This list includes 60 Animals that start with G, from “Galah” to “Guppy”. It covers common, rare, and ecologically important species found worldwide.
Animals that start with G are species whose common English names begin with the letter G. Many, like the Galah, appear often in regional culture and natural-history stories.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Description, and Conservation status.
Common name: The everyday English name used to locate species quickly; you can scan this column to find familiar animals.
Scientific name: The accepted Latin name shows exact species identity and helps you cross-check taxa across databases and regions.
Habitat: Short biome and regional notes tell you where each animal lives, so you can learn geographic and ecological context.
Description: A concise one- to two-sentence summary highlights appearance, behavior, or importance and helps you choose animals to study.
Conservation status: Brief tags (e.g., Least Concern, Endangered) let you see each species’ risk level and research priorities.
Animals that start with G
| Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Conservation status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gharial | Gavialis gangeticus | Freshwater riverine — South Asia | Critically Endangered declining |
| Giant panda | Ailuropoda melanoleuca | Temperate bamboo forest — China | Vulnerable declining |
| Giant anteater | Myrmecophaga tridactyla | Tropical savanna/grassland — South America | Vulnerable declining |
| Giant squid | Architeuthis dux | Deep ocean pelagic — Global temperate & polar seas | Data Deficient declining |
| Giant clam | Tridacna gigas | Coral reef — Indo-Pacific tropics | Vulnerable declining |
| Goliath frog | Conraua goliath | Tropical rainforest streams — West Africa | Endangered declining |
| Goldfish | Carassius auratus | Freshwater ponds and aquaria — Eurasia, worldwide (introduced) | Least Concern domesticated |
| Gorilla | Gorilla gorilla | Tropical rainforest — Central Africa | Critically Endangered declining |
| Great white shark | Carcharodon carcharias | Coastal temperate seas — Global temperate oceans | Vulnerable decreasing |
| Green sea turtle | Chelonia mydas | Tropical/subtropical coastal waters — Global | Endangered declining |
| Greenland shark | Somniosus microcephalus | Deep cold ocean — North Atlantic and Arctic | Near Threatened declining |
| Green anole | Anolis carolinensis | Subtropical woodland and urban areas — Southeastern USA | Least Concern stable |
| Green tree python | Morelia viridis | Tropical rainforest — New Guinea, northern Australia | Least Concern declining |
| Goitered gazelle | Gazella subgutturosa | Arid grassland and steppe — Central Asia | Vulnerable declining |
| Gerenuk | Litocranius walleri | Dry shrubland and savanna — East Africa | Near Threatened declining |
| Golden eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | Mountains and open grasslands — Holarctic | Least Concern stable |
| Golden lion tamarin | Leontopithecus rosalia | Atlantic rainforest — Brazil | Endangered increasing |
| Galápagos penguin | Spheniscus mendiculus | Coastal marine — Galápagos Islands | Endangered declining |
| Giant otter | Pteronura brasiliensis | Freshwater rivers and swamps — Amazon Basin | Endangered declining |
| Giant Pacific octopus | Enteroctopus dofleini | Temperate coastal ocean — North Pacific | Not Evaluated |
| Grass carp | Ctenopharyngodon idella | Freshwater rivers and lakes — East Asia, introduced worldwide | Least Concern stable |
| Gambian pouched rat | Cricetomys gambianus | Tropical savanna and woodland — West Africa | Least Concern stable |
| Galápagos sea lion | Zalophus wollebaeki | Coastal rocky shores — Galápagos Islands | Endangered declining |
| Gray whale | Eschrichtius robustus | Coastal temperate seas — North Pacific | Least Concern increasing |
| Gray seal | Halichoerus grypus | Temperate coastal waters — North Atlantic | Least Concern increasing |
| Grey reef shark | Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos | Coral reef — Indo-Pacific | Near Threatened declining |
| Greater flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus | Shallow saline wetlands — Africa and Eurasia | Least Concern stable |
| Greater kudu | Tragelaphus strepsiceros | Woodland and savanna — Eastern and Southern Africa | Least Concern stable |
