60 Animals That Start With J for Kids

Let's journey through the alphabet and explore the animal kingdom, focusing on those animals that start with J letter across multiple continents. From jungles to oceans, countless species carry names that start with this intriguing letter.

In this playful and informative exploration, you're sure to learn about creatures of all shapes and sizes that share this alphabetical start. Some you may know, while others might surprise you!

See also: More Animals That Start With

Animals in Asia Starting with J

Japanese Macaque

• Description: A medium-sized primate with a brown-grey coat and a red face.
• Scientific Name: Macaca fuscata
• Group Called: Troop
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous, primarily fruits and seeds
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 30 years
• Interesting Facts: They are known for their ability to live in cold climates and enjoy bathing in hot springs.

Jungle Cat

• Description: A slender, large-ear feline with a tawny, grey or rosy-fur.
• Scientific Name: Felis chaus
• Group Called: Clowder
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - primarily small mammals and birds
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 12 years
• Interesting Facts: Despite their name, they mainly inhabit wetlands and grasslands, not jungles.

Java Sparrow

• Description: A small bird with gray upperparts and a pink belly.
• Scientific Name: Lonchura oryzivora
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Seeds, especially rice
• Lifespan and Aging: 5 to 10 years
• Interesting Facts: Considered a pest in some regions due to their taste for rice.

Javan Rhino

• Description: A rare, large rhinoceros with a single horn and armor-like skin folds.
• Scientific Name: Rhinoceros sondaicus
• Group Called: Crash
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivorous - leaves, shoots, fruits
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 40 years
• Interesting Facts: One of the rarest mammals on Earth, mainly found in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park.

Javanese Cat

• Description: A domestic breed with a long svelte body and a variety of coat colors.
• Scientific Name: Felis catus
• Group Called: Clowder
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - commonly commercial cat food
• Lifespan and Aging: 12-15 years
• Interesting Facts: Despite its name, this breed does not actually originate from Java.

Japanese Spiny Lobster

• Description: A marine crustacean with long, thick antennae and a spiny exoskeleton.
• Scientific Name: Panulirus japonicus
• Group Called: Risk
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - feeds on dead animals and plant material
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: Considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine.

Japanese Eel

• Description: A long, serpentine fish with small pectoral fins and a jaw extending behind the eye.
• Scientific Name: Anguilla japonica
• Group Called: Bed
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - fish, shrimp, and sometimes smaller eels
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 20 years
• Interesting Facts: Undertakes a long migration from freshwater rivers to the ocean to spawn.

Japanese Squirrel

• Description: A small tree squirrel with a bushy tail and chestnut fur.
• Scientific Name: Sciurus lis
• Group Called: Scurry
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - mostly nuts, seeds, and fruits
• Lifespan and Aging: 5 to 7 years
• Interesting Facts: Endemic to Japan and prefers broadleaf forests.

Jerdon's Baza

• Description: A medium-sized bird of prey with a striking black crest and barred underparts.
• Scientific Name: Aviceda jerdoni
• Group Called: Cast
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - small birds, reptiles, and insects
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Known for their slow, buoyant flight pattern.

Javan Frogmouth

• Description: A small, nocturnal bird with a wide mouth adapted for catching insects mid-air.
• Scientific Name: Batrachostomus javensis
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Named for their frog-like calls.

Animals in Africa Starting with J

Jackson's Chameleon

• Description: A medium-sized chameleon known for its three horn-like structures on its head.
• Scientific Name: Trioceros jacksonii
• Group Called: None
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 10 years
• Interesting Facts: Originally from East Africa but now also found in Hawaii.

Jewel Beetle

• Description: A brightly colored beetle with an iridescent exoskeleton.
• Scientific Name: Buprestidae
• Group Called: None
• Diet and Nutrition: Larvae feed on plant roots; adults feed on leaves.
• Lifespan and Aging: 1 to 3 years
• Interesting Facts: Known for their beautiful, often metallic colors.

Jackson's Hartebeest

• Description: A large antelope with a fawn-colored coat and sloping back.
• Scientific Name: Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni
• Group Called: Herd
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivorous - grasses
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: Named after Frederick John Jackson, a British explorer and administrator in East Africa.

Jumping Spider

• Description: A small spider known for its excellent jumping ability.
• Scientific Name: Salticidae
• Group Called: Cluster
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - insects
• Lifespan and Aging: 1 to 2 years
• Interesting Facts: They have keen vision and can leap up to 50 times their own body length.

Jerboa

• Description: A small, nocturnal rodent with long hind legs, used for jumping.
• Scientific Name: Jaculus
• Group Called: Horde
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - seeds and insects
• Lifespan and Aging: 2 to 3 years
• Interesting Facts: They rarely drink water, getting moisture from their food.

