101 Animals That Start with P (2024)

Animals are incredible! There’s no doubt about that. Yet, no matter how much a person loves animals, it’s impossible to name every creature on this planet. So, there are always plenty of animal species to learn about.

Lots of animals start with the letter P. Some are furry, some are scaly, and some are covered in feathers. Let’s explore some of those unique animal species.

List of Animals That Start with P

Here are 101 animal species that start with the letter P.

1. Pacific Electric Ray

Scientific Name: Torpedo californica
Habitat: Sandy bottoms and coral reefs of the northeastern Pacific Ocean
Size: 36 to 54 inches long
Diet: Fish, cephalopods

Pacific electric rays have glands on each side of their head that can produce an electric shock to subdue prey. Those glands make up about a sixth of the ray’s entire body weight. When hunting, they slowly drift around and brush past fish to stun them. While their shock is capable of knocking out a human, they usually avoid people if possible. During the day, they spend most of their time resting in the sand, but they’re awake enough to grab nearby fish.

2. Pacific Gull

Scientific Name: Larus pacificus
Habitat: Along the southern coast of Australia
Size: 23 to 26 inches long, 54 to 62 inch wingspan
Diet: Crabs, mollusks, squids, sea urchins, fish

Pacific gulls are large gulls that can be distinguished by their red-tipped bills, which make it look like they’re wearing lipstick. These birds are scavengers that will regularly search for food along the ocean’s shore. However, they will also steal food from other birds if possible. They tend to avoid areas inhabited by humans. They build their nests by either scraping an area in the ground or by building a bowl out of sticks.

3. Pacific Horned Frog

Scientific Name: Ceratophrys stolzmanni
Habitat: Dry forests and sandy shores of Ecuador and Peru
Size: 2 to 3.2 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms, small fish, small rodents

These frogs typically hide among leaf litter as they wait for prey to walk by. They will ambush any prey that can fit into their mouths. They’re most active during the rainy season, which is also when they breed. If no bodies of water are nearby, they may breed in large puddles. Overall, they rarely move around, even at night. If handled by humans, they may bite and draw blood using their sandpaper-like teeth.

4. Pacific Jumping Mouse

Scientific Name: Zapus trinotatus
Habitat: Across California, Oregon, Washington, and western Canada
Size: 8.7 to 9.5 inches long with tail
Diet: Fungi, fish, insects, fruits, seeds

Pacific jumping mice can be found in a variety of habitats across their region, but they prefer moist areas above all else. They got their name because they’re able to jump up to five feet to escape predators. However, they may stand very still in some cases if their fur blends in with their surroundings. They can become aggressive if bothered, and they will thump their tails and make squeaking noises if they’re going to fight another creature.

5. Pacific Pygmy Owl

Scientific Name: Glaucidium peruanum
Habitat: Forests on the western slope of the Andes
Size: 5.9 to 6.7 inches long
Diet: Rodents, insects, lizards, small birds

Pacific pygmy owls, also known as Peruvian pygmy owls, will eat almost anything small enough to catch, and they hunt both day and night. Most pygmy owls can easily take down prey that’s larger than they are. They stay in the mid-level of the forest canopy, and they remain in the same area year-round. During the breeding season, they build their nests in tree cavities.

6. Pacific Tree Frog

Scientific Name: Pseudacris regilla
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, and farmlands across western North America
Size: About 2 inches long
Diet: Insects, algae, vegetation

Like most tree frogs, these little amphibians are great climbers because of the sticky pads on their toes. However, they don’t climb too far from the ground. Their skin color can change slightly based on the temperature and humidity of their environment. They’re usually a shade of green, but they may also look brown at times. They’re one of the few frogs in the world that makes a “ribbit” sound.

7. Pacific White-Sided Dolphin

Scientific Name: Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
Habitat: Cool and temperate waters of the North Pacific
Size: 300 to 400 pounds
Diet: Squid, small fish

These dolphins are social animals that can travel in groups as small as ten or as large as several thousand. When hunting, they can dive underwater for up to six minutes to collect prey. They use their teeth to grab slippery sea creatures, and then they swallow them whole. Groups of these dolphins may work together to herd schools of fish to a certain area to make them easier to catch. Adult dolphins typically eat 20 pounds of prey every day.

8. Painted Stork

Scientific Name: Mycteria leucocephala
Habitat: Freshwater marshes and flooded fields across southern Asia
Size: 3 to 3.5 feet tall, about a 5-foot wingspan
Diet: Fish, insects, amphibians, crabs, shrimp

Painted storks gather in small groups to feed in wetlands. They locate underwater prey by touching it with their half-opened bills. They use their feet to disturb the substrate beneath them, causing fish to swim out. They’re mostly silent, but they may clatter their bills or make croaking sounds. They don’t migrate, but they may travel small distances if food is scarce in their current area.

9. Painted Turtle

Scientific Name: Chrysemys picta
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, and wetlands of the northern United States and southern Canada
Size: 5 to 6 inches long
Diet: Fish, insects, crustaceans, aquatic plants, carrion

Painted turtles are one of the most common turtle species in North America, and they can be distinguished by their red/orange markings. The males have longer claws because they rub their claws on the females’ skin to attract a mate. Each turtle’s sex is determined based on the incubating temperature of the egg. Eggs that are 84 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be female. These turtles spend most of their time underwater, and they can live for up to 50 years.

10. Pallas’s Cat

Scientific Name: Otocolobus manul
Habitat: Shrublands, grasslands, and rocky areas in parts of Asia
Size: 5.5 to 10 pounds
Diet: Small rodents, lizards, birds

Pallas’s cats are a species of wild cat, and they have some notable differences from domesticated cats. Most cats have vertical slits for pupils, but these cats always have rounded pupils. Pallas’s cats also make yelps like small dogs rather than meowing. These cats are solitary in the wild, and each feline occupies a territory of up to 7 square miles. Instead of chasing prey, they usually wait around and ambush it when it gets close enough.

11. Pallid Bat

Scientific Name: Antrozous pallidus
Habitat: Arid regions from western Canada to central Mexico
Size: About 2.75 inches long
Diet: Insects, spiders, centipedes, scorpions

Pallid bats can be distinguished by their yellow fur and their large ears. Their ears are almost half the length of their body. They spend most of their time in dark spaces, and when the seasons change, they may hibernate in small groups by going into deep cave crevices. When they’re not hibernating, they need to stay close to a water source at all times.

12. Pallid Sturgeon

Scientific Name: Scaphirhynchus albus
Habitat: Across the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers
Size: Up to 6 feet long
Diet: Mollusks, crustaceans, worms, insects

Not only do pallid sturgeons look like dinosaurs, but they also have ancestors that date back 78 million years. They’re currently one of the largest freshwater fish in North America. They’re an endangered species because dams built in the 1900s blocked access to their normal spawning grounds. So, these fish often travel hundreds of miles upstream to find somewhere to spawn. They can survive in brackish water (freshwater mixed with salt water).

