Animal Names That Start With H

Estimates suggest that more than 7 million animal species exist, although only 1.5 million have been scientifically described, which includes a million insect species. Of this total, only some animals have English names that begin with the letter H. Examples of animals with names that start with H include hawks, hares, hamsters, herons, hippopotamus, hoopoes, and honey bees.

Examples of Animals That Begin with the Letter H

Hammerhead Shark

The hammerhead shark is a group of sharks belonging to the family Sphyrnidae. Additionally, a large percentage of hammerhead shark species belong to the genus Sphyrna. These sharks are named after the distinctive and unusual structure on their head, which is flattened and extended into a hammer shape. Hammerheads are known to inhabit warm waters along the continental shelves and coastlines. These sharks are solitary at night, but swim in schools during the day. Schools of hammerhead sharks can be found near Molokai (Hawaii), the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and Malpelo Island (Colombia).

Hamster

A hamster is a rodent that belongs to the subfamily Cricetinae and consists of 18 species. Although hamsters are established as common small house pets, those living in the wild spend a considerable amount of time foraging and digging. One of the most common hamster species that is kept as a pet is the golden or Syrian hamster. Other species of hamsters often kept as pets include the Roborovski hamster, winter white dwarf hamster, and Campbell’s dwarf hamster. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures that spend the day underground to keep away from predators.

Hare

Hares are members of the genus Lepus and belong to the Leporidae family, along with rabbits. They have the same form, size, and herbivorous diets as rabbits, but have longer ears. Hares are native to the Japanese archipelago, North America, Eurasia, and Africa. They are also one of the fastest animals in the world, and can reach speeds of up 45 mph. Hares have large feet and strong rear legs, which gives them strength to sprint.

Horse

Horses are one of the two surviving members of the Equus ferus subspecies. Horses have evolved for over 50 million years, from small multi-toed animals to large single-toed creatures, and humans started domesticating horses in approximately 4000 BC. Adult male horses are referred to as stallions, while females are known as mares. A young male horse is called a foal, and a young female horse is referred to as a filly. Horses have a lifespan of about 30 years, although the oldest recorded horse lived to age 62.

Importance of Animals to Humans

Humans have always been dependent on other animals for survival, including sources of food, fur, and various other animal products. Humans also keep domesticated animals as pets for companionship and security.