Wild Animals for Kids: Facts and Safety Tips

There’s something simply mesmerising about wild animals. Their untamed beauty and the way they move effortlessly through their natural habitats. Whether it’s a lion’s majestic roar echoing through the savanna, an eagle soaring high above rugged cliffs, or a tiger stealthily weaving through dense forests, each creature tells a story of survival, instinct, and grace. Observing them in the wild reminds us of nature’s brilliance and the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet.

For many of us, our first encounter with these fascinating creatures happens on childhood trips to the zoo. Eyes wide with wonder, we gaze at animals in their enclosures, captivated by their presence. For young and passionate animal lovers, visiting the zoo and experiencing wildlife is a mesmerising experience and a treasure trove of knowledge. Not only will they uncover the answer to the question “What are wild animals?” but they also discover fascinating wild animal facts and examples of species they may have never even heard of before.

In this article, we will share a few interesting wild animal facts that you can share with your little ones. Additionally, we will share a few tips to remember when experiencing wildlife up close and personally.

What are Wild Animals

Simply put,  wild animals are animals that usually live in forests. Naturally, they are not Domesticated like the cat next door or the adorable Terrier one might keep as a pet at home.

Wild animals play a valuable role in providing stability to natural processes. Apart from Forests, they are commonly found in various ecosystems like Deserts and Plains. Perhaps the most invaluable contribution of wild animals lies in the fact that they help maintain the Ecological Balance. Subsequently, they help maintain that all-important Food Chain, too.

It only becomes natural that we protect and preserve the rich heritage of wild animals in our country.

• Examples of wild animals in the Indian subcontinent: Tigers, lions, and bears
• Valuable substances that are procured from wild animals: Ivory and leather

100 Wild Animals Found in Nature

These are some of the crucial wild animal names of the creatures of the jungle. While there were plenty of names common to most human ears, there must surely have been some that you hadn’t heard of before.

#1. Jaguar

#2. Elk

#3. Elephant

#4. Leopard

#5. Hyena

#6. Giraffe

#7. Deer

#8. Zebra

#9. Wild Bear

#10. Hippopotamus

#11. Kangaroo

#12. Rhinoceros

#13. Porcupine

#14. Koala Bear

#15. Wombat

#16. Meerkat

#17. Squirrel

#18. Raccoon

#19. Jackal

#20. Hare

#21. Oryx

#22. Elk

#23. Badger

#24. Dinosaur

#25. Wild Cat

#26. Coyote

#27. Bison

#28. African Elephant

#29. Squirrel Monkey

#30. Royal Bengal Tiger

#31. Flying Squirrel

#32. Emu

#33. Beaver

#34. Emperor Penguin

#35. Baboon

#36. Bat

#37. Orangutan

#38. Chinchillas

#39. Mongoose

#40. Iguana

#41. Hare

#42. Walrus

#43. Seal

#44. Skink

#45. Reindeer

#46. Caracal

#47. Bobcat

#48. Guinea Pig

#49. Okapi

#50. Marten

#51. Siberian Tiger

#52. African Lion

#53. Asian Elephant

#54. Snow Leopard

#55. Spotted Hyena

#56. Rothschild’s Giraffe

#57. White-tailed Deer

#58. Plains Zebra

#59. Black Panther

#60. African Cheetah

#61. Grey Wolf

#62. South American Jaguar

#63. Possum

#64. Chipmunk

#65. Monitor Lizard

#66. Mole

#67. Aardvark

#68. Armadillo

#69. Komodo Dragon

#70. Royal Bengal Tiger

#71. Ibis

#72. King Cobra

#73. Bat

#74. Chihuahua

#75. Guinea Pig

#76. Bearded Dragon

#77. Pangolin

#78. Coyote

#79. Alpine Goat

#80. Giant Panda

#81. Alligator

#82. Otter

#83. Porcupine

#84. Chimpanzee

#85. Gorilla

#86. Hedgehog

#87. Meerkat

#88. Monkey

#89. Salamander

#90. Anaconda

#91. Jellyfish

#92. Garter Snake

#93. Platypus

#94. Chameleon

#95. Tasmanian Devil

#96. Dingo

#97. Okapi

#98. Wild Boar

#99. Sloth

#100. Skunk

5 Safety Tips When Encountering a Wild Animal

To be safe with wild animals, it is essential to know about the facts on when to run and when to stay put. When faced with a wild animal in nature, your child needs to bear the following tips in mind.

