Kingdom is a word we use to describe the world of animals. Ironically, you might be surprised that unlike the common word “kingdom” that starts with the letter ‘K,’ animals that start with ‘K’ are not very well known.
There are more than hundreds of animals in the wild and around us whose names begin with ‘k.’
So, whether you’re just curious to know all the animals alphabetically, and this time it’s K’s turn, or you want to do your assignment on different animals that begin with ‘K,’ or whatever reason brought you here, we’ve got you covered.
Now, get ready to take a virtual tour of the world of formidable and cute animals that start with the letter ‘K’ and more.
A List of Animals That Start with K by Classes
Before going directly to the classifications, it is important for you to know their names by their types and what kind of species they are before going into details. So here we go as Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishes, and Invertebrates.
Mammals That Start With the Letter K
Birds That Start With the Letter K
Reptiles That Start With the Letter K
Amphibians That Start With the Letter K
Fish That Start With K
Koi Carp
Kelp Bass
Insects and Invertebrates Beginning With K
List of Animals That Start With K: Classification, Behavior, and Facts
Now, after a lot of warm-up sessions, we have finally come to the point that is the main attraction of this article. Here, you will find all kinds of information like classification, diet, behavior, and facts about some specific animals as well. So, have a look:
1. Kangaroo
Scientific name: Macropus
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 6 to 20 years
Habitat: Their habitat includes grasslands and forests.
Diet: They eat plant material, like leaves or grasses.
Fun Fact: They are famous for their way of movement.
Kangaroos can weigh up to 200 pounds and have muscular and strong bodies. Female kangaroos contain a pouch on their belly to carry their babies. As sociable creatures, kangaroos frequently divide into groups known as mobs. These communities can range from small to large, from just a few to more than a hundred people.
2. Kagu
Scientific name: Rhynochetos jubatus
Type of animal: Aves
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 20 to 30 years
Habitat: Their habitat is in New Caledonia, especially in lowland forests or rainforests.
Diet: They are carnivores; their go-to food is lizards, worms, or snails.
Fun Fact: They are the only bird in the whole world that has nasal corns.
Kagu birds are generally of a light gray color with a slight pinch of blue. They have fluffy feathers, and you will see many horizontal stripes on their wings. They are small creatures that are comparable to the size of a chicken. Nevertheless, the kagu is a great runner and is able to move quickly.
3. Komodo Dragon
Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis
Type of animal: Reptilia
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 25 to 40 years
Habitat: They mainly like to live on hillsides or open woodlands.
Diet: They are carnivores, and they like to eat goats, pigs, deer, and horses as well.
Fun Fact: You can find them only on five Indonesian islands.
The gigantic Komodo Dragon is capable of reaching a length of three meters. The size-dependent territories inhabited by Komodo dragons allow them to travel a daily distance of about 2 kilometers alone. They are renowned for their meticulous planning and sneaky hunting methods, frequently laying several hours before attacking their target.
4. Koala
Scientific name: Phascolarctos cinereus
Type of animal: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 13 to 18 years
Habitat: Their habitats are coastal forests, inland, and eucalyptus.
Diet: They are herbivores, so they eat mainly the leaves of trees.
Fun Fact: They spend 80% of the day sleeping and resting.
Koalas’ brains have evolved to be quite small compared to the rest of the body, and their diet has a great nutrient deficiency. Koalas get the majority of their body hydration through leaves, and due to their slow metabolism, they are able to save energy.
5. Kiwi
Scientific name: Apteryx
Type of animal: Aves
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 8 to 12 years
Habitat: Their preferred habitats are woodlands and dense forests.
Diet: They are omnivores, so they eat seeds, berries, grubs, worms, etc.
Fun Fact: They have a very high sense of smell, which is very uncommon among birds.
Males and females seem similar overall, while males are considerably bigger. The brown kiwi, one of the biggest species, reaches about 25 inches tall. They can travel while searching for meals in darkness due to their low-light adaptation, acute hearing, and exceptionally well-developed sense of smell.
6. Kingfisher
Scientific name: Alcedinidae
Type of animal: Aves
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 6 to 10 years
Habitat: They like to live in freshwater or lowlands as well.
Diet: They are omnivores; they eat snakes, insects, mice, etc.
Fun Fact: The color of their egg is pure white!