13. Palmate Newt

Scientific Name: Lissotriton helveticus
Habitat: Forests, marshes, gardens of Western Europe
Size: 2 to 3.7 inches long
Diet: Aquatic and terresterial invertebrates

Palmate newt larvae stay underwater for the first few months of their life until they become juvenile land-dwelling efts. The efts remain on shore for several years until it’s time to breed, then they return to an adult aquatic form. The males of this species have distinct black webbing on their feet as adults, which is unique to this species. During the winter, these amphibians hibernate underground.

14. Palmer’s Chipmunk

Scientific Name: Tamias palmeri
Habitat: Conifer forests of the Spring Mountain Range in Nevada
Size: 8.3 to 8.8 inches long
Diet: Seeds, fruits, worms, fungi, insect larvae

Palmer’s chipmunks have a small range, so their population is decreasing due to habitat reduction. These rodents typically live at high elevations of 7,000 to 10,000 feet. They regularly hibernate during cold weather, but they don’t have to. If there are warm days in the winter, these chipmunks may come out of their hiding to collect more food.

15. Palo Verde Beetle

Scientific Name: Derobrachus hovorei
Habitat: Trees of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Size: 2 to 4 inches long
Diet: Wood tissue

These beetles lay their eggs in trees, and the larvae feed on parts of the trees. Their most common host is the palo verde tree, which they’re named after. However, the adults don’t eat anything, and instead, they rely on the energy collected as larvae to survive. The larvae can live in wood for years, but once they become adults, they only live for about one month. They’re one of the largest beetles in North America.

16. Pampas Deer

Scientific Name: Ozotoceros bezoarticus
Habitat: Open grasslands across eastern South America
Size: 50 to 75 pounds
Diet: Grasses, forbs, leaves, shoots

These mammals live in small groups of two to six deer. These groups aren’t territorial or separated by gender. When males compete for a mate, they will initiate the challenge by rubbing their antlers on vegetation. Males may spar with each other using their antlers, but they rarely hurt each other. These deer often stay among tall vegetation to hide from predators, and they may stand on their hind legs to see over the plants.

17. Panamanian Golden Frog

Scientific Name: Atelopus zeteki
Habitat: Forest streams of Panama
Size: 1.8 to 2.5 inches long
Diet: Small invertebrates

The bright yellow skin of these frogs indicates that they’re toxic. The toxins in their skin are dangerous enough to kill over 1,000 mice, so they can poison humans too. They’re toxic because of their wild diets, so in captivity, they aren’t dangerous if fed different food. That way, researchers can handle them without any risks involved. During the mating season, males attract females with movements instead of calls.

18. Panda Bear

Scientific Name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Habitat: Temperate forests of southwestern China
Size: 150 to 280 pounds
Diet: Bamboo

Pandas, also commonly known as giant pandas, spend 10 to 16 hours each day eating bamboo. 99% of their diet consists of bamboo and similar plants because pandas lack the digestive enzymes needed to eat other types of plants. Yet, they will occasionally eat other food sources like eggs and small animals if they have to. Since they’re eating so often, they also need to relieve themselves a lot. They usually poop about 40 times a day.

19. Panda Corydoras

Scientific Name: Corydoras panda
Habitat: Clear rivers of Peru
Size: About 2 inches long
Diet: Worms, insects, shrimp, crustaceans

These bottom-dwelling fish are peaceful and like to live in groups of their own species. They’re a small species of catfish that are regularly kept as a pet due to their black and white coloring, similar to a panda bear. They’re hard to find in the wild, but they’re regularly bred in captivity. Their barbels are smaller than other catfish, but they can still help them sense prey in muddy waters. Males and females look almost identical, but females are larger and rounder.

20. Panther Chameleon

Scientific Name: Furcifer pardalis
Habitat: Coastal forests of northern Madagascar
Size: 9 to 21 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms, vegetation

Panther chameleons are born with dull brown scales, but males become more colorful by 18 months old. Females stay dull-colored for their whole lives. The males will change colors based on the temperature and as a way to communicate with other chameleons. Panther chameleons have long, sticky tongues that they can shoot out of their mouths to catch prey. They can spot prey that’s over 30 feet away.

21. Paradise Flying Snake

Scientific Name: Chrysopelea paradisi
Habitat: Trees of southern Asia
Size: 2 to 4 feet long
Diet: Rodents, lizards, amphibians, birds

Paradise flying snakes earned their name because they can glide between trees. They do this by jumping off a tree and doubling the width of their bodies until they land on the next tree. They can glide over 100 yards while their bodies are flattened. They’re constrictors who are mildly venomous and usually swallow their prey whole. They don’t forcibly inject venom into a victim, but instead, they drip venom into wounds. Thus, they rarely pose a threat to humans.

22. Parakeet Auklet

Scientific Name: Aethia psittacula
Habitat: Islands of the North Pacific
Size: About 9 inches long
Diet: Jellyfish, crustaceans

Parakeet auklets spend most of their time on the open ocean, and they rarely form groups with other birds. They only travel to islands when it’s time to breed once per year. Their feet are large in comparison to their bodies so they can steer easily when swimming. They have rounded bills that are designed for picking up items off the sea floor. Their bills can also help them disintegrate larger objects to make them easier to eat.

23. Parma Wallaby

Scientific Name: Macropus parma
Habitat: Moist eucalypt forests of New South Wales
Size: 7 to 12 pounds
Diet: Grasses, herbs

Parma wallabies are smaller than any other kangaroo or wallaby species. However, they may look a bit larger than they are because their tails are as long as their bodies. These marsupials have pouches that they carry their offspring in for the first five to six months of their lives. Female parma wallabies can become fertile again only days after they give birth. The young wallabies climb into their mother’s pouch shortly after they’re born.

24. Parrot Crossbill

Scientific Name: Loxia pytyopsittacus
Habitat: Pine forests from northwestern Europe to western Russia
Size: 6.2 to 7 inches long
Diet: Seeds

These small birds have large, heavy bills that are ideal for breaking into hard seeds. Their bills can also help them remove seeds from conifer cones. These birds often travel in flocks, which may contain other species of crossbills. There are lots of color variations for these birds, but males are usually red or orange while females are mostly green or yellow. Their colors are usually toned down.

25. Parrot Snake

Scientific Name: Leptophis ahaetulla
Habitat: Forests of Central America and northern South America
Size: About 6 feet long
Diet: Frogs, lizards, insects, eggs

As soon as parrot snakes are born, they’re able to move and care for themselves. Many people consider these snakes nonvenomous, but in reality, they have a little venom. Their venom is only strong enough to harm their prey, so they don’t pose a threat to humans. Their teeth also sit further back in their mouths than most snakes, so it’s difficult for them to open their mouths wide enough to bite someone. Even if a human gets bit, they won’t need medical attention.

