Get ready for an interesting look at animals whose names begin with the letter P – from the powerful polar bear to the peculiar pangolin.

This comprehensive guide covers 301 creatures, including both common and rare species that share this alphabetical distinction.

Scientists and researchers have documented these diverse animals across every continent and habitat on Earth – from the depths of the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains.

Their behaviors, physical features, and survival strategies showcase nature’s incredible variety.

Ready to meet these remarkable P-named animals?

Let’s start exploring.

The Diversity of Animals That Start with P

1. Pallas’s Cat

A small, wild feline native to the grasslands and steppes of Central Asia.

Known for its thick fur and expressive face, it is well-adapted to cold environments. These solitary hunters rely on rocky crevices for shelter and prey on small rodents.

2. Philippine Tarsier

One of the world’s smallest primates, found in the forests of the Philippines. It has enormous eyes, specialized for excellent night vision.

This tiny creature is highly sensitive to human disturbance and prefers dense jungle habitats.

3. Pacarana

A rare rodent species from the Amazon rainforest, known for its slow movements. It can weigh up to 15 pounds and is one of the largest rodents in the world.

Pacaranas are nocturnal and prefer to live near rocky outcrops or dense vegetation.

4. Pink Fairy Armadillo

The smallest species of armadillo, found only in Argentina’s dry grasslands.

It has soft, pinkish armor and burrows quickly to escape predators. This elusive, nocturnal creature is rarely seen due to its underground lifestyle.

5. Peacock Tarantula

A vibrantly colored tarantula native to India, featuring striking blue and orange patterns. It inhabits tree hollows and prefers moist, tropical environments.

Highly venomous, it is both beautiful and rare in the wild.

6. Purple Frog

An unusual amphibian with a bloated body and tiny limbs, found in India’s Western Ghats.

It spends most of its life underground, emerging only during monsoon season to breed. Its appearance and behavior make it one of the most unique frogs on Earth.

7. Przewalski’s Horse

The last truly wild horse species, native to the steppes of Mongolia.

Unlike domesticated horses, it has never been tamed and remains highly endangered. It roams grasslands, feeding on tough vegetation while avoiding predators.

8. Peruvian Hairless Dog

A rare, ancient dog breed from Peru, known for its lack of fur. These dogs have been companions to humans for thousands of years, dating back to Incan times. They thrive in warm climates and are often considered a national treasure.

9. Palawan Bearcat

Also known as the Binturong, this strange mammal has a scent resembling popcorn. It is found in the rainforests of Palawan, Philippines, where it moves slowly through tree canopies. Mostly nocturnal, it uses its prehensile tail to climb branches.

10. Painted Bat

A strikingly colored bat with orange and black fur, native to South and Southeast Asia. It roosts in banana leaves during the day and emerges at night to hunt for insects. Its bright colors serve as camouflage among tropical foliage.

11. Pangolin

A scaly, nocturnal mammal found in Africa and Asia, often referred to as the “walking pinecone.”

It curls into a ball when threatened, using its tough scales for defense. Sadly, it is one of the most trafficked animals due to demand for its scales.

12. Pied Tamarin

A rare species of tamarin monkey found in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest.

It has a distinctive black face and white fur covering its body. Habitat destruction has made this small primate increasingly endangered.

13. Pygmy Hippopotamus

Much smaller than its common hippo cousin, this species is found in West African rainforests.

It prefers solitary life and is mostly nocturnal, avoiding human contact. Unlike large hippos, it spends more time on land than in the water.

14. Palawan Peacock-Pheasant

An exceptionally rare bird native to the island of Palawan, Philippines.

It has shimmering blue and green feathers that resemble peacock plumage. This ground-dwelling species is elusive, preferring undisturbed forest habitats.

15. Perentie Lizard

Australia’s largest monitor lizard, capable of growing over 2 meters in length. It lives in arid deserts and rocky landscapes, hunting birds, small mammals, and reptiles.

Fast and intelligent, it is one of the continent’s top reptilian predators.

