Animals That Start with B: 125+ Names and Pictures

Looking for Animals That Start with B? You can find many familiar names such as bear, bat, beaver, bison, butterfly, and bee. The letter B also begins less common animal names, including bilby, binturong, barracuda, boomslang, bobbit worm, and blue dragon. This list covers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, arachnids, and other animals.

Animals That Start with B

Animals beginning with B come from many different groups. Some are common vocabulary words, while others are useful for expanding animal and biology vocabulary.

The descriptions below focus on an important fact about each animal.

Mammals That Start with B

Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates that usually have hair or fur. Female mammals produce milk for their young.

• Baboon: Large African monkey that lives in social troops.
• Badger: Stocky mammal known for powerful digging claws.
• Bandicoot: Small Australian marsupial with a pointed snout.
• Bat: Flying mammal that often uses echolocation.
• Bear: Large furry mammal found across many habitats.
• Beaver: Aquatic rodent famous for building dams.
• Bighorn Sheep: Mountain sheep with large curved horns.
• Bilby: Long-eared Australian marsupial that digs burrows.
• Binturong: Tree-dwelling Southeast Asian mammal called bearcat.
• Blackbuck: Fast antelope with distinctive spiral-shaped horns.
• Blue Whale: Largest known animal living in Earth’s oceans.
• Bobcat: Medium-sized North American wild cat species.
• Bonobo: Intelligent great ape native to central Africa.
• Bottlenose Dolphin: Intelligent marine mammal that uses echolocation.
• Brown Bear: Large bear species found across Eurasia.
• Buffalo: Large bovine commonly associated with grasslands.
• Bushbuck: African antelope commonly found near dense vegetation.
• Bison: Large grazing mammal with a massive head.
• Barbary Sheep: Wild sheep native to North Africa.
• Bharal: Blue-gray wild sheep living in Asian mountains.
• Black Rhinoceros: African browser with two prominent horns.
• Bongo: Striped forest antelope native to central Africa.
• Brazilian Tapir: Large South American mammal with flexible snout.
• Brown Hyena: Shaggy African hyena that frequently scavenges.
• Bat-Eared Fox: African fox mainly feeding on insects.
• Bengal Tiger: Large striped tiger native to South Asia.
• Bornean Orangutan: Great ape living in Borneo’s rainforests.
• Black-Footed Ferret: Rare North American predator of prairie dogs.
• Brush Rabbit: Small rabbit living among dense vegetation.
• Brown Rat: Highly adaptable rodent found worldwide.
• Black Bear: North American bear with variable fur colors.
• Black Wildebeest: African antelope recognized by dark coloration.
• Blue Sheep: Mountain sheep found across Central Asia.
• Brocket Deer: Small forest deer found throughout the Americas.
• Bongo Antelope: Large striped antelope living in African forests.
• Brown Mouse: Small rodent commonly found across diverse habitats.
• Brown Hare: Fast-running hare found across open countryside.
• Brush-Tailed Possum: Australian marsupial with a long furry tail.
• Banded Mongoose: Social African mongoose living in groups.
• Black-Faced Impala: Antelope population distinguished by dark facial markings.
• Bat-Eared Sloth: Rare sloth species with unusual ears.
• Black-Footed Cat: Small African wild cat with dark paws.

Birds That Start with B

Birds have feathers, beaks, wings, and lightweight skeletons. B includes songbirds, waterbirds, seabirds, parrots, and birds of prey.

• Bald Eagle: Large North American eagle with white head.
• Barn Owl: Pale owl with a heart-shaped facial disc.
• Barn Swallow: Fast-flying swallow with a deeply forked tail.
• Bluebird: Small songbird known for bright blue plumage.
• Blue Jay: Intelligent North American bird with blue feathers.
• Blackbird: Common European songbird with dark plumage.
• Black Swan: Australian waterbird with mostly black feathers.
• Booby: Tropical seabird known for distinctive webbed feet.
• Budgerigar: Small Australian parrot popular as a pet.
• Bulbul: Songbird group commonly found across Africa and Asia.
• Bustard: Large ground bird found mainly in grasslands.
• Bittern: Secretive wetland bird related to herons.
• Bee-Eater: Colorful bird that catches flying insects.
• Brant: Small dark goose associated with coastal habitats.
• Broadbill: Small forest bird with a broad bill.
• Black Vulture: Scavenging bird found across the Americas.
• Brown Pelican: Coastal bird that catches fish by diving.
• Blue Crane: Tall South African crane with pale-blue feathers.
• Black-Capped Chickadee: Small songbird with a black-capped head.
• Black Kite: Widespread raptor with a distinctive forked tail.
• Blue Tit: Small European bird with blue-yellow plumage.
• Black-Crowned Night Heron: Stocky heron active mainly around dusk.
• Blue-Footed Booby: Seabird famous for bright blue feet.
• Black Stork: Large European and Asian bird with dark plumage.
• Barred Owl: North American owl with strong barred markings.
• Blackbird Thrush: Songbird group associated with woodland habitats.
• Blue Grosbeak: Stocky songbird with rich blue plumage.
• Black Woodpecker: Large European woodpecker with black plumage.
• Brown Booby: Tropical seabird with brown upper plumage.
• Black Swan: Australian swan commonly found on wetlands.
• Blue-Winged Teal: Small duck with blue-gray wing patches.
• Black-Necked Stilt: Long-legged wading bird with pink legs.