26. Pea Pufferfish

Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, and streams of southern India
Size: Up to 0.98 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms, insect larvae, snails

Pea pufferfish also go by the names dwarf pufferfish and pygmy pufferfish because they’re so tiny. They have beak-like teeth that they use to crack open prey with hard exteriors. Their teeth never stop growing because otherwise, they’d wear down too much. Like other pufferfish, they puff themselves up when they feel threatened. That’s because they can’t swim fast, and puffing up can make them too big for predators to swallow.

27. Peaco*ck Butterfly

Scientific Name: Aglais io
Habitat: Gardens, parks, and fields across Europe and northern Asia
Size: 1 to 2 inches long
Diet: Nectar, sap

Peaco*ck butterflies are known for their beautiful eyespots, which are meant to scare away predators. They usually sit with their wings folded, but they will flatten their wings when they sense danger approaching. These insects can also make hissing sounds if they rub their wings together. Since they live in areas that get cold in the winter, they will hibernate in hollow trees until the temperature goes back up.

28. Peaco*ck Spider

Scientific Name: Maratus volans
Habitat: Temperate or subtropical areas of Australia
Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches long
Diet: Small insects

Peaco*ck spiders do not spin webs, but instead, they chase after prey and jump on it. They can jump up to 40 times the length of their bodies. They’re called peaco*ck spiders because of the elaborate mating rituals they perform. The males show off their colorful abdominal flaps similar to how male peaco*cks show off their feathers. Females aren’t as colorful as the males, and they typically only mate once in their lifetimes while males may mate many times.

29. Pearl Gourami

Scientific Name: Trichopodus leerii
Habitat: Lowland swamps of Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia
Size: 4 to 5 inches long
Diet: Worms, algae, plant matter

In the wild, these fish are found in acidic water. However, they can be bred and kept in captivity if given the proper environment. When breeding, these fish make special nests called “bubble nests.” To do so, they mix their saliva with water to build a series of bubbles around their eggs. These fish have poorly developed gills, so they use a special organ called a labyrinth organ to help them intake extra air when needed.

30. Pel’s Fishing Owl

Scientific Name: Scotopelia peli
Habitat: Forests near water across parts of Africa
Size: 20 to 25 inches long
Diet: Fish, frogs, crabs, mussels

Pel’s fishing owls are nocturnal birds that perch near rivers and lakes. They wait until they see ripples in the water, and then they swoop down to catch their prey. Their flight is silent to avoid scaring off their targets. They only skim the water when they hunt, so they rarely swim or even get themselves wet. If prey is scarce, they may wade in the water or hunt during the day. They’re territorial over their stretch of the water, and they will hoot to claim their area.

31. Peloponnese Wall Lizard

Scientific Name: Podarcis peloponnesiacus
Habitat: Rocky areas and gardens of southern Greece
Size: About 6.6 inches long
Diet: Insects, spiders, fruit

These agile lizards are regularly seen climbing on rocks, walls, and trees. They can hop long distances between rocks, but they usually climb to the ground to search for food. During the mating season, these reptiles can become highly aggressive toward other lizards. They form temporary mating pairs, which last longer than the pairs of most small lizards. Females lay their eggs in crevices or other hidden spaces.

32. Peppered Moth

Scientific Name: Biston betularia
Habitat: Forests in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia
Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches across
Diet: Nectar, fruit pulp, leaves, seeds

Peppered moths are commonly seen with white wings that have speckles of black like pepper. They use that coloring to blend into lichen on trees. However, peppered moth colors can vary based on their habitat. Peppered moths that live near cities are more likely to have black wings to help them blend into soot. The species is often used to describe natural selection because the moths that don’t blend in well are the ones that get eaten first in their area.

33. Peppermint Angelfish

Scientific Name: Centropyge boylei
Habitat: Eastern central Pacific Ocean
Size: 1 to 3 inches long
Diet: Worms, crustaceans, sponges, organic matter

Peppermint angelfish are beautiful but difficult to find. They often dwell hundreds of feet below the water’s surface, so divers can’t always reach them due to extreme pressures. These fish usually have a designated hiding spot that they share with a few other fish. Whenever they search for food, they stay as close to their hiding spot as possible. Many people adore their candy-like pattern, but they’re not common in aquariums because they can cost thousands of dollars.

34. Père David’s Deer

Scientific Name: Elaphurus davidianus
Habitat: River valleys and grasslands of China
Size: 300 to 450 pounds
Diet: Grasses, aquatic plants

In the late 19th century, this deer species became extinct in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now thousands of these mammals in existence, and some have returned to their natural habitats in the wild. These deer usually live in moist areas, so they have webbed hooves to help them swim. Yet, their unique hooves make them worse at running than most deer. In the summer, they have red coats, but in the winter, their fur appears gray instead.

35. Peregrine Falcon

Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus
Habitat: Mountains, forests, and valleys worldwide
Size: About 1.5 feet tall, 3.5-foot wingspan
Diet: Birds, small mammals, insects

Peregrine falcons can be found on all continents except Antarctica. They can dive from the air at extreme speeds to catch agile prey. They’re one of the fastest animals in the world because of their dives, which reach up to 240 miles per hour. When diving, they usually target the prey’s wings or legs. They primarily eat birds, and they’re known to hunt over 2,000 different bird species. These birds mate for life, so pairs travel and raise their young together. They usually nest on narrow ledges of cliffs.

36. Perez’s Frog

Scientific Name: Pelophylax perezi
Habitat: Forests, swamps, and marshes of western Europe
Size: Up to 3.9 inches long
Diet: Insects, spiders, worms

Perez’s frogs are also called Iberian waterfrogs, Iberian green frogs, or Coruna frogs. They can thrive in almost any area of their natural range as long as there is water available. These frogs may gather in groups of thousands during the breeding season, and they’re regularly seen among algae. They can lay hundreds of eggs at once, and their population is currently stable.

37. Peringuey’s Adder

Scientific Name: Bitis peringueyi
Habitat: Across the Namib Desert
Size: 8 to 10 inches long
Diet: Lizards

The eyes of these snakes are situated on top of their heads so they can bury themselves in the sand while still seeing above ground. When hiding in the sand, they will ambush their prey, which mostly consists of lizards. They’re venomous snakes with retractable fangs, but they aren’t overly aggressive. If threatened, they can slither up to 18 miles per hour to escape, so they’re more likely to flee than bite if they can.

38. Persian Cat

Scientific Name: Felis catus
Habitat: Domesticated
Size: 7 to 12 pounds
Diet: Domestic cat food

Persian cats have been around since the 1600s, which is when they came from Persia to Europe. They became beloved because of their unique looks, which include flat faces and long, fluffy coats. Anyone who owns one of these felines will need to brush them almost daily to maintain their silky fur. They tend to be affectionate and laid-back, so they’re not as needy as other popular pets.