Joubert's Cisticola

• Description: A small, elusive bird with a distinctive call.
• Scientific Name: Cisticola jouberti
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Named after the South African naturalist George Joubert.

Jumla Cisticola

• Description: A small, brown bird with a streaked back and a whitish underbelly.
• Scientific Name: Cisticola jumla
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Prefers grassland habitats.

Javanese Cisticola

• Description: A tiny bird with brownish plumage and a distinctive song.
• Scientific Name: Cisticola marginatus
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Named after the island of Java, though found in various locations in Africa.

Johnston's Genet

• Description: A slender mammal with a long tail and spotted coat.
• Scientific Name: Genetta johnstoni
• Group Called: None
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - small mammals, insects, fruits
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Named after the British explorer and botanist, Harry Johnston.

Jameson's Red Rock Hare

• Description: A medium-sized hare with reddish fur and long ears.
• Scientific Name: Pronolagus randensis
• Group Called: Down
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivorous - grass and herbs
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 5 years
• Interesting Facts: Known for its ability to blend into the rocky environment.

Animals in North America Starting with J

Jackrabbit

• Description: A large hare with long ears and powerful hind legs.
• Scientific Name: Lepus
• Group Called: Leap
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivorous - grass, shrubs
• Lifespan and Aging: 5 to 6 years
• Interesting Facts: They can reach speeds up to 40 mph and leap more than 10 feet in a single bound.

Jaguar

• Description: A large and powerful feline known for its spotted coat.
• Scientific Name: Panthera onca
• Group Called: Prowl
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - mainly terrestrial mammals
• Lifespan and Aging: 12 to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: The third-largest big cat in the world, after the tiger and the lion.

Jaguarundi

• Description: A small, sleek wild cat with a long body and short legs.
• Scientific Name: Herpailurus yagouaroundi
• Group Called: Clowder
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - small mammals, birds, reptiles
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: They have a wide range of coat colors, from reddish-brown to grey.

June Beetle

• Description: A chunky beetle with a shiny, often green or brown exoskeleton.
• Scientific Name: Phyllophaga
• Group Called: Swarm
• Diet and Nutrition: Larvae - roots; adults - foliage
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 3 years
• Interesting Facts: Named because the adults are most commonly seen in June.

Jefferson Salamander

• Description: A slender salamander with long toes and a dark, silvery-grey color.
• Scientific Name: Ambystoma jeffersonianum
• Group Called: Congress
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - small invertebrates
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 30 years
• Interesting Facts: Named after Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.

Jojoba

• Description: Not an animal but a shrub known for its oil-rich seeds.
• Scientific Name: Simmondsia chinensis
• Group Called: Not applicable
• Diet and Nutrition: Not applicable
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live for up to 200 years
• Interesting Facts: The oil is often used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Joshua Tree

• Description: Again, not an animal, but a unique species of yucca that grows in the Mojave Desert.
• Scientific Name: Yucca brevifolia
• Group Called: Not applicable
• Diet and Nutrition: Not applicable
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live for hundreds of years
• Interesting Facts: Named by Mormon settlers who were reminded of the biblical figure Joshua.

Johnstone's Whistler

• Description: A small bird known for its melodious whistle.
• Scientific Name: Pachycephala johnstonei
• Group Called: Quire
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Found in North America, specifically in forested areas.

Junco

• Description: A small grayish American sparrow.
• Scientific Name: Junco
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - seeds and insects
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 7 years
• Interesting Facts: Known for their bright white tails, which they flash as they fly.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge's Feathered Inhabitants

• Description: Home to a diverse array of bird species, including the American avocet.
• Scientific Name: Various
• Group Called: Various
• Diet and Nutrition: Various
• Lifespan and Aging: Various
• Interesting Facts: A vital stopover for migratory birds.

Animals in South America Starting with J

Jaguar

• Description: A large and muscular cat with a beautiful, spotted coat.
• Scientific Name: Panthera onca
• Group Called: Prowl
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - including fish, reptiles, and mammals
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: They are excellent swimmers and often live near water.

Jabiru Stork

• Description: A tall wading bird with a white body and a distinctive black head.
• Scientific Name: Jabiru mycteria
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - fish, amphibians, and reptiles
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 36 years
• Interesting Facts: The tallest flying bird found in South and Central America.

Jesus Lizard

• Description: Known for its ability to run on the surface of water.
• Scientific Name: Basiliscus basiliscus
• Group Called: Lounge
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - insects, small animals, and fruits
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 7 years
• Interesting Facts: Their name comes from the biblical story of Jesus walking on water.

Jandaya Parakeet

• Description: A small, brightly colored bird native to Brazil.
• Scientific Name: Aratinga jandaya
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - seeds, fruits, and insects
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 30 years
• Interesting Facts: They are social and often found in groups.

