Discover 175+ Animals in Spanish: From A-Z

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Vocabulary is one of the most important components of language learning. There are more than 93,000 Spanish words in the Diccionario de la lengua española (Dictionary of the Spanish Language), so where do you begin?  Learning basic animals in Spanish is a fun and accessible way to start building a strong foundation of vocabulary words.

As you backpack through the Galapagos Islands or cruise the Amazon River, you’ll want to engage in conversations about the wildlife you see. Learning Spanish opens the door to authentic experiences wherever your travels take you. 

How do you say “animal” in Spanish? 

Want to know how to learn Spanish quickly? Learning cognates is the best place to start. “Animal” in Spanish is animal (pronounced “ah-nee-mahl”), a perfect example of a Spanish cognate. These similar-looking words can help native English speakers learn Spanish faster, as many share a common root. Elefante (elephant), camello (camel), and tigre (tiger) are other examples. 

Names of mascotas (pets) in Spanish

Pets can be great conversation starters. Whether you’re a proud pet owner or simply an animal lover, familiarizing yourself with the names of pets in Spanish can lead to meaningful conversations. 

Pronunciation is an essential component of language learning, so it’s best practice saying the names of pets in Spanish out loud using the pronunciation guide provided. Rosetta Stone’s Tru Accent speech recognition engine can help perfect your Spanish pronunciation, giving you real-time feedback on every word you say.

How to talk about your pets in Spanish

The verb tener (to have) is fundamental for navigating conversations about pets in Spanish. Knowing how to conjugate this common Spanish verb allows you to ask about the types of pets someone has and share details about your furry, feathered, and scaly friends.

Here are some example conversations about pets:

• ¿Cuántas mascotas tienes? = How many pets do you have? 
• Tengo dos: un gato y un loro. = I have two: a cat and a parrot.
• ¿Tienes mascotas? = Do you have any pets?
• Sí, tengo un cachorro. = Yes, I have a puppy. 

Animales de la granja (farm animals) in Spanish: names and sounds

Farm animals are an integral part of rural communities throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In the following tables, you’ll discover the most common farm animals in Spanish and the sounds they make!

Did you know that many farm animals play a role in Spanish idioms? Idioms add a vibrant layer to language learning, and knowing them will help you sound more like a local. For example, acostarse con las gallinas translates literally as “to go to bed with the chickens,” but its actual meaning is “to go to bed early.”

A guide to farm animal sounds in Spanish

Animals in Spanish-speaking countries don’t make different sounds; however, Spanish speakers may interpret the sounds differently. For example, a dog barking in English is “woof” while in Spanish it’s guau. Onomatopoeia provides a memorable way to explore the sounds of the Spanish language and strengthen your pronunciation skills.

List of animales del zoológico (zoo animals) in Spanish

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, and your exchange family has invited you to visit the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. Before you marvel at the majestic leones (lions) or say “hi” to a puercoespín (porcupine), you’ll want to know the names of (zoo animals) in Spanish.

Plurals in Spanish

Just as some animals travel alone while others travel in herds, flocks, and schools, Spanish animal names come in singular and plural forms. Mastering plurals will empower you to discuss the zoo’s residents with ease.

The good news is that Spanish plurals generally follow a predictable pattern. For the most part, if the singular noun ends in a vowel, you simply need to add “-s” to the end to make it plural. Note that there are exceptions to this.

Here are some examples:

However, for the Spanish animals that end in a consonant, you’ll need to add “-es” to make them plural.

Animales del bosque (forest animals) in Spanish

The forest is a good habitat for different types of animals. Meet the animals that creep, lumber, and soar through the woodlands.

How to describe animals in Spanish using ser (to be)

Equipped with the knowledge of singular and plural nouns, you’re ready to start describing animals using the verb ser in combination with common adjectives.

In Spanish, adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in gender (masculine / feminine) and number (singular / plural).

See how to describe a few woodland creatures in Spanish using ser: 

• El murciélago es negro. = The bat is black. 
• La salamandra es roja. = The salamander is red. 
• Los mapaches son agresivos. = Raccoons are aggressive. 
• Las ardillas son pequeñas. = Squirrels are small. 

Exploring animales de la sabana (savanna animals) in Spanish

The zoo familiarized you with many iconic savanna inhabitants—cebras rayadas (striped zebras), jirafas altísimas (towering giraffes), and antílopes saltantes (leaping antelope).

Now you can expand on your savanna vocabulary to describe your future safari experiences.

Did you notice the short diagonal lines that appear over some of the vowels in Spanish? Spanish accent marks directly affect the pronunciation of animal names in Spanish. Whenever you see an accent mark, you need to add emphasis to the vowel when pronouncing it.

You may have also noticed a squiggly line above the letter n (ñ). That is, in fact, a letter of the Spanish alphabet. Its sound is similar to the “ny” sound in “canyon.”

How to describe what an animal is doing with estar (to be)

You’ve packed your binoculars, camera, and hat, but there should be one more essential tool in your safari kit: the Spanish verb estar. This versatile verb is used to say things like “the gazelle is jumping” or “the emu is eating.”

Take a look at some examples:

• El babuino está comiendo bayas. = The baboon is eating berries. 
• Las gacelas están corriendo para evitar que se las coma el león. = The gazelles are running to avoid being eaten by the lion. 

Names of animales marinos (marine animals) in Spanish

From whale watching in Mexico to swimming with sea turtles in Costa Rica, Spanish-speaking countries are some of the best places in the world to see marine life. Learning these marine animals in Spanish will allow you to fully immerse yourself in these unforgettable experiences.

Names of animales del desierto (desert animals) in Spanish

Did you know that the Atacama Desert, located in Chile, reigns as one of the driest coastal deserts on Earth? Learning desert animals in Spanish can open up conversations about the creatures that inhabit the world’s most arid ecosystems.

Common insectos (insects) in Spanish

Traveling to Spanish-speaking countries often means encountering fascinating insects, even if the creepy, crawly guests are unwelcome. Look at some insect names in Spanish so that next time you encounter una abeja zumbando (a buzzing bee) or un grillo chirriante (a chirping cricket), you’ll be ready to talk about it!

Animals of the Spanish-speaking world

If you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, knowledge of the local fauna is essential. The Amazon alone, which covers territory across five Spanish-speaking countries, houses at least 10 percent of the world’s known biodiversity. 

Learn more about animals in Spanish with Rosetta Stone 

Learning the names of animals in Spanish is not only fun but also a great way to connect with Spanish speakers who share a love of animals. It’s also a useful skill for traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, empowering you to navigate zoos, parks, and exciting wildlife encounters. 

Animal names in Spanish are just the first step in your language journey—they’re a gateway to exploring diverse habitats, colors, verbs, foods, and more. Live Lessons from Rosetta Stone provide an easy way to build on your knowledge of animal vocabulary in Spanish, strengthening it with context and connections. Real-time instruction with native speakers keeps you engaged, sharpens your pronunciation, and opens doors to the rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.