Animals of the World: S

The sea holds many animals whose names begin with S. The great white shark is a large predatory fish, one of the ocean's top hunters, with rows of sharp teeth and a keen sense for detecting prey. Seals and sea lions are marine mammals adapted to life in the water, with streamlined bodies and flippers, though they come ashore to rest and breed. Salmon are fish well known for migrating from the sea up rivers to spawn in the freshwater where they hatched.

On land, mammals beginning with S show great variety. The sloth is a slow-moving animal of Central and South American forests that hangs from branches and spends much of its time resting. Squirrels are agile, mostly tree-dwelling rodents that gather and store food such as nuts. The skunk is known for spraying a foul-smelling liquid to deter predators, while sheep are hooved grazers domesticated for wool, meat, and milk.

Other animals beginning with S include the salamander, an amphibian with a slender body and tail that lives in damp places, and scorpions, arachnids armed with a venomous sting in the tail. From large ocean predators to small invertebrates, these animals span nearly every major group, illustrating the breadth of the animal kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

Why do salmon swim upriver?

Salmon migrate from the ocean up rivers to spawn in freshwater, often returning to the same streams where they hatched.

Are seals and sea lions the same animal?

They are related marine mammals but differ. Sea lions have visible external ear flaps and can rotate their hind flippers to walk on land, while true seals cannot.

How does a skunk defend itself?

A skunk can spray a strong, foul-smelling liquid from glands near its tail, which deters most predators.