39. Peruvian Guinea Pig

Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus
Habitat: Domesticated
Size: 1 to 3 pounds
Diet: Hay, vegetables, fruit

Peruvian guinea pigs are a type of guinea pig that can grow long, silky fur. Their fur can grow up to 20 inches long. They may chew on each other’s hair, which can either be a way to groom each other or a sign of dominance. Since their hair continuously grows, they may need occasional trims. Like all guinea pigs, they’re known for being vocal. These small mammals will make a series of squeaks and chirps, known as “wheeking,” when they’re excited about food.

40. Pesquet’s Parrot

Scientific Name: Psittrichas fulgidus
Habitat: Cloud forests of New Guinea
Size: About 18 inches long
Diet: Figs, flowers, nectar

Pesquet’s parrots, also known as Dracula parrots, may have an intimidating appearance, but they’re harmless. They don’t drink blood like Dracula, but instead, they feed mostly on fruits. They don’t have any feathers on their face because a lot of fruits they eat are sticky. These birds have loud, raspy calls that sound like they’re being strangled. Males can be distinguished from females because they each have a red spot behind their eyes while females don’t.

41. Pheasant-Tailed Jacana

Scientific Name: Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Habitat: Tropical areas of southeastern Asia
Size: 15 to 22 inches long
Diet: Insects, snails, worms, crustaceans

These unique-looking birds are most commonly seen walking on floating vegetation and picking insects off the water’s surface. They’re known for their long, flowing tails, which are only present during the breeding season. Females mate with several partners each season and produce several egg clutches. The males are in charge of raising their young alone, but they will destroy the eggs if they don’t think they’re the father.

42. Philippine Crocodile

Scientific Name: Crocodylus mindorensis
Habitat: Freshwater rivers, ponds, and marshes in parts of the Philippines
Size: 200 to 420 pounds
Diet: Fish, aquatic invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles

Philippine crocodiles used to live all over the Philippines, but now they’re only found on parts of the islands of Dalupiri, Luzon, and Mindanao. They’re critically endangered due to exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods. The wild population may have fewer than 100 crocodiles left. Females build their own nests during the mating season, but males and females work together to guard their eggs. These crocodiles can lay 7 to 30 eggs in a clutch.

43. Philippine Sailfin Lizard

Scientific Name: Hydrosaurus pustulatus
Habitat: Tropical forests of the Philippines and souther New Guinea
Size: 2 to 4 feet long
Diet: Fish, frogs, insects, fruits, vegetables

These unique-looking lizards are usually found near water because they’re excellent swimmers. “Hydrosaurus” from the scientific name means “water lizard.” On their feet, they have flattened toes and fringed scales, which allow them to run on water for short periods. If threatened, these lizards may drop from trees into the water to escape predators. The males have larger sailfins and longer tails than the females.

44. Philippine Tarsier

Scientific Name: Carlito syrichta
Habitat: Tropical rainforests of the Philippines
Size: 3.3 to 6.3 inches long
Diet: Insects, spiders, lizards, small birds

Philippine tarsiers have the biggest eyes relative to their body size of any living mammal. Their proportions would be similar to humans having grapefruit-sized eyes. They spend most of their time in the trees, and they will jump from branch to branch to pursue prey. They can jump up to 16.4 feet. When a tarsier searches for prey, it can turn its head 180 degrees while its body remains perfectly still to avoid startling its targets.

45. Pickerel Frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates palustris
Habitat: Marshes, forested wetlands, meadows of eastern North America
Size: 2 to 4 inches long
Diet: Insects, spiders, worms

Pickerel frogs have a unique spotted pattern on their skin, but females are typically larger with darker spots than males. These amphibians spend almost all their time near warm water, and in the winter, they hibernate beneath silt and debris in the water. When they emerge from hibernation, they seek out clear pools of water for breeding. During the breeding season, the males seem to have swollen thumbs.

46. Pictus Catfish

Scientific Name: Pimelodus pictus
Habitat: The Orinoco and Amazon river basins
Size: 4 to 5 inches long
Diet: Insects, algae, snails, small fish

These fish are generally docile, but they have a sharp part on their dorsal fin that can cause a venomous sting to protect them from predators. They rarely sting other fish unless they feel threatened. One of their most notable traits is their barbels, which can grow 2 to 3 inches long. Their barbels help them detect food. These fish are social, so in an aquarium, they should be kept in groups of four or more.

47. Pied Avocet

Scientific Name: Recurvirostra avosetta
Habitat: Coastal wetlands and brackish lagoons in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa
Size: 16.5 to 17.7 inches long
Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, insects, worms

The odd-shaped beaks of pied avocets are used to help them catch aquatic critters. They sweep their beaks side by side in the water to stir up invertebrates in the mud before eating them. Their long legs make it easier for them to forage in the water without getting their feathers too wet. After pied avocets are born, they’re able to walk, swim, and dive within 24 hours. Yet, they stay at their nests for 4 to 6 weeks.

48. Pied Crow

Scientific Name: Corvus albus
Habitat: Across Sub-Saharan Africa
Size: 18.1 to 20.4 inches long
Diet: Insects, eggs, seeds, carrion

Like other crow species, pied crows are highly intelligent. They use creative ways to crack open food, which sometimes involves them building tools. For example, they may drop rocks onto eggs to crack them open. They forage in pairs and small groups, and they will steal food from other birds if needed. When they mate, they usually form pairs that will last a lifetime. Males will fluff out their white throat feathers to attract the attention of a female.

49. Pied Tamarin

Scientific Name: Saguinus bicolor
Habitat: Forests of Manaus, Brazil
Size: About 1 pound
Diet: Fruits, insects, flowers, frogs, lizards

Pied tamarins are critically endangered, only existing in the Brazilian city of Manaus. Over three generations, their population has dropped by 80% due to habitat loss. So, they currently live in a protected area. They’re one of the only tamarin species with hairless faces. They live in groups that consist of 5 to 15 members. The groups are led by dominant females, who are the only ones allowed to give birth.

50. Pied-Billed Grebe

Scientific Name: Podilymbus podiceps
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and marshes across North and South America
Size: 12 to 15 inches long
Diet: Aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, mollusks

Pied-billed grebes spend most of their time in the water. They don’t fly well, so they usually dive to avoid predators. They can dive up to 20 feet below the water’s surface. They can trap water in their feathers so they can adjust how much they sink or float. They have lobed feet instead of webbed feet, which are great for swimming and diving but not for walking on land. Baby pied-billed grebes spend their first weeks of life riding on their parents’ backs.

