This list includes 33 small animals that start with P, from “Pacific golden-plover” to “Pygmy seahorse”. They cover small birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates commonly kept as pets or studied in the field.
Small animals that start with P are species with common names beginning with P and typically weigh under 5 kg. For example, the Pacific golden-plover is a famous long-distance migrant in many Pacific island cultures.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Lifespan, and Range.
Common name: The everyday name you likely search for; it helps you quickly recognize species and find related care or identification information.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identification so you can find reliable, unambiguous information across regions and languages.
Habitat: Short habitat notes tell you where the animal lives and help you picture its natural environment or care needs.
Lifespan: Typical lifespan in years gives you an expectation for longevity and helps plan care or study timelines.
Range: Broad geographic range shows where the animal occurs naturally, helping you with field identification and distribution context.
Small animals that start with P
| Common name | Scientific name | Typical adult size | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigeon | Columba livia | 240–380 g; 32–37 cm | 3–5 yrs wild; up to 15 yrs captive |
| Platypus | Ornithorhynchus anatinus | 700–2,400 g; 37–50 cm | 10–17 yrs |
| Pygmy marmoset | Cebuella pygmaea | 100–150 g; 12–16 cm | 10–15 yrs (captive) |
| Pygmy rabbit | Brachylagus idahoensis | 350–500 g; 22–29 cm | 1–3 yrs wild; up to 5–6 yrs captive |
| Piping plover | Charadrius melodus | 40–80 g; 17–20 cm | 6–10 yrs |
| Purple martin | Progne subis | 60–100 g; 17–21 cm | 2–8 yrs wild; up to 13 yrs captive |
| Pacific parrotlet | Forpus coelestis | 40–60 g; 11–13 cm | 15–20 yrs (captive) |
| Painted turtle | Chrysemys picta | 200–1,000 g; shell 10–25 cm | 20–30 yrs (captive) |
| Panther chameleon | Furcifer pardalis | 80–160 g; 30–50 cm (incl. tail) | 5–7 yrs (captive) |
| Pygmy seahorse | Hippocampus bargibanti | a few grams; 1–2 cm | 1–5 yrs |
| Platy | Xiphophorus maculatus | 3–10 g; 4–6 cm | 2–3 yrs |
| Pill bug | Armadillidium vulgare | 0.5–2 g; 1–2.5 cm | 2–3 yrs |
| Peacock butterfly | Aglais io | 0.5–1 g; wingspan 50–60 mm | Adults live weeks; overwinter as adults |
| Painted lady | Vanessa cardui | 0.5–1 g; wingspan 45–70 mm | Adults 2–4 weeks |
| Pacific treefrog | Pseudacris regilla | 2–5 g; 2–6 cm | 2–4 yrs |
| Peacock mantis shrimp | Odontodactylus scyllarus | 100–300 g; 12–18 cm | 5–20 yrs |
| Panamanian golden frog | Atelopus zeteki | 15–30 g; 4–6 cm | 8–15 yrs (captive) |
| Peppermint shrimp | Lysmata wurdemanni | 1–5 g; 3–6 cm | 1–5 yrs |
| Peregrine falcon | Falco peregrinus | 500–1,000 g; 34–58 cm | 5–15 yrs wild; up to 20 yrs captive |
| Pink fairy armadillo | Chlamyphorus truncatus | 120–200 g; 9–12 cm | 5–7 yrs |
| Pine marten | Martes martes | 800–1,500 g; 40–60 cm | 8–10 yrs |
| Purple finch | Haemorhous purpureus | 20–30 g; 14–17 cm | 2–5 yrs |
| Pacific golden-plover | Pluvialis fulva | 170–280 g; 25–33 cm | 10–15 yrs |
| Purple sea urchin | Strongylocentrotus purpuratus | 100–500 g; 5–10 cm diameter | 30+ yrs |
| Pearl danio | Danio albolineatus | 0.5–2 g; 3–5 cm | 3–5 yrs |
| Pinfish | Lagodon rhomboides | 100–450 g; 15–25 cm | 3–5 yrs |
| Pickerel frog | Lithobates palustris | 10–50 g; 4–8 cm | 4–5 yrs |
| Prairie vole | Microtus ochrogaster | 20–60 g; 10–14 cm | 1–3 yrs |
| Plain tiger | Danaus chrysippus | 0.5–1 g; wingspan 60–70 mm | Adults 2–4 weeks |
| Pumpkinseed | Lepomis gibbosus | 65–200 g; 10–20 cm | 6–8 yrs |
| Painted bunting | Passerina ciris | 12–16 g; 11–13 cm | 2–7 yrs |
| Periwinkle | Littorina littorea | 1–10 g; 2–4 cm | 3–5 yrs |
| Peacock spider | Maratus volans | <0.1 g; 4–5 mm | ~1 yr |
Descriptions
Pigeon
Common urban bird, adaptable omnivore found worldwide; kept as domesticated rock pigeons or seen as feral city birds.