Reptiles That Start with B

Reptiles are vertebrates covered with scales or related protective structures. Snakes, lizards, and turtles provide many B examples.

• Boa Constrictor: Large nonvenomous snake that kills through constriction.
• Ball Python: African python that curls into defensive balls.
• Black Mamba: Fast African snake with highly potent venom.
• Bearded Dragon: Australian lizard with a spiny throat.
• Basilisk: Tropical lizard capable of running across water.
• Box Turtle: Turtle with a hinged shell for protection.
• Blind Snake: Small burrowing snake with reduced eyes.
• Blue-Tongued Skink: Australian lizard known for its blue tongue.
• Banded Krait: Venomous Asian snake marked with dark bands.
• Boomslang: Venomous African tree snake with large eyes.
• Burmese Python: Large constricting snake native to Southeast Asia.
• Bog Turtle: Tiny turtle that lives in wetlands.
• Black Racer: Fast nonvenomous snake found across North America.
• Black-Necked Spitting Cobra: African cobra capable of projecting venom.
• Banded Water Snake: Nonvenomous snake commonly associated with waterways.
• Black Rat Snake: Large North American snake that hunts rodents.
• Brown Tree Snake: Arboreal snake native to Melanesian regions.
• Black-Headed Python: Australian python with distinctive dark head.
• Broad-Headed Snake: Small venomous Australian snake species.
• Blanding’s Turtle: North American turtle with a bright yellow chin.

Amphibians That Start with B

Amphibians often have moist skin and depend on water during part of their life cycle. Frogs and salamanders make up many B examples.

• Bullfrog: Large frog known for its deep call.
• Barking Tree Frog: Tree frog named for its barking call.
• Budgett’s Frog: Large South American frog with unusual shape.
• Black Salamander: Dark salamander that requires moist habitats.
• Banded Newt: Newt species recognized by contrasting body markings.
• Banded Rubber Frog: African frog with distinctive banded coloration.
• Boreal Chorus Frog: Small frog known for repeated calls.
• Banded Bullfrog: African frog with contrasting body patterns.

Fish That Start with B

Fish live in freshwater, saltwater, or both. B includes reef fish, freshwater species, predators, and aquarium fish.

• Barracuda: Fast marine predator with sharp pointed teeth.
• Betta: Colorful freshwater fish famous for flowing fins.
• Bluegill: North American freshwater fish with rounded body.
• Burbot: Cold-water freshwater fish related to cod.
• Butterflyfish: Bright reef fish with thin compressed bodies.
• Boxfish: Reef fish protected by a rigid body.
• Bowfin: Ancient freshwater fish with unusual breathing ability.
• Black Bass: Group of popular freshwater sport fish.
• Blobfish: Deep-sea fish living under extreme water pressure.
• Bonito: Fast marine fish related closely to tuna.
• Blue Tang: Reef fish recognized by bright blue coloration.
• Brook Trout: Cold-water fish with distinctive colorful markings.
• Black Molly: Popular aquarium fish available in dark colors.
• Bamboo Shark: Small bottom-dwelling shark from tropical waters.
• Bullhead Catfish: Freshwater catfish with a broad flattened head.
• Black Marlin: Powerful ocean fish known for extreme speed.
• Blue Catfish: Large North American freshwater catfish species.
• Black Drum: Large coastal fish producing deep drumming sounds.
• Bluefish: Fast marine predator with sharp teeth.
• Bonefish: Fast shallow-water fish prized by anglers.
• Bristlemouth: Tiny deep-sea fish with light-producing organs.
• Batfish: Bottom-dwelling marine fish with unusual body shape.
• Barbel: Freshwater fish commonly found in European rivers.
• Blackfin Tuna: Fast tuna species with dark fin markings.
• Bluefin Tuna: Large powerful tuna capable of long migrations.

Insects That Start with B

Insects have six legs, three major body sections, and usually antennae. Many B insects are common in gardens, forests, and homes.