51. Pig

Scientific Name: Sus scrofa domesticus
Habitat: Domesticated
Size: 110 to 770 pounds
Diet: Vegetables, grains, grasses, leaves

Pigs were one of the first animals domesticated by humans. They wallow in mud because they don’t have proper sweat glands, so they cool off in mud on hot days. However, pigs are cleaner than people think because they won’t go to the bathroom in the same spot they sleep. They’re considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world, and they’re easier to train than most dogs. To tell a wild pig from a domesticated pig, you’ll need to look at the tail; domesticated pigs have curly tails while wild pigs have straight tails.

52. Pig-Nosed Turtle

Scientific Name: Carettochelys insculpta
Habitat: Rivers, lakes, lagoons of northern Australia and southern New Guinea
Size: Up to 50 pounds
Diet: Fruits, flowers, mollusks, crustaceans

The family lineage of this species can be traced back 140 million years, which is 70 million years before dinosaurs went extinct. They’re territorial turtles that can act aggressively if not given enough space from other animals. Yet, they prefer to eat plants over meat if available. They almost always sleep after a meal. They have long pig-like snouts that they can use as a snorkel to help them breathe above the surface.

53. Pileated Finch

Scientific Name: Coryphospingus pileatus
Habitat: Arid scrublands and forests of Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil
Size: About 5 inches long
Diet: Seeds, insects

Pileated finches, sometimes called grey pileated finches, forage in small flocks on the ground. The males have crests of vibrant red and black feathers that stick up when they’re excited. The patch of red is sometimes hard to see when the crest is down. They always breed during the rainy season, so their mating season may vary depending on the weather each year.

54. Pileated Gibbon

Scientific Name: Hylobates pileatus
Habitat: Tropical forests of Thailand and Cambodia
Size: 8 to 18 pounds
Diet: Fruits, leaves, insects

You can tell the difference between male and female pileated gibbons by looking at their fur. Males have all black fur while females have mostly white/gray fur. They spend most of their time in the trees because they’re agile climbers. They can swing up to 35 miles per hour from one tree to another. During the breeding season, these gibbons form monogamous pairs, and then they live in family groups with their offspring.

55. Pileated Woodpecker

Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatus
Habitat: Forests across southern Canada and the eastern United States
Size: 16 to 19 inches long
Diet: Ants, termites, insect larvae

Like other woodpeckers, these birds regularly drill their beaks into wood to eat wood-boring insects. This process causes severe damage to trees. However, they often favor dead trees if available. The population of these birds is increasing because they’re adaptable as long as wood is available. These birds don’t migrate, so they stay in the same area their whole lives. Once these woodpeckers find a mate, they remain monogamous for life.

56. Pine Barrens Tree Frog

Scientific Name: Dryophytes andersonii
Habitat: Swamps and moist forests of the southeastern United States
Size: About 1.5 inches long
Diet: Insects

These frogs have sticky toe pads to help them climb trees in damp environments. The males regularly make calls from March through September. When it’s time to breed, they come down from the trees and search for shallow, acidic ponds. They lay their eggs one at a time in the water. Sadly, this species is becoming near threatened due to habitat loss.

57. Pine Siskin

Scientific Name: Spinus pinus
Habitat: Wooded areas across North America
Size: 4.3 to 5.5 inches long
Diet: Seeds, vegetable matter, insects

Most of a pine siskin’s diet consists of seeds. These birds will sometimes hang upside down when picking up the seeds on trees. They’re protective over the food they’ve collected, so they will make aggressive chattering sounds to scare off other birds. Their breeding patterns and migration paths change every year based on where the best food is available.

58. Pine Snake

Scientific Name: Pituophis melanoleucus
Habitat: Dry forests of the southeastern United States
Size: Up to 6 feet long
Diet: Rodents, birds, bird eggs

Pine snakes resemble rattlesnakes, but they’re nonvenomous and rarely dangerous to humans. They can even shake their tails to trick predators into thinking they’re more dangerous than they are. Overall, they’re shy snakes that spend most of their time in underground burrows. They have snouts designed for digging, so these reptiles dig their own burrows, which is where they lay eggs and hibernate.

59. Pink Salmon

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus gorbuscha
Habitat: Across the northern Pacific Ocean
Size: 3.5 to 5 pounds, 20 to 25 inches long
Diet: Crustaceans, zooplankton, squid, small fish

Pink salmon can survive in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They hatch in freshwater rivers and then migrate to saltwater. They have a lot of predators, including humans, larger fish, and mammals. These fish don’t look very pink in the wild, but the species is named for their pink flesh when cooked. The more krill and shrimp a salmon eats, the pinker they become. After reproducing, these fish die because they use up all their energy returning to freshwater and building nests.

60. Pinktoe Tarantula

Scientific Name: Avicularia avicularia
Habitat: Rainforests in northern South America
Size: Up to 6 inches long
Diet: Insects, mice, lizards, frogs

Pinktoe tarantulas have prickly hairs and mild venom to protect themselves from predators. They can also shoot feces at a threat if needed. They spend most of their time in trees, so they often use silk traps to capture prey. These tarantulas can only jump short distances, about 3 to 4 centimeters. Females are usually larger than males, so they may eat their partner during the mating season. For that reason, females tend to live three times longer than males.

61. Pink-Backed Pelican

Scientific Name: Pelecanus rufescens
Habitat: Near freshwater in Sub-Saharan Africa
Size: 49 to 51 inches long, 7 to 9.5 foot wingspan
Diet: Fish

Pelicans are one of the heaviest flying birds, but pink-backed pelicans are one of the smallest pelican species. Despite being large, pelicans can fly up to 24 hours without stopping, and they can cover 300 miles in that time. Most of the time, these pelicans have gray feathers with hints of pink, but the pink becomes more prominent when the birds are preening because they spread a gland across their bodies that causes the pink hue.

62. Pink-Necked Green Pigeon

Scientific Name: Treron vernans
Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens of southeastern Asia
Size: 9.8 to 11.8 inches long
Diet: Fruits

These beautifully-colored birds are social and like to feed in groups. Their flocks can consist of up to 70 birds, and they’re not afraid to hang out near humans. They reproduce year-round, so the males and females take turns incubating the eggs. They often hide their nests from predators by extending their wings. While most pigeons coo, these birds are more likely to whistle or quack.

63. Piping Hornbill

Scientific Name: Bycanistes fistulator
Habitat: Humid forests of central and western Africa
Size: About 20 inches long
Diet: Fruits, insects

Piping hornbills have mostly black feathers, but when they fly, their wings are black and white when they’re outstretched. They can be noisy, making a series of high-pitched whistles and rapid cackling notes. Despite having such large bills, these birds have much smaller bills than the average hornbill. In fact, they’re the smallest hornbill in their genus.

