Animals that start with r: list with pictures and facts. Discover awesome animals beginning with r, including rabbits, rattlesnakes, red-eyed tree frogs and rhinoceroses …
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Animals That Start With R: Pictures & Facts
On this page you’ll find a list of amazing animals beginning with r, together with pictures and interesting facts about each animal. Below many of the animals are links that you can follow for further information, pictures and videos.
Included in this list are individual species (e.g. raccoon) and well-known groups of species (e.g. rattlesnakes) whose names begin with R. The scientific name and conservation status are provided for each of the individual species.
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List of Animals Beginning With R
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals with round bodies, powerful hind legs, sharp teeth, and distinctive long ears. Rabbits are members of the order Leporidae, along with hares.
The main difference between rabbits and hares is that rabbits live underground in large burrows called warrens. Hares, by contrast, simply dig a shallow hole in the ground (called a form).
Raccoon
- Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The raccoon is the largest member of the family Procyonidae, which includes other small to medium-sized mammals such as coatis and kinkajous. It has a thick gray coat and a distinctive black and white ‘masked’ face. Its front paws are well adapted for manipulating objects, and the raccoon is known for its intelligence.
Originally a forest animal, the raccoon has adapted well to the presence of humans and is now a familiar visitor to many suburban gardens in North America.
Rat
Rats are rodents in the genus Rattus. There are 64 different species of ‘true’ rat, and several other animals (such as bandicoot rats) that are called rats but that are not actually members of Rattus.
Rats are incredibly successful animals, and are found on every continent on Earth, with the exception of Antarctica. Two species in particular, the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), are extremely widespread due to their ability to live alongside humans.
Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes found in the Americas (the continents of North and South America). Rattlesnakes have a number of hardened segments at the end of their bodies which, when vibrated, make a rattling sound. This sends out a message to any potential predators that the snake is venomous.
- You can find out more about the prairie rattlesnake here: Prairie Rattlesnake Facts
Raven (Common)
- Scientific Name: Corvus corax
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Ravens are large, black birds found throughout the Northern Hemisphere (the area of the world north of the Equator). The common raven is the largest of the passerines (perching birds), and is larger than many birds of prey.
The raven is usually found away from human habitation, and lives in a variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, coastal areas and Arctic tundra. The species is known for its high intelligence and has one of the largest brains of any bird.
Ray
Rays are flat-bodied fish. Their eyes are located on the top of their bodies and their gills are on the underside.
There are over 600 species of ray. They are closely related to sharks, and both rays and sharks are members of a group of animals called the cartilaginous fishes.
The skeletons of cartilaginous fishes are made from a material called cartilage, which is more flexible than bone.
- You can find out more about the world’s largest species of ray here: Giant Oceanic Manta Ray Facts
Red Eyed Tree Frog
- Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryas
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The red-eyed tree frog is one of the world’s most famous frog species. Due to its colorful good looks the frog is often seen in adverts and on the covers of magazines.
The species is found in Central American rainforests. It is arboreal (tree-dwelling), and insectivorous (insect-eating). Despite the frog’s bright colors, it isn’t poisonous.
- Discover more about this characterful rainforest amphibian here: Red-Eyed Tree Frog Facts
Red Fox
- Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The ‘true foxes’ are members of the genus Vulpes. The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is the largest of the true foxes. (The first part of a species’ two-part scientific name is its genus.)
The red fox is found across a larger area than any other member of the dog family Canidae (and of the whole order Carnivora, which includes dogs, cats, bears and several other types of animal). It is present throughout the entire Northern Hemisphere, including parts of the Arctic.
The red fox has also been introduced to Australia. Here it is an invasive species, and its presence has been harmful to many native species.
Red Kangaroo
- Scientific Name: Macropus rufus
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The red kangaroo is the largest kangaroo species, and the world’s largest marsupial (pouched mammal). The red kangaroo is endemic to Australia (i.e. it is only found in Australia, and found nowhere else in the wild).
An adult male red kangaroo can grow to over 2 m (6.5 ft.) in height, although the average red kangaroo is somewhat shorter at 1.5 m (4.9 ft.). The species’ name comes from its red-brown coat.
Male red kangaroos establish dominance with ‘boxing matches’ in which the opponents face each other and lash out with their forelegs and powerful hind legs.
- See pictures, video and facts about the red kangaroo here: Red Kangaroo Facts
Redback Spider
- Scientific Name: Latrodectus hasseltii
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
The redback spider is a venomous spider originally found in Australia, but which has now been introduced to New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is often found living close to humans.
The female redback is much larger than the male. On its abdomen is the distinctive red hourglass marking that gives the species its name. The male is only 3-4 mm in length and relatively harmless.
The female redback’s bite is extremely painful, but rarely fatal. Several thousand people are bitten every year, but there have been no fatalities since the 1950’s, when antivenom became readily available.
