How Many Animals Are In The World? The Astonishing Answer

Imagine going on a calm safari trip across Africa’s vast plains. Have you ever wondered about how many animals are in the world? This intriguing question might surprise you with its answer.

Think about looking over the ocean filled with countless sea creatures. From every small bee to each giant elephant, these animals comprise our planet’s varied animal kingdom.

How Many Animals Are In The World: Estimation

People Think: how many species of animals are in the world? Experts believe all animals in the world are “8.7 million species” globally, with many still undiscovered.

Countless mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians comprise over two-thirds of the world’s animal diversity. Scientists have only identified about 228,450 ocean species, even though they believe there are millions.

how many animals are on earth: Types Of Animals

This world includes all sorts of animals, from spineless ones like sponges and bugs to ones with spines like reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals. If you explore the ocean, you might see snow geese flying together or a kestrel bird flying against strong winds. 

Animals without a spine are called invertebrates, and animals with a backbone are called vertebrates. Most animal on earth are invertebrates and belong to the Arthropoda group. Vertebrates belong to the Chordata group. Animals can be divided into six more specific groups for a more detailed classification.

Mammals

Mammals are a diverse group with over 6000 to 7000 species found worldwide. They range from giant blue whales with wide eyes to tiny bumblebee bats and live in all environments, from deserts to icy polar areas. Mammals have unique features, but some mammals can’t leap.

They are warm-blooded and have fur or hair to help control their body temperature. They also give birth to live young, a sign of their advanced reproduction system. Mammals are known for their highly developed brains, which allow them to learn and adapt to their surroundings.

Reptiles

There are over 10,000 types of reptiles worldwide, except in rainy Antarctica. Imagine having iguanas, geckos, snakes, or crocodiles in our backyards. These creatures are known for their unique abilities, like regrowing lost tails and hiding from predators. 

They may look rugged on the outside, but they’re cold-blooded, which means their body temperature changes with the environment. Reptiles also have unique traits like laying eggs or giving birth to live young, which many birds and mammals can’t do. 

Amphibians

Amphibians are amazing creatures, with about over 8,200 different types worldwide. Each class has unique features that allow them to live in water and on land. They start life as water-breathing creatures with tails and gills, then become land animals with lungs.

Their skin is thin, moist, often bright, and serves multiple purposes. It helps them blend in to avoid predators and breathe through their skin. Some amphibians have special abilities like making poison or growing back limbs, which other animals don’t have.

Fish

There are over 32,000 different types of fish worldwide. They range in size from the tiny Philippine goby, which is only 1 centimetre long, to the enormous whale shark, which can grow up to 12 meters long. The Viperfish, a deep-sea creature, uses light to hunt. The Flying Fish can fly out of the water and glide in the air for long distances.

Invertebrates

Invertebrates make up 97% of all species on Earth. There are over a million known species, and more are still to be found. They come in various sizes, from tiny zooplankton to the giant Pacific octopus.

Starfish can regrow their whole bodies from just one arm. Spiders produce silk stronger than steel, and squids can quickly blend into their surroundings. Earthworms improve soil fertility, and bees are important for pollination.

Birds

Our planet is home to over 10,000 different types of birds, found everywhere, from the Himalayas to the Amazon. These birds are not only beautiful and harmonious, but they also have unique behaviours and features. For example, foody hummingbirds are tiny but strong, flapping their wings up to 70 times per second. 

Albatrosses have the largest wingspan, reaching up to 11 feet. Penguins are unique because they don’t fly but have sturdy wings, making them excellent swimmers. Birds also have their own languages, including mimicry, alarm calls, and dawn choruses.

How Many Mammals Are In The World?

Our world is notable because it houses over 5,416 types of mammals. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), we discover about 18 new mammal species yearly thanks to advanced classification and gene study technologies.