64. Plains Leopard Frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates blairi
Habitat: Shallow water across central United States
Size: 2 to 3.75 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms

Many of the areas these frogs are found in are known for being dry, but these amphibians always find a way to access water. They typically hang out near streams, creeks, and ponds. If they sense danger, they will quickly hop into the water. At night, they typically hunt insects, but they will eat anything that’s small enough. In some instances, they may even eat other frogs.

65. Plateau Pika

Scientific Name: Ochotona curzoniae
Habitat: Deserts, meadows, and forests of the Tibetan Plateau
Size: About 6.7 inches long
Diet: Bog sedge, grasses, krobresia

Like other pika species, plateau pikas dig a series of underground burrows that they live in. Their burrows help the soil hold more water, which can reduce flooding. However, in the 1950s, people believed plateau pikas were harming their habitats by eating too much grass. So, the Chinese government attempted to exterminate pikas in 1958 until they realized the environmental benefits the small mammals had.

66. Platypus

Scientific Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Habitat: Near creeks, rivers, and lakes of Australia
Size: 1.7 to 6.6 pounds
Diet: Insect larvae, shrimp, crayfish, tadpoles

The platypus, sometimes called the duck-billed platypus, is one of the most bizarre mammals on that planet. Male platypuses have venom glands on the spurs of their back legs, so they’re not as cuddly as they appear. Platypuses are also one of the only mammals that lay eggs. They spend about 12 hours each day in the water, so they have two layers of fur to keep their skin dry even when swimming. When they’re underwater, they use electronic impulses to detect prey.

67. Pleasing Poison Frog

Scientific Name: Ameerega bassleri
Habitat: Moist, tropical forests of Peru
Size: 1.7 to 1.8 inches long
Diet: Small insects

Pleasing poison dart frogs can have yellow, black, and green patterns. Even though there are still lots of these frogs in Peru, their population recently became vulnerable. A lot of their habitat has been converted into cattle pastures and coffee plantations, leaving the frogs with less space. These frogs have very toxic skin, so coming into contact with them could cause cramping, paralysis, or seizures.

68. Plush-Crested Jay

Scientific Name: Cyanocorax chrysops
Habitat: Forests of central South America
Size: About 14 inches long
Diet: Insects, fruits, eggs, frogs, seeds

These beautiful birds are typically found in groups of about a dozen. They can be noisy, so they’re often heard before they’re spotted. They forage on all levels of the forest, and they can thrive in elevations up to 5,000 feet. During the breeding season, two to three other birds help each breeding female build the nest and feed her hatchlings. Females usually lay two to four eggs at a time.

69. Polar Bear

Scientific Name: Ursus maritimus
Habitat: Arctic sea ice
Size: 330 to 990 pounds
Diet: Seals, walrus

Polar bears are a species of marine mammal because they spend most of their lives in the sea and on sea ice. They can swim for hours at a time to get from one piece of ice to another. They can smell prey over a half mile away, and almost their entire diet is made up of meat. Underneath their snowy white fur, all their skin is black. Sadly, climate change and habitat destruction are constant threats to this species, so they could become extinct within 30 years.

70. Polyphemus Moth

Scientific Name: Antheraea polyphemus
Habitat: Forests, parks, and orchards from southern Canada to Mexico
Size: 4 to 6 inch wingspan
Diet: N/A

Polyphemus moth larvae feed on trees and shrubs, but the adults can’t eat anything. The only purpose of the adult moth is to reproduce, so they rarely live more than four days. Males are capable of mating a few times in their short lives while females can only mate once. The spots on these moth’s wings are designed to scare off predators. Caterpillars can also deter predators by making clicking sounds or vomiting.

71. Pomeranian

Scientific Name: Canis familiaris
Habitat: Domesticated
Size: 4.2 to 7.7 pounds
Diet: Domestic dog food

Pomeranians are one of the smallest dog breeds, typically weighing under 8 pounds. The breed used to be 20 to 30 pounds, but humans loved the small size, so they kept breeding them smaller and smaller. Despite being so tiny, their roots can be traced back to large sled dogs like Huskies and Malamutes. Their original purpose was to pull sleds, guard homes, and protect livestock, but today, they’re only bred as lapdogs.

72. Pool Frog

Scientific Name: Pelophylax lessonae
Habitat: Puddles, ponds, and wetlands across Europe
Size: 1.9 to 3.5 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms, insect larvae

These frogs have a steady population today, but that wasn’t always the case. They went extinct in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, but some frogs were brought from Sweden to reintroduce them to England. They’re usually found in small pools of water, and their green skin helps them blend in with aquatic plants. These frogs can breed with marsh frogs to create a hybrid known as the European edible frog.

73. Porcupine Ray

Scientific Name: Urogymnus asperrimus
Habitat: Sandy sea floors and coral reefs of the Indian Ocean and Indo-West Pacific
Size: About 7.2 feet long
Diet: Crustaceans, worms, fish

Porcupine rays don’t have venomous stingers, but instead, their bodies are covered in prickly bumps known as dermal denticles, which act as armor. Touching a porcupine ray’s skin can be painful for humans. Despite being a vulnerable species, some humans will catch them to use their rough skin for leather. However, it’s more common for them to be caught accidentally. These aquatic creatures can be found anywhere from 3.3 to 98 feet below the water’s surface.

74. Port Jackson Shark

Scientific Name: Heterodontus portusjacksoni
Habitat: Temperate waters near southern Australia
Size: Up to 5.5 feet long
Diet: Echinoderms, mollusks, crustaceans, small fish

Port Jackson sharks have different teeth than what you’d expect from a shark. They use their teeth to grind up prey with hard exteriors rather than biting into it. They’re capable of breathing and eating at the same time, which is an uncommon behavior for sharks. They usually acquire their food by swimming along the sandy floor and sucking up invertebrates out of the substrate. They can blow sand back out of their gills while eating their prey.

75. Portuguese Man O’ War

Scientific Name: Physalia physalis
Habitat: Across tropical and subtropical oceans
Size: 30 to 100 feet tall, counting tentacles
Diet: Small fish, fish fry, crustaceans

Portuguese Man O’ Wars may look beautiful, but they can be deadly to humans. They have lots of venom-filled cells that they use to paralyze and kill their prey. If a tentacle is severed from the creature’s body, it can still sting. They may look like jellyfish, but they belong to a group of animals known as siphonophores instead. This species is named after an old warship because people believe these creatures resemble the shape of the boat.

76. Powerful Owl

Scientific Name: Ninox strenua
Habitat: Woodlands across Australia
Size: About 1 foot long, 4.5-foot wingspan
Diet: Tree-dwelling mammals

Powerful owls are so large and strong that they’re the top nocturnal predators in their area. When they capture their prey, they sometimes take it apart to eat it in several pieces. They spend most of their time in breeding pairs, and the pairs have several perches they regularly visit. One breeding pair may consume up to 250 possums per year since that’s one of their favorite foods. Male powerful owls aren’t afraid to fight with other owls for territory and mates.

