Animals That Start with N

Last month, a homeroom teacher at my elementary school requested a list of animals that started with N. At first I thought it would be impossible to find ten but I did four better and found fourteen fascinating animals whose names start with N.

Nile Crocodile:

Nile Crocodile

Size:

Adult males can reach lengths of up to 16-20 feet (4.8-6 meters), while females are slightly smaller.

Habitat:

They inhabit freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and marshes in sub-Saharan Africa.

Food:

They are carnivorous and feed on a variety of prey including fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Norway Rat:

Norway Rat

Size:

They typically measure about 7-10 inches (18-25 centimeters) in length, excluding the tail.

Habitat: Norway rats can be found worldwide, particularly in urban and rural areas. They nest in burrows, sewers, basements, and similar locations.

Food:

These rats are opportunistic omnivores and eat a wide range of food, including grains, fruits, vegetables, meats, and garbage.

Numbat:

Numbat

Size:

Numbats are small marsupials, measuring around 7-11 inches (18-28 centimeters) in length, with an additional tail length of 6-9 inches (15-23 centimeters).

Habitat:

They are native to western Australia and prefer eucalypt woodlands and forests.

Food:

Numbats are insectivores, feeding almost only on termites.

Nudibranch:

Nudibranch

Size:

The size of nudibranchs varies greatly among species, ranging from less than an inch to several inches in length.

Habitat:

Nudibranchs are marine creatures found in oceans worldwide, from shallow reefs to deep-sea environments.

Food:

They are carnivorous and primarily feed on a variety of prey such as sponges, anemones, hydroids, and other small invertebrates.

Nile Monitor:

Nile Monitor

Size:

Nile monitors are large lizards, with adults reaching lengths of 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 meters) or even more.

Habitat:

They are native to Africa and inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, savannas, and wetlands.

Food:

Nile monitors are carnivorous and consume a diverse diet, including fish, amphibians, birds, eggs, small mammals, and carrion.

Nene (Hawaiian Goose):

Nene Hawaiian Goose

Size:

Nenes are medium-sized geese, measuring about 22-25 inches (55-64 centimeters) in length.

Habitat:

They are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and inhabit various types of terrain, including grasslands, shrub lands, and lava plains.

Food:

Nenes are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, seeds, and berries.

Nighthawk:

Night Hawk

Size:

Nighthawks vary in size, but most species measure around 8-10 inches (20-25 centimeters) in length.

Habitat:

They have a wide distribution across North and South America and can be found in various open habitats such as grasslands, deserts, and forests.

Food:

Nighthawks are insectivores, hunting flying insects like moths, beetles, and mosquitoes.

Nutria:

Nutria

Size:

Nutrias are large rodents, typically measuring around 2-2.5 feet (60-75 centimeters) in length, excluding the tail.

Habitat:

Originally native to South America, they have been introduced to various regions worldwide and inhabit wetlands, marshes, and riversides.

Food:

Nutrias are herbivores, feeding on aquatic plants, grasses, and crops.

Narwhal:

Narwhal

Size:

Male narwhals can grow up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) in length, including their long tusk, while females are slightly smaller.

Habitat:

Narwhals live in Arctic waters near Greenland and Canada, often found in deep fjords, bays, and sea ice regions.

Food:

They are carnivorous and primarily feed on fish, squid, and shrimp.

Newt:

Newt

Size:

Newts vary in size depending on the species, with some measuring only a few inches long while others can reach lengths of up to 6-10 inches (15-25 centimeters).

Habitat:

They are found in various habitats worldwide, including forests, ponds, lakes, and rivers.

Food:

Newts are carnivorous and consume small invertebrates, insects, worms, and amphibian eggs.

Nectar Bat:

Nectar Bat

Size:

Nectar bats, also known as blossom bats, are small to medium-sized bats with a wingspan ranging from 8-16 inches (20-40 centimeters).

Habitat:

They are found in tropical and subtropical regions, inhabiting forests, gardens, and areas with flowering plants.

Food:

Nectar bats are frugivorous and primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and the fruits of various plants.

Nautilus:

Nautilus

Size:

Nautiluses are cephalopods with a distinctive spiral shell. They can grow to be about 7-10 inches (18-25 centimeters) in diameter.

Habitat:

Nautiluses inhabit deep ocean waters, mainly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Food:

They are carnivorous and feed on small fish, crustaceans, and other marine organisms.

Nightingale:

Nightingale

Size:

Nightingales are small songbirds, measuring around 5-6 inches (13-15 centimeters) in length.

Habitat:

They breed in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and are known for their melodious songs in woodlands, thickets, and woodlands.

Food:

The nightingale’s diet consists mainly of insects and small invertebrates. As skilled foragers, they search the ground and leaf litter for a variety of prey, including beetles, spiders, worms, and caterpillars.

Nutcracker:

Nutcracker

Size:

Nutcrackers are medium-sized birds, measuring about 10-12 inches (25-30 centimeters) in length.

Habitat:

They are found in forests and woodlands across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Food:

Nutcrackers are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of food, including nuts, seeds, insects, and berries.

Animals that start with N are Diverse

From the towering Nile Crocodile to the delicate wings of the Nectar Bat, each animal plays a vital role in life on Earth.

So, the next time you encounter an animal whose name starts with “N,” take a moment to appreciate it.

Photos by Tamara Klein.