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Useful for word games and shiritori too! Animal names that start with “ko” (the “ko” sound)

In word-chain games like shiritori, you sometimes play using animals as the theme, right?

Knowing lots of animal names can deepen your knowledge and even give you an edge when playing.

So in this article, we’ll be featuring animals that start with the syllable “ko.”

We’ve picked a variety—from animals you often see at zoos to rare ones.

You might discover unexpected facts, like the origins of their names or their characteristics.

Be sure to check out these animal and creature names you can use as prompts or answers in word games!

5 characters (1–10)

stork

stork

The stork, also known as a motif that brings babies.

Although the wild population has gone extinct in Japan, breeding efforts have been undertaken in various regions, and the number kept in captivity is reportedly increasing year by year.

Ochre-rumped bunting

Ochre-rumped bunting

The Ochre-rumped Bunting, which is also classified as an endangered species.

Its head is covered with black plumage, and its back is reddish-brown with black vertical stripes.

You might be quite lucky if you spot one!

6 characters (1–10)

Komontspai

Komontspai

The name may not be very familiar, but it’s a squirrel-like mammal that lives around Southeast Asia.

It has a habit of secreting a scented fluid from its body to mark and advertise its territory.

Kōuchō (Fragrant Rain Bird)

Kōuchō (Fragrant Rain Bird)

A small bird found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

It’s said that cowbirds eat insects that flee when cattle are grazing, and because they follow cows around, they are called “cowbirds” in English.

Copper pheasant

Copper pheasant

They are pheasants that inhabit the eastern part of the Eurasian continent, such as China and the Korean Peninsula.

Although they are a different species from the pheasants that live in Japan, it is said that they sometimes mate with Japanese pheasants and produce offspring.

In conclusion

After reading through the article about animals that start with “Ko” (the Japanese syllable 'こ'), did you make any new discoveries? You probably found not only well-known animals like koalas and koi, but also some rare ones. Learning about the origins of animal names and their different types can spark a deeper interest, too. Be sure to use this for word games or shiritori as well.