[Unusual creatures too?] Animal names that start with “nu”
In this article, we’ll introduce animal names that start with the Japanese syllable “nu” (ぬ).
When you play word-chain games like shiritori with a theme such as “animal names only,” there are always a few tricky starting sounds.
Names of living creatures that seem like they should exist, but don’t come readily to mind.
If you love animals, you may have heard of some of these species or already know them.
By learning about these slightly niche creatures, you’ll not only have more options for various games, but the knowledge may also come in handy at some point.
Feel free to use this as conversation material about animals most people don’t know.
- Useful for word games and shiritori too! Animal names that start with “ko” (the “ko” sound)
- List of animals that start with “n”
- Animal names that start with “zu.” Perfect for shiritori and word game hints!
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- [For Elementary School Students] 3-Choice Quiz to Deepen Knowledge of Living Things
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- Animals that start with “na.” For reference in a word game!
- [For Seniors] Proverb Quiz with Animal Names
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- Usable for Shiritori! A roundup of animals that start with “shi”
- A must-see for anyone struggling with word games like shiritori! Animals that start with 'ro'
- Food names starting with “ne,” categorized by character count
5 characters (1–10)
nutria
Nutria means “otter” in Spanish.
They have webbed hind feet and are good swimmers, and it’s said they can stay underwater for more than five minutes!
6 characters (1–10)
Bennet’s stingray
The white-striped harlequin tuskfish is a medium-sized marine fish widely distributed from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.
It secretes toxins from its skin, so it is not edible.
Mexican jay
The beautiful blue-plumed Purplish-backed Jay inhabits tropical forests and woodlands in western Mexico.
Since it belongs to the crow family, its head and beak may resemble those of a crow!
Marbled flounder (Numagarei)
Numagarei (freshwater flounder) inhabits freshwater bodies such as lakes, marshes, and rivers.
It has the characteristic of migrating down to the sea during the spawning season.
Because it is low in fat and tends to be dry, it is not often eaten.
Nunome Asari (Nunome-asari)
Nunome-asari, known for its cloth-like patterned design.
Compared to common clams, they have thicker shells and a plumper appearance.
In conclusion
We introduced animals that start with “nu,” including some unusual creatures and those with tricky kanji. From the names alone you might picture something else, but in reality many of them are surprisingly cute. It can be a tough prompt when it comes up in word games, but use this article as a reference and have fun with it!