Jaú Fish

• Description: A large freshwater fish found in the Amazon Basin.
• Scientific Name: Zungaro zungaro
• Group Called: School
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - fish and crustaceans
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: Considered one of the largest catfish in the world.

João-de-Barro

• Description: A bird known for building mud nests that resemble clay ovens.
• Scientific Name: Furnarius rufus
• Group Called: Flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - insects and plant material
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 15 years
• Interesting Facts: Also known as the Rufous Hornero, it is the national bird of Argentina.

Juliana's Golden Mole

• Description: A small, blind mammal with a golden-brown velvety fur.
• Scientific Name: Neamblysomus julianae
• Group Called: Solitary
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - insects and worms
• Lifespan and Aging: Unknown
• Interesting Facts: They spend most of their life underground.

Jaçanã

• Description: A tropical wader with long toes that help it walk on floating vegetation.
• Scientific Name: Jacana jacana
• Group Called: Fleet
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous - seeds, insects, and aquatic plants
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 10 years
• Interesting Facts: Known for their unique mating system where females mate with multiple males.

Jumping Cholla

• Description: Not actually an animal, but a type of cactus known for its segmented branches.
• Scientific Name: Cylindropuntia fulgida
• Group Called: Not applicable
• Diet and Nutrition: Not applicable
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live for over 100 years
• Interesting Facts: Named because the segments detach so easily, it appears as if the plant is "jumping".

Juruá Dolphin

• Description: A freshwater dolphin species found in the Amazon river.
• Scientific Name: Inia geoffrensis
• Group Called: Pod
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous - fish and crustaceans
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 30 years
• Interesting Facts: Known for their pink coloration.

Animals in Europe Starting with J

Jackal

• Description: A medium-sized member of the canine family, known for its cunning and adaptability.
• Scientific Name: Canis aureus
• Group Called: A pack
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous, feasting on small mammals, birds, and even fruits.
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 12 years in the wild.
• Interesting Facts: Jackals are often featured in folklore and mythology as symbols of trickery.

Jay

• Description: A colorful, noisy bird, common across Europe, known for its intelligence.
• Scientific Name: Garrulus glandarius
• Group Called: A band or party
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous, eating nuts, seeds, insects, and even small rodents.
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live up to 7 years.
• Interesting Facts: Jays are known for their ability to mimic the calls of other birds.

Jungle Cat

• Description: Despite its name, the jungle cat is more commonly found in wetlands and grasslands across Europe.
• Scientific Name: Felis chaus
• Group Called: Solitary or a pair
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous, preferring small mammals and birds.
• Lifespan and Aging: Around 12 to 15 years.
• Interesting Facts: They are excellent swimmers and can catch fish.

Juniper Shieldbug

• Description: A strikingly colored shieldbug found in areas where juniper bushes are present.
• Scientific Name: Cyphostethus tristriatus
• Group Called: An aggregation
• Diet and Nutrition: Feeds primarily on juniper and occasionally on cypress and pine.
• Lifespan and Aging: Completes its life cycle in a year.
• Interesting Facts: Their coloration is a form of camouflage against predators.

Jersey Cattle

• Description: A breed of small dairy cattle originating from Jersey in the Channel Islands.
• Scientific Name: Bos taurus
• Group Called: A herd
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivores, mainly consuming grass.
• Lifespan and Aging: Around 20 years.
• Interesting Facts: Known for their high-quality milk with a high butterfat content.

Jumping Spider

• Description: Small but agile spiders that catch their prey by jumping on them.
• Scientific Name: Salticidae
• Group Called: Solitary
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous, mainly insects and other spiders.
• Lifespan and Aging: Typically 1 to 2 years.
• Interesting Facts: They have excellent vision, with four large eyes out of eight.

John Dory

• Description: A fish known for its distinctive oval body shape and large, dark spot.
• Scientific Name: Zeus faber
• Group Called: A school
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous, feeding on fish and cephalopods.
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 10 years.
• Interesting Facts: The dark spot is thought to confuse predators into attacking the wrong part of the body.

Japanese Beetle

• Description: Although not native, this invasive species is found in parts of Europe, known for its metallic green and copper color.
• Scientific Name: Popillia japonica
• Group Called: A swarm
• Diet and Nutrition: Feeds on over 200 plant species.
• Lifespan and Aging: About one year.
• Interesting Facts: They can cause significant damage to crops and gardens.

Jer Falcon

• Description: A large and powerful bird of prey, known as the Gyrfalcon.
• Scientific Name: Falco rusticolus
• Group Called: A cast
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous, primarily feeds on birds and some small mammals.
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 20 years.
• Interesting Facts: It's the largest of the falcon species.