16. Panda King fish

A rare deep-sea fish with black-and-white markings, resembling a panda.

Found in the Pacific Ocean, it prefers deep, cold waters near coral reefs. Little is known about its behavior due to its elusive nature.

17. Pouched Frog

An unusual frog species where males carry eggs in pouches on their sides.

Native to South American rainforests, they rely on damp environments for breeding. Their secretive habits make them difficult to study in the wild.

18. Pyrenean Desman

A rare, semi-aquatic mammal found in mountain streams of Spain and France.

It has a long snout and webbed feet, perfectly adapted for hunting underwater insects. Threatened by pollution and habitat loss, its numbers are in decline.

19. Patagonian Mara

A large, rabbit-like rodent native to Argentina’s grasslands. It can run at high speeds and is known for its strong social bonds.

Unlike other rodents, it forms lifelong monogamous pairs.

20. Painted Terrapin

A critically endangered freshwater turtle native to Southeast Asia.

During the breeding season, males develop vibrant red and white facial markings. Habitat destruction and illegal pet trade have pushed it to the brink of extinction.

Extinct Animals That Start with P

21. Pinta Island Tortoise

Once native to Ecuador’s Pinta Island, this tortoise species went extinct in 2012 with the death of Lonesome George, its last known individual.

Habitat destruction and hunting by sailors led to its decline. Conservation efforts came too late to save this unique reptile.

22. Passenger Pigeon

Once one of North America’s most abundant birds, it went extinct in 1914 due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. Flocks once darkened the sky, but their numbers plummeted rapidly in the 19th century.

The last known individual, Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo.

23. Pyrenean Ibex

A wild goat species that lived in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain and France, it was declared extinct in 2000.

It was the first species to be briefly “resurrected” through cloning in 2003, but the cloned ibex only survived for a few minutes. Hunting and habitat fragmentation were its main threats.

24. Paradise Parrot

Native to Australia, this brilliantly colored parrot vanished in the early 20th century due to land clearing and invasive species. It was last seen in 1927, despite continued unverified sightings.

Overgrazing and habitat destruction sealed its fate.

25. Pig-footed Bandicoot

A small marsupial native to Australia, it went extinct in the mid-20th century. Unlike other bandicoots, it had uniquely slender feet adapted for fast running.

Habitat destruction and introduced predators such as foxes and cats contributed to its extinction.

26. Poʻouli

A Hawaiian forest bird found in the 1970s, it was declared extinct in 2019.

Its population declined rapidly due to habitat destruction, disease, and invasive species. Conservationists attempted to capture and breed the last known individuals, but efforts failed.

27. Pallas’s Cormorant

A large, flightless seabird once native to Russia’s Commander Islands, it was driven to extinction in the mid-19th century.

Overhunting by sailors and fur traders wiped out the species. It was first described in the 18th century but disappeared soon after.

28. Puerto Rican Cave Rail

This secretive bird, known only from fossils, lived in Puerto Rico’s ancient forests.

It likely disappeared due to climate change and human activity. It belonged to a unique group of flightless rails that inhabited island ecosystems.

29. Protemnodon

A prehistoric giant kangaroo species that went extinct around 46,000 years ago. Unlike modern kangaroos, it had a stockier build and shorter limbs. Climate shifts and human hunting likely contributed to its disappearance.

30. Paulistania Snake

A rare species of snake once found in Brazil, it was declared extinct due to rapid urbanization.

Deforestation and habitat destruction eliminated its last known populations. It remains one of the lesser-known extinct reptiles of South America.

