A list of animals that begin with the letter r, along with images and information. Rabbits, rattlesnakes, red-eyed tree frogs, and rhinoceroses are just a few of the amazing creatures beginning with r.
Animals That Start With R: Pictures & Facts
The list of amazing animals starts with r, along with images and interesting facts about each animal, can be found on this page. Links to more information, pictures, and videos may be found beneath many of the animals.
Individual species (e.g., well-known groups of species (e.g., raccoon) Rattlesnakes (beginning with R.) Each of the species has its scientific name and conservation status listed.
List of Animals Beginning With R
Rabbit
Rabbits feature tiny bodies, robust hind legs, sharp teeth, and long ears that set them apart from other small animals. Together with hares, rabbits belong to the Leporidae order.
Rabbits dwell underground in vast warrens, whereas hares live on the surface in small holes called holes. In contrast, hares simply create a shallow trench in the ground (called a form).
Raccoon
- Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The raccoon is the largest member of the family Procyonidae, which includes other small to medium-sized mammals such as coatis and kinkajous. It has a thick gray coat and a distinctive black and white ‘masked’ face. Its front paws are well adapted for manipulating objects, and the raccoon is known for its intelligence.
Originally a forest animal, the raccoon has adapted well to the presence of humans and is now a familiar visitor to many suburban gardens in North America.
Rat
The genus Rattus contains rats. There are 64 distinct species of genuine rats, as well as a variety of other creatures (such as bandicoot rats) that are referred to be rats but are not actual rats.
Rats are found on every continent except Antarctica, and they are incredibly successful creatures. Due to their capacity to live alongside humans, two species, the black rat ( Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), are especially widespread.
Rattlesnake
The rattlesnake is a venomous snake that may be found in North and South America. The ends of rattlesnakes’ bodies are covered with hardened segments that make a rattling noise when they’re vibrated. Any potential predators are warned that the snake is poisonous as a result of this.
Raven (Common)
- Scientific Name: Corvus corax
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Ravens are large black birds that live throughout the Northern Hemisphere (i.e., north of the Equator). The raven is bigger than many birds of prey and is the most widespread of the passerines (perching birds).
The raven lives in a variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, coastal regions, and Arctic tundra. It is most often located away from human habitation. The brain of this species, one of the biggest in the world, is renowned for its brilliance.
Ray
Flat-bodied fish such as rays are found in the ocean. Their gills are on the underside, and their eyes are on top of their bodies.
Ray species number in the hundreds. Both rays and sharks are members of the cartilaginous fish group, which is closely related to sharks.
Cartilage, which is more flexible than bone, forms the skeletons of cartilaginous fishes.
Red Eyed Tree Frog
- Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryas
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
One of the most well-known frog species in the world is the red-eyed tree frog. The frog is often seen in advertisements and on magazine covers because of its vivid good looks.
Central American rainforests are home to this species. It’s insectivorous (insect-eating) and arboreal (tree-dwelling). The frog isn’t poisonous, despite its vivid colors.
Red Fox
- Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Members of the genus Vulpes are known as “true foxes.” The largest of the genuine foxes is the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (the genus name comes from the first part of a species’ two-part scientific name).
In comparison to other dog family members (and the entire order Carnivora, which comprises dogs, cats, bears, and a variety of other species), the red fox is more widespread. It may be found in parts of the Arctic and throughout the whole Northern Hemisphere.
Australia has also imported red foxes. It’s an invasive species, and it’s harmful to a lot of native species because of its presence.
Red Kangaroo
- Scientific Name: Macropus rufus
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The largest kangaroo species and the biggest marsupial (pouched mammal) in the world is the red kangaroo. Kangaroos are only found in Australia (i.e. It’s exclusively located in Australia, and it hasn’t been seen outside of that country.
While the typical red kangaroo is somewhat shorter at 1.5 m (4.9 ft), an adult male red kangaroo may reach over 2 m (6.5 ft) in height. The red-brown color of the species’ coat is what gives it its name.
In ‘boxing bouts,’ male red kangaroos fight each other with their forelegs and powerful hind legs to establish hierarchy.
Redback Spider
- Scientific Name: Latrodectus hasseltii
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
The redback spider, originally found in Australia but has since been introduced to New Zealand and parts of Southeast Asia, is a venomous spider. It’s commonly seen as a companion to humans.
The female is substantially bigger than the male redback. The species’ name comes from a distinctive red hourglass pattern on its abdomen. The male is small, only 3-4 mm long, and completely innocuous.
The bite of a female redback is very harsh, but it is seldom deadly. Every year, hundreds of people are bitten, but since the 1950s, when antivenom became widely accessible, there have been no deaths.