77. Prairie Rattlesnake

Scientific Name: Crotalus viridis
Habitat: Grasslands and prairies of central United States
Size: Up to 5 feet long
Diet: Small mammals, birds, other snakes

Prairie rattlesnakes don’t bite humans unless provoked, but if you get bit, the venom could cause severe pain or be lethal. These snakes don’t have great eyesight, so they rely on smell and movement to help them locate prey. They aren’t born with a rattle on the end of their tails, but instead, they have a tiny nub when they’re born. Every time they shed their skin, another nub grows until it looks like their signature rattling tail. Female rattlesnakes never lay eggs because the eggs hatch inside them, causing a live birth.

78. Proboscis Monkey

Scientific Name: Nasalis larvatus
Habitat: Jungles of Borneo
Size: 19 to 45 pounds
Diet: Leaves, fruits, seeds, insects

Proboscis monkeys are excellent at both climbing and swimming. They’ve evolved to have webbed feet to help them swim away from predators faster. The stomachs of these monkeys are divided into about nine chambers. Each stomach contains healthy bacteria to help them digest their food better. While these monkeys are known for their bizarre noses, only males have large, rounded noses. Females have smaller pointed noses, similar to human noses.

79. Pronghorn

Scientific Name: Antilocapra americana
Habitat: Dry plains and deserts of western North America
Size: 75 to 140 pounds
Diet: Grasses, forbs, sagebrush

Pronghorns are the fastest land mammal in North America, running up to 65 miles per hour. Baby pronghorns can run faster than adult humans at only two days old. The only land mammal faster than this species in the world is the cheetah. Both males and females of this species have horns, but the males have much longer horns. Their hair shafts are hollow which can help them stay insulated from the cold in the winter.

80. Przewalski’s Horse

Scientific Name: Equus ferus przewalskii
Habitat: Steppes of the Gobi Desert
Size: 550 to 800 pounds
Diet: Grass, leaves

These large mammals are a species of wild horse in Mongolia. They have 66 chromosomes while domesticated horses only have 64. However, these horses can produce fertile hybrids with domesticated horses. They live in groups that consist of many females, a dominant male, and any of that male’s offspring. Przewalski’s horses are often called “takhi,” the Mongolian word for “spirit.”

81. Puff Adder

Scientific Name: Bitis arietans
Habitat: Savannas and grasslands across Africa
Size: 2.5 to 3.5 feet long
Diet: Small mammals, birds, lizards, amphibians

Puff adders got their name because they can puff up their bodies to appear bigger if a predator approaches. These snakes are highly aggressive and venomous, so humans should avoid them at all costs. Their venom directly attacks and destroys the tissue of their victim. Like many snake species, puff adders can use vibrations in the ground to locate prey. The females give live births, which typically include 20 to 50 young snakes.

82. Puku

Scientific Name: Kobus vardonii
Habitat: Floodplains and grasslands of south-central Africa
Size: 150 to 180 pounds
Diet: Grasses

The puku is a near-threatened antelope species in Africa. About one-third of the population is in protected areas, national parks, and zoos. Males have sharp, ridged horns, but females don’t. The females gather in large groups to forage for grass while males spend most of their time alone. If a puku feels threatened, they will let out a shrill whistle sound to warn others.

83. Puli

Scientific Name: Canis familiaris
Habitat: Domesticated
Size: 22 to 33 pounds
Diet: Domestic dog food

This is one of the most recognizable dog breeds because of the natural dreadlocks in the fur. These dogs’ cords of fur require more grooming than the average dog because debris can easily get trapped in their coats. They originated in Hungary, where they were primarily used for herding and guarding livestock. The most common plural form of the puli is pulik.

84. Puma

Scientific Name: Felis concolor
Habitat: Forests, plains, and rocky areas from southern Alaska to southern Chile
Size: 115 to 220 pounds
Diet: Rodents, birds, fish, other mammals

Pumas are the same species as mountain lions and cougars. The three names are used interchangeably. These large felines are very athletic, jumping as far as 20 feet. They can also run up to 50 miles per hour. They’re more closely related to small felines than big cats because they don’t roar. Like house cats, they make a wide range of noises to communicate with each other, including purrs, whistles, squeaks, and screams.

85. Pumpkin Patch Tarantula

Scientific Name: Hapalopus sp Columbia
Habitat: Warm, humid areas of Colombia
Size: 2.5 to 4 inches long
Diet: Insects, worms, small frogs, lizards

The pattern on these tarantulas’ abdomens isn’t spotted or striped, but instead, it looks like a pumpkin patch. They’re a species of dwarf tarantula that’s commonly kept as a pet because of their unique coloring. These spiders are venomous, but their venom poses little threat to humans. Plus, they’re skittish and shy, so they’re unlikely to bite. They spend most of their time in underground burrows, and they come out at night to hunt.

86. Puna Ibis

Scientific Name: Plegadis ridgwayi
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, and lakes of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru
Size: 22 to 24 inches long
Diet: Amphibians, aquatic insects, insect larvae, mollusks

These birds gather along the edge of the water in groups to forage for food. They probe at the substrate below them with their long, curved bills to locate prey. They have long, skinny legs to allow them to wade in shallow water without getting their feathers wet. The Uru people of Bolivia have domesticated these birds to raise them for meat and eggs.

87. Purple Emperor

Scientific Name: Apatura iris
Habitat: Oak woodlands of southern England
Size: 2.8 to 3.1 inch wingspan
Diet: Aphid honeydew, tree sap, carrion

These butterflies once stretched across Asia and Europe, but now they’re mostly restricted to small areas of England. Their caterpillars are green with stripes, but the butterflies have beautiful blue/purple wings with white, black, and orange patterns. Females are larger than males and don’t have iridescent wings. Unlike most butterflies, they don’t eat nectar. Sometimes, they will collect moisture and salt from dead animals.

88. Purple Finch

Scientific Name: Haemorhous purpureus
Habitat: Forests across parts of the United States and Canada
Size: 4.7 to 6.3 inches long
Diet: Seeds, berries, buds, insects

Despite being called purple finches, these birds don’t always look purple. They’re typically brown with hints of dark red, which looks purple in certain lighting. The intensity of the red-purple on the bird’s feathers may help them find a mate. They’re social birds that gather in groups of 200. They communicate with each other using ticking sounds, even when flying. These birds become highly aggressive toward each other during the mating season.

89. Purple Grenadier

Scientific Name: Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
Habitat: Dry shrublands of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
Size: 5.25 to 5.5 inches long
Diet: Grass seeds, insects

Males of this species have red-brown feathers that have purple blotches across their bellies and around their eyes. Females look similar, but their spots are smaller and blue rather than purple. They forage in pairs or flocks, which can sometimes be mixed with other species. These birds almost always pick their food off the ground. They make high-pitched squeaking and whistling sounds when communicating with each other.