| Great cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo | Coastal and inland waters — Eurasia and Africa | Least Concern stable |
| Great bustard | Otis tarda | Grassland and steppe — Eurasia | Vulnerable declining |
| Groundhog | Marmota monax | Temperate grassland and woodland edges — North America | Least Concern stable |
| Grizzly bear | Ursus arctos | Boreal forest and mountains — North America | Least Concern stable |
| Green iguana | Iguana iguana | Tropical forest and urban areas — Central & South America | Least Concern stable |
| Golden jackal | Canis aureus | Grassland, scrub, and urban edge — Eurasia & Africa | Least Concern increasing |
| Giant moray | Gymnothorax javanicus | Coral reef — Indo-Pacific | Least Concern unknown |
| Guinea pig | Cavia porcellus | Grassland edge and domestic settings — South America origin | Not Evaluated stable |
| Guinea fowl | Numida meleagris | Savanna and open woodland — Sub-Saharan Africa | Least Concern stable |
| Gumboot chiton | Cryptochiton stelleri | Rocky intertidal — North Pacific temperate coasts | Not Evaluated |
| Guppy | Poecilia reticulata | Freshwater streams and ponds — Northern South America | Least Concern stable |
| Gulf fritillary | Agraulis vanillae | Open habitats and edges — Americas (South USA to South America) | Least Concern stable |
| Gray wolf | Canis lupus | Temperate forests, tundra, and grasslands — Holarctic | Least Concern variable |
| Goliath grouper | Epinephelus itajara | Tropical coastal reefs and mangroves — Western Atlantic | Vulnerable increasing |
| Galápagos land iguana | Conolophus subcristatus | Dry lowland scrub — Galápagos Islands | Vulnerable increasing |
| Galápagos mockingbird | Mimus parvulus | Arid and semi-arid islands — Galápagos Islands | Near Threatened stable |
| Golden pheasant | Chrysolophus pictus | Temperate forest and plantations — China (introduced) | Least Concern introduced |
| Great horned owl | Bubo virginianus | Forests, deserts, and urban areas — Americas | Least Concern stable |
| Green heron | Butorides virescens | Freshwater wetlands and edges — Americas | Least Concern stable |
| Great auk | Pinguinus impennis | North Atlantic coastal islands — North Atlantic (historic) | Extinct |
| Giant armadillo | Priodontes maximus | Tropical rainforest and savanna — South America | Vulnerable declining |
| Giant trevally | Caranx ignobilis | Coral reef and coastal waters — Indo-Pacific | Near Threatened decreasing |
| Glossy ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | Wetlands and coastal marshes — Warm regions worldwide | Least Concern stable |
| Guanaco | Lama guanicoe | Grassland and Patagonian steppe — South America | Least Concern stable |
| Galápagos hawk | Buteo galapagoensis | Arid scrub and coastal zones — Galápagos Islands | Vulnerable declining |
| Grevy’s zebra | Equus grevyi | Dry savanna and scrub — Horn of Africa | Endangered declining |
| Greylag goose | Anser anser | Wetlands and agricultural fields — Europe and Asia | Least Concern stable |
| Great white pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus | Shallow lakes and coastal lagoons — Africa, southeast Europe, Asia | Least Concern stable |
| Giraffe | Giraffa camelopardalis | Savanna and open woodland — Sub-Saharan Africa | Vulnerable declining |
| Gila monster | Heloderma suspectum | Desert scrub and rocky areas — Southwestern USA & Mexico | Near Threatened declining |
| Gouldian finch | Erythrura gouldiae | Tropical savanna woodland — Northern Australia | Endangered declining |
| Galah | Eolophus roseicapilla | Open woodland and grassland — Australia | Least Concern stable |
Descriptions
Gharial
A slender-snouted crocodilian specialized for fish-eating, the gharial has a long narrow jaw and lives in fast rivers; severe habitat loss and fishing threats have driven dramatic declines.
Giant panda
A black-and-white bear known for eating bamboo, giant pandas are iconic conservation symbols; they are relatively solitary, slow-breeding, and occupy mountain bamboo forests in central China.
Giant anteater
A large, long-snouted mammal that feeds on ants and termites with a sticky tongue, the giant anteater roams grasslands and forests and is threatened by habitat loss and road mortality.
Giant squid
A mysterious deep-sea cephalopod with large eyes and long feeding tentacles, the giant squid is rarely seen alive and inspires tales of sea monsters; biology remains poorly known.