Jellyfish

• Description: Marine creatures known for their gelatinous bodies and stinging tentacles.
• Scientific Name: Scyphozoa
• Group Called: A bloom or smack
• Diet and Nutrition: Mostly small fish and plankton.
• Lifespan and Aging: Varies greatly among species.
• Interesting Facts: Some jellyfish are immortal, capable of reverting back to their juvenile form after reaching maturity.

Animals in Oceania Starting with J

Jabiru

• Description: The largest stork found in the Americas, notable for its height and distinctive black head.
• Scientific Name: Jabiru mycteria
• Group Called: A flock
• Diet and Nutrition: Carnivorous, eating fish, amphibians, and insects.
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live more than 20 years.
• Interesting Facts: The jabiru's nest can be over 2 meters wide.

Japanese Macaque

• Description: A type of monkey known for its ability to live in cold climates and enjoy hot springs.
• Scientific Name: Macaca fuscata
• Group Called: A troop
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous, with a diet including fruits, leaves, and small animals.
• Lifespan and Aging: Up to 30 years.
• Interesting Facts: Also known as the snow monkey, it is the most northern-living non-human primate.

Javan Rusa Deer

• Description: A species of deer native to Indonesia but introduced to various Pacific Islands.
• Scientific Name: Rusa timorensis
• Group Called: A herd
• Diet and Nutrition: Herbivorous, mainly grazing on grass.
• Lifespan and Aging: About 20 years.
• Interesting Facts: These deer are mostly nocturnal.

Jelly Blubber

• Description: A type of jellyfish common in the marine waters around Australia.
• Scientific Name: Catostylus mosaicus
• Group Called: A bloom
• Diet and Nutrition: Feeds on small fish and zooplankton.
• Lifespan and Aging: Lifespan varies; some may live for several months.
• Interesting Facts: Its color can vary from white to blue, depending on its diet.

Julian's Golden Mole

• Description: Despite its name, this creature is native to Africa and noted for its burrowing lifestyle.
• Scientific Name: Neamblysomus julianae
• Group Called: Solitary
• Diet and Nutrition: Insectivorous, mainly feeding on small insects and larvae.
• Lifespan and Aging: Information is scarce due to their hidden nature.
• Interesting Facts: They are virtually blind and rely on their other senses to navigate.

Jumping Ant

• Description: A species of ant known for its ability to leap when hunting or evading predators.
• Scientific Name: Myrmecia nigrocincta
• Group Called: A colony
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous; it eats nectar and small insects.
• Lifespan and Aging: Workers live about a year; queens can live over a decade.
• Interesting Facts: They have incredibly powerful jaws and a painful sting.

Jacky Winter

• Description: A small, insectivorous bird found in Australia, known for its distinctive call.
• Scientific Name: Microeca fascinans
• Group Called: Solitary or a pair
• Diet and Nutrition: Primarily insects.
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live up to 5 years in the wild.
• Interesting Facts: Its call sounds like it's saying "Peter-Peter".

Joey

• Description: A baby kangaroo, known for its developmental journey in its mother's pouch.
• Scientific Name: Macropodidae (group)
• Group Called: A mob
• Diet and Nutrition: Depends on species; initially milk, then grass and leaves.
• Lifespan and Aging: Varies by species; kangaroos can live up to 20 years.
• Interesting Facts: Joeys continue to return to the pouch for milk up to 8 months after birth.

Jumping Mouse

• Description: Native to Australia, this mouse is noted for its long tail and powerful hind legs, enabling it to leap long distances.
• Scientific Name: Notomys alexis
• Group Called: Solitary
• Diet and Nutrition: Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruits, and insects.
• Lifespan and Aging: Approximately 2 years.
• Interesting Facts: They can jump up to 3 meters in a single leap to escape predators.

Jewel Beetle

• Description: Known for their vivid, metallic colors, these beetles are a sight to behold in Oceania's landscapes.
• Scientific Name: Buprestidae
• Group Called: A dazzle
• Diet and Nutrition: Larvae feed on plant material, while adults eat leaves and flowers.
• Lifespan and Aging: Can live up to several years, depending on the species.
• Interesting Facts: The "jewel" in their name comes from their brilliantly colored bodies.

Final Thoughts on Animals that Start with J

We hope you have learned something new and interesting about the diverse animal kingdom beginning with the letter J. These animals, from the swift jackal of Europe's forests to the jumping ant of Oceania's plains, showcase nature's vast creativity and adaptability.

Exploring the world through the lens of animals whose names start with a specific letter, such as J, reveals the interconnectedness of ecosystems and species across continents. It's a wonderful reminder of our planet's rich biodiversity and the importance of protecting it for future generations to discover and enjoy.