Mammal
Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. They use their long, dark tongues to pull leaves off thorny trees.
Lives in: Savanna
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter G
Animals That Start With G: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From tall giraffes to gentle gorillas, the letter G has some great animals to meet. Say the G sounds together, read a fun fact or two, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter G, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with G.
12animals
2sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter G Make?
The letter G can make two sounds. Most of the time it says the hard G in goat, and sometimes it says the soft G in giraffe. Tap any word to hear it.
Gg
Say it together
Kids usually learn the hard G first. When you spot a soft G word like giraffe, point out that it sounds like J.
/g/
Hard G
Push the back of your tongue up high, then let it go with a little “g, g, g” from your throat.
/j/
Soft G
This G sounds just like J, the way it does at the start of “giraffe”.
Feel your throatTouch your neck and feel it buzz when you say /g/.
Stretch tallStretch up like a giraffe every time you hear a G word.
Go on a huntFind three things at home that start with G.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter G
Here are G animals from farms, forests and faraway grasslands. Read each name out loud and listen for the hard or soft G. Every one of these animals with G has a short fact you can read aloud.
Mammal
Gorillas are the biggest apes on Earth. They build a fresh leafy nest to sleep in almost every night.
Lives in: RainforestsMammal
Goats are great climbers and love to stand on rocks and hills. Their pupils are shaped like little rectangles.
Lives in: FarmsBird
Geese often fly in a V shape when they travel far. A baby goose is called a gosling.
Lives in: LakesReptile
Many geckos can climb walls and even walk upside down on ceilings. Tiny hairs on their toes help them stick.
Lives in: RainforestsMammal
Giant pandas live in bamboo forests in the mountains of China. They spend about half of each day eating bamboo.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Guinea pigs first came from South America and are now popular pets. When they are happy, they hop straight up in the air, which people call popcorning.
Lives in: GrasslandsMammal
Gazelles are fast, graceful runners from Africa and Asia. Some bounce high in the air with stiff legs when they spot danger.
Lives in: SavannaInsect
Grasshoppers have strong back legs for big jumps. Some of them make music by rubbing their legs on their wings.
Lives in: GrasslandsFish
Goldfish first came from China long ago. With good care, a pet goldfish can live for more than 10 years.
Lives in: LakesFish
Great white sharks are some of the biggest hunting fish in the sea. When one of their teeth falls out, a new one moves up to take its place.
Lives in: OceanMammal
Wild gerbils live in dry, sandy places. They thump their back feet on the ground to warn their family about danger.
Lives in: DesertsAnimal names that start with G (G animals list): Giraffe, Gorilla, Goat, Goose, Gecko, Giant Panda, Guinea Pig, Gazelle, Grasshopper, Goldfish, Great White Shark, Gerbil.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With G? 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 G Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
Three easy pages: color the big letter G and the giraffe, trace the letter G, then find and circle the G animals. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet 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 GLowercase gTracing practiceFind the G animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With G: FAQ
Some easy ones for kids are giraffe, goat, gorilla, goose and goldfish. Fun extras include gecko, gazelle and gerbil.
Goat is a great first word. It is short, easy to picture and starts with the hard G sound.
Yes. Press the download button to get the PDF, then print as many copies as you need for home or class.
Start with the hard G, like a little “g, g, g” from the throat while you point to a goat. Save the soft G in giraffe for later and simply say it sounds like J.
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world. In the ocean, the gray whale is even bigger and heavier.
Grasshoppers and geckos are some of the smallest on our list. The tiniest geckos are small enough to curl up on a coin.
Goldfish, guinea pigs and gerbils are all popular pets. They are small, gentle and fun to watch.
Goats and geese live on many farms. A baby goat is called a kid and a baby goose is called a gosling.
The giraffe! Its tongue is long and dark, and some people think the color may help keep it from getting sunburned.
Move on to the letter H page, or print the alphabet flashcards to review G with a quick matching game.