Giant clam
The largest bivalve, giant clams can weigh hundreds of kilograms and house symbiotic algae; they live in shallow reefs and face overharvest and habitat degradation.
Goliath frog
The world’s largest frog, capable of exceeding 3 kg, lives in fast-flowing forest streams and feeds on invertebrates and small vertebrates; hunting and habitat loss threaten it.
Goldfish
A small, hardy carp domesticated for ponds and aquariums, goldfish come in many color varieties and are popular pets; wild populations are not assessed as a single taxon.
Gorilla
A great ape with powerful build and complex social groups, gorillas are primarily vegetarian and live in family troops; severe hunting and habitat pressures threaten wild populations.
Great white shark
A large predatory shark with a robust body and serrated teeth, the great white hunts marine mammals and fishes along coastal waters and faces fishing and bycatch pressures.
Green sea turtle
A widespread marine turtle that feeds on seagrass and algae as adults, green sea turtles undertake long migrations to nesting beaches and face fisheries and habitat threats.
Greenland shark
A slow-growing, long-lived shark of cold northern waters, Greenland sharks can reach large sizes and live centuries; late maturity and bycatch make them vulnerable.
Green anole
A small, colorful lizard known for changing shade and extending a throat fan for displays; green anoles are common in gardens and forests.
Green tree python
A striking arboreal snake that coils on branches and hunts small mammals and birds, juveniles are often yellow while adults develop vivid green coloration; pet trade affects some populations.
Goitered gazelle
A medium-sized gazelle adapted to dry plains, notable for speed and endurance; hunted and displaced by land-use change and competition with livestock.
Gerenuk
A long-necked antelope that browses foliage standing on hind legs, the gerenuk feeds on leaves out of reach of other grazers and lives in arid bushlands.
Golden eagle
A large powerful raptor with broad wings, golden eagles hunt mammals and birds across mountains and plains and are cultural icons in many regions.
Golden lion tamarin
A small, bright-orange monkey living in family groups in remnant Atlantic forest, golden lion tamarins eat fruit and insects and have rebounded somewhat from intensive conservation.
Galápagos penguin
The only penguin species found north of the equator in the wild, Galápagos penguins endure El Niño-driven food shortages and breed in rocky coastal habitats.
Giant otter
A large, social otter with a loud vocal repertoire, giant otters form family groups, hunt fish, and require extensive river habitat; they were heavily hunted for fur.
Giant Pacific octopus
A very large octopus reaching dozens of kilograms, it is intelligent, short-lived, and inhabits rocky reefs and kelp forests while preying on crustaceans and fish.
Grass carp
A large herbivorous carp used for aquatic plant control, grass carp can reach over a meter and has been widely introduced, sometimes becoming invasive.
Gambian pouched rat
A large nocturnal rodent with cheek pouches used for carrying food, Gambian pouched rats are social and have been studied for scent-detection abilities.
Galápagos sea lion
A charismatic, smaller sea lion species endemic to the Galápagos, they form noisy colonies on beaches and are threatened by fisheries and climate variability.
Gray whale
A migratory baleen whale famous for long coastal migrations, gray whales feed on benthic invertebrates and have rebounded in parts of their range after whaling.
Gray seal
A large pinniped that breeds on rocky shores and sandbanks, gray seals forage offshore and have recovered in many areas following protection.
Grey reef shark
A reef-associated predator known for schooling behavior and bold displays, grey reef sharks are important reef predators but face fishing and habitat threats.
Greater flamingo
Tall, pink wading birds that filter-feed on small invertebrates, greater flamingos form large, noisy colonies in shallow lakes and coastal lagoons.
Greater kudu
A large spiral-horned antelope with striking vertical stripes, the greater kudu browses shrubs and trees and relies on dense cover for shelter.
Great cormorant
A widespread diving bird that swims underwater to catch fish, the great cormorant nests on cliffs and trees and often perches with wings outstretched to dry.
Great bustard
One of the heaviest flying birds, the great bustard occupies open plains where males display dramatically; agricultural change and hunting have reduced populations.
Groundhog
Also called the woodchuck, this chunky ground squirrel digs burrows, hibernates in winter, and eats vegetation; it’s a familiar backyard mammal in eastern North America.
Grizzly bear
A large brown bear subspecies known for strength and omnivorous diet, grizzlies range across mountains and subarctic zones and face habitat fragmentation in parts of their range.
