Mammal
Jaguars are the biggest wild cats in North and South America. Unlike most cats, they love to swim.
Lives in: Rainforests
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter J
Animals That Start With J: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From spotted jaguars to hopping jerboas, the letter J has some jolly animals to meet. Say the J sound together, read a fun fact or two, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter J, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with J.
12animals
1sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter J Make?
The letter J makes one sound, the same one you hear at the start of jump and jaguar. It is a strong sound that is fun to say. Tap any word to hear it.
Jj
Say it together
J almost always makes the same sound, which makes it a friendly letter to learn. Practice with the words on the right.
/j/
J sound
Push your lips out a little, put your tongue behind your top teeth and say “j, j, j” like a bouncy jump.
Jump for JDo a little jump every time you say a J word.
Wiggle like jellyWiggle your whole body while you say /j/.
Play I spyFind three things at home that start with J.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter J
Jungle cats, desert hoppers and birds that walk on lily pads. Read each name out loud and listen for the J sound. Every one of these animals with J has a short fact you can read aloud.
Mammal
Jackrabbits are really hares, not rabbits. Their huge ears help them stay cool in the hot desert.
Lives in: DesertsBird
Jays are clever birds in the crow family. Many of them bury acorns in the fall to eat later.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Jackals are wild dogs that live in Africa and parts of Asia. Mom and dad jackals often raise their pups together as a team.
Lives in: SavannaMammal
Jerboas are tiny desert rodents that hop on long back legs like mini kangaroos. They come out at night when the sand is cool.
Lives in: DesertsMammal
These monkeys live in the snowy mountains of Japan and are often called snow monkeys. Some of them warm up by sitting in hot springs.
Lives in: MountainsMammal
A javelina looks like a pig, but it is a different animal called a peccary. Javelinas love to munch on prickly pear cactus.
Lives in: DesertsArachnid
Jumping spiders have big front eyes and can see very well. They catch bugs by jumping on them instead of using a web.
Lives in: GardensBird
Jacanas have very long toes that spread out their weight. This lets them walk across floating lily pads.
Lives in: WetlandsBird
The red junglefowl is a wild bird from the forests of Asia. Farm chickens came from this bird long ago.
Lives in: ForestsBird
Jackdaws are small, clever crows with pale gray eyes. They often build their nests in chimneys and old buildings.
Lives in: FarmsFish
The John Dory has a big dark spot on each side of its body. Its thin, flat body makes it hard to see from the front.
Lives in: OceanAnimal names that start with J (J animals list): Jaguar, Jackrabbit, Jay, Jackal, Jerboa, Japanese Macaque, Javelina, Jumping Spider, Jacana, Junglefowl, Jackdaw, John Dory.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With J? 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 J Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
Three easy pages: color the big letter J and the jaguar, trace the letter J, then find and circle the J 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 JLowercase jTracing practiceFind the J animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With J: FAQ
Some easy ones for kids are jaguar, jellyfish, jackrabbit, jay and jackal. Fun extras include jerboa, jacana and javelina.
Jaguar and jellyfish are great first words. Both are fun to picture and start with a strong J sound.
Yes. Press the download button to get the PDF, then print as many copies as you need for home or class.
Jump each time you say “j, j, j” so the sound feels bouncy. Then look for J things around the house, like jam, juice or a jacket.
The jaguar is the biggest wild cat in the Americas. In the sea, the Japanese spider crab has the longest legs of any crab.
The jumping spider is one of the smallest. Many are smaller than a pea.
Jellyfish and the John Dory fish both live in the sea. The Japanese spider crab walks along the deep ocean floor.
No! A jellyfish has no bones, no brain and no heart, so it is not a fish at all.
The jacana! Its super long toes spread out its weight so it does not sink.
Move on to the letter K page, or print the alphabet flashcards to review J with a quick matching game.