Animals that start with g: list with pictures and facts. Discover amazing animals beginning with g. Follow the links for further information!
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Animals That Start With G: Pictures & Facts
On this page you’ll find a list of amazing animals beginning with g, together with pictures and interesting facts about each animal.
You can find out more about many of the animals (and see pictures and videos) by following the links.
Discover more animals!
- Main list page: Animals A to Z
- Animals That Start With F
- Animals That Start With H
List of Animals Beginning With G
- In this list we’ve included both individual species whose names begin with g, e.g. giraffe, and well-known groups of animals that begin with g, e.g. ‘gibbons’.
- The scientific name and conservation status of individual species are provided.
If you need to find out about terms such as ‘species’, ‘family’ and ‘order’, etc., then check out our guide to animal classification.
Galah
- Scientific name: Eolophus roseicapillus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
animals that start with g – galah
The galah is a cockatoo (a type of parrot in the family Cacatuidae) that is found throughout Australia. Its wings and tail are grey, and its chest and face are soft pink.
In Australian slang, the word ‘galah’ means ‘idiot’. This is rather unfair on the galah, which, being a parrot, is among the most intelligent of birds.
Gaur (Indian Bison)
- Scientific name: Bos gaurus
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
The gaur is a large ungulate (hoofed mammal) found in southern Asia. With some individuals standing over 2 m (6.5 ft.) at the shoulder, it is the tallest living wild cattle species. Both male and female gaurs have curved horns. Gaurs are hunted for their meat, and also for their horns.
Gharial
- Scientific name: Gavialis gangeticus
- Conservation status: Critically Endangered
The gharial (also known as the gavial) is a predatory, semiaquatic reptile found in the Indian subcontinent. It is a member of the order Crocodilia, and is related to crocodiles, alligators and caimans.
The gharial can be distinguished from other crocodilians by its long, thin snout, which is used to catch fish, which form the majority of the gharial’s diet.
A 2006 study found there to be fewer than 200 gharials left in the wild. The species is critically endangered.
- You can find out more about the gharial here: Gharial Facts
Giant Otter
- Scientific name: Pteronura brasiliensis
- Conservation status: Endangered
The giant otter is the longest member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, but not the heaviest (that’s the sea otter). The giant otter lives in Brazil and is found both in the Amazon Rainforest and the Pantanal (a large tropical wetland area). Like all otters, the giant otter is semiaquatic. It mainly eats fish.
- Find out more about the giant otter here: Giant Otter facts
Gibbon
Lar Gibbon
Gibbons comprise the family Hylobatidae, members of which are also known as the ‘lesser apes’. (Hylobatidae is one of the two ape families, the other being Hominidae (aka the ‘great apes’). Gibbons are masters at moving through the trees, and have exceptional climbing, swinging and jumping abilities.
There are 18 species of gibbon. They are found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Well-known gibbon species include the siamang (the largest gibbon) and lar gibbon, both of which are endangered.
Gila Monster
- Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
The gila monster is the largest lizard native to the USA and Canada (although introduced species such as iguanas are larger). It is one of two venomous lizards (the other being the closely –related Mexican beaded lizard).
The gila monster is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It lives in scrubland and desert habitats. It hunts by smell and mainly eats bird and reptile eggs.
Find out more about this awesome desert reptile here: Gila Monster Facts
Giraffe
- Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
No list of animals that start with g would be complete without the giraffe, the world’s tallest animal. Their great height allows them to reach foliage that other species cannot. Each of the nine subspecies (types) of giraffe is found in a separate region in Africa. A giraffe’s horns are known as ‘ossicones’.
- You can find out more about giraffes here: Giraffe Facts
Golden Lion Tamarin
- Scientific name: Leontopithecus rosalia
- Conservation status: Endangered
The golden lion tamarin is an endangered monkey that lives in the Atlantic coastal forests in Brazil. The species’ name comes from its distinctive orange coat and mane-like hair around its face. Massive deforestation has led to the golden lion tamarin’s range being reduced to just 2 to 5 percent of its original size.
- Find out more about this endangered primate here: Golden Lion Tamarin Facts
Golden Poison Frog
- Scientific name: Phyllobates terribilis
- Conservation status: Endangered
The golden poison frog is native to Colombia in South America. This tiny amphibian is one of the most poisonous animals on earth. A single golden poison frog may carry enough poison to kill up to 20 men!