Kingfisher have a tiny, compressed body, a short tail, a comparatively broad head, and a beak that resembles a dagger. Typically, these birds don’t venture out of their native range. Since they depend on waterways for fishing and hunting, they are frequently connected to water sources. Throughout the fertile period, kingfishers typically pair off in relationships that are monogamous.
7. Kakapo
Scientific name: Strigops habroptilus
Type of animal: Aves
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 50 to 65 years
Habitat: They live in dense forests.
Diet: They eat shrubs and grass mainly.
Fun Fact: Female kakapo carry a big pouch in front of them.
The lack of numerous huge predators allowed the kakapo’s body to develop completely. Most significantly, this indicates that it is possible to be large by their body. The extraordinary capacity of the kakapo for scaling up trees using its powerful feet despite its inability to fly.
8. Koi Fish
Scientific name: Cyprinus rubrofuscus “koi”
Type of animal: Actinopterygii
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 25 to 200 years
Habitat: They live in freshwater bodies.
Diet: Their diet is soybean meal or wheat germ.
Fun Fact: Koi fish were bred in Japan for their beautiful color.
Symmetric and torpedo-shaped koi fish should have no conformational flaws. The tip of the opening of the mouth, located at the back of its head, makes up for its absence of teeth. All koi fish varieties have vibrant, vivid colorations and silver and white shimmery scales.
9. King Crab
Scientific name: Lopholithodes Mandtii
Type of animal: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Average lifespan: 15 to 30 years.
Habitat: They live on continental shelves and in cold coastal waters.
Diet: They like to eat snails, clams, and barnacles.
Fun Fact: The heaviest king crab was 28 pounds.
King crabs, like the majority of crab species, have a large, hefty shell that is sometimes referred to as a carapace. To add to their defense, they have huge, sharp spines covering every inch of their bodies. The reproduction process of king crabs is complicated. Breeding these crabs typically takes place in the months of spring and the beginning of summer.
10. King Cobra
Scientific name: Ophiophagus hannah
Type of animal: Reptilia
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: About 20 years
Habitat: They live in bamboo thickets, forests, swamps, etc.
Diet: They eat lizards, other snakes, and birds.
Fun Fact: They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs.
King Cobras can reach lengths of 12 to 18 ft. It makes sense why this snake is considered the globe’s longest and deadliest snake. You will be surprised to know that they are actually shy and aggressive at the same time.
11. Kinkajou
Scientific name: Potos flavus
Type of animal: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 23 years
Habitat: They live in green forests, dry forests, coastal forests, rain forests, etc.
Diet: Their diet includes various kinds of fruits from the forest.
Fun Fact: Their tongue is much larger than their body size.
The most crucial characteristic of the kinkajou is its lengthy tail, which functions as a kind of extra limb and may grasp surfaces or branches. Since it is so powerful, it is capable of hanging upside down during feeding. The animal’s tail additionally functions as the primary means of balancing and acts as a kind of covering to keep the animal warmer at night.
12. Killer Whale
Scientific name: Orcinus orca
Type of animal: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 30 to 50 years
Habitat: They live worldwide in coastal waters and oceans.
Diet: Being carnivorous animals, they eat meat.
Fun Fact: They can eat 300 pounds of food per day!
Killer Whales’ teeth can reach a length of four inches. Behind all of these creatures’ eyes, there is a white spot. The orca is capable of growing to be between 23 and 32 feet long in size. They have a 6-ton weight limit.
13. Kodiak Bear
Scientific name: Ursus arctos middendorffi
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Around 20 to 25 years in the wild
Habitat: They live in mountains, forest areas, and coastal regions.
Diet: They like to eat fish, vegetables, and grasses.
Fun Fact: The largest species of brown bears are Kodiak bears!
Kodiak bears look similar to other species of brown bears, with the exception of their enormous size. Their general facial color is distinct from that of their entire bodies. It includes pointed claws and teeth. They reside in bear-friendly regions, but they rarely stay in social groupings.
14. Kookaburra
Scientific name: Dacelo novaeguineae
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Around 10 to 15 years.
Habitat: Their habitats are woodlands and forest areas.
Diet: They live on eating reptiles, insects, and small animals.
Fun Fact: Their laughter sounds very much similar to human laughter.
