12 Animals That Start With ‘E’: From Elephants to Eels

When we look at animals by starting with the letters of the alphabet, it’s a fun way to learn about them. Today, we’re focusing on animal that starts with e. This letter brings us some really interesting animals, and we will learn more about them.

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In this blog, you’ll learn facts and get to know their class, kingdom, phylum, order, and family. So, if you’re curious about an animal that starts with “E,” you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and see what makes these “E” animals special.

Try these fun worksheets to reinforce animal names that start with E:

Cut and Paste Animals: Letter E Worksheet

Word Search: Animals That Start with E Worksheet

Animal Tracing Letter E Worksheet

Word Search: Animals That Start with E Worksheet

1. Elephant

Elephants, majestic giants of the animal kingdom, are renowned for their intelligence, memory, and strong social bonds. These remarkable creatures are the largest land mammals with distinctive long trunks, large ears, and tusks. They inhabit various ecosystems, including savannas, forests, and deserts across Africa and Asia. Elephants play a critical role in their environments, shaping the landscape and helping other species to thrive.

Fact: Elephants can communicate over long distances using infrasound, sounds too low for humans to hear.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Proboscidea

Family: Elephantidae

2. Eagle

Eagles are powerful birds of prey, known for their sharp talons and keen eyesight. These e animals symbolize freedom and strength in many cultures around the world. With over 60 species, eagles can be found in various habitats globally, from mountains and coastal regions to forests and open plains. They are skilled hunters, feeding on fish, small mammals, and other birds, showcasing their prowess in the sky.

Fact: Eagles have a four to eight times more powerful vision than the average human.

Class: Aves

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Accipitriformes

Family: Accipitridae

If you are looking for fun ways to teach kids about animals, creative general knowledge games can be a great way to get started. Here are some fun animal games that you should try:

Kangaroo Game: Outback Coloring Excitement

Iguana Game: Coloring Jungle Wonders

Gecko Coloring Adventure Game

Seahorse Marine Coloring Game Adventure

Related Reading: Best Animal Crafts for Kids to Unleash Their Creativity

3. Echidna

Echidnas, often called spiny anteaters, are unique among animals starting with e for their spiky appearance and unusual reproductive methods. These solitary creatures are among the few mammals that lay eggs, sharing this rare trait with the platypus. Echidnas are found in Australia and New Guinea, thriving in forests and arid environments. They feed primarily on ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to capture prey.

Fact: Echidnas possess electroreceptors on their snouts, allowing them to sense electrical signals emitted by insects.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Monotremata

Family: Tachyglossidae

4. Eel

Eels are fascinating sea creatures with long, snake-like bodies that make them distinct among animals with e. These fish can be found in fresh and saltwater environments, with some species making incredible migratory journeys to breed. Eels have a mysterious life cycle and are known for their ability to navigate across vast oceans to return to their spawning grounds.

Fact: The European eel can migrate over 6,000 kilometers from European rivers to the Sargasso Sea to breed.

Class: Actinopterygii

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Anguilliformes

Family: Anguillidae

5. Egret

Egrets are graceful birds, easily recognized by their snowy white plumage and slender profiles. These birds, an animal that starts with e, are commonly found near water bodies where they hunt for fish and small amphibians. Egrets are admired for their beauty and have been a subject of art and folklore in many cultures. They nest in colonies, often with other heron species, and are known for their spectacular breeding plumage.

Fact: During the breeding season, egrets develop spectacular long plumes, which were once highly sought after for use in women’s hats.

Class: Aves

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Pelecaniformes

Family: Ardeidae

6. Electric Ray

The Electric Ray is a fascinating sea creature known for its ability to produce an electric shock. This animal that starts with e uses this shock to defend itself and to catch prey. Found in oceans around the world, electric rays spend much of their time buried in sand on the ocean floor, waiting to ambush their next meal. They have rounded bodies and are often camouflaged to blend in with the sandy or muddy bottoms.

Fact: Electric rays can produce an electric discharge strong enough to stun both predators and prey.

Class: Chondrichthyes

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Torpediniformes

Family: Torpedinidae

7. Elephant Seal

Elephant Seals are massive marine mammals known for their large size and the males’ distinctive large noses, which resemble an elephant’s trunk. These animals with the letter e are divided into two species: the northern and southern elephant seal. They spend most of their lives in the ocean but come ashore to breed and molt. Elephant seals are incredible divers who can dive deep into the ocean for food.

Fact: The southern elephant seal can hold its breath for over two hours, diving deeper than any other seal.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Carnivora

Family: Phocidae

8. Elk

Elk are large mammals known for their impressive antlers, growing up to four feet above their head. They live in forests, feeding on grasses, plants, and leaves. Elk are social animals living in herds, known for their loud calls or bugles during the mating season. They are found in North America and eastern parts of Asia.

Fact: Elk antlers are shed and regrown each year, making them one of the fastest-growing animal tissues.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Cervidae

9. Emu

The Emu is the second-largest bird in the world, native to Australia. This flightless bird is an animal that starts with e and has long legs, enabling it to run at high speeds. Emus have a diet that consists mainly of plants and insects. They are known for their curious nature and can adapt to various environments across the Australian continent.

Fact: Emus can run up to 30 miles per hour to escape predators.

Class: Aves

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Casuariiformes

Family: Dromaiidae

10. Ermine

Ermines, also known as stoats, are small carnivorous mammals known for their beautiful white winter fur. These animals that begin with e are found in northern and temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Ermines are versatile predators, hunting various prey, from rodents to birds. Their fur changes color with the seasons, from brown in summer to white in winter, providing camouflage.

Fact: The ermine’s white winter coat has been historically valued for use in royal robes and ceremonial garments.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

11. Eurasian Lynx

The Eurasian Lynx is a medium-sized wild cat known for its short tail, tufted ears, and long legs, making it a skilled hunter in snowy environments. This animal that starts with e inhabits forests across Europe and Asia, where it preys on various animals, from hares to deer. The Eurasian Lynx is solitary and elusive, making it a rare sight for humans.

Fact: The Eurasian Lynx’s large paws act like snowshoes, helping it move easily through deep snow.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

12. European Hedgehog

The European Hedgehog is a small, nocturnal mammal easily recognized by its spiny coat. These creatures are found in gardens and forests across Europe. Hedgehogs curl into a ball when threatened, using their spines as protection against predators. They feed on insects, snails, and other small invertebrates, which is important in controlling pests.

Fact: Hedgehogs have a unique immunity to snake venom, allowing them to eat snakes without harm.

Class: Mammalia

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Eulipotyphla

Family: Erinaceidae

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored some amazing animals that start with e, showing how diverse and fascinating the animal kingdom is. From the ocean’s depths to the forests and plains, each animal that starts with e has its unique story and role in nature.

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