong sense of smell and keen sight.