Bird
The umbrellabird has a big crest of feathers on its head that looks like an umbrella. Males also have a long, feathery flap hanging from their chest.
Lives in: Rainforests
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter U
Animals That Start With U: List, Facts & Free Coloring Pages
U is a rare letter for animal names, which makes these ones extra special. Say the U sounds together, meet the umbrellabird and friends, then print the free coloring page. Here is our list of animals that start with the letter U, perfect when a little one asks what animal starts with U.
10animals
2sounds
3free pages
Letter sound
What Sound Does the Letter U Make?
The letter U can make two sounds. Kids usually learn the short sound in “up” first, then the long sound that says its own name, like in “unicorn”. Tap any word to hear it.
Uu
Say it together
U is a vowel, so it can change its sound. Point up and say “u, u, up”, then practice both sounds with the words on the right.
/u/
Short U
Relax your mouth and make a quick “uh”, like you are pointing up.
/ū/
Long U
This sound says the letter’s name, just like when you sing “U, V, W”.
Point upPoint to the sky every time you say /u/.
Open an umbrellaPop open an umbrella and name a U word.
Under the tableHide under a table and whisper U words.
Animal list
10 Animals That Start With the Letter U
U animals are hard to find, so you might meet some brand new ones here. Not every name starts with the same U sound, so say them slowly together. Every one of these animals with U has a short fact you can read aloud.
Mammal
The bald uakari is a monkey with a bright red face. It lives in flooded forests in the Amazon.
Lives in: RainforestsMammal
The urial is a wild sheep from Central and South Asia. Males have big horns that curl around in a circle.
Lives in: MountainsFish
Many unicornfish have a horn-like bump on their forehead. They live on coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Lives in: Coral reefsReptile
Uromastyx are lizards that live in hot, dry deserts. They have spiky tails and love to lie in the sun to warm up.
Lives in: DesertsBird
The Ural owl lives in forests in Europe and Asia. It has a round, pale face and dark eyes.
Lives in: ForestsBird
The upland sandpiper lives in grassy fields instead of on beaches like most sandpipers. It often perches on fence posts.
Lives in: GrasslandsMammal
Utah prairie dogs live in underground burrows in the state of Utah. They bark and chirp to warn each other about danger.
Lives in: GrasslandsMammal
The Uganda kob is a reddish antelope from Africa. It appears on the coat of arms of Uganda.
Lives in: SavannaMammal
Unau is another name for the two-toed sloth. It hangs upside down and moves very slowly through the trees.
Lives in: RainforestsAnimal names that start with U (U animals list): Umbrellabird, Uakari, Urial, Unicornfish, Uromastyx, Ural Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Utah Prairie Dog, Uganda Kob, Unau.
Facts checked with National Geographic Kids and Wikipedia.
Quick quiz
What Animal Starts With U? 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 U Worksheets: Free Coloring Page
Three free pages in one PDF: color the letter U and an umbrellabird, trace the letter, then find the U animals. Print it 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 ULowercase uTracing practiceFind the U animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Animals Beginning With U: FAQ
Some U animals are the umbrellabird, uakari, urial and unicornfish. Others include the Ural owl and the Utah prairie dog.
The umbrellabird is a great first U animal because its name has a word kids already know: umbrella. Unicornfish is fun too, since kids love unicorns.
Yes. Press the download button to get the PDF, then print as many copies as you need for home or class.
Point up and say “u” like in “up”, then say “you” for the long U in “unicorn”. Sort toys into short U and long U piles for extra practice.
The urial and the Uganda kob are the biggest U animals on our list. Both are about the size of a small deer.
The upland sandpiper is one of the smallest, a slim bird about as long as a ruler. The Utah prairie dog is about the same size.
The unicornfish lives on coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Urchins, the spiky round animals often called sea urchins, live in the ocean too.
Uromastyx lizards are sometimes kept as pets by experienced reptile keepers. Most other U animals live only in the wild.
Unicorns are pretend, but the unicornfish is real! Many have a bump on their head that looks a bit like a horn.
Move on to the letter V page, or print the alphabet flashcards to review U with a quick matching game.