Mammal
Dogs have a super strong sense of smell, much better than ours. Every dog’s nose print is different, just like a fingerprint.
Lives in: Everywhere
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter D
Animals That Start With D: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From playful dogs to splashing dolphins, the letter D has lots of delightful animals. Say the D sound together, read a fun fact, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter D, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with D.
12animals
1sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter D Make?
The letter D makes one sound, a short tap of the tongue. Kids often learn it fast because it sounds like a drum. Tap any word to hear it.
Dd
Say it together
Tap the tip of your tongue just behind your top teeth and say /d/. Drum on the table while you say the D words on the right.
/d/
The D sound
Touch your tongue behind your top teeth and let it drop with a quick “d, d, d” like a drum.
Play the drumsTap a pot with a spoon and say /d/ each time.
Duck walkWaddle like a duck while you name D words.
Dig for DHide small toys in a bin and dig out the D ones.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter D
Some of these D animals are old friends and some might be brand new. Read the names out loud and drum along with the D sound. Every one of these animals with D has a short fact you can read aloud.
Bird
Ducks have waterproof feathers that keep them dry. Their webbed feet work like paddles when they swim.
Lives in: LakesMammal
Dolphins are mammals, so they swim up to the surface to breathe air. They talk to each other with clicks and whistles.
Lives in: OceanMammal
In most kinds of deer, only the males grow antlers. The antlers fall off and grow back every year.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Donkeys are strong and can carry heavy loads. Their loud call is called a bray and sounds like “hee-haw”.
Lives in: FarmsInsect
Dragonflies can fly forward, backward and even hover in one spot. Their huge eyes help them see almost all the way around.
Lives in: WetlandsMammal
Dingoes are wild dogs that live in Australia. They howl to call to each other, but they rarely bark.
Lives in: GrasslandsBird
Doves make a soft cooing sound. They are close cousins of pigeons.
Lives in: GardensMammal
Dormice sleep through the cold winter months. They curl up into a tight ball in a cozy nest.
Lives in: ForestsInsect
Dung beetles roll animal poop into balls. Some can roll a ball much heavier than themselves.
Lives in: GrasslandsMammal
Dugongs are gentle sea mammals that munch on seagrass. They are close cousins of manatees.
Lives in: OceanMammal
The dik-dik is one of the smallest antelopes in Africa. Its name comes from the whistling sound it makes when it is scared.
Lives in: SavannaAnimal names that start with D (D animals list): Dog, Duck, Dolphin, Deer, Donkey, Dragonfly, Dingo, Dove, Dormouse, Dung Beetle, Dugong, Dik-dik.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With D? Quick Quiz
A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.
Question 1
Score: 0
Free download
Free printable
Letter D Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
The free letter D printable has three pages: color a big D and a happy dog, trace the letter D, then find and circle the D animals. Print a stack for class or one for the kitchen table.
1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase DLowercase dTracing practiceFind the D animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With D: FAQ
Easy ones for kids are dog, duck, dolphin, deer and donkey. Fun extras include dragonfly, dingo, dugong and dik-dik.
Dog and duck are great first words. Most kids already know them and love to make their sounds.
Yes. Press the download button to get the PDF, then print as many copies as you need for home or school.
Show your child how to tap their tongue behind their top teeth to say /d/. Then drum on a table and say the sound with every tap.
Dolphins and dugongs are two of the biggest D animals. A big one can be longer than a grown-up lying down.
Dung beetles and dragonflies are tiny next to a dog. The dormouse is a small mammal that can sit in your hand.
Dolphins and dugongs both live in the ocean. Dolphins eat fish, while dugongs munch on seagrass.
Donkeys and ducks are found on many farms. Lots of farms keep a dog to help herd the sheep too.
The dung beetle! It rolls dung into a ball and pushes it along, sometimes using the stars to find its way.
Move on to the letter E page, or print the alphabet flashcards for a quick review game.