Reptile
Green iguanas can grow to about 5 feet long, and much of that is tail. They often live in trees near water and are strong swimmers.
Lives in: Rainforests
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter I
Animals That Start With I: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From spiky iguanas to leaping impalas, the letter I has some interesting animals to meet. Say the I 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 I, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with I.
12animals
2sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter I Make?
The letter I can make two sounds. Kids usually learn the short sound in iguana first, then the long sound that says its own name, like in ice. Tap any word to hear it.
Ii
Say it together
I is a vowel, which means it can change its sound. Practice both sounds with the words on the right.
/i/
Short I
Smile just a little and say a quick “i, i, i”, like the start of “itchy”.
/ī/
Long I
This sound says the letter’s name, just like when you sing “I” in the alphabet song.
Scratch an itchPretend to scratch an itch each time you say /i/.
Inch alongWiggle your finger like an inchworm for every I word.
Play I spyFind three things at home that start with I.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter I
I animals are a little harder to find, so this list has a few surprises. Read each name out loud and listen for the short or long I. Every one of these animals with I has a short fact you can read aloud.
Mammal
Impalas can leap about 10 feet high to get away from danger. Only the males have long, curvy horns.
Lives in: SavannaBird
Ibises have long, curved beaks for poking in the mud. They find worms, bugs and little crabs to eat.
Lives in: WetlandsMammal
Ibexes are wild goats that climb steep, rocky cliffs. The males have big horns that curve back over their heads.
Lives in: MountainsInsect
An inchworm is a caterpillar that will grow up to be a moth. It moves by making a little loop with its body, like it is measuring.
Lives in: GardensMammal
Indris are the biggest lemurs and live only on the island of Madagascar. They sing loud songs that carry far through the forest.
Lives in: RainforestsFish
Some icefish live in the freezing water around Antarctica. Their blood is clear instead of red.
Lives in: AntarcticaBird
The male indigo bunting looks bright blue in the sunshine. These small birds travel at night and use the stars to find their way.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
The Iberian lynx is a wild cat that lives in Spain and Portugal. It has tufts of black fur on the tips of its ears.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
The Indian rhinoceros has just one horn on its nose. Its thick skin has big folds that make it look like it is wearing armor.
Lives in: GrasslandsBird
The male, called a peacock, spreads a huge fan of shiny tail feathers. The female is called a peahen.
Lives in: ForestsInsect
The imperial moth is a big yellow moth with purple and brown spots. Its wings can be about as wide as a grown-up’s hand.
Lives in: ForestsAnimal names that start with I (I animals list): Iguana, Impala, Ibis, Ibex, Inchworm, Indri, Icefish, Indigo Bunting, Iberian Lynx, Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Peafowl, Imperial Moth.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With I? 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 I Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
Three easy pages: color the big letter I and the iguana, trace the letter I, then find and circle the I 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 ILowercase iTracing practiceFind the I animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With I: FAQ
Some easy ones for kids are iguana, impala, inchworm, ibis and ibex. Fun extras include indri, icefish and the Iberian lynx.
Iguana and inchworm are great first words. Both are easy to picture and start with the short I 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 short I, a quick “i” like in itchy, while you point to an insect or an igloo. Later, show that I can also say its own name, like in ice.
The Indian rhinoceros is one of the biggest. A grown one can weigh more than a car.
The inchworm is one of the smallest. Just like its name, many are only about an inch long.
The icefish lives in the freezing sea around Antarctica. Its blood is clear, which makes it very special.
Some people keep iguanas as pets, but they need lots of space, warm lights and special care. They can live for many years.
The Indian peafowl! The male, called a peacock, can open his long tail feathers into a huge, shiny fan.
Move on to the letter J page, or print the alphabet flashcards to review I with a quick matching game.