As they are carnivorous, kookaburras typically eat tiny animals. They are renowned for using an elevated position to perch from and diving down to capture prey that is on the ground below. These are the kinds of birds that live in forest areas and are mainly small in size. They come in different colors, depending on their habitat and diet.
15. King Shepherd
Scientific name: Canis lupus
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Around 10 to 14 years
Habitat: They mainly live with humans in their households.
Diet: Their diet includes commercial dog foods.
Fun Fact: They are famous for their intelligence and loyalty towards their owner.
The personality of King Shepherd is well-liked. King Shepherds form tight relationships with those who care for them and exhibit extraordinary control over their enormous bodies. They are intelligent, versatile, and perform different activities. However, they might become aggressive if they fail to receive the things they want.
16. Krill
Scientific name: Euphausiacea
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Arthropoda
Average lifespan: Typically less than 6 years.
Habitat: You can find them in the oceans of the whole world.
Diet: They like to eat small zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Fun Fact: They are a huge part of maintaining the ecosystem as a food source.
This creature, which is entirely covered in an extremely durable shell, falls under the same class as crabs, crayfish, and lobsters. They light quite brightly and have transparent bodies. The actual function of this light is unknown, however, it may have something to do with social communication or camouflage. They are either omnivorous or herbivorous in large numbers.
17. Komondor
Scientific name: Canis lupus
Type of animal: Domestic dog breed
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Habitat: They mainly live in human households.
Diet: They eat dog foods as their main diet.
Fun Fact: The original breed of them is hungary!
Komondors are very independent and intelligent dogs. They require a proper, balanced diet to maintain a healthy life. The Komondor is primarily famous for its unusual coat, which is made from long, tangled, braided hair that mimics dreadlocks. This coat provides warmth and defense against severe weather.
18. Kudu
Scientific name: Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 8 to 12 years
Habitat: They like to live in bushy areas and woodlands.
Diet: Their daily diet contains grasses, fruits, and leaves.
Fun Fact: The horn of male kudus can grow up to 6 feet long.
The main attraction of kudus is their horns. Kudu has twisted, long horns. They can do a vertical jump, by which they reach heights of up to 8 long feet. To stay out of the scorching temperatures of the entire day, kudus are most productive in the early hours of the day and in the late afternoon.
19. King Salmon
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 3 to 7 years
Habitat: You can find them in saltwater or freshwater.
Diet: They are carnivores, so they eat squid and other small fish.
Fun Fact: Among all the Pacific salmon, king salmon is the largest one!
The color of the body of king salmon actually depends on the environment that they live in. They possess sharp teeth and jaws that help them to catch prey. The life cycle of the king salmon is complicated and requires lengthy migrations. The newborn salmon, known as fry, spend a while in aquatic rivers and streams after emerging from their watery eggs.
20. Killdeer
Scientific name: Charadrius vociferus
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 5 to 10 years
Habitat: Their habitats are near water, meadows, and fields.
Diet: They like to eat spiders, insects, earthworms, etc.
Fun Fact: They have a very basic nest that they build on the ground and in open areas.
With a variety of color patterns, killdeer range in size from 20 to 28 centimeters. Compared to their body, they have a large head. Killdeers are recognized for their loud, peculiar sounds that resemble “kill-deer” as well as “dee-dee-dee.” They are renowned for being talkative, using a variety of sounds to interact with one another and warn others of approaching danger.
21. King Penguin
Scientific name: Aptenodytes patagonicus
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 15 to 20 years
Habitat: They live in southern oceans or islands.
Diet: They eat squid and fish.
Fun Fact: They are the second largest species among penguins.
King penguins have waterproof feathers, which save them from rain. Their stomachs and breasts are white, whereas the backs of their bodies and flippers are black.
The plumage of young king penguins is distinct, being brown in hue and having a white face. Female and male penguins look very similar to each other. This makes it difficult to distinguish between them.
22. Key Deer
Scientific name: Odocoileus virginianus clavium
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 8 to 12 years
Habitat: They live in marshes, swamps, and freshwaters.
Diet: They like to eat fruits, grasses, and leaves.
Fun Fact: They are one of the smallest subspecies of white deer.
Key Deers are active animals. They have a coat covered with fur, which is brown in color. They stay active during late afternoon and early morning and at night as well. They mainly prefer to eat any vegetation over any other meaty foods.