- Feeling brave? Find out more about the redback spider here: Redback Spider Facts
Reindeer
- Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
The reindeer is known as the caribou in North America. It is a member of the deer family, Cervidae. The reindeer is found in Arctic and subarctic regions in Europe, Asia and North America.
Both male and female reindeer grow antlers (the female is the only female deer to grow antlers). The male reindeer has the second-largest antlers of any deer (only those of the moose are larger).
Reindeer are able to see ultraviolet light. This helps them to find food and detect signs of predators in the snowy Arctic environment.
- Find out more about this cold-climate specialist here: Reindeer Facts
Reticulated Python
- Scientific Name: Python reticulatus
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. Large specimens can reach lengths of up to 6.5 m (21.3 ft.). The reticulated python is found in South and Southeast Asia. It lives near water in rainforests and woodlands.
The reticulated python has a bright, net-like pattern running along the length of its back. It is this that gives the species its name (‘reticulated’ means ‘net-like’).
Like all pythons, the reticulated python is non-venomous. It dispatches its prey by constriction, wrapping itself around the victim and preventing it from breathing.
- You can find out more about this monster snake here: Reticulated Python Facts
Rhea (Greater)
- Scientific Name: Rhea americana
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The greater rhea is a large, flightless bird found in South America. It is the largest of the three species of rhea, and the largest bird of the Americas. It can reach weights of 40 kg (88 lb.), and has an average body length of 1.34 m (4.4 ft.)
If you see a large, ostrich-shaped bird in Germany, don’t worry: in 2000 a small group of rheas escaped from a farm. Since then they have established a colony of around 200 individuals!
Rhesus Macaque
- Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The rhesus macaque is a species of monkey found in south, southeast and East Asia. Originally an inhabitant of forests, it has adapted to living alongside humans. Today it is a common sight in many urban areas, where troops of rhesus macaques beg or scavenge for food.
Rhino
The name ‘rhinoceros’ means ‘nose-horned’, and refers to the distinctive horns on a rhino’s nose. There are five species of rhino. Two, the white rhino and the black rhino, are found in Africa. The other three, the Indian, Javan and Sumatran rhinoceroses, are found in Asia.
The Indian and Javan rhinos have a single horn. The other species have two horns. All five species of rhino are threatened.
The black, Javan and Sumatran rhinos are all critically endangered. This is due mainly to poaching. Rhinoceros horn is a highly valuable ingredient of traditional eastern medicine, and because of this rhinos are targeted by local hunters.
- find out more about rhinos here: Rhino Facts
- For information, pictures and facts about the black rhino, visit this page: Black Rhino Facts
Rhinoceros Beetle
Rhinoceros beetles are large beetles that get their name from the large horns on the heads of the males. Some of the world’s largest beetles are rhinoceros beetles, with some species reaching lengths of over 18 cm (7 in).
The rhinoceros beetles’ horns are used for fighting. they are used to push opponents rather than to injure by piercing. Rhinoceros beetles are harmless to humans, and are unable either to sting or to bite.
Ring Tailed Lemur
- Scientific Name: Lemur catta
- Conservation Status: Endangered
The ring tailed lemur is one of the best-known species of lemur – primates found only on the African island of Madagascar. The species is found in the forests and bushlands to the south of the island. It lives in female-led groups of up to 30 individuals.
These familiar black and white tailed primates are commonly seen in zoos worldwide. The wild population, however, is in serious trouble. There may be as few as 2,000 ring-tailed lemurs left in the wild.
The species’ endangered status is caused by its being hunted by local people for food and by habitat loss.
- You can find out more about this endangered animal here: Ring Tailed Lemur Facts
Rock Hyrax
- Scientific Name: Procavia capensis
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The rock hyrax is a small rodent-like mammal found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and northeast Africa. Incredibly, the species’ closest relations are elephants and manatees!
The rock hyrax is present in a wide range of habitats, from deserts to rainforests. It lives in gaps and crevices in rocks.
Groups of rock hyraxes forage for food near their homes. As they forage, one or more members of the group act as lookouts, ready to raise the alarm should a predator appear.
Rotifer
Rotifers are tiny aquatic animals that make up the phylum Rotifera. (A phylum is one of the 34 large groups into which the entire animal kingdom is divided).
Most rotifers are between 0.2 and 0.5 mm in length. Despite their small size, rotifers have a brain, nervous system and digestive system.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
- Scientific Name: Bombus affinis
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
As recently as 40 years ago, the rusty-patched bumble bee was one of the most common species of bumble bee in parts of North America. Since then, the population has crashed to a fraction of its original size and the species is now critically endangered.
The population decline is due to diseases being spread from commercially-bred bees, and habitat loss caused by changes in farming methods.
Rusty-patched bumble bee workers can be identified by the pale orange-yellow (rusty) patch on their backs.
- You can find out more about the rusty-patched bumble bee here: Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Facts
Animals That Start With R: Conclusion
We hope that you’ve discovered some awesome new animals beginning with r on this page. Continue your exploration of the animal kingdom by checking out the following pages:
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