In the animal kingdom, there are many different types of creatures. They are classified based on appearance, eating habits, character, social skills, and movement. A common sight is animals that have four legs. They are called quadrupedal animals.
Their four limbs are a vital part of their way of life. Quadrupedal creatures come in different sizes, and the majority live on dry land. However, some are semi-aquatic that can also survive in the water. Are you excited to meet them? Check out the list below.
1. Alligator
The alligator is a large reptile that walks on four legs. It is a carnivore with a powerful jaw that has a deadly bite. They also have a long tail that they use for swimming and self-defense. Alligators can live on land and water.
They may be huge and heavy, but alligators can climb on trees and even fences without breaking a sweat.
2. Bear
A bear is a strong mammal that has four legs and non-retractable claws. They use these to catch prey, climb trees, and dig for food with their paws with claws. Bears are omnivores which means they eat both meat and plant-based food.
They walk on fours but can stand up on their two hind legs. Bears conserve their strength in the winter by hibernating.
3. Boar
A boar is a wild pig that has short and thin legs. They walk on land and are also competent swimmers. They have a strong sense of smell. In Germany, they are used to sniff and detect drugs.
They often eat berries, fruits, roots, grass, and bulbs. But if the need arises, they also ingest meat, making them omnivores. Boars are better off in the wild since they can be aggressive to humans.
4. Cat
The cat is a small domesticated mammal that has four legs. It is a carnivore and loves to sleep most of the time. They have excellent night vision, and it helps them hunt live prey like rats, mice, and small birds. Cats are independent but can be affectionate and loyal to their masters.
Their sweet purring is what cat-lovers love to hear. Boars are better off in the wild since they can be aggressive to humans.
5. Cheetah
The cheetah is a big cat whose body is thin and has long limbs. They are the fastest mammal with four legs on land. A cheetah is carnivorous and has black spots on its fur. Unlike other predators, they do not stalk their prey. They wait for them to be at a safe distance and chase after them. When the cheetah runs after their quarry, escaping is impossible.
6. Deer
The deer is a hoofed mammal with four agile legs. A deer can run very fast and uses its limbs to kick for defense. They also have antlers on their heads that serve as additional weapons for self-defense. They are herbivores who like socialization and often live in groups. They choose the most formidable male to lead when they are all together. The male leader is called a Stag.
7. Dog
A dog is another domesticated animal that has an omnivorous diet. A dog has a keen sense of smell. Dogs are reliable in this field that hunters since long ago have kept them as companions for tracking purposes. They are intelligent and respond to training.
With familiarity, a dog can easily follow orders and do routine activities. Dogs are also affectionate and loyal to their masters. It is the reason they earned the nickname “man’s best friend.”
8. Elephant
The elephant is the heaviest mammal on four legs. Elephants have thick skins that have rough texture and wrinkly. It is the largest animal living on land. It has a powerful long trunk that they use to reach for food. They also have big tusks used for self-defense. Together with their massive strength, it is hard to take them down. The elephant is a kind creature. They take care of weak members and grieve for the ones they lost.
9. Frog
The frog is a small amphibian with four legs that can leap very high.
They are carnivorous and feed on different types of insects. Frogs catch their prey by using their long and sticky tongue. They can live both on land and on water.
They often are described with a green hue, but frogs can also be colored brown or have the same shade as their habitat. A frog can survive in different environments like wetlands and deserts.
10. Giraffe
The giraffe is a tall hoofed animal that has irregular brown patterns on its fur. Thanks to their long neck, they can easily reach the top of trees to get food. These creatures are herbivores and spend most of their lives standing up.
They are born to stand. An infant giraffe can already stand an hour after it is delivered. Giraffes barely sleep.
They only need short power naps to keep going. In their book, 30 minutes is enough to get energized.
11. Goat
Goats are creatures with a light build seen on farms and zoos. It is a domesticated mammal breed for livestock. They have a light build, a short tail, and are herbivores. These animals have cloven hoofs and two horns on their head. Goats are social animals and prefer to live in herds.
Goats prefer dry woodlands and mountainous areas when left to live in the wild. They graze a lot and are often observed chewing all the time.
12. Horse
The horse is another fast creature that uses all its four limbs. For ages, horses have become a means of transportation for man. These herbivores can sleep while standing up.
Since they can be friendly with humans, horses are also used in sporting events like racing, hunting, and other equestrian activities. They are trainable and can follow instructions well.
13. Lion
A lion is a large cat with a muscular body and broad chest. They have a round head paired with round ears and a majestic mane. Lions are carnivorous and fierce fighters that take them on top of the food chain in the wild. Lions may be aggressive, but they prefer to live in groups. Lions roar to communicate and can be heard as far as 8 kilometers away.
14. Monkey
A monkey is a common name for primates walking on four legs with narrow chested bodies. They are intelligent creatures that know how to interact with humans.
They are highly sociable and like to live in groups. A monkey often eats plant-based food but can also consume eggs and meat from small animals like rodents and insects.
15. Panther
A panther is a large predatory cat that is coated with black fur. Panthers have a lot of skills; they are fast runners, can climb trees, and can swim.
These characteristics make them efficient hunters. Their agility can enable them to jump as high as 20 feet, and they often reside in tropical
forests.
16. Rhinoceros
A rhinoceros is a four-legged animal with a horn or two at the tip of the snout. Rhinos love to cool their bodies; they either swim or roll on the mud to do that. These creatures are herbivores who love to graze.
They communicate with peers using honks and sneezes. Rhinos have thick skin that varies from gray to brown color. Their existence is in danger, and many conservation actions are done to save them.
17. Skunk
The skunk is a small mammal that walks on its four legs. It releases a putrid smell to put off possible predators. The stinking scent comes out from their anal glands. It is in a liquid form.
Skunks are either coated in black or brown fur with a white stripe on their back. They are nocturnal and like to live alone.
18. Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat on earth and walks on its four legs. They are coated with orange fur with vertical black stripes. Tigers are solitary creatures and hunt during the night.
It is a deadly predator that has strength and speed. They love the water and can also swim. When they roar, it is so loud and be heard 3 kilometers away.
19. Wolf
The wolf is a large carnivorous canine. Wolves are intelligent and caring creatures. They live in groups where they care for the young, protect the weak, and assist the injured.
The wolf has long legs and big feet that enable them to travel far distances. The wolf communicates by howling, visual signals, and scent marking. They are territorial and protective of their pack.
20. Zebra
A zebra is an animal that walks on four limbs with white fur decorated with black stripes. Zebras are herbivores that have single hoofs and live in herds. Like the human fingerprint, the stripped pattern of each zebra is unique.
Zebras may look harmless, but taming them is not possible. So it is better to let them live freely in the wild.