23. Kodkod
Scientific name: Leopardus guigna
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Habitat: They live in vegetation and dense forests.
Diet: They make other small mammals, insects, and birds their diet.
Fun Fact: They are one of the smallest mammals in the world.
Kodkods have a comparatively longer tail than their body size. They can climb trees, unlike other species. They are shy by nature. They have distinguishing facial characteristics, featuring a white patch on every cheek that is encircled by a black border.
24. Kissing Bugs
Scientific name: Triatominae
Type of animal: Insect
Phylum: Arthropoda
Average lifespan:
Habitat: They live in human households, fields, and forests.
Diet: Blood of mammals.
Fun Fact: They bite humans on their faces or lips; that is why their name is kissing bugs!
Kissing bugs come in a variety of sizes and hues, depending on the kind of insect they are. The kissing bugs have an elongated body with a length of 1 to 3 centimeters. They are active at night so that when people are sleeping, they can suck blood from them.
25. Koolie
Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
Type of animal: Domestic dog breed
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 12-15 years
Habitat: They can be found in agricultural or rural areas.
Diet: They can live on by eating commercial dog foods.
Fun Fact: They are known for their high energy and intelligence.
Koolie are medium-sized dogs. Their fur may be of different colors, like red, blue, chocolate, etc. Koolies are renowned for having a lot of power, intellect, and a willingness to work hard. These are very capable of training and thrive in a variety of competitions, like flyball. They build close ties with their human owners and are devoted and diligent animals.
26. Klipspringer
Scientific name: Oreotragus oreotragus
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Mammal
Average lifespan: 10 to 15 years in the wild
Habitat: You can find them mainly in mountainous areas.
Diet: They are herbivores, so they eat fruits, leaves, grasses, shoots, etc.
Fun Fact: They can jump and climb very easily due to their hooves.
Klipspringer are small animals, 50 to 60 centimeters long. The females are even shorter than this. They have short legs with a compact body. They are basically monogamous by nature.
27. Knifefish
Scientific name: Gymnotiformes
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 15 years
Habitat: Their habitat includes lakes, streams, and rivers.
Diet: They like to have worms, insects, etc, on their diet.
Fun Fact: They can generate electric fields that they can use for navigation and communication as well!
Knifefish have a cylindrical body with a flat head. The main reason behind their name is that they look like a knife with very small mouths and eyes. They’re indigenous to ecosystems made up of freshwater in the region, such as streams and lakes. Featherbacks are distinguished by a vibrant arrangement of patterns and dots along with lengthy slender bodies.
28. Kiang
Scientific name: Equus kiang
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 20 to 25 years.
Habitat: They live in meadows and grasslands.
Diet: They like to include shrubs and grasses in their daily diet.
Fun Fact: They are one of the largest species in the wild.
Kiang is one of the biggest species out there. They normally have a long ear with a large head. Their face, inner legs, and belly are very light in color. Another fun fact about them is that they can run at a very high speed.
29. Kinder Goat
Scientific name: Capra aegagrus hircus
Type of animal: Domestic goat breed
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Around 12 to 15 years
Habitat: They live in households with their owners.
Diet: Their diet includes leaves, grasses, shrubs, and many more.
Fun Fact: They are a dual-proposed breed.
Kinder goats are domestic goats. You can keep them in your household with proper care and diet. They are highly regarded for their adaptability and value in the manufacture of meat as well as milk. These goats can produce a lot of milk, and their lactation cycle lasts an average of 200-250 days.
30. Kite Birds
Scientific name: Milvus
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: It differs from species to species.
Habitat: Their habitats are coastal areas, marshes, and woodlands.
Diet: They are carnivores, and they eat small birds, fish, and other mammals.
Fun Fact: They are famous for their elegant flight!
Kite birds have a slender body with broad and long wings. They hunt during the day to meet their daily needs. There are many kinds of kite birds, like black kite birds, red kite birds, etc.
They can detect prey at an extended distance due to their excellent vision. According to the kind of animal and the sort of prey they’re chasing, kites use various hunting strategies.
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Conclusion
How was your ride to the animal kingdom with all ‘K’s?’ Did you have fun learning about all the animals that start with ‘K’?
From their scientific names to their habitats to their diets, you now know everything about them. We hope you enjoyed the article and will come back again with new curiosities. Happy learning!