90. Purple Honeycreeper

Scientific Name: Cyanerpes caeruleus
Habitat: Wet forest edges of northern South America
Size: About 4.5 inches long
Diet: Nectar, insects, spiders, fruits

The narrow, curved bills of purple honeycreepers are used to collect nectar from plants. However, they will eat a variety of other food sources too. These birds often listen for the calls of ferruginous pygmy owls so they can ambush them and steal their food. During the breeding season, they build small, cup-shaped nests as places to lay their beautiful white and brown blotched eggs.

91. Purple Martin

Scientific Name: Progne subis
Habitat: Open, grassy areas of eastern North America
Size: 7.5 to 8.5 inches long
Diet: Flying insects, spiders

Purple martins almost always eat and drink in mid-flight. They will catch flying insects in the air and scoop up water by skimming the surface. In the late summer, these birds may roost with thousands of other purple martins. However, some species of sparrows and starlings often steal the nests of these birds. To attract purple martins to your yard, you can put up a house for them and offer crushed eggshells because the birds will eat the eggshells as grit to help them digest insects with hard exteriors.

92. Purple-Naped Lory

Scientific Name: Lorius domicella
Habitat: Forests across Indonesian islands
Size: About 11 inches long
Diet: Seeds, fruits, nectar

Despite being mostly red and green, these endangered birds are named after a patch of purple they usually have on their necks. Their main threat is being trapped by humans and sold as pets. They’re typically found in pairs, but they’re secretive birds that are rarely spotted. They make a variety of sounds to communicate with each other, including melodious songs, raptor-like whistles, and harsh screeches.

93. Puss Moth

Scientific Name: Cerura vinula
Habitat: Gardens and woodlands of Europe and northern Africa
Size: 1.9 to 3.1 inches long
Diet: Leaves from poplar and willow trees

The fuzzy exterior of the puss moth makes it seem cat-like. These moths are most active at night, and they use the moon to help them find their way. However, manmade lights can confuse them. If something attacks them, they will fight back. They have small whips on their wings, and they can squirt formic acid at a threat. The hairs on puss moth caterpillars can leave severe rashes on human skin.

94. Pygmy Cormorant

Scientific Name: Microcarbo pygmeus
Habitat: Lakes and rivers of southeastern Europe
Size: 17.7 to 21.6 inches long
Diet: Fish

Like larger cormorants, these little birds perch on the shore until they’re ready to dive into the water for a fishing expedition. They usually hunt in groups. When they’re done hunting, they come back to the shore and fan out their wings to dry them. They use sticks and reeds to build their nests along the dense vegetation of the water’s shore to keep their eggs hidden from predators. They’ve adapted to living near humans, so they’re not as skittish as other wild animals.

95. Pygmy Hippopotamus

Scientific Name: Cho*ropsis liberiensis
Habitat: Swamps and rivers of West Africa
Size: 400 to 600 pounds
Diet: Leaves, roots, fruits

Pygmy hippopotamuses look like hippos that never outgrow their baby stage, but they differ in behavior and characteristics. They don’t spend nearly as much time underwater as larger hippos do. These mammals might be heavy, but common hippos still weigh about ten times more. If these hippos stay in the sun too long, they will release pink fluid known as “blood sweat” from their skin to keep them hydrated and protected from sunburn.

96. Pygmy Marmoset

Scientific Name: Callithrix pygmaea
Habitat: Rainforests across South America
Size: 4.6 to 6 inches long
Diet: Tree sap, nectar, fruits, grubs, spiders

These tiny primates are the smallest true monkeys in the world. Yet, they can jump over 16 feet to get from one tree branch to another. They have sharp nails that help them cling to trees. They can rotate their head 180 degrees to survey their surroundings. Since these mammals are so cute, the pet trade is one of the biggest threats to their population. Not only is owning one illegal in most areas, but they also make terrible pets due to their advanced care requirements.

97. Pygmy Python

Scientific Name: Antaresia perthensis
Habitat: Sandy areas of Australia
Size: 8 to 20 inches long
Diet: Lizards, small mammals

As the name implies, these reptiles are the smallest pythons in the world. They’re also called anthill pythons because they often build their dens in termite mounds or anthills. These snakes are always solitary outside of the breeding season. When they’re ready to breed, males will follow pheromone trails to find females. Since these snakes are small and not venomous, they’re not dangerous to humans.

98. Pygmy Seahorse

Scientific Name: Hippocampus bargibanti
Habitat: Near corals in the Indo-West Pacific
Size: 0.55 to 1.06 inches
Diet: Small crustaceans

Most pygmy seahorses are small enough to fit on an adult human’s fingernail. They’re almost impossible to spot in the wild because they turn into the color of whatever their host coral is, which is almost always a species of gorgonian coral. They also dwell 52 to 131 feet below the water’s surface. Most male seahorses have a pouch on their tail for their young, but pygmy seahorses have a pouch on their trunk. These creatures were discovered by accident in 1969 when scientists were researching coral.

99. Pygora Goat

Scientific Name: Capra aegagrus hircus
Habitat: Domesticasted
Size: 65 to 95 pounds
Diet: Grass, hay, grains

Pygora goats are a hybrid goat species that was created in 1987. They’re a mix between Angora goats and pygmy goats. They have soft, curly coats like sheep, so they’re primarily bred for producing fleece because their coats can produce three different types of fleece. Their coats come in a variety of colors, including white, brown, black, gray, and red. These goats also have playful, friendly personalities.

100. Pyjama Shark

Scientific Name: Poroderma africanum
Habitat: Temperate coastal waters of southern Africa
Size: 1.9 to 3.5 feet long
Diet: Crustaceans, small fish, squid, octopus

These sharks got their unique name because the stripes on their back resemble striped pajamas. They stay near the ocean floor in shallow waters, but they’re generally harmless to humans. They usually wait in one spot for a while, and when prey swims past, they ambush it. They have two rows of teeth on each side of their jaws, and each row contains 14 to 25 teeth. Each tooth has three sharp points.

101. Pyrenean Frog

Scientific Name: Rana pyrenaica
Habitat: Rivers of the Pyrenees Mountains
Size: About 2 inches long
Diet: Insects, aquatic larvae

Juveniles spend most of their time on land, but as adults, these frogs are almost always found in or near rocky streams. They stay near water so they can dive in and hide in crevices if they sense danger. They’re active both day and night whenever they’re not hibernating. During the breeding season, the females lay their eggs underneath stones in the streams.

Animals Come in All Shapes and Sizes

The letter P covers a wide variety of animal types. Some are small enough to hold in our hands while others tower over us. However, the animals on this list are only the beginning. If you’re interested in learning about more animal species, there are a variety of options under every letter of the alphabet.