15 Animals That Start With 'S': From Sea Lions to Scarlet Macaws

One of the most famous extinct animals, the saber-toothed tiger (alternatively spelled sabre-toothed tiger) was a fierce predator known for its massive canine teeth. These fangs were perfectly suited to bite into the large prey animals of the ice age like the giant sloth and wooly mammoth.

Despite its name, it wasn’t actually a tiger but belonged to a now-extinct group of mammals called the Machairodontinae.

Sea lions are intelligent and social marine mammals closely related to seals. The sea lion spends much of its time in the water but comes onto land to sleep and bask in the sun. They use their powerful front flippers to propel themselves through the ocean with incredible speed.

These parrots are some of the most recognizable in the world thanks to their large brightly colored bodies. Typically found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, scarlet macaws are highly intelligent and are known for their loud calls and ability to mimic human speech.

One of the cutest creatures in the animal kingdom, the sea otter is a marine mammal that uses tools like rocks to crack open shellfish. Sea otters have some of the densest fur of any animal, which helps keep them warm in chilly waters.

This North Asian antelope is one of the most unusual-looking species you might find, with its distinctive bulbous nose that helps filter out dust in its arid habitat. Unfortunately, this critically endangered species is facing rapid population declines due to poaching and habitat loss.

Unlike most owls, the short-eared owl is often active during the day and can be seen hunting in open grasslands. It gets its name from the small, barely visible ear tufts on its head, which help it blend into its surroundings.

Short-eared owls migrate all over the world from the Arctic north down to Europe, India and the Americas.

One of the most visually striking reptiles in North America, the San Francisco garter snake has vibrant red, black and blue stripes. It is an endangered species, primarily found in the wetlands of California.

Like other garter snake species, the San Francisco garter is nonaggressive to humans and mainly feeds on frogs and worms.

These spiky, slow-moving creatures roam the ocean floor, feeding on algae and helping to maintain healthy marine ecosystems. Predators and inattentive people walking in shallow tidepools may recieve a painful venomous sting from one of these creatures' spikes.

Despite their simple appearance, sea urchins play a vital role in the ocean's biodiversity.

A true master of camouflage, the snow leopard is a rare and elusive big cat that lives in the mountains of Central and South Asia. These powerful predators rely on their thick fur to survive the frigid temperatures of their high-altitude habitat.

One of the largest toothed whales, the sperm whale is famous for its deep-diving abilities and use of echolocation to navigate the ocean depths.

They were heavily hunted in the past for their valuable spermaceti oil. Since the 19th century, whale oil has fallen out of use, and international conservation efforts have helped sustain sperm whale populations for generations to come.

These graceful birds are known for their elaborate courtship dances and distinctive calls. Sandhill cranes migrate long distances, traveling thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds.

Typical breeding grounds are located in the arctic regions of northern Canada and Alaska while winters are spent in the southern United States and northern Mexico.

Often misunderstood thanks to its frightening appearance, spotted hyenas are highly intelligent mammals with complex social structures.

They are expert scavengers and formidable hunters, capable of taking down large prey on their own. Hyenas are commonly known to compete with nearby African lions over food and territory.

This medium-sized reptile is native to Central and South America and gets its name from the bony ridge between its eyes that resembles spectacles. Like their ancient crocodile relatives, spectacled caimans are skilled ambush predators that lurk in rivers and wetlands.

The smallest bear species, the sun bear, is found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and is known for its distinctive golden chest marking. Despite its small size, it has strong jaws and sharp claws for tearing into logs to find insects.

Surgeonfish are brightly colored reef fish known for the sharp spines on their tails, which they use for defense.

Surgeonfish are abundant in tropical coral reefs and feed on the algae and seaweed growing in that environment. They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by helping to control algae growth on the reefs and keep the population healthy.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.