- Discover more about this deadly amphibian here: Golden Poison Frog Facts
Goldfish
- Scientific name: Carassius auratus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
Originally found in East Asia, the goldfish is now found throughout the world due to its popularity as an easy-to-maintain aquarium fish. The species was originally kept for food, and was grey or silver. The gold-colored mutations subsequently became sought-after as an ornamental fish.
Goliath Beetle
Goliath beetles are the largest species of insect. They can grow up to 11 cm in length, and their larvae can weigh up to 100 grams (3.5 oz.).
There are five species of goliath beetle. They are found in tropical forests in Africa.
Goliath Birdeater
- Scientific name: Theraphosa blondi
- Conservation status: Unassessed
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The goliath birdeater is the world’s largest spider (although the giant huntsman spider Heteropoda maxima has a larger leg span). It is a member of the tarantula family.
The goliath birdeater is found in the rainforests of South America. Despite its name, the spider rarely preys on birds. Instead, it mainly hunts earthworms and toads. However, it will also eat many other types of small animal. Its bite is venomous, but generally not harmful to humans.
Gorilla
Eastern Gorilla
Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. There are two gorilla species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Both are critically endangered.
Gorillas are members of Hominidae, otherwise known as the ‘great ape’ family. This group also includes orangutans, chimpanzees and humans. They live in African rainforests.
- Find out more about gorillas here: Gorilla Facts
Great Hammerhead Shark
- Scientific name: Sphyrna mokarran
- Conservation status: Endangered
The great hammerhead shark is the largest species of hammerhead shark. It can grow to lengths of over 6 meters (20 ft.). The characteristic wide head of the giant hammerhead shark – known as a cephalofoil – gives it 360 degree vision. It also contains electroreceptive organs able to sense electric fields produced by other fish.
- You can find out more about this species here: Great Hammerhead Shark Facts.
Great White Shark
- Scientific name: Carcharodon carcharias
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
The fearsome great white shark is the world’s largest predatory fish. It is found in every ocean. Great white sharks are apex predators, sitting at the top of the food chain wherever they are found. Only the killer whale (Orcinus orca) poses a potential threat to the great white shark, and attacks are rare.
- Learn more about the great white shark here: Great White Shark Facts
Greater Flamingo
- Scientific name: Phoenicopterus roseus
- Conservation status: Unassessed
The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread flamingo. It is found in Africa, Asia and Europe. Like all flamingos, it feeds by filtering food out of the water using hair-like structures in its bill. The greater flamingo’s pink color comes from chemicals contained in the food that it eats.
- You can find out more about this amazing bird here: Greater Flamingo Facts
Green Anaconda
- Scientific name: Eunectes murinus
- Conservation status: Unassessed
The green anaconda is the heaviest species of snake in the world — but only the second longest (the longest type of snake is the reticulated python). It is found near lakes and rivers in South America, where it preys on a variety of animals, including fish birds and mammals.
- Discover more about this fearsome rainforest predator here: Green Anaconda Facts
Greenland Shark
- Scientific name: Somniosus microcephalus
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
This large, mysterious shark is found in cold sub-Arctic waters. It is one of the largest species of shark, reaching a similar size to the great white shark.
- Find out more about this species here: Greenland Shark Facts
Grizzly Bear
- Scientific name: Ursus arctos horribilis
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of brown bear. It is an apex predator, famed for its strength and hunting ability, as well as for its bad temper.
An important source of food for Canadian and Alaskan grizzlies is salmon making their way upriver to spawn. The largest grizzlies are found where salmon is readily available.
- For more grizzly bear facts and pictures, visit this page: Grizzly Bear Facts
Gyrfalcon
- Scientific name: Falco rusticolus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The gyrfalcon is the world’s largest falcon. It breeds in the Arctic, but ventures further south in the winter. The gyrfalcon’s plumage varies depending on where it is found. Those that live in Greenland are largely white, with gray-white wings. Others can be grey-brown in color.
The gyrfalcon captures its prey both in the air and on the ground. Male and female gyrfalcons are known to hunt cooperatively to exhaust their prey.
Animals That Start With G: Conclusion
We hope that this page has helped you find out about some amazing animals beginning with g. Continue your exploration of the animal kingdom by checking out the following pages:
- Main list page: Animals A to Z
- Animals That Start With F
- Animals That Start With H
- Animals: The Ultimate Guide To The Animal Kingdom