From slithering snakes to slippery salamanders, our huge list of Animals that Start with S facts is sure to surprise you! Find your new favorite animal that begins with the Letter S and learn super cool facts about your favorites. Maybe you will even discover some new animals that begin with the letter S that you have not heard of before.
Find more fun animals by searching our animals that start with K and our animals that start with J lists as well!
Common Animals that Start with S
There are so many well known animals that start with S. Check out this list with some fun facts about each animal. Is your favorite anaimal on this list?
Salamander
Have you ever broken a bone? Your body repairs itself by growing the bone back together. Salamanders take this ability to the next level using regeneration! If their tails fall off, they can regrow them! Salamanders use this skill to their advantage when trying to get away from danger. They will sacrifice their tails by dropping them in front of a predator. The predator is so distracted by the wagging tail that they don’t notice the salamander escaping!
Swan
Swans are considered the symbol of beauty. While they may start out as awkward cygnets, or baby swans, they develop into graceful white and black birds by the time they’re about six months old. These exquisite birds are selective when looking for their mates. They only mate once and stay with their partner for life! Some swans can take years to find their true love!
Stingray
Stingrays look like big, floating blankets swimming through the ocean. Their flexibility is because they don’t have a single bone in their bodies! They get their shape from cartilage instead. You know how your ears are bendy? They’re made out of cartilage too! The next time you’re washing your ear in the shower, think of stingrays! That’s pretty close to what they feel like, slippery and flexible!
Sea Lion
You may wonder if a sea lion is a fish or a mammal? It’s a mammal! Although it can live in the ocean, sea lions need to breathe air, just like other mammals. They can hold their breath for a really long time though! When they’re underwater, they can hold their breath for 20 minutes! Sea lions have the ability to close their nostrils when they’re swimming. This prevents water from going up their nose and helps them hold their breath. I wish I could do that!
Seahorse
In a seahorse family, the male seahorse is the one who carries the eggs until they are ready to hatch! The male seahorse has a pouch like a koala (or other marsupial) where the eggs stay safe until they’re ready to go on their own. Once the baby seahorses are born, they group together to keep each other safe. They’re very tiny, only about the size of a skittle! By staying together, they have a better chance of hiding from predators and finding food to eat.
Shark
Poor sharks. They’re often misunderstood by humans. Unlike what most people think, sharks try to stay away from people! When shark attacks do happen, it’s usually an accident! They are very curious and use their mouths to see what is swimming in front of them. Sharks have amazing senses, but most have never seen a person before. Can you blame them for being curious?
Sheep
Sheep are incredibly smart! They can recognize faces and tackle difficult problems. Sheep often encourage each other to keep going when faced with hard times. Sheep care about being healthy too. If they are sick or don’t feel well, they will search for specific plants to help them feel better. They use their excellent sense of smell to find the plants. What’s even cooler is that they teach younger sheep how to forage for plants too!
Seal
Seals are often mistaken for sea lions. While they do have some similarities, such as being marine mammals, they’re very different too! Seals can hold their breath for much longer than sea lions…almost two hours! That’s long enough to watch your favorite Disney movie! Seals stay warm using blubber. Blubber is a thick layer of fat under the seal’s skin. In colder climates, the seals will have a thicker layer of blubber to ensure it stays nice and toasty!
Shrimp
Shrimp are tiny crustaceans found in the ocean. Many people love to eat shrimp! Historians think that people have been eating shrimp for thousands of years! Some shrimp are very good at cleaning. They will pick tiny parasites and garbage off of other fish. Shrimp are very important to a healthy coral reef because they keep parasites away.
Skunk
Every animal has defense mechanisms to keep it safe from predators. When you think of skunks, you probably think of its smelly spray! That’s actually the skunk’s last resort to keeping it safe. Did you know that its black and white stripes are designed to make it look scary to other animals? If that doesn’t work, then the skunk will hiss and stomp its legs to try to warn others to stay away. If all else fails, you know what happens. It locks and loads its tail and prepares to spray! The potent mist can last up to a year if not cleaned properly! Hopefully, you never come close enough to find out what it is like to be sprayed by a skunk!
