Animals that start with “ro” can be surprisingly hard to come up with, right?
Not just animals—finding ordinary words that start with “ro” is tough, too.
When you’re playing shiritori with the restriction of using only animal names and it lands on “ro,” it can feel like your only option is to give up.
So in this article, we’ll introduce animals that start with “ro” to help anyone struggling with that syllable.
Some are rare, but there are also familiar ones that will make you think, “Oh, right!” as soon as you hear them.
If you’re having trouble with “ro” in word games like shiritori, definitely use this as a reference.
- Usable for Shiritori! A roundup of animals that start with “shi”
- Let's learn the names of animals and creatures that start with 'yo'!
- [Unusual creatures too?] Animal names that start with “nu”
- [By character count] Names of animals and living creatures that start with “gi”
- Foods that start with 'mi'? Useful words for Shiritori
- List of animals that start with “n”
- [For Seniors] Proverb Quiz with Animal Names
- Useful for word games and shiritori too! Animal names that start with “ko” (the “ko” sound)
- Useful for shiritori! A list of food names that start with 'fu'
- Animal names that start with “zu.” Perfect for shiritori and word game hints!
- Animals that start with “na.” For reference in a word game!
- Let's learn animal names! Animal names that start with 'mi'
- What animal is this kanji? A quiz on difficult animal kanji.
2 characters (1–10)
Donkey
Donkeys, which have long been kept as livestock in the West, are familiar animals that often appear in stories.
They aren’t kept very much in Japan, but, like horses, they have long been used for work.
It’s said that their communication ability is lower than that of horses.
3 characters (1–10)
Loris
With their cute darting eyes, lorises—such as the slow loris—are nocturnal, tree-dwelling animals.
Their distinctive movements make them adorable, but their numbers are declining, and they are among the endangered species.
Mole cricket (Rōko)
Many people may not have heard the word “rokō,” but it refers to the mole cricket.
Using the term “rokō” might even let you show off your knowledge, so it’s worth remembering.
By the way, in English it’s called a mole cricket.
logyo (sea bass)
Logyo refers to Suzuki (Japanese sea bass).
Its flavor is light, but the firm, springy flesh is delicious as sashimi or grilled.
Using the term “logyo” can also make you seem knowledgeable, so it’s a name well worth remembering.
4 letters (1–10)
lobster
Lobster, known as a luxury ingredient, is also called “homard” in culinary terms.
Some American lobsters are said to reach 120 cm in length.
Often described as almost ageless, lobsters are believed to live beyond 100 years.
Since their internal organs are said to be renewed with each molt, it makes you wish humans could benefit from that, too.
5 characters (1–10)
Rokuno-uo (The Sixth Fish)
Another name for the fish called mutsu is rokunouo.
Its fatty flesh is very delicious, isn’t it? It’s said that people used the name rokunouo to avoid addressing the Mutsu-no-kami, the lord of the Date domain, too informally.
The story behind that name is interesting, isn’t it?
6 characters (1–10)
giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis)
It is a type of jack that inhabits tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Its name is said to come from rōnin (masterless samurai) or samurai, inspired by its large size and the facial lines that look like scars.