Types Of Mammals In The World

There are three well-known types of mammals:

• Marsupials: Australia hosts many marsupials, mammals with a unique birth process. Kangaroos, koalas, and wombats are examples of marsupials who carry their babies in pouches for weeks after birth. Their unique way of reproduction, where the baby grows inside the mother and in her bag, is exciting and worth more research.
• Placental Mammals: This group is the largest among mammals, accounting for nearly 90% of all species, humans included. What sets placental mammals apart is a feature called a placenta. This group encompasses a range of animal on earth, from fun-loving dolphins to socially complex elephants, demonstrating the fantastic variety of life.
• Monotremes: Monotremes are unique egg-laying mammals. This group only consists of the platypus and echidnas, or spiny anteaters. Monotremes are fascinating as they show traits of both reptiles and mammals, hinting at undiscovered aspects of evolution.

How Many Reptiles Are In The World?

The world of reptiles is vast, with around 11,136 different species. Recent research shows that we find about three new reptile species every week. This means we discover more than 150 new species each year.

Types Of Reptiles In The World

There are four well-known types of reptiles:

• Crocodilians: This group includes crocodiles, gharials, alligators, and caimans. They are often feared and respected because of their large size and strength. They are known for their impressive hunting skills. They also have a complex social structure, which they show through different visual signals.
• Squamata: This group includes some of the biggest reptiles like snakes, lizards, and worm lizards. For example, the Komodo Dragon in this group shows how amazing evolution is. They are strong and use bacteria as a part of their hunting strategy.
• Testudines or Chelonii: Turtles and tortoises have protective shells that protect them from predators. These shells are like a second home for them. Some species, like the Galapagos Tortoise, are known for their long lifespan, often living more than 100 years. 
• Rhynchocephalia: Tuataras are often referred to as living fossils. This is because they look very similar to ancient reptiles that have been extinct for a long time. They can make you feel like you’ve travelled back in time.

How Many Amphibians Are In The World?

You might be surprised to learn that almost 8,000 types of amphibians live on Earth, including frogs, salamanders, newts, and many others. What’s more, we discover about 170 new species each year.

Types Of Amphibians In The World

• Poison Dart Frogs: These small animals, originally from Central and South America, are famous for their bright colours. These colours warn predators about their very poisonous skin. These frogs are special because they must eat certain ants or beetles to make specific poisons.
• Hellbender Salamanders: They live in North America’s clear, swift rivers. They are unique among amphibians because they are large, up to 29 inches. Their wrinkled skin helps them breathe underwater.
• Axolotls: The Xochimilco lakes and channels in Mexico are home to a unique amphibian, the Axolotl. This shy salamander has amazing healing powers. It can regrow not just its limbs but also its heart cells.

How Many Fishes Are In The World?

At present, more than 34,000 species of fish have been documented. Some research suggests that the total count could reach as high as 5 million when considering less explored habitats such as the deep-sea regions or secluded freshwater ecosystems.

Types Of Fish In The World

Fishes emerge as three distinct categories, each with an array of species boasting unique features: 

• Agnatha Or jawless fish: Hagfish and lampreys are some of the oldest types of vertebrates. They don’t have jaws, and their unique sucker mouths help them eat by scraping at their food.
• Osteichthyes or bony fishes: Consider goldfish and salmon – their wide range of colours, from bright shades to bold patterns, look like they’re from a painting. These fish are known for their strong skeleton made completely of bone.
• Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fishes: Sharks, Skates, and Rays have skeletons made of flexible cartilage instead of hard bone. This makes them fast in water and helps them live in different environments.

How Many Invertebrates Are In The World?

Scientists believe there could be between 5 million and 30 million types of invertebrates on Earth. The International Institute for Species Exploration reports that about 18,000 new species are found each year, many of which are invertebrates.

Types Of Invertebrates In The World

• Arthropods: Arthropods are a group of creatures that include insects, spiders, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters, and myriapods such as centipedes and millipedes. They all have a few things in common: a body divided into sections, a hard outer shell, and limbs with joints. 
• Molluscs: Snails, