39 Animals that Start with E: List and Fun Facts

Exploring the diverse world of animals is an exciting experience!

From the tiny elephant shrew to the massive elephant seal, there are many intriguing creatures that begin with the letter “E”.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at a variety of animal names that start with E and learn interesting facts and details about each one.

Whether they soar through the sky, swim in the sea, or walk on land, these animals are sure to captivate your imagination. Some are well-known, while others may be new finds for you.

So, let’s examine and reveal the captivating lives of these creatures, from their unique adaptations to their important roles in nature.

Get ready to be astonished as we explore the world of animals that start with the letter E!

Mammals

1. Elephant

Description: Elephants are the largest land mammals, known for their long trunks and large ears. They are social creatures that live in herds.
Origin: Native to Africa and parts of Asia.
Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, and forests.
Scientific name: Loxodonta africana (African elephant), Elephas maximus (Asian elephant)
Fun Facts:

• Elephants have remarkable memory and can remember individuals and locations for many years.
• They communicate through vibrations and sounds that are too low-pitched for humans to hear.

2. Echidna

Description: Echidnas are spiny, egg-laying mammals known for their protective spines and long snouts.
Origin: Native to Australia and New Guinea.
Habitat: Forests, deserts, and grasslands.
Scientific name: Tachyglossidae
Fun Facts:

• Echidnas are one of only five egg-laying mammals (monotremes).
• Their spines help protect them from predators, and they often dig to escape danger.

3. Elk

Description: Elks are large herbivores with impressive antlers, belonging to the deer family.
Origin: Native to North America and parts of Asia.
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, and mountains.
Scientific name: Cervus canadensis
Fun Facts:

• Elk can weigh up to 700 pounds and can leap over 8 feet in a single bound.
• Males grow antlers annually, shedding them in winter.

4. Eland

Description: Elands are large antelopes known for their impressive horns and gentle nature.
Origin: Native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, and forests.
Scientific name: Taurotragus oryx
Fun Facts:

• Elands can jump over 8 feet high.
• They are highly social animals and often form large herds for protection.

5. Eurasian Lynx

Description: The Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized wild cat with tufted ears and a short tail, known for its excellent hunting skills.
Origin: Native to Eurasia.
Habitat: Forests, mountain regions, and tundra.
Scientific name: Lynx lynx
Fun Facts:

• Eurasian lynxes have sharp, retractable claws and excellent night vision.
• They are solitary animals, typically hunting alone.

6. European Hedgehog

Description: The European hedgehog is a small nocturnal mammal with a spiny coat that offers protection from predators.
Origin: Native to Europe and parts of Asia.
Habitat: Woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens.
Scientific name: Erinaceus europaeus
Fun Facts:

• Hedgehogs curl into a ball when threatened, using their spines as a defence.
• They are insectivores, primarily feeding on bugs and worms.

7. European Rabbit

Description: The European rabbit is a small mammal known for its long ears and fluffy tail.
Origin: Native to Europe and parts of North Africa.
Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands, and agricultural fields.
Scientific name: Oryctolagus cuniculus
Fun Facts:

• European rabbits have a strong reproductive rate, often giving birth to large litters.
• They dig burrows known as “warrens” to live and seek shelter.

8. Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Description: The eastern grey kangaroo is a large marsupial, characterized by its strong hind legs and large tail.
Origin: Native to Australia.
Habitat: Open forests, woodlands, and grasslands.
Scientific name: Macropus giganteus
Fun Facts:

• Kangaroos can leap up to 25 feet in a single bound.
• They are herbivores and primarily graze on grasses.

9. Elephant Seal

Description: Elephant seals are large, pinniped mammals known for their massive size and distinctively long noses.
Origin: Native to the Pacific coasts of North America, South America, and parts of Antarctica.
Habitat: Coastal regions, often on rocky shores and sandy beaches.
Scientific name: Mirounga angustirostris (Northern elephant seal), Mirounga leonina (Southern elephant seal)
Fun Facts:

• Males can weigh over 5,000 pounds, making them one of the largest seal species.
• They can hold their breath for up to 90 minutes when diving for food.

10. Edible Frog

Description: The edible frog is a medium-sized amphibian found in ponds and wetlands.
Origin: Native to Europe, particularly in temperate regions.
Habitat: Freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes.
Scientific name: Pelophylax esculentus
Fun Facts:

• The edible frog is known for its bright green colour and smooth skin.
• It is often consumed as a delicacy in French cuisine, particularly in frog legs.

11. Emperor Tamarin

Description: The emperor Tamarin is a small, agile monkey known for its distinctive long white moustache.
Origin: Native to the Amazon rainforest in South America.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests and riverine areas.
Scientific name: Saguinus imperator
Fun Facts:

• Emperor tamarins are highly social and live in family groups.
• They are named after Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany because of their moustaches resembling his facial hair.

12. Ethiopian Wolf

Description: A rare, reddish-brown wolf native to Ethiopia, known for its agility and hunting of small mammals.
Origin: Found only in the highlands of Ethiopia.
Habitat: Montane grasslands and heathlands at elevations above 3,000 meters.
Scientific Name: Canis simensis
Fun Facts:

• They are the rarest wolf species, with fewer than 500 left.
• They help control small mammal populations, especially rodents, which helps maintain ecosystem balance.

13. Earthworm

Description: Segmented worms that aerate soil and break down organic matter to enrich it.
Origin: Native to Europe but now found worldwide.
Habitat: Moist soil in forests, grasslands, and gardens.
Scientific Name: Lumbricus terrestris
Fun Facts:

• Earthworms have five pairs of hearts.
• They can consume half their body weight in organic matter daily, improving soil fertility.

14. Elasmobranch

Description: Cartilaginous fish, including sharks, rays, and skates, with cartilage skeletons and sharp teeth.
Origin: Ancient species, existing for over 400 million years.
Habitat: Found in oceans worldwide, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea.
Scientific Name: Elasmobranchii (class)
Fun Facts:

• Sharks can detect blood from miles away using highly sensitive olfactory receptors.
• Rays use electric fields to locate hidden prey in the sand.

Reptiles, Birds & Marine Life

15. Eagle

Description: Large birds of prey known for their sharp talons, keen eyesight, and powerful flight.
Origin: Found on every continent except Antarctica.
Habitat: Mountains, forests, coastal regions, and open plains.
Scientific Name:Aquila (genus, varies by species)
Fun Facts:

• Eagles can see up to eight times farther than humans.
• They can reach speeds of over 100 mph when diving for prey.

16. Eel

Description: Long, snake-like fish with a smooth, scaleless body, known for their ability to swim backward.
Origin: Found in freshwater and marine environments worldwide.
Habitat: Rivers, oceans, and coastal waters, often hiding in crevices or burrowing in sand.
Scientific Name:Anguilliformes (order)
Fun Facts:

• Some eels migrate thousands of miles to spawn in the Sargasso Sea.
• Electric eels can generate shocks of up to 600 volts to stun prey and deter predators.

17. Emu

Description: The second-largest bird in the world, known for its long legs and powerful running ability.
Origin: Native to Australia.
Habitat: Open plains, savannas, and forests.
Scientific Name:Dromaius novaehollandiae
Fun Facts:

• Emus can run up to 30 mph, using their strong legs to escape predators.
• They are excellent swimmers and can cross rivers and lakes with ease.

18. Emperor Penguin

Description: The largest of all penguin species, known for their deep-diving abilities and social breeding colonies.
Origin: Native to Antarctica.
Habitat: Ice sheets, coastal waters, and surrounding oceans.
Scientific Name:Aptenodytes forsteri
Fun Facts:

• Emperor penguins can dive over 1,500 feet deep and hold their breath for more than 20 minutes.
• They huddle together in large groups to stay warm in temperatures as low as -40°F.

19. Eft

Description: A juvenile stage of newts, typically bright orange or red, before they mature into aquatic adults.
Origin: Found in North America and Europe.
Habitat: Moist forests, under logs, and near freshwater sources.
Scientific Name:Notophthalmus viridescens (Eastern newt eft stage)
Fun Facts:

• Efts produce toxic skin secretions to deter predators.
• They can live for years in their terrestrial stage before transitioning to an aquatic adult.

20. Eurasian Eagle Owl

Description: One of the largest owl species, known for its powerful talons and deep hooting calls.
Origin: Native to Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Forests, rocky cliffs, and open countryside.
Scientific Name:Bubo bubo
Fun Facts:

• Their wingspan can reach up to 6.5 feet.
• They can turn their heads up to 270 degrees to scan their surroundings.

21. Eastern Box Turtle

Description: A small, land-dwelling turtle with a domed shell that allows it to fully close for protection.
Origin: Native to North America.
Habitat: Woodlands, meadows, and wetlands.
Scientific Name:Terrapene carolina carolina
Fun Facts:

• Eastern box turtles can live over 100 years in captivity.
• They have a homing instinct and will try to return if moved far from their territory.

22. Eagle Ray

Description: A large, graceful ray species known for its pointed snout and ability to leap out of the water.
Origin: Found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide.
Habitat: Coastal waters, coral reefs, and sandy seafloors.
Scientific Name:Aetobatus narinari
Fun Facts:

• Eagle rays can jump several feet into the air to escape predators.
• They use their flattened teeth to crush hard-shelled prey like clams and crustaceans.

23. Eastern Brown Snake

Description: A highly venomous snake responsible for most snakebite fatalities in Australia.
Origin: Native to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Habitat: Grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas.
Scientific Name:Pseudonaja textilis
Fun Facts:

• They can move at incredible speeds when threatened.
• Their venom affects the nervous system and blood clotting, making it one of the most dangerous in the world.

24. Electric Ray

Description: A slow-moving, bottom-dwelling ray that can generate electric shocks to stun prey and defend itself.
Origin: Found in oceans worldwide, from shallow waters to deep-sea habitats.
Habitat: Sandy or muddy seafloors near coral reefs and coastal regions.
Scientific Name:Torpediniformes (order)
Fun Facts:

• Electric rays can produce shocks of up to 220 volts.
• Ancient Greeks used electric rays to numb pain during surgeries.

25. European Bison

Description: The heaviest land animal in Europe, known for its massive size and shaggy brown coat.
Origin: Native to Europe.
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, and national parks.
Scientific Name:Bison bonasus
Fun Facts:

• Once nearly extinct, conservation efforts have helped their numbers recover.
• They can run up to 35 mph despite their large size.

26. Elachista

Description: A genus of tiny moths, often feeding on grass leaves as larvae.
Origin: Found worldwide.
Habitat: Meadows, forests, and agricultural lands.
Scientific Name:Elachista (genus)
Fun Facts:

• Some species are considered agricultural pests due to their leaf-mining larvae.
• Despite their small size, they play a crucial role in ecosystems by pollinating plants.

27. Eider Duck

Description: A large sea duck known for its thick, insulating down feathers.
Origin: Native to Arctic and northern coastal regions.
Habitat: Coastal waters, islands, and tundra.
Scientific Name:Somateria mollissima
Fun Facts:

• Eiderdown, collected from their nests, is one of the warmest natural insulators.
• They can dive over 60 feet underwater to catch shellfish.

28. Eleonora’s Falcon

Description: A medium-sized bird of prey known for its agility and migratory behavior.
Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region.
Habitat: Coastal cliffs and islands.
Scientific Name:Falco eleonorae
Fun Facts:

• They time their breeding season to coincide with bird migrations, feeding their chicks migrating songbirds.
• Unlike most falcons, they hunt in groups, coordinating their attacks.

29. Emperor Angelfish

Description: A colorful, coral reef fish with striking blue and yellow patterns.
Origin: Found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Habitat: Coral reefs and rocky coastal areas.
Scientific Name:Pomacanthus imperator
Fun Facts:

• Juveniles look completely different from adults, with circular blue and white patterns.
• They establish territories and can aggressively defend their reef space.