Reindeer
- Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
In North America, the reindeer is referred to as caribou. The deer family, Cervidae, includes it. In Europe, Asia, and North America, the reindeer may be found in Arctic and subarctic areas.
Reindeer antlers (the female is the only female deer with antlers) grow both male and female reindeer. Only the moose’s antlers are bigger than those of the male reindeer.
UV radiation is visible to reindeer. In the snowy Arctic environment, this aids them in finding food and detecting predators.
Reticulated Python
- Scientific Name: Python reticulatus
- Conservation Status: Unassessed
The world’s longest snake is the reticulated python. Large specimens may grow to be over 6.5 meters (21.3 feet) long. South and Southeast Asia are home to the reticulated python. In rainforests and woodlands, it lives near water.
A bright, net-like pattern runs down the length of the reticulated python’s back. The species’ name comes from the fact that it is reticulated (which means “net-like”).
The reticulated python is non-venomous, just like all pythons. It wraps itself around its victim and prevents it from breathing, delivering the victim to death via constriction.
Rhea (Greater)
- Scientific Name: Rhea americana
- Conservation Status: Near Threatened
The enormous, flightless bird known as the greater rhea lives in South America. It is the Americas’ and the world’s largest bird, as well as being the biggest of the three rhea species. It has an average body length of 1.34 m (4.4 ft.) and can grow to weigh up to 40 kg (88 lb).
Don’t be concerned if you see a enormous ostrich-shaped bird in Germany: a small group of rheas fled a farm in 2000. They’ve created a colony of roughly 200 people since then!
Rhesus Macaque
- Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
South, southeast, and East Asia are home to the rhesus macaque monkey. It has evolved to coexist with humans after being originally a forest dweller. Rhesus macaques begging or scavenging for food are now a common sight in many urban areas.
Rhino
The rhino’s distinctive horns on its nose are referred to by the name “rhinoceros,” which means “nose-horned.” Rhinos come in five different varieties. In Africa, there are two species of rhinos: the white and the black. The Indian, Javan, and Sumatran rhinoceroses are the other three species found throughout Asia.
A single horn exists on both rhinos from India and Java. Two horns are found on the other species. Rhinos are currently endangered in all five species.
Rhinos in the black, Javan, and Sumatran species are all on the verge of extinction. Poaching is the primary reason for this. Rhinos are hunted by local hunters because rhinoceros horn is a highly valuable component of traditional eastern medicine.
Rhinoceros Beetle
The huge horns on the males’ heads give rhinoceros beetles their moniker. Rhinoceros beetles, some of which grow to be over 18 cm (7 in) long, are among the world’s biggest beetles.
Fighting rhinoceros beetles use their horns. Instead of piercing opponents, they are used to shove them. Humans are safe from rhinoceros beetles, which can’t sting or bite.
Ring Tailed Lemur
- Scientific Name: Lemur catta
- Conservation Status: Endangered
One of the most well-known lemur species is the ring tailed lemur, which lives solely on Madagascar’s African island. To the south of the island, the species may be found in forests and shrublands. It lives in groupings of up to 30 individuals, all of which are led by females.
In zoos across the globe, these well-known black and white tailed primates may be seen. The wild population, on the other hand, is in serious difficulties. The wild may only have a few thousand ring-tailed lemurs left.
Its endangered status is exacerbated by local people hunting it for food and habitat destruction.
Rock Hyrax
- Scientific Name: Procavia capensis
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
In sub-Saharan Africa and northeast Africa, the rock hyrax is a tiny rodent-like animal. Elephants and manatees are the species’ closest cousins, which is amazing.
From deserts to rainforests, the rock hyrax may be found in a variety of environments. It prefers to dwell in rock gaps and crannies.
Rock hyraxes forage in groups near their dens. One or more members of the group act as lookouts while foraging, and if a predator comes into view, they will immediately raise the alarm.
Rotifer
The phylum Rotifera (one of the 34 major taxonomic divisions into which the complete animal kingdom is divided) is made up of tiny aquatic creatures.
The majority of rotifers are between 0.2 and 0.5 mm in length. Rotifers have a brain, nervous system, and digestive system despite their tiny size.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
- Scientific Name: Bombus affinis
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
The rusty-patched bumble bee was one of the most common kinds of bumble bee in parts of North America as recently as 40 years ago. The species has since been declared critically endangered, with the population declining to a tiny fraction of its former number.
Diseases spread from commercially-bred bees are responsible for the population decline, and farming changes are to blame for habitat loss
The pale orange-yellow (rusty) patch on the backs of rusty-patched bumble bee workers can be used to identify them.
Animals That Start With R: Conclusion
Beginning with r, we hope you’ve discovered some great new animals on this page.