1. Do not touch them

Of course, the first thing a child would want to do is to touch an animal when they see them. They must avoid this at all costs, even if the animal in question appears injured. There’s a reason they are called ‘Wild’ animals, after all!

2. Use Binoculars

If they must observe that wild animal they have stumbled upon, ensure that they do it with a set of binoculars at a safe distance.

3. Don’t try and feed them

It’s not ‘your’ safety we’re talking about here, but ‘theirs’. Animals can get sick when they eat the wrong foods! This is an important wildlife animal fact that kids must know of.

4. Don’t chase or disturb them

Both you and the animal could end up getting hurt. This is one of the interesting wild animals facts that kids must be aware of.

5. Inform an adult when necessary

This is when you think you see an ‘orphaned’ or ‘hurt’ animal. The adult can then contact an Authorised Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Quiz: Wild Animals for Kids – Facts and Safety Tips

Here are some fun and educational quiz questions to help kids learn more about wild animals and how to stay safe around them!

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of these animals is known as the ‘King of the Jungle’?
• a) Elephant
• b) Lion
• c) Tiger
• d) Bear

Answer: b) Lion

2. What should you do if you see a wild animal in your backyard?
• a) Run towards it
• b) Stay calm and slowly back away
• c) Try to pet it
• d) Feed it some snacks

Answer: b) Stay calm and slowly back away

3. Which animal is the fastest land animal?
• a) Elephant
• b) Cheetah
• c) Kangaroo
• d) Giraffe

Answer: b) Cheetah

4. Which of these animals is known to play dead to avoid danger?
• a) Lion
• b) Rabbit
• c) Opossum
• d) Snake

Answer: c) Opossum

5. Which wild animal is known to be a great swimmer?
• a) Lion
• b) Elephant
• c) Zebra
• d) Giraffe

Answer: b) Elephant

True or False

1. It’s safe to approach baby wild animals because they are harmless.

Answer: False (The mother might be nearby and could become protective.)

2. A skunk sprays a smelly liquid to protect itself from danger.

Answer: True

3. All wild animals are dangerous and should be feared.

Answer: False (Wild animals should be respected and observed from a safe distance, not feared.)

4. It’s okay to feed wild animals if they look hungry.

Answer: False (Feeding wild animals can be dangerous for both humans and the animals.)

5. Some wild animals can camouflage to blend in with their surroundings.

Answer: True

Fill in the Blanks

1. The largest land animal is the ________.

Answer: Elephant

2. A ________ has black and white stripes to help it blend in with its surroundings.

Answer: Zebra

3. When exploring the forest, always stay on the ________ to stay safe.

Answer: Trail or Path

4. A ________ is known for building dams in rivers and streams.

Answer: Beaver

5. If you encounter a wild animal, never ________ or ________ at it.

Answer: Run, Shout

Match the Animal to its Characteristic

1. Lion: a) Camouflages in the snow
2. Polar Bear: b) Lives in a den and hibernates
3. Cheetah: c) Fastest land animal
4. Bear: d) King of the Jungle
5. Chameleon: e) Changes colour to blend in

Answers:

• Lion: d) King of the Jungle
• Polar Bear: a) Camouflages in the snow
• Cheetah: c) Fastest land animal
• Bear: b) Lives in a den and hibernates
• Chameleon: e) Changes colour to blend in

Conclusion

Learning about wild animal names encourages children to be grateful for nature’s creations. At EuroKids, we believe that teaching children to respect wild animals from an early age is imperative. If you are looking for innovative ways to enhance your little one’s learning, check out our blog- Strategies For Enhancing Children’s Learning Skills.

For informative and accurate articles on all things related to your newborn or toddler’s development, growth, health, and nutrition, visit EuroKids Blogs and check out our nationally recognized preschools, EuroKids, for the first step in your kid’s educational journey!