Animals that start with t: list with pictures and facts. Discover animals beginning with t, including tapirs, tarantulas, tigers and Tasmanian devils.
***
Animals That Start With T: Pictures & Facts
On this page you’ll find a list of amazing animals beginning with t, 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. tiger) and well-known groups of species (e.g. tiger beetles) whose names begin with T. The scientific name and conservation status are provided for each of the individual species.
Discover animals beginning with ...
- Main list page: Animals A to Z
- Become an animal expert: Animals: The Ultimate Guide To The Animal Kingdom
List of Animals Beginning With T
Tamarin
Tamarins are small monkeys found in Central and South America. They live in tropical rainforests.
There are around fifteen species of tamarin (there is some debate among scientists as to the exact number). Well-known species include the emperor tamarin, which has a gray-black coat and a large white moustache, and the red-handed tamarin, which has golden-orange hands and feet.
Tamarins are members of the genus Saguinus. They are closely related to the four species of lion tamarin in the genus Leontopithecus.
Tanager
Tanagers are small birds found in the Americas. There are around 240 species of tanager. They make up the bird family Thraupidae – the bird family with the second-largest number of members (the largest bird family is Tyrannidae – the tyrant flycatchers).
Tanagers are usually brightly-colored. They feed on seeds, fruit, nectar and insects, depending on the species.
Tapanuli Orangutan
- Scientific Name: Pongo tapanuliensis
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The Tapanuli orangutan was only recognized as a separate species in 2017, bringing the total number of orangutan species to three. There are only around 800 Tapanuli orangutans. They are found in an isolated part of the island of Sumatra.
Tapanuli orangutans were previously believed to have been a colony of Sumatran orangutans, but DNA analysis revealed that, as well as being a separate species, they were more closely related to Bornean orangutans.
- You can find out more about this rare primate here: Tapanuli Orangutan Facts
- Find out more about orangutans here: Orangutan Facts
Tapir
Tapirs are large, pig-like animals with flexible, prehensile (able to grasp) noses. There are five species of tapir: the Brazilian tapir, Malayan tapir, Baird's tapir, kabomani tapir, and mountain tapir.
Only the Malayan tapir, which is found in Asia, is found outside of Central and South America.
The Brazilian, or South American Tapir, is the largest land mammal found in the Amazon Rainforest.
- You can find out more about tapirs on this page: Tapir Facts
Tarantula
Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders. There are around 900 species of tarantula, and they are found on every continent of the world.
Tarantulas make up the family Theraphosidae. Although the bite of some species can be painful, a tarantula’s bite is not deadly.
- You can find out about the Mexican redknee tarantula here: Mexican Redknee Tarantula Facts
Tarpon
Tarpons are large, silver bony fish. (Bony fish, or Osteichthyes, are one of the two main types of fish, the other being the Chondrichthyes, or cartilaginous fish.)
There are two species of tarpon: the Atlantic tarpon and the Indo-Pacific tarpon. Tarpons are found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats, and are usually present close to the shore, in estuaries, and in rivers.
Tarpons are able to breathe air, and are often seen rising to the surface in oxygen-poor areas.
Tarsier
Tarsiers are small nocturnal primates found in Southeast Asia. Their eyes are extremely large; each eyeball being as large as the animal’s brain.
Unlike all other primates, tarsiers are entirely carnivorous. They mainly feed on insects. Most tarsiers are shy and rarely seen, and several species are endangered.
You can find out more about tarsiers here: Tarsier Facts
Tasmanian Devil
- Scientific Name: Sarcophilus harrisii
- Conservation Status: Endangered
The Tasmanian devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial. It is found on Tasmania – a large Australian island to the south of Mainland Australia.
The Tasmanian devil gets its name from the loud shrieks it makes at night. It has an extremely powerful bite and targets a wide range of prey animals, in particular wombats.
In recent years the species has been badly affected by a disease that causes large sores to grow on the animal’s face. As a result the Tasmanian devil is now endangered.
- Discover more about this endangered Australian mammal here: Tasmanian Devil Facts
Tenrec
Tenrecs are small animals found on the African island of Madagascar, and on some parts of the African mainland. 34 species of tenrec are currently recognized. They are varied in appearance, with some resembling shrews, and others hedgehogs. Together they comprise the family Tenrecidae.
Termite
Termites are small, pale-colored insects that live in large colonies. Their bodies are softer than those of ants, and are not as clearly divided into three parts.
Termite colonies can contain over a million individuals. Termite queens are the world's longest-living insects. The queens of some species may live up to fifty years.
Thorny Devil
- Scientific Name: Moloch horridus
- Conservation Status: Insufficient Data
The thorny devil, also known as the thorny dragon or moloch, is a lizard that lives in the desert and scrubland of central and Western Australia.