30. Egyptian Vulture

Description: A small, white scavenger vulture known for its intelligence and tool use.
Origin: Native to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Habitat: Open landscapes, cliffs, and desert areas.
Scientific Name:Neophron percnopterus
Fun Facts:

• They use rocks to break open eggs, one of the few birds known to use tools.
• Their yellow face color comes from carotenoid pigments absorbed from their diet.

31. Emerald Tree Boa

Description: A vibrant green, non-venomous snake known for its strong prehensile tail and coiled resting posture.
Origin: Native to South America.
Habitat: Rainforests, particularly in trees.
Scientific Name:Corallus caninus
Fun Facts:

• They can grow up to 6 feet long and have heat-sensing pits to detect warm-blooded prey.
• Unlike many snakes, they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.

32. Electric Eel

Description: A powerful freshwater fish capable of generating electricity for hunting and defense.
Origin: Native to the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America.
Habitat: Slow-moving, muddy waters of rivers and swamps.
Scientific Name:Electrophorus electricus
Fun Facts:

• They can generate shocks up to 860 volts, the highest of any bioelectric animal.
• Despite their name, they are more closely related to catfish than true eels.

33. Eyelash Viper

Description: A small, venomous snake with distinctive eyelash-like scales above its eyes.
Origin: Found in Central and South America.
Habitat: Rainforests, often in trees and bushes.
Scientific Name:Bothriechis schlegelii
Fun Facts:

• They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, green, and red, for camouflage.
• Their heat-sensing pits help them hunt small birds, frogs, and rodents at night.

34. Eastern Bluebird

Description: A small songbird with bright blue plumage and a reddish-orange chest.
Origin: Native to North America.
Habitat: Open woodlands, farmlands, and gardens.
Scientific Name:Sialia sialis
Fun Facts:

• They can hover in mid-air while searching for insects on the ground.
• Their populations have rebounded due to conservation efforts and nest box programs.

35. Edible Crab

Description: A large, round-bodied crab widely harvested for its sweet and flavorful meat.
Origin: Native to the northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat: Rocky seabeds and coastal waters.
Scientific Name:Cancer pagurus
Fun Facts:

• They can grow up to 10 inches wide and weigh over 6 pounds.
• Their pincers are powerful enough to crack open shellfish.

36. Eurasian Jay

Description: A colorful member of the crow family known for its intelligence and mimicking abilities.
Origin: Found across Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Woodlands, parks, and gardens.
Scientific Name:Garrulus glandarius
Fun Facts:

• They can mimic the calls of other birds, including predators, to deceive rivals.
• They play a crucial role in forest regeneration by burying acorns, many of which sprout into new trees.

37. Ewa Beach Worm

Description: A rare marine worm found in coral reef environments.
Origin: Native to Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
Habitat: Shallow waters near coral reefs.
Scientific Name:Eunice aphroditois
Fun Facts:

• It has sharp jaws capable of slicing prey in half instantly.
• It can grow over 10 feet long and ambush prey from its burrow.

38. Eurasian Nuthatch

Description: A small, agile bird known for its ability to climb down tree trunks headfirst.
Origin: Found across Europe and Asia.
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed forests.
Scientific Name:Sitta europaea
Fun Facts:

• They wedge nuts into tree bark and hammer them open with their beaks.
• Their strong legs allow them to grip tree trunks at any angle, unlike most birds.

39. Engelmann’s Spruce

Description: A tall, evergreen conifer known for its cold tolerance and use in musical instrument production.
Origin: Native to North America.
Habitat: High-altitude mountain forests.
Scientific Name:Picea engelmannii
Fun Facts:

• Its wood is prized for making violins and guitars due to its resonance.
• It can survive in temperatures as low as -40°F.

Conclusion

There are many incredible animals that start with the letter E. From the massive elephant to the tiny earwig, these creatures showcase the incredible diversity of life on our planet.

Learning about animals like the echidna, emu, and electric eel can help us appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

If you’re a curious kid or a lifelong animal lover, learning more about these unique species is always a rewarding experience.

So the next time someone asks you to name an animal name start with E, you’ll have plenty of interesting examples to choose from!

Exploring the world of animals that begins with this letter is a great way to expand your knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the creatures we share the Earth with.