Mollusk
An octopus has eight arms covered in suckers that can grab and even taste. It has three hearts and blue blood!
Lives in: Ocean
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter O
Animals That Start With O: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
From the clever octopus to the wise old owl, the letter O has some outstanding animals. Practice both O sounds together, read a fun fact, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter O, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with O.
12animals
2sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter O Make?
The letter O can make two sounds. Kids usually learn the short sound first, then the long sound that says its own name. Tap any word to hear it.
Oo
Say it together
O is a vowel, so it can change its sound. Make your mouth into a round O shape and try both sounds with the words on the right.
/o/
Short O
Open your mouth wide like the doctor wants to look inside and say “o, o, o”.
/ō/
Long O
This sound says the letter’s name. Make your lips round and say “oh!” like you are surprised.
Round mouthMake your lips into a circle while you say /o/.
Say ahhPretend you are at the doctor and open wide for short O.
Count eightWiggle eight fingers like octopus arms as you say octopus.
Animal list
12 Animals That Start With the Letter O
These O animals live on farms, in forests and deep in the ocean. Read the names out loud and listen for the O sound. Every one of these animals with O has a short fact you can read aloud.
Bird
Owls can turn their heads much farther than we can, about three-quarters of the way around. Their soft feathers let them fly almost silently.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Otters have thick fur that keeps them warm in cold water. They are playful and like to slide down muddy or snowy banks.
Lives in: Rivers & swampsBird
The ostrich is the biggest bird in the world, but it cannot fly. It can run up to about 40 miles per hour on its long legs.
Lives in: SavannaMammal
Orangutans spend most of their lives up in the trees. Every night they build a fresh nest of leaves to sleep in.
Lives in: RainforestsMammal
Orcas are also called killer whales, but they are really the biggest kind of dolphin. They live and hunt together in family groups called pods.
Lives in: OceanMammal
An ox is a strong cow or bull trained to do farm work. Farmers have used oxen to pull plows and carts for thousands of years.
Lives in: FarmsMammal
The opossum is the only animal with a pouch that lives in the US and Canada. When it is scared, it may play dead to trick a predator.
Lives in: ForestsMammal
Okapis have striped legs like a zebra, but their closest relative is the giraffe. They use their long tongues to grab leaves.
Lives in: RainforestsMollusk
Oysters live inside two rough shells that they can close up tight. Some oysters can make shiny pearls.
Lives in: OceanMammal
Ocelots are wild cats about twice the size of a pet cat. Their fur is covered in pretty spots and stripes.
Lives in: RainforestsBird
Baltimore orioles are bright orange and black songbirds. They love sweet treats and will visit feeders with orange slices.
Lives in: GardensAnimal names that start with O (O animals list): Octopus, Owl, Otter, Ostrich, Orangutan, Orca, Ox, Opossum, Okapi, Oyster, Ocelot, Oriole.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With O? 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 O Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
The free printable has 3 pages: color the big letter O and a friendly octopus, trace the letter O, then find and circle the O animals.
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 OLowercase oTracing practiceFind the O animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With O: FAQ
Octopus, owl, otter, ostrich and orca are great ones for kids. Fun extras include okapi, ocelot and opossum.
Owl and octopus are great first O words. Kids can hoot like an owl or wiggle their arms like an octopus.
Yes, it is free. Download the PDF and print as many copies as you need for home or class.
Start with short O by opening wide and saying “o” like at the doctor. Then make a round mouth and say “oh!” for long O.
The orca is the biggest O animal. Big males can grow to about 26 feet long.
On our list, the oriole is one of the smallest. It is a little songbird about as long as a pencil.
Octopuses, orcas and oysters all live in the ocean. Some otters, called sea otters, live there too.
The ox! Oxen are strong cattle that farmers have used to pull plows for a very long time.
The octopus! It has three hearts and blue blood.
Head to the letter P page next, or print the alphabet flashcards to practice all the vowels you have learned so far.