Platypus
Egg-laying monotreme of Australian freshwater systems, semi-aquatic and venomous in males; not suitable as a pet.
Pygmy marmoset
World’s smallest monkey from Amazon forests, highly social; very specialized care if kept in captivity.
Pygmy rabbit
Tiny North American leporid that prefers sagebrush habitat and digs shallow burrows; specialist diet.
Piping plover
Small coastal shorebird that nests on sandy beaches; conservation concern in parts of its range.
Purple martin
Large swallow that nests colonially in houses or gourds; voracious aerial insectivore popular with backyard birders.
Pacific parrotlet
Tiny, feisty parrot popular as a companion bird; social and needs enrichment and interaction.
Painted turtle
Common North American pond turtle, omnivorous and frequently kept in aquaria or ponds with proper care.
Panther chameleon
Colorful Madagascar chameleon, arboreal and territorial; popular reptile requiring humidity and UV lighting.
Pygmy seahorse
Microscopic coral-dwelling seahorse with remarkable camouflage; highly specialized and unsuitable for most aquaria.
Platy
Hardy livebearing aquarium fish, colorful and easy to keep; popular for beginner tanks.
Pill bug
Terrestrial isopod (“roly‑poly”) that eats decaying plant matter; often used in terrariums and classroom habitats.
Peacock butterfly
Colorful European butterfly common in gardens; adults may hibernate in sheltered spots.
Painted lady
Worldwide migratory butterfly, frequents gardens and is easy to rear for educational projects.
Pacific treefrog
Small chorus frog of western North America, common in yards and wetlands; distinct trilling call.
Peacock mantis shrimp
Vibrantly colored stomatopod with powerful strike; fascinating but demanding aquarium species.
Panamanian golden frog
Critically endangered, brightly colored Central American toad; culturally important and kept in conservation breeding programs.
Peppermint shrimp
Small reef aquarium cleaner shrimp that eats parasites and detritus; popular in saltwater tanks.
Peregrine falcon
Powerful raptor famed for high-speed dives; widespread and often used in falconry and conservation.
Pink fairy armadillo
Tiny burrowing armadillo from Argentina with a distinctive pale shell; nocturnal and poorly suited to captivity.
Pine marten
Small, agile mustelid of Eurasian woodlands; omnivorous and largely solitary.
Purple finch
Songbird of forests and backyards; males show rosy purple plumage during breeding season.
Pacific golden-plover
Migratory shorebird that breeds in Arctic tundra and winters on coasts and islands; notable long-distance traveler.
Purple sea urchin
Rocky-shore grazer important to kelp ecosystems; long-lived echinoderm common on Pacific coasts.
Pearl danio
Peaceful schooling aquarium fish, hardy and colorful for community tanks.
Pinfish
Small coastal marine fish common in seagrass and estuaries; frequent baitfish and sport angling catch.
Pickerel frog
North American frog of moist woodlands and meadows; secretes mild toxins against predators.
Prairie vole
Small social rodent of North American grasslands, used in behavioral research and occasionally as a small pet.
Plain tiger
Also called the African monarch, a hardy milkweed-feeding butterfly common in gardens and open habitats.
Pumpkinseed
Colorful sunfish of freshwater ponds and lakes; popular sportfish and common in aquaria.
Painted bunting
Vividly colored songbird of North American brushy habitats; males are prized by birdwatchers.
Periwinkle
Intertidal marine snail common on rocky shores; forages on algae and tolerates wave action.
Peacock spider
Tiny Australian jumping spider with ornate male courtship displays; popular with arthropod enthusiasts.