Sloth
Sloths move so slowly that algae can grow on its fur! The sloth doesn’t mind though. The algae camouflages the sloth from predators, like jaguars. Sloths move the quickest when they’re in trees. They sluggishly creep around and move about 10 feet in a minute. On the ground, the fastest they can move is 6.5 feet per minute! Can you imagine moving that slowly all the time?
Snake
When snakes stick their tongues out, it looks like they’re licking the air. That’s because they use their tongue to help smell the different scents in the air! Another cool fact about snakes is that they use their jaws to help them hear! Instead of hearing with ears (which they don’t have!), they pick up sound vibrations from the ground. If you have ever put your ear against a closed door to hear better, you picked up sound vibrations too!
Snail
Snails, or what the French call “escargot.” are small invertebrate animals who carry their shells wherever they go! Having a mobile home is extremely convenient for a snail, who can hide at the first sign of danger! There are two different kinds of snails: land snails and sea snails. Land snails are what most people think of when they think of snails. They live in moist areas and love finding safe places to rest on green plants. Sea snails, on the other hand, live in saltwater. They have gills to help them breathe, just like fish! They eat algae and other sea plants.
Spider
Even though all spiders have spinnerets and can make silk, not all spiders will use their silk to spin a web. For those that do, it takes about 60 minutes to create their web. Each web is unique, just like a person’s fingerprint! There are some spiders that will eat their web before moving on to a new spot. Some will even spin a new web every day!
Squid
Squids are a part of the cephalopod family, which has been around since the time of the dinosaurs! Squids have a unique defense mechanism. When frightened, they will squirt ink. This ink forms a dark cloud, allowing the squid to swim away to safety. It’s like a cool underwater magic trick!
Squirrel
Squirrels will bury nuts and acorns to keep them safe. In order to keep other animals away from their buried treasure, squirrels will dig holes and pretend to bury nuts in them. They think that this will trick any thieves who may be watching them! Squirrels know that it might be harder for them to find food in the winter, so they will bulk up and try to gain weight before the cold weather hits. Like humans, winter is sweater weather to squirrels!
Starfish
Did you know that starfish don’t have brains? It’s true! Instead of having a central nervous system, like the brain, to direct their movements, they have one that is spread through each of their arms. This nervous system is called the “nerve ring” and uses basic senses to protect itself from danger and search for food.
Zoo Animals that Begin with S
Prepare for a sensational adventure to the zoo by searching for these animals that begin with S on your next zoo trip!
- Saanen Goat
- Sacred Ibis
- Saki Monkey
- Saltwater Crocodile
- Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko
- Scarlet Macaw
- Savannah Monitor
- Scimitar-Horned Oryx
- Sea Anemone
- Sea Eagle
- Sea Otter
- Sea Snake
- Sea Turtle
- Serval
- Siberian Tiger
- Sidewinder
- Sika Deer
- Skink Lizard
- Snow Leopard
- Snow Monkey
- Sloth Bear
- Spectacled Bear
- Snapping Turtle
- Spider Monkey
- Spotted Hyena
- Striped Hyena
- Sumatran Orangutan
- Sumatran Tiger
- Sun Bear
Uncommon Animals that Begin with S
The animal kingdom is filled with animals that begin with S. Here are some of the less common animals that begin with S. Did we miss any? Let us know below, so we can add them to our list!
