When it comes to animals that start with “shi,” the first ones that come to mind are often shika (deer) and shimauma (zebra).
So, what other animals are there?
In this article, we introduce animals that start with “shi” that you can use for word games like shiritori.
We’ve gathered a variety—from familiar animals you might see at zoos and aquariums to those you may know by name but rarely get a chance to see.
If you can’t think of anything besides shika (deer) and shimauma (zebra), be sure to use this as a reference!
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- Animal names that start with “zu.” Perfect for shiritori and word game hints!
- Animals that start with “na.” For reference in a word game!
- [Unusual creatures too?] Animal names that start with “nu”
- [Trivia] Do you know the answers? A roundup of animal quizzes
- [Word Chain / Word Play] Words that start with “gu”
- Animal riddles
- [For Adults] Fun recreational games. Perfect for short breaks too!
2 characters (1–10)
Snipe
It’s a group of birds that includes species like the Common Snipe and the Eurasian Woodcock.
Some species visit Japan as migratory birds in spring and autumn.
Due to population declines and other factors, some are listed on the Red List.
deer
It’s an animal found all over the world, strongly associated with the image of branching antlers.
Female deer usually don’t have antlers, but reindeer, which closely resemble deer, have antlers on both males and females.
In Japan, “shika” generally refers to the sika deer (Nihon-jika), and the specific type varies slightly by region.
3 characters (1–10)
shijimi (basket clams)
Shijimi are small freshwater bivalves.
One theory about the origin of their name says that the horizontal ridges on the shells look crumpled, so they were called “chijimi” (crumpled), which gradually changed over time into the current “shijimi.”
Orca (Killer Whale)
Orcas are mammals that live in the water and are related to whales and dolphins.
They certainly look similar.
As apex predators in the ocean food chain with a strong carnivorous nature, they are called “killer whales” in English.
Mahi-mahi (dolphinfish)
The dolphinfish is a large migratory fish in the perch family that lives in warm seas around the world.
In Hawaii and Japan, it is known as “mahimahi” and regarded as a high-end fish.
Its Japanese name is said to come from being likened to shiina—husks of rice with no grain inside—because its flesh is thin and there isn’t much meat.
4 letters (1–10)
zebra
Zebras are known for their distinctive black-and-white stripes.
It is said that these stripes have a camouflage effect that prevents predators from focusing on a single individual during a hunt.
Additionally, the black areas absorb heat more readily than the white areas, creating differences in airflow between them.
The resulting tiny air vortices are believed to help keep the animal’s body temperature lower.
Siberian chipmunk (striped chipmunk)
The chipmunk is a small squirrel characterized by the striped pattern on its body—after which it is said to be named—its bushy tail, and cheek pouches that can be stuffed with food.
Many of you may know it as a character that appears in Disney animations.