19 Animals That Start With L With Pictures and Facts
Each species in this list of animals that start with L has peculiar traits and behaviors. They are also invaluable in maintaining healthy and balanced ecosystems.
Let us learn more about these common animals (and the not-so-common) that start with L and gain refreshing insights into their lives. So, let’s embark on this journey together.
19 Animals Beginning with L
Quick links to our selection of animals that start with L:
1. Lion
Fun Fact: Did you know that lions are the only big cats that gather in groups, called “pride?” A pride typically consists of several related adult females, their cubs, and a few adult males.
By working together, lions, the second largest species within the cat family, can take down large prey like wildebeest and zebras. Roaming magnificently at the top of the food chain, the lion boasts a life with no natural predators. Their roars also resound throughout the environment, audible from up to eight kilometers away.
Wild lions live predominantly across Sub-Saharan Africa and a small population in India. As kings of the jungle, lions wrap a regal mane around their heads, ranging from blonde to black, indicating the animal’s age and strength. Sadly, given the drastic decline in their population over the past few decades, the conservation status of lions is now listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Read more: Lion Facts.
2. Leopard
Fun Fact: Did you know that leopards carry their kill with them up massive trees to keep them away from other predators? Moreover, they are so strong they can haul carcasses of animals up to three times their body weight up the trees.
The leopard has a golden coat featuring black spots and rosettes, helping the leopard cat blend into Central Asia's arid deserts, thick forests, and the African savanna.
Pushed the brink, these well known L animals are currently listed as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Read more: Leopard Facts.
3. Lemur
Fun Fact: Did you know that lemurs only exist in Madagascar? For millions of years, these tiny primates have evolved in isolation, resulting in diverse species with peculiar adaptations. However, human activity and habitat loss have made them endangered species.
Lemur species are sociable animals, banding together in troops comprising three to 25 members. They communicate with sounds, scents, and visual cues. Moreover, they love sunbathing, spreading their arms and legs wide to soak up the sun.
Read more: Lemur Facts.
4. Lynx
Fun Fact: Did you know the lynx can leap up to 10 feet in the air? These agile creatures propel themselves with their powerful hind legs to pounce on small mammals like rabbits and rodents. They are one of North America’s biggest wild cats; they have stubby tails, long ear tufts, a spotted coat and huge furry paws.
Lynx are social cats, claiming territories from eight to 20 square miles. They also emerge from hiding between dawn and dusk, relying on their sharp eyesight to spot mice from 250 feet away. Moreover, they are skilled climbers and swimmers, able to navigate various terrain and capture diverse prey.
Read more: Lynx Facts, Types of Lynxes.
5. Lamprey
Fun Fact: Did you know that lampreys have existed on Earth for over 360 million years, even before the dinosaurs? The lamprey is a blood-sucking parasite adapted to countless changes in the Earth's climate and environment. Their primary traits are their lack of scales and jaws, their round mouth filled with sharp teeth, and their distinctive round mouths filled with sharp teeth1.
The sharp teeth in their sucker-like mouth help lampreys latch onto an unsuspecting host fish; once it attaches to a host, it never lets go. However, lampreys don’t eat the fish’s flesh but their diet consists of their blood and bodily fluids, earning them the nickname “vampire fish.”
6. Leatherback sea turtle
Fun Fact: Did you know that leatherback sea turtles are the largest sea turtle species on Earth? They can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds; they are also the only species of sea turtle without a hard carapace but flexible leathery skin, hence their name.
A leatherback sea turtle can dive 4,200 feet underwater to look for jellyfish3, their primary food source. These turtles thrive in warm tropical waters but can survive in the frigid seas of Canada and Norway.
Before moving on to the rest of the article, here’s a bonus animal that starts with L: the lake sturgeon! This prehistoric fish also goes by the nickname “Dinosaur of the Great Lakes” and can grow to 12 feet long. Native people also used every part of the animal, from food to needles.
Read more: Sea Turtle Facts.
7. Leopard seal
Fun Fact: Did you know that despite its size, the leopard seal can swim up to 23 miles per hour? This incredible speed helps them become proficient hunters, capturing fish, penguins, and other seals. They also have sharp teeth and strong jaws that tear apart their prey.
The leopard seal usually waits by the ice's edge and pounces with a speed that belies its size. They thrive in the frozen environments of Antarctica2.