- Saarloos Wolfdog
- Sabah Damsel
- Saber-Toothed Tiger
- Sable
- Sable Black German Shepherd
- Sable Ferret
- Saddleback Caterpillar
- Sage Grouse
- Sage hen
- Saiga Antelope
- Sailfin Tang
- Sailfish
- Saint Berdoodle
- Saint Bernard
- Saint Shepherd
- Sally Lightfoot Crab
- Salmon
- Salmon Shark
- Saluki
- Sambar
- Samoyed
- San Francisco Garter Snake
- Sand Cat
- Sand Crab
- Sand Dollar
- Sand Lizard
- Sand Tiger Shark
- Sand Viper
- Sanderling
- Sandgrouse
- Sandhill Crane
- Sandpiper
- Sandworm
- Saola
- Sapsali
- Sarcosuchus
- Sardines
- Sarkastodon
- Sarplaninac
- Sarus Crane
- Saturniidae Moth
- Sauropoda
- Savanna fox
- Savanna Goat
- Savannah Sparrow
- Savu Python
- Saw-scaled Viper
- Sawfish
- Scale-Crested Pygmy Tyrant
- Scaleless Ball Python
- Scallops
- Scarab Beetle
- Scarlet Ibis
- Scarlet Kingsnake
- Scarlet Tanager
- Schapendoes
- Schipperke
- Schnauzer
- Schneagle
- Schnoodle
- Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher
- Sco-Shi
- Scorpion
- Scorpion Fish
- Scotch Collie
- Scottish Deerhound
- Scottish Fold Cat
- Scottish Terrier
- Screech Owl
- Scrotum Frog
- Sculpin
- Scutosaurus
- Scutulatus
- Sea Bass
- Sea Cucumber
- Sea Dragon
- Sea Roach
- Sea Slug
- Sea Spider
- Sea Squirt
- Sea Trout
- Sea Urchin
- Seagull
- Sealyham Terrier
- Seastar
- Secretary Bird
- Sedge Warbler
- Sehuencas Water Frog
- Sei Whale
- Senegal Parrot
- Senepol Cattle
- Sequined Spider
- Seymouria
- Shaggy Bat
- Shantungosaurus
- Sharp-Shinned Hawk
- Sharp-tailed Snake
- Shastasaurus
- Shearwater
- Sheepadoodle
- Sheepshead Fish
- Shelduck
- Shepadoodle
- Shepkita
- Shepweiler
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Shiba Inu
- Shichi
- Shih Poo
- Shih Tzu
- Shikoku
- Shiloh Shepherd
- Shinned Hawk
- Shiranian
- Shoebill Stork
- Shollie
- Short-eared Dog
- Short-Eared Owl
- Short-Faced Bear
- Short-tailed Albatross
- Short-tailed Chinchilla
- Shortfin Mako Shark
- Shrew
- Shrike
- Siamang
- Siamese Fighting Fish
- Siberian Cat
- Siberian Husky
- Siberian Ibex
- Siberian Retriever
- Siberpoo
- Sichuan Takin (Tibetan Takin)
- Silken Windhound
- Silkie Chicken
- Silky Shark
- Silky Terrier
- Silver Dollar
- Silver Haired Bat
- Silver Labrador
- Simbakubwa
- Sinosauropteryx
- Sivatherium
- Six-Eyed Sand Spiders
- Sixgill Shark
- Skate Fish
- Skeleton Tarantula
- Skimmer
- Skipjack Tuna
- Skipper Butterfly
- Skua
- Skye Terrier
- Skylark
- Sleeper Shark
- Slender Loris
- Slovak Cuvac
- Slow Loris
- Slow Worm
- Slug
- Smallmouth Bass
- Smilosuchus
- Smokybrown Cockroach
- Smooth Earth Snake
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Smooth Green Snake
- Smooth Hammerhead Shark
- Smooth Newt
- Smooth Snake
- Snailfish
- Snares Penguin
- Snipe
- Snook Fish
- Snorkie
- Snouted Cobra
- Snow Bunting
- Snow Crab
- Snowberry Clearwing Moth
- Snowflake Eel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Snowy Egret
- Snowy Owl
- Sockeye Salmon
- Softshell Turtle
- Soldier Beetle
- Song Sparrow
- Song Thrush
- Sora
- South China Tiger
- Southeastern Blueberry Bee
- Southeastern Five-Lined
- Southern Black Racer
- Southern Cassowary
- Southern Elephant Seal
- Southern Flannel Moth
- Southern Flying
- Southern Hognose Snake
- Southern House Spider
- Southern Leopard Frogs
- Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
- Southern Tamandua
- Spadefoot Toad
- Spanador
- Spanish Goat
- Spanish Mackerel
- Spanish Mastiff