Common Known Animals That Start with P

Domestic Animals

31. Poodle

32. Pug

33. Parrot

34. Pekingese

35. Persian Cat

36. Pygmy Goat

37. Pot-bellied Pig

38. Pomeranian

39. Prairie Dog

40. Pygmy Rabbit

41. Piranha (commonly kept in aquariums)

42. Plover (some species are kept in aviaries)

43. Petunia Fish (aquarium fish)

44. Pit Bull Terrier

45. Paca

46. Pigeon

47. Papillon

48. Pygmy Hog

49. Pallas’s Fish

50. Poodle Mix (various hybrid dog breeds)

51. Parakeet

52. Painted Turtle

53. Praying Mantis (kept as pets in some cultures)

54. Pygmy Seahorse

55. Pied Kingfisher (occasionally kept in aviaries)

56. Pollock Fish

57. Pompano Fish

58. Pangasius Catfish

59. Pomsky

60. Paka

61. Ponderosa Snake (kept as pets by some)

62. Prickly Pear Cactus (a food for pets)

63. Peafowl

64. Pine Marten

65. Pickerel Fish

66. Pilchard (a type of fish)

67. Pampas Cat

68. Piranha Fish

69. Platies

70. Pet Cuttlefish

71. Pepper (parakeet species)

72. Pygmy Elephant (rarely kept in zoos and sanctuaries)

73. Peregrine Falcon (sometimes kept by falconers)

74. Port Jackson Shark (sometimes kept in aquariums)

75. Pecan (a squirrel sometimes named as pets)

76. Pond Snail

77. Porcupine

78. Peppy Frog (species of frog in some homes)

79. Paca Mouse

80. Painted Reed Frog

81. Pileated Woodpecker (occasionally seen in aviaries)

82. Poecilia (a genus of fish)

83. Padrone Snake

84. Pineapple Guppy

85. Pacific Salmon

86. Pygmy Geese

87. Pouch Mouse

88. Pet Mantis

89. Pink-toed Tarantula

90. Pond Turtle

91. Purple Hermit Crab

92. Pacific Seahorse

93. Portuguese Water Dog

94. Prairie Rattlesnake

95. Phrynocephalus Lizard

96. Purple Salamander

97. Pit Bull Mix

98. Persian Rabbit

99. Poodle Pug Mix

100. Pony

101. Poodle Terrier Mix

102. Piranha Fish

103. Polish Chicken

104. Pheasant

105. Pygmy Hedgehog

106. Piquet Fish

107. Piedmontese Cow

108. Peking Duck

109. Parson Russell Terrier

110. Pronghorn

111. Paca Rabbit

112. Pit Bull Beagle Mix

113. Pictus Catfish

114. Pink Egg Snail

115. Portuguese Man o’ War

116. Pothos Fish

117. Peruvian Guinea Pig

118. Parrotfish

119. Pictus Cat

120. Pallas’s Squirrel

121. Pitbull Boxer Mix

122. Pygmy Antelope

123. Pomeranian Husky Mix

124. Poodle Chihuahua Mix

125. Purple Frog Tadpole

126. Pygmy Dragonfish

127. Poodle German Shepherd Mix

128. Pink Crawfish

129. Persian Ferret

130. Plains Zebra

131. Pet Loach

Wild Animals that Start with P

132. Pygmy Rattlesnake

133. Pygmy Owl

134. Plover

135. Pygmy Seahorse

136. Puku

137. Purple Martins

138. Pygmy Shrew

139. Pileated Woodpecker

140. Pygmy Marmoset

141. Purple Emperor Butterfly

142. Papuan Eagle

143. Paca

144. Pantanal Jaguar

145. Pinta Tortoise

146. Pit Viper

147. Przewalski’s Wild Horse

148. Porcupine Fish

149. Pileated Frog

150. Pygmy Sperm Whale

151. Plumed Basilisk

152. Philippine Crocodile

153. Pygmy Elephant

154. Piping Plover

155. Pine Marten

156. Pika

157. Pygmy Chimpanzee

158. Pangolin Ant-eater

159. Pygmy Whale

160. Pampas Fox

161. Pink Dolphin

162. Pronghorn Antelope

163. Pygmy Tarsier

164. Philippine Eagle

165. Pademelon

166. Plovers

167. Pallid Bat

168. Pygmy Blue Whale

169. Prothrix

170. Pied Avocet

171. Parrotfish

172. Pale Chub

173. Papuan Black Cockatoo