• Bee: Flying insect that commonly collects nectar and pollen.
• Beetle: Insect with hardened forewings called elytra.
• Butterfly: Winged insect that develops through metamorphosis.
• Bumblebee: Large hairy bee important for pollination.
• Black Ant: Dark ant species living in organized colonies.
• Backswimmer: Aquatic insect that swims upside down.
• Bombardier Beetle: Beetle that sprays hot defensive chemicals.
• Bark Beetle: Small beetle that tunnels beneath tree bark.
• Bess Beetle: Shiny beetle that lives inside decaying wood.
• Blister Beetle: Beetle containing chemicals that irritate skin.
• Blowfly: Fly whose larvae commonly develop in carrion.
• Blue Morpho: Large tropical butterfly with brilliant blue wings.
• Bogong Moth: Australian moth known for seasonal migrations.
• Booklouse: Tiny insect commonly found in damp places.
• Brimstone Butterfly: Yellow butterfly found across Europe and Asia.
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Shield-shaped insect that releases unpleasant odors.
• Buffalo Treehopper: Small plant-feeding insect with a hump-shaped body.
• Boll Weevil: Small beetle that feeds on cotton plants.
• Bagworm Moth: Moth whose caterpillar builds a protective case.
• Bumble Flower Beetle: Beetle commonly associated with flowers and decaying material.
• Bean Beetle: Small beetle that feeds on legumes.
• Biting Midge: Tiny fly capable of painful bites.
• Black Fly: Small fly whose females feed on blood.
• Botfly: Parasitic fly whose larvae develop inside hosts.
• Banded Cucumber Beetle: Beetle that feeds on cucumber-family plants.

Arachnids and Other Invertebrates That Start with B

Not all B animal names belong to mammals, birds, reptiles, or insects. Spiders, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and marine invertebrates add many more examples.

• Black Widow Spider: Venomous spider recognized by distinctive abdominal markings.
• Brown Recluse: Venomous spider commonly hiding in undisturbed spaces.
• Bird-Eating Spider: Large tarantula capable of catching small vertebrates.
• Banana Slug: Large forest slug that recycles plant material.
• Bristle Worm: Marine worm with numerous hair-like structures.
• Bloodworm: Aquatic worm-like organism commonly used as fish food.
• Bobbit Worm: Large marine predator that ambushes buried prey.
• Basket Star: Branching marine echinoderm that captures suspended food.
• Blue Dragon: Small marine slug with striking blue coloration.
• Blue Crab: Coastal crab recognized by blue-colored claws.
• Bay Scallop: Small marine mollusk with fan-shaped shells.
• Brown Shrimp: Coastal crustacean commonly found in shallow waters.
• Barnacle: Marine crustacean permanently attached to hard surfaces.
• Box Jellyfish: Cube-shaped jellyfish with potentially powerful venom.
• Blue Mussel: Marine mollusk with dark blue-black shells.
• Beach Flea: Small crustacean commonly found along sandy shores.
• Beach Hopper: Tiny jumping crustacean living in coastal sand.
• Brine Shrimp: Small crustacean adapted to salty water.
• Brittle Star: Marine echinoderm with slender flexible arms.
• Brown Crab: Large marine crab found around rocky coasts.
• Blue Lobster: Rarely colored lobster with unusual blue shell.
• Burrowing Crab: Crab species adapted to digging coastal burrows.
• Banded Coral Shrimp: Striped marine shrimp living around reefs.
• Black Sea Cucumber: Marine echinoderm living along ocean floors.
• Blue Linckia: Brightly colored sea star found around reefs.

Animals Starting with B and Their Habitat

Common Confusions About B Animal Names

Some animal names beginning with B are easily misunderstood. These short points clarify the most common differences.

• Bison and buffalo: American bison are commonly called buffalo, but they are not true buffalo.
• Bug and insect: A true bug is a specific type of insect.
• Bat-Eared Fox: This is a fox, not a type of bat.
• Blackbird: The meaning of blackbird can vary between regions.
• Blue Dragon: The animal is a marine sea slug, not a dragon.

Practice Exercise for B Animals

Complete each sentence with an animal beginning with B.

1. Which B animal is the largest known animal?
2. Which B mammal builds dams?
3. Which B insect has colorful wings?
4. Which B animal is a large African monkey?
5. Which B fish has sharp teeth?
6. Which B reptile has a blue tongue?
7. Which B bird has a white head?
8. Which B fish is popular as an aquarium pet?
9. Which B mammal has a large hump over its shoulders?
10. Which B animal is known for flying and echolocation?

Answers:

1. Blue whale
2. Beaver
3. Butterfly
4. Baboon
5. Barracuda
6. Blue-tongued skink
7. Bald eagle
8. Betta
9. Bison
10. Bat

Complete List of Animals That Start with B

FAQs

Conclusion

There are many Animals That Start with B across different animal groups. Common examples include bear, bat, beaver, bison, butterfly, bee, bald eagle, barracuda, and blue whale. Learning these names can expand English vocabulary while introducing useful animal terms from mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and invertebrates.