Mammal
Elephants are the biggest animals that live on land. They use their trunks to smell, drink, grab food and even say hello.
Lives in: Savanna
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter E
Animals That Start With E: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From giant elephants to tall, speedy emus, the letter E has some extra special animals. Say both E sounds together, read a fun fact, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter E, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with E.
12animals
2sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter E Make?
The letter E is a vowel, so it can make two sounds. Kids usually learn the short E in egg first, then the long E that says its own name. Tap any word to hear it.
Ee
Say it together
Short E sounds like a little “eh”, and long E says “ee” just like its name. Try both with the words on the right.
/e/
Short E
Open your mouth a little, smile a tiny bit and say “eh, eh, eh”.
/ē/
Long E
Smile wide and say “ee”, the same as the name of the letter.
Egg huntHide plastic eggs and say /e/ when you find one.
Elephant trunkSwing your arm like a trunk and say E words.
Big smileSmile wide for long E and small for short E.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter E
These E animals come from all over the world, from icy Antarctica to the African savanna. Read the names and listen for the short and long E sounds. Every one of these animals with E has a short fact you can read aloud.
Bird
Eagles have amazing eyesight and can spot food from very far away. They build huge nests high in trees or on cliffs.
Lives in: MountainsFish
Eels have long, slippery bodies like snakes, but they are fish. Some eels live in rivers and travel all the way to the sea to lay eggs.
Lives in: Rivers & swampsBird
The emu is a very tall bird from Australia that cannot fly. It runs fast on its long, strong legs.
Lives in: GrasslandsMammal
Echidnas are spiny mammals that lay eggs. They slurp up ants and termites with a long, sticky tongue.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Male elk grow big antlers every year. In the fall they make a loud, high call called a bugle.
Lives in: MountainsBird
Emperor penguins are the biggest penguins in the world. The dads keep the egg warm on their feet all winter long.
Lives in: AntarcticaBird
Egrets are tall white birds with long legs for wading. They stand very still, then quickly grab fish with their sharp beaks.
Lives in: WetlandsMammal
Male elephant seals have a big, floppy nose that looks a bit like a short trunk. They can swim very deep in the ocean to find food.
Lives in: OceanMammal
In snowy places, the ermine’s brown coat turns white in winter. Only the tip of its tail stays black.
Lives in: ForestsInsect
Earwigs have two little pincers at the end of their bodies. They like to hide in dark, damp spots in the garden.
Lives in: GardensMammal
The eland is the biggest antelope in the world. Even though it is so large, it can jump surprisingly high.
Lives in: SavannaAnimal names that start with E (E animals list): Elephant, Eagle, Eel, Emu, Echidna, Elk, Emperor Penguin, Egret, Elephant Seal, Ermine, Earwig, Eland.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With E? 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 E Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
The free letter E printable has three pages: color a big E and a friendly elephant, trace the letter E, then find and circle the E animals. Print it for circle time or a cozy afternoon at home.
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 ELowercase eTracing practiceFind the E animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With E: FAQ
Easy ones for kids are elephant, eagle, eel, emu and elk. Fun extras include echidna, egret, ermine and the emperor penguin.
Elephant is the favorite, and kids love to copy its trunk. Eel and emu are short and easy to say too.
Yes. Press the download button to get the PDF, then print as many copies as you need.
Start with short E as in egg and elephant, saying “eh” with a small smile. Then show how long E says its own name in eagle and eel.
The African elephant is the biggest land animal in the world. A big male can weigh as much as several cars.
The earwig is one of the smallest. Most earwigs are shorter than a paper clip.
Elephant seals and many kinds of eels live in the ocean. Emperor penguins also swim in the icy sea to catch fish.
The echidna! It is one of the only mammals in the world that lays eggs.
The emu cannot fly, and neither can the emperor penguin. The emu runs fast instead, and the penguin is a great swimmer.
Move on to the letter F page, or print the alphabet flashcards and review all the vowels you know so far.