174. Pallas’s Sandgrouse

175. Peafowl (wild)

176. Pygmy Goat

177. Panther Chameleon

178. Pond Skater

179. Peccary

180. Pygmy Cuttlefish

181. Philippine Deer

182. Pale-winged Trumpeter

183. Pileated Frogfish

184. Polar Bear

185. Pygmy Rabbit

186. Patagonian Cavy

187. Pine Snake

188. Plains Zebra

189. Pygmy Lorikeet

190. Pronghorn Antelope

191. Pygmy Numbat

192. Plumed Parrotfish

193. Porpoise

194. Painted Turtle

195. Pompadour Cotinga

196. Peruvian Parrot

197. Philippine Tarsier

198. Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

199. Poison Dart Frog

200. Pygmy Treefrog

201. Pinnipeds

202. Praying Mantis

203. Pale Chinchilla

204. Pale-headed Rosella

205. Pygmy Weasel

206. Piranha

207. Puku Antelope

208. Pelican

209. Papuan Cuscus

210. Pygmy Spiny Mouse

211. Penguin

212. Pygmy Antelope

213. Pygmy Muskox

214. Port Jackson Shark

215. Patagonian Sea Lion

216. Purplish Copper Butterfly

217. Palm Civet

218. Panamanian White-faced Capuchin

219. Pouched Rat

220. Pond Turtle

221. Platypus

222. Paradoxurus

223. Pygmy Owl

224. Pastrana’s Giant Tortoise

225. Prairie Chicken

226. Pygmy Flying Squirrel

227. Pig-nosed Turtle

228. Pygmy Manatee

229. Plumeria Shrike

230. Pampas Deer

231. Pygmy Hippopotamus

232. Prickly Pear Cactus Rat

233. Prairie Rattlesnake

234. Pallid Sturgeon

235. Pygmy Kingfisher

236. Pygmy Seahorse

237. Pallas’s Fish Eagle

238. Philippine Tortoise

239. Pygmy Possum

240. Pygmy Parrot

Sea Animals that Start With P

241. Pygmy Seahorse

242. Pacific Octopus

243. Pompano

244. Parrotfish

245. Pygmy Sperm Whale

246. Pinfish

247. Pilchard

248. Prawn

249. Pacific Salmon

250. Pygmy Devil Ray

251. Porcupine Fish

252. Pale Chub

253. Pipefish

254. Prickly Shark

255. Pink Salmon

256. Pacific Oyster

257. Puffin

258. Plover

259. Pomfret

260. Pacific Whiting

261. Pinfish

262. Plankton

263. Platypus

264. Pacific Toadfish

265. Palawan Sea Cucumber

266. Pteropod

267. Puddlefish

268. Pink-footed Shearwater

269. Pygmy Oceanic Manta Ray

270. Pacific Sea Nettle

271. Prawn Goby

272. Piraiba Catfish

273. Porpoise

274. Plumed Basilisk

275. Pinta Tortoise

276. Pink Snail

277. Pygmy Squid

278. Pacific Sea Star

279. Peruvian Anchovy

280. Parrot Crayfish

281. Pacific Flyingfish

282. Pygmy Pipefish

283. Pacific Reef Shark

284. Pygmy Sea Turtle

285. Puddle Crab

286. Philippine Sea Snake

287. Pacific Green Sea Turtle

288. Panamic Black Marlin

289. Pale Chiton

290. Piddock

291. Pacific Bluefin Tuna

292. Polar Bear (occasionally in the sea)

293. Pink Streaked Wrasse

294. Pilchard Fish

295. Painted Lobster

296. Pacific Sanddab

297. Pomacanthus

298. Pufferfish

299. Perch

300. Penguin (sea-going species)

301. Porcupine Crab

The Bottom Line 

This extensive collection of animals that start with P reveals the incredible diversity in our natural world.

From the playful penguins of Antarctica to the peaceful parrots of tropical rainforests, each species has its own fascinating story of survival and adaptation.

As we’ve seen, these animals play vital roles in their ecosystems – some are apex predators maintaining population balance, while others are essential pollinators helping plants live.

Many of these species face conservation challenges that need our attention and action.