The Complete List of Common Animals That Start With I

This list includes 31 Common Animals that start with I, from “Ibex” to “Ivory-billed woodpecker”. These entries are mostly familiar mammals, birds, fish, and insects useful for school projects, quick reference, and classroom displays.

Common animals that start with I are species and groups whose English names begin with the letter I. Notably, the ivory-billed woodpecker became a symbol of conservation after possible modern sightings sparked wide scientific and public debate.

Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, order, and habitat/distribution.

Common name: Shows the everyday name you know, helping you find species quickly for schoolwork or casual reference.

Scientific name: Gives the Latin binomial so you can identify the exact species across languages and scientific lists.

Order: Lists the taxonomic order to show broader relationships and help compare similar animals at a glance.

Habitat/distribution: Brief range and typical environments, so you understand where each animal lives and is found.

Common Animals that start with I

Common name	Scientific name	Order	Habitat/Distribution	Description
Impala	Aepyceros melampus	Artiodactyla	Savannas, southern and eastern Africa	Graceful medium-sized antelope known for leaping abilities and living in herds across African grasslands.
Ibex	Capra (genus)	Artiodactyla	Mountain ranges in Eurasia and North Africa	Wild mountain goats with large curved horns and exceptional climbing skill on steep rocky terrain.
Ibis	Threskiornithidae (family)	Pelecaniformes	Wetlands and coasts worldwide (except polar regions)	Long-billed wading birds that probe mud for invertebrates; many species vary in color and size.
Iguana	Iguana iguana	Squamata	Tropical forests and urban areas in Central and South America	Large arboreal lizard, primarily herbivorous, common in gardens and forests.
Indian elephant	Elephas maximus indicus	Proboscidea	Forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia	Asian elephant subspecies, social herds, important for ecosystems and human cultures.
Indian rhinoceros	Rhinoceros unicornis	Perissodactyla	Floodplains and tall grasslands of India and Nepal	Single-horned rhino with thick, armor-like skin plates; grazes on grasses and plants.
Indian peafowl	Pavo cristatus	Galliformes	Native to South Asia; introduced worldwide	Male displays iridescent fan of tail feathers in dramatic courtship shows.
Indri	Indri indri	Primates	Eastern Madagascar rainforests	Largest living lemur, noted for loud, haunting calls and short tail.
Ivory gull	Pagophila eburnea	Charadriiformes	Arctic sea ice and nearby waters	Small all-white gull closely associated with pack ice and polar marine life.
Isopod	Isopoda (order)	Isopoda	Marine, freshwater and terrestrial worldwide	Diverse crustaceans including pillbugs and sea slaters; many adapted to varied environments.
Inchworm	Larva of Geometridae (family)	Lepidoptera	Forests and gardens worldwide	Caterpillar that moves by “looping,” famous for measuring-like gait and twig mimicry.
Irukandji jellyfish	Carukia barnesi	Cubozoa	Warm coastal waters of northern Australia	Tiny but highly venomous box jellyfish causing severe Irukandji syndrome in humans.
Ibisbill	Ibidorhyncha struthersii	Charadriiformes	Rocky rivers of the Himalayas and Central Asia	Distinctive shorebird with downcurved bill that feeds on river invertebrates.
Island fox	Urocyon littoralis	Carnivora	California Channel Islands	Small, endemic fox species with varied diet; several island subspecies exist.
Inca tern	Larosterna inca	Charadriiformes	Pacific coasts of Peru and northern Chile	Seabird with distinctive white moustache and agile fishing behavior.
Indigo bunting	Passerina cyanea	Passeriformes	North American fields, edges, and brushy areas	Bright blue male songbird in summer; migratory and common in open habitats.
Indigo snake	Drymarchon couperi	Squamata	Southeastern United States	Large nonvenomous snake with glossy blue-black sheen; active forager of diverse prey.
Indian cobra	Naja naja	Squamata	South Asia in varied habitats	Venomous “spectacled” cobra, culturally significant and common near human settlements.
Indian muntjac	Muntiacus muntjak	Artiodactyla	Forests across South and Southeast Asia	Small deer also called barking deer; solitary or small groups, browsers.
Indian star tortoise	Geochelone elegans	Testudines	Dry forests and scrublands of India and Sri Lanka	Terrestrial tortoise with striking star-patterned shell; popular in pet trade.
Indus river dolphin	Platanista gangetica	Cetacea	Indus River basin, Pakistan	Blind river dolphin adapted to murky freshwater; endangered with fragmented populations.
Inland taipan	Oxyuranus microlepidotus	Squamata	Arid interior regions of Australia	Extremely venomous but reclusive snake found in remote desert habitats.
Icefish	Channichthyidae (family)	Perciformes	Southern Ocean around Antarctica	Cold-adapted fishes with antifreeze proteins; some species lack red blood cells.
Irrawaddy dolphin	Orcaella brevirostris	Cetacea	Coastal and riverine waters of South and Southeast Asia	Rounded head dolphin inhabiting mangroves and river mouths, often near humans.
Italian wall lizard	Podarcis siculus	Squamata	Mediterranean regions, native to Italy; introduced elsewhere	Small, adaptable lizard common on walls, rocks, and gardens.
Imperial moth	Eacles imperialis	Lepidoptera	Wooded areas of North America	Large, colorful moth; caterpillars feed on many hardwood trees.
Ivory-billed woodpecker	Campephilus principalis	Piciformes	Bottomland forests of southeastern North America (historically)	Large, striking woodpecker famous for dramatic calls; likely critically endangered or extinct.
Indian skimmer	Rynchops albicollis	Charadriiformes	Rivers and coastal sandbanks of South Asia	Unique skimmer bird with longer lower bill used to catch fish by skimming water.
Indian giant squirrel	Ratufa indica	Rodentia	Canopy forests of India	Large, colorful tree squirrel that lives high in forest canopies and feeds on fruits and seeds.
Indian pangolin	Manis crassicaudata	Pholidota	Forests and grasslands of South Asia	Nocturnal, scale-covered mammal that feeds on ants and termites using a long tongue.
Imperial shag	Leucocarbo atriceps	Suliformes	Coastal waters and islands of southern South America	Coastal cormorant with varied plumage; dives for fish and nests on cliffs.