In the Bible, "animals" refers to all living (and extinct) creatures except humans and plants. Animals are mentioned throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Animals are important in many Bible stories, including:
when God created the world,
when Adam and Eve disobeyed God,
when Noah saved the animals from the great flood,
when God sent ten plagues to Egypt,
when the Hebrew people used animals in their worship, and
during the life of Jesus.
The people who lived in Bible times, both in the Old Testament and New Testament, spent much of their time around animals. They knew a lot about different kinds of animals. This is why Jesus and the people who wrote the Bible often used animals as examples to teach important ideas.
The Bible and modern science group animals in different ways.
Modern scientists group animals based on what they look like on the outside and inside. This way of grouping animals was started by Carolus Linnaeus, a plant expert who lived in Sweden during the 1700s.
The Bible groups animals based on where they live. In Genesis 1, God created different types of animals, such as:
animals that live in the sea (Genesis 1:20),
animals that live in the sky (Genesis 1:21),
animals that crawl on the ground (Genesis 1:24),
domesticated animals that live with humans (Genesis 1:24), and
wild animals (Genesis 1:24).
This same way of grouping animals appears in other parts of the Bible, including Leviticus 11.
Because these two ways of grouping animals are different, we list the Bible's animals in order from A to Z. This list includes:
reptiles (cold-blooded animals that usually have scaly skin, such as snakes),
fish (animals that live in water, such as sardines), and
invertebrates (animals without backbones, such as insects, spiders, and worms).
Specific types of animals are listed below. Birds are discussed in a separate article (see Birds). Click on an animal listed below to access the full-length article.
Types of Animals
Adder: Several kinds of poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes, particularly the common viper in Europe and Asia.
Ant: A small, hard-working insect that lives in colonies and builds underground nests.
Antelope: An antelope is a fast-running, deer-like animal with slender legs and curved horns.
Ape: A large, intelligent primate that has no tail.
Asp: A venomous snake known for its quick strike and smooth, pale-colored scales.
Donkey: A strong, hoofed animal with long ears, often used for carrying loads or pulling carts.
Rock Badger: A small mammal about the size of a rabbit that lives among rocks and cliffs and shelters in narrow cracks.
Bat: A small, nighttime animal that flies with its soft, thin wings and uses sound to find its way in the dark.
Bear: A large, strong animal with thick fur, known for living in forests and often eating plants or animals.
Bee: Flying insects that produce honey and wax.
Behemoth: A large, powerful creature mentioned in the Bible, often thought to be a giant animal or symbol of strength.
Camel: A large animal with a hump on its back, known for living in deserts and able to go without water for long periods.
Caterpillar: Wormlike larva of a butterfly, moth, and some other insects.
Cattle: Large farm animals that are raised for their milk, meat, and leather.
Chameleon: A small lizard known for changing its color to blend into its surroundings.
Coral: A small ocean-dwelling animal that lives in groups and builds hard, colorful structures known as coral reefs.
Cricket: A small insect with long legs that makes a chirping sound, often heard at night.
Crocodile: A large, reptile with a long, tough body, sharp teeth, and lives in rivers and swamps.
Deer: A gentle animal with antlers (in males) and is known for living in forests and grasslands.
Dog: A dog is a loyal, friendly animal often kept as a pet, known for its barking and companionship.
Donkey: A strong, hoofed animal with long ears, often used to carry loads or pull carts.
Dragon: A large, imaginary creature often shown with wings, scales, and the ability to breathe fire.
Fish: A cold-blooded animal that lives in water, has scales, and breathes through gills.
Flea: A small, jumping insect that lives on the blood of animals, often causing itching.
Fly: A small insect with wings that can quickly fly and is often seen buzzing around food.
Fox: A small, clever animal with a bushy tail, known for living in forests and fields.
Frog: A small, jumping animal that lives in water and on land, known for its smooth skin and croaking sound.
Gazelle: A fast, graceful antelope with slender legs and curved horns, often found in grasslands.
Gecko: A small lizard known for its ability to climb walls and make a chirping sound.
Gnat: A tiny flying insect that is often found in swarms and can bite, causing itching.
Goat: A strong, hardy animal with horns, often raised for its milk, meat, or wool.
Grasshopper: Plant-eating insect with long hind legs used for leaping.
Hare: A small, fast, long-eared mammal similar to the rabbit.
Hippopotamus: A large, heavy animal that lives in rivers and lakes, with thick skin and big teeth.
Horse: A large, strong animal with hooves, often used for riding, farming, or racing.
Hyena: A wild animal with a strong body and a distinctive laugh-like sound, known for living in groups and scavenging for food.
Jackal: A wild animal that looks like a small wolf, often found in deserts or grasslands, and is known for hunting in groups or scavenging.
Leech: A slimy, blood-sucking worm that lives in water or damp places.
Leopard: A large, spotted cat known for its strength and ability to climb trees.
Leviathan: A great sea monster or large aquatic reptile.
Lion: A large, powerful cat with a mane (in males) and is known for living in groups.
Lizard: A small reptile with scaly skin, four legs, and a long tail.
Locust: Various insects known especially for their swarming, mass migration, and tremendous destruction of vegetation.
Mole: A small, burrowing animal with dark fur, known for its strong front paws and poor eyesight.
Moth: A flying insect with soft wings, often active at night, and is attracted to light.
Mouse: A small, furry animal with a long tail, often found in homes and fields.
Mule: A strong, hybrid animal that is the offspring of a donkey and a horse, often used for carrying loads.
Pig: An animal with a snout, known for being intelligent and raised for its meat.
Porcupine: A porcupine is a small animal covered in sharp quills that it uses to protect itself.
Red Heifer: A red heifer is a young female cow with a a red-brown color.
Scorpion: A scorpion is a small animal with a curved tail and a stinger, often found in dry places.
Sheep: An animal with soft wool, often raised for its wool, meat, and milk.
Snail: A small animal with a soft body and a hard, spiral shell on its back.
Snake: A long, slithering animal without legs, known for its smooth scales and ability to crawl.
Spider: An eight-legged insect that spins webs to catch its food.
Sponge: A soft, porous animal that lives in water and filters tiny particles for food.
Unicorn: In the Bible, the term "unicorn" is used in some translations, but it likely refers to a wild ox or an animal with a strong, single horn, rather than the mythical creature commonly known today.
Whale: A large marine mammal that lives in the ocean, known for its size and ability to breathe air through a blowhole.
Wild Ox: A large, strong animal that lives in the wild and is known for its horns and strength.
Wolf: A wild, meat-eating animal that lives in packs and is known for its sharp teeth and howling sound.
Worm: A small, soft-bodied animal that lives in the soil and helps break down organic matter.