The species gets its name from the sharp, thorn-like scales that line its back, sides and tail. A ‘false head’ behind its real head gives the thorny devil additional protection against predators.
Water that collects on the thorny devil’s back is transported to its mouth through a system of grooves in its skin.
- You can find out more about this ingenious reptile here: Thorny Devil Facts
Tiger
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris
- Conservation Status: Endangered
No list of animals that start with T would be complete without the tiger! The tiger is the world’s largest species of cat. With its distinctive orange coat and black stripes, it is one of the world’s most recognizable animals. The tiger is an apex predator (i.e. top of the food chain) wherever it is found. A tiger is capable of bringing down prey as large as a buffalo or gaur (Indian bison).
Biologists disagree over the number of tiger subspecies; recent research has identified just two subspecies: a mainland subspecies, and one found on the Greater Sunda Islands.
Other biologists believe that up to nine tiger subspecies exist, including well-known subspecies such as the Siberian Tiger and the Bengal Tiger.
Sadly, this fearsome predator is endangered. It is thought that there are now fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild.
- You can find out more about this awesome animal here: Tiger Facts
Tiger Beetle
Tiger beetles are predatory insects that comprise the subfamily Cicindelinae. Like all beetles, their front wings have evolved into hardened wing cases.
Tiger beetles have long legs, and can pursue their prey at high speed over the ground. Their mandibles (jaws) are large and curved.
Tiger Shark
- Scientific Name: Galeocerdo cuvier
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The tiger shark is a large, predatory fish that can reach lengths of over 18 ft. (5.5 m). It is found in tropical and subtropical waters all around the world. It is mostly found in deep water near reefs.
When young, the tiger shark has dark stripes on its body. These give the tiger shark its name. The stripes disappear as the shark gets older.
The tiger shark is responsible for the second highest number of recorded shark attacks on humans – only the great white shark is responsible for more.
- You can find out more about this efficient ocean predator here: Tiger Shark Facts
Toad
There is no official scientific definition of the difference between frogs and toads. ‘Toad’ is simply the name given to frog species with dry, warty skin. Toads also tend to spend more time away from the water than frogs.
The ‘true’ toads are members of the family Bufonidae. They have organs called parotoid glands on their heads which secrete a poison. This helps to deter predators from eating the toad. Some frogs and salamanders also have these glands.
Frogs and toads make up the order (a group of related animals) Anura.
Tortoise
Tortoises are slow-moving land reptiles with shells. Tortoises are the world’s longest living land animals. Some species live to over 150 years.
A tortoise hatches from its egg with the aid of a special egg tooth. Hatchlings have to fend for themselves; their parents play no part in the raising of their infants.
There are around 45 species of tortoise. The top three largest tortoise species are (from largest) the Galápagos tortoise, the Aldabra giant tortoise and the African spurred tortoise.
Toucan
Toucans are birds in the family Ramphastidae. They are known for their large beaks, and often brightly-colored plumage.
Toucans are found in Central and South America. Most are found in tropical forest habitats, where they often live in flocks.
A toucan’s beak, although large, is not very robust. It helps in controlling the bird’s temperature. The beak’s length also helps the bird forage for food – using its beak the toucan can reach for food without moving, and find food in holes in trees.
- Discover more about these colourful rainforest birds here: Toucan Facts
Tsetse Fly
Tsetse flies are flies in the family Glossinidae. They are parasitic, feeding off the blood of animals.
Due to their feeding habits, tsetse flies are responsible for spreading disease to both humans and livestock. They are well known transmitters of the human sleeping sickness, which can be fatal.
Turkey Vulture
- Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The turkey vulture is a large, brown-black bird with a row of silvery flight feathers along the back of the underside of its wings. It has a featherless red head, and a powerful, hooked beak.
The turkey vulture has a large range (the area in which it is found), which includes much of Canada, the United States, and most of South America.
The turkey vulture feeds on carrion (dead animals) that it locates with its powerful eyesight and acute sense of smell.
Despite similarities in their appearances, the vultures of the Americas and those found in the Old World (i.e. the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa) are only distantly related. The groups evolved independently of one another; their physical similarities being a result of their shared lifestyle. This is known as convergent evolution.
Animals That Start With T: Conclusion
We hope that you've discovered some awesome new animals beginning with t on this page. Continue your exploration of the animal kingdom by checking out the following pages:
Discover animals beginning with ...
You got tortoise, but no turtle.
The tanager photo is actually a vermilion flycatcher
The flycatcher has now been replaced with a ‘real’ tanager! Many thanks for letting us know.
Can you do a Tyrannous Rex?
Good call! We only include living animals in this section, but you can find out about T. rex on this page: Tyrannosaurus Rex Facts 🦖
You can see other Cretaceous Period dinosaurs on this page: Cretaceous Period Dinosaurs 🦕