- Spanish Water Dog
- Sparrow
- Sparrowhawk
- Speckled Kingsnake
- Speckled Trout
- Sperm Whale
- Sphynx
- Spicebush
- Spider Ball Python
- Spider Beetle
- Spider Wasp
- Spider-Tailed Horned Viper
- Spinner Dolphin
- Spinner Shark
- Spinone Italiano
- Spinosaurus
- Spiny bush viper
- Spiny Dogfish
- Spiny Hill Turtle
- Spiny Lobster
- Spitting Cobra
- Spix’s Macaw
- Sponge
- Spongy Moth
- Spoonbill
- Spotted Bass
- Spotted Bat
- Spotted Beetle
- Spotted Eagle Ray
- Spotted Gar
- Spotted Garden Eel
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Spotted Python
- Spotted Skunk
- Spotted Turtle
- Spring Peepers
- Springador
- Springbok
- Springerdoodle
- Springhare
- Squash Bee
- Squash Beetle
- Squirrel Glider
- Squirrel Monkey
- Squirrelfish
- Sri Lankan Elephant
- Stabyhoun
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Stag Beetle
- Standard Schnauzer
- Star-nosed mole
- Stargazer Fish
- Starling
- Steelhead Salmon
- Steller’s Sea Cow
- Steller’s Sea Eagle
- Stick Insect
- Stiletto Snake
- Stink Bug
- Stinkpot Turtle
- Stoat
- Stone Crab
- Stone Curlew
- Stonechat
- Stonefish
- Stork
- Stoplight Loosejaw
- Strawberry Hermit Crab
- Striped Bass
- Striped Marlin
- Striped Rocket Frog
- Stromatolite
- Stupendemys
- Sturgeon
- Styracosaurus
- Suchomimus
- Sucker Fish
- Sugar Glider
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Sumatran Elephant
- Sumatran Rhinoceros
- Summer Tanager
- Sunbeam Snake
- Sunbird
- Sunfish
- Sunset Ball Python
- Super Pastel Ball Python
- Supersaurus
- Superworm
- Surgeonfish
- Sussex Chicken
- Swai Fish
- Swainson’s Hawk
- Swallow
- Swallow-tailed Kite
- Swallowtail
- Swallowtail Butterfly
- Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Swamphen
- Swedish Elkhound
- Swedish Lapphund
- Swedish Vallhund
- Swift
- Swordfish
- Syrian Hamster
There you have it! A huge list of animals that begin with S to learn and to have fun exploring with the kids.
Did we forget an animal? Be sure to add any other animals that begin with S in the comments so we can add it to the list!
Do you want to learn about other interesting animals? Be sure to check out our other lists of animals!
- Awesome Animals that Start with A
- 230 Curious Animals That Start With C
- 115 Exciting Animals That Start With E
- 184 Intriguing Animals that Start with G
- 128 Fascinating Animals That Begin with J
- 187 Amazing Animals that Begin with K
- 249 Interesting Animals That Begin with L
- 163 Marvelous Animals that Start with M
- 373 Spectacular Animals that Start with S
- 155 Terrific Animals that Start with T
- 98 Wonderful Animals that Start with W
- 24 X-cellent Animals That Start With X
- 32 Fantastic Animals That Start With Y
Michele Tripple is a renowned author and expert in the fields of parenting, relationships, and personal development. With her degree in marriage and family studies, her experience as a Family Life Educator, and over a decade of experience as a professional writer, Michele has authored books that provide practical advice and insights into improving family dynamics and personal growth. Her work is celebrated for its blend of research-driven information and relatable, real-world applications. Michele has been a keynote speaker at conferences and has contributed to numerous publications and media outlets, solidifying her reputation as an authoritative voice in her field and helping families build relationships.