Read more: Seal Facts, Types of Seals.
8. Leopard frog
Fun Fact: Did you know the leopard frog can leap up to three feet in a single bound? With their long, powerful hind legs, leopard frogs propel themselves through the air, allowing them to escape predators or catch prey.
Moreover, the leopard frog produces a distinctive call that sounds like someone snoring, marking the beginning of the spring and breeding season. These frogs also come in green to green-brown, dotted with dark circular patterns.
Read more: Frog Facts.
9. Little brown bat
Fun Fact: Did you know the little brown bat can consume up to 1,000 insects in just one hour? Their voracious appetite makes them invaluable in controlling pest populations in North America.
The little brown bat blends into the nighttime environment thanks to its glossy brown fur. Moreover, it is also a tiny creature, measuring only 3.7 inches long with a wingspan stretching 10 inches.
Read more: Bat Facts.
10. Long-nosed leopard lizard
Fun Fact: Did you know that the long-nosed leopard lizard can detach its tail, leaving it wriggling on the ground to distract predators before sneaking away? Eventually, this tail will grow back to give the lizard another chance to escape its enemies.
This medium-sized creature lives in the rugged landscapes of the western United States and northern Mexico. Its shades of brown, grey, and an occasional reddish hue help this reptile hide from predators and hunt prey like insects or spiders.
Moreover, their spots resemble a leopard, hence their name. Additionally, they have a long brush-like tongue that can reach into crevices and nooks under rocks, probing for food.
11. Lionfish
Fun Fact: Did you know that lionfish are invasive species from the Indo-Pacific region that has made a home in the Atlantic? Experts believe people releasing aquarium pets into the wild have introduced these striking creatures into their new home. Since then, they have caused significant ecological damage to coral reefs and many species of native fish4.
The lionfish features vivid red, white, cream, or black stripes, though they are also venomous. It contains spines in its dorsal, pelvic, and anal areas that deliver a painful sting and significant pain. If a lionfish stings you, the venoms expose humans to neurotoxins, and you might feel intense nausea to temporary paralysis.
12. Labrador retriever
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Labrador Retriever is a popular family pet and an exceptional working dog? These intelligent and friendly canines often work as service, search, rescue, and even therapy dogs. Moreover, their keen sense of smell and retrieving instincts help them detect drugs, find missing persons, act as guide dogs and assist people with disabilities.
Emerging from the landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the Labrador Retriever has evolved a dense coat that can resist the elements. Moreover, they come from Canadian fishing dogs. While they are a friendly breed, their trusting nature makes them ineffective guard dogs.
Additionally, they are playful and exuberant animals with otter-like tails; instinctively, these dogs retrieve game from water and land. Their activity and friendliness have made them the most popular dog breed in the world.
Read more: Dog Facts.
13. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Fun Fact: Ever heard of a turtle with a built-in GPS? The Loggerhead sea turtle, unique as the only sea turtle to regularly return to its birthplace to lay eggs, does exactly that!
These marine animal giants are the largest of the hard-shelled turtles, growing up to 44 inches in length. Their heart-shaped shells and ancient lineage make them truly captivating creatures.
Loggerheads are resilient travelers, journeying thousands of miles in their migration. Despite facing threats like habitat destruction and light pollution, they thrive, making them symbols of endurance in our biodiverse marine world.
Read more: Types of Turtle.
14. LaMancha Goat
Fun Fact: Did you know the American breed, LaMancha goat, stands out in the herd with its tiny ears? With only two inches for 'elf ear' type, and barely an inch for ‘gopher ear’ type, these goats are striking yet fully capable of perfect hearing.
But the LaMancha is not just about looks. Beyond their odd ear sizes, they're sweet, resilient, and super adaptable. Dealing with icy winters, hot summers, and no sweat, these dairy elites are in it for the long haul. Tiny ears, big personality–that's the LaMancha goat for you!
Read more: Goat Facts.
15. Locust
Fun Fact: A locust swarm can span several miles wide, housing millions of insects – just about the size of a small city!
Locusts are remarkable for their unique ability to switch from solitary to collective behavior. Triggered by certain environmental changes, their populations explode. They morph together into organized swarms that can ravage crops, displaying an uncommon phase of transformation within the insect world.