Green iguana
A large arboreal lizard that feeds on leaves and fruit, green iguanas are common in forests and suburbs and are often kept as pets outside their native range.
Golden jackal
A adaptable canid that scavenges and hunts small prey, golden jackals thrive in diverse habitats, including near human settlements, expanding in some regions.
Giant moray
A large, mottled moray eel found in reef crevices, the giant moray ambushes fish and crustaceans and is a conspicuous reef predator at night.
Guinea pig
A small, social rodent domesticated for millennia, guinea pigs are common pets and research animals; wild relatives occupy Andean grasslands.
Guinea fowl
A ground-dwelling bird with speckled plumage, the helmeted guinea fowl forages on seeds and insects and is often kept by people for pest control.
Gumboot chiton
A very large marine mollusc with eight shell plates hidden by a leathery girdle, the gumboot chiton grazes algae on rocks and is notable for size and texture.
Guppy
A small, colorful livebearing fish popular in aquaria, guppies are adaptable, breed rapidly, and display striking male color patterns used in mate choice.
Gulf fritillary
A bright orange butterfly whose caterpillars feed on passionflower vines; common in warm open areas, it’s a familiar sight in gardens and meadows.
Gray wolf
A keystone predator that hunts in packs, gray wolves shape ecosystems across the Northern Hemisphere; conservation status varies regionally with some recoveries and declines.
Goliath grouper
A massive reef grouper that can exceed 300 kg, goliath groupers are slow-growing and were overfished but show local recoveries where protected.
Galápagos land iguana
A stocky herbivorous lizard endemic to the Galápagos, these iguanas forage on cactus and live in arid island habitats; conservation has aided some populations.
Galápagos mockingbird
A group of island-adapted mockingbirds that vary among islands, they are bold, opportunistic feeders and were important in early studies of evolution.
Golden pheasant
A colorful gamebird with a dramatic male plumage, golden pheasants are prized in aviaries and live in wooded habitats; many populations exist in captivity.
Great horned owl
A large nocturnal raptor with ear tufts and powerful talons, the great horned owl preys on a broad range of mammals and birds and adapts well to human landscapes.
Green heron
A small, stocky heron that uses baiting and stealth to catch fish, green herons frequent ponds and marshes and can perch quietly near shorelines.
Great auk
A flightless seabird once common on North Atlantic islands, the great auk was hunted to extinction in the 19th century and is a cautionary conservation example.
Giant armadillo
A huge, burrowing armadillo that digs extensive tunnels and feeds on termites and ants, giant armadillos are secretive and threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
Giant trevally
A powerful game fish prized by anglers, the giant trevally raids reefs for fish and invertebrates and is vulnerable to overfishing in some areas.
Glossy ibis
A long-legged wading bird with iridescent plumage, the glossy ibis probes mud for insects and crustaceans and uses a variety of wetland habitats.
Guanaco
A wild camelid related to the llama, guanacos graze open plains in herds and are well-adapted to arid, high-altitude environments.
Galápagos hawk
An endemic raptor that preys on reptiles, birds, and mammals across the Galápagos, this hawk is a top predator on the islands but faces habitat pressures.
Grevy’s zebra
The largest zebra species, Grevy’s zebra has narrow stripes and a large head; population declines are caused by habitat loss, competition with livestock, and hunting.
Greylag goose
A heavy-bodied goose species that grazes on grasses, greylag geese are widespread across Eurasia and are the ancestor of many domestic geese breeds.
Great white pelican
A large pelican with a massive bill pouch, great white pelicans feed by cooperative fishing in shallow waters and form large breeding colonies.
Giraffe
The tallest land mammal with an elongated neck and spotted coat, giraffes browse high tree foliage and have seen population declines from habitat fragmentation and poaching.
Gila monster
A stout, venomous lizard with bead-like scales, the Gila monster is slow-moving and feeds on eggs and small mammals; habitat loss and collection impact some populations.
Gouldian finch
A brilliantly colored small finch once common across northern Australia, Gouldian finches have declined due to habitat change and are a conservation priority.
Galah
A pink-and-grey cockatoo often seen in flocks, galahs feed on seeds and are tolerant of human-altered landscapes; they are familiar in rural and urban Australia.