However, like many insects, locusts are essential to the ecosystem. They support biodiversity by laying millions of eggs that become a food source for birds and various other species. Although notorious for causing significant agricultural damage, their swarming behavior fuels the food chain and contributes to ecological balance.
What's more, locusts are awesome travelers. Some species can cover around 20 kilometers per day across varied landscapes. Despite being infamous for their destructive potential, their extraordinary resilience, adaptability, and decision-making skills in groups make them an intriguing subject of study.
Read more: Grasshopper Facts.
16. Lemming
Fun Fact: Did you know lemmings are fearless swimmers? Despite their small size, they bravely traverse enormous bodies of water when seeking new habitats.
These Arctic natives don't shy away from winter, either. Closely related to voles and muskrats, lemmings stand out with their knack for survival in harsh climates.
While most creatures hibernate, these small rodents remain active, tunneling under the snow, waiting out the cold while they busily forage and breed. This incredible resilience against nature's toughest conditions and their population bursts every three to four years makes them unique among the cricetidae family.
17. Lion's Mane Jellyfish
Fun Fact: Did you know the Lion's Mane Jellyfish out-measures even the blue whale in length?
Found in chilly Arctic and Northern Atlantic waters, the Lion's Mane Jellyfish is unforgettable for its kaleidoscope of trailing tentacles reaching an astounding 190 feet. Not just strikingly beautiful, these tentacles are deadly weapons. Equipped with thousands of venom-filled cells, it turns this jellyfish into a formidable predator, commanding respect in its frosty dominion!
Read more: Jellyfish Facts, Types of Jellyfish.
18. Lobster
Fun Fact: Did you know lobsters are virtually ageless creatures? Interestingly, these vibrant sea dwellers can regrow lost limbs and live up to a century!
These colorful crustaceans, with their extended antennas and sizable pincers, possess a unique regenerative power to regrow lost limbs!
It's a common misconception that lobsters are red, but in reality, they sport shades of brown, off-white, or even a dazzling bright blue!
Nestled in the ocean beds, lobsters live incredibly long lives, even up to a century, and they keep growing throughout their lifespan, with many reaching significant sizes.
Read more: Lobster Facts.
19. Llama
Fun fact: While you may think of a camel when you hear about animals that spit, llamas are notorious for this behavior, too. When upset or threatened, llamas express their annoyance by hurling rather stinky saliva!
Llamas are domesticated pack animals native to South America, particularly the Andean mountain regions. These creatures can carry a quarter of their body weight, equipt with thick, woolly coats that have been used by indigenous cultures for centuries to create warm clothing and blankets.
Contrary to many other animals, female llamas are in charge. They lead the herds and command respect among other llamas.
Read more: Llama Facts.
Conclusion
Our exploration into the world of animal names beginning with the letter 'L' has been enlightening and a testament to our planet's extreme biodiversity.
We've journeyed from land to sea, through forests and over mountains, discovering creatures as large as lions and as small as lightning bugs. Let's continue to celebrate, protect, and learn more about these fascinating creatures that further highlight the stunning diversity inherent in our magnificent natural world.
More A-Z Animals:
- Animals that start with A
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- Animals that start with D
- Animals that start with E
- Animals that start with F
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- Animals that start with K
- Animals that start with M
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- Animals that start with W
- Animals that start with X
- Animals that start with Y
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| 1 | Lee, W. J., & Kocher, T. D. (1995). Complete sequence of a sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) mitochondrial genome: early establishment of the vertebrate genome organization. Genetics, 139(2), 873–887. |
| 2 | Rogers, T. L., & Bryden, M. M. (1997). Density and haul-out behavior of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) in Prydz Bay, Antarctica. Marine Mammal Science, 13(2), 293-302. |
| 3 | Fossette, S., Gleiss, A. C., Myers, A. E., Garner, S., Liebsch, N., Whitney, N. M., ... & Hays, G. C. (2010). Behaviour and buoyancy regulation in the deepest diving reptile: the leatherback turtle. Journal of Experimental Biology, 213(23), 4074-4083. |
| 4 | Morris, J. A., & Akins, J. L. (2009). Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Bahamian archipelago. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 86(3), 389-398. |
Mike is a degree-qualified researcher and writer passionate about increasing global awareness about climate change and encouraging people to act collectively in resolving these issues.
Fact Checked By:
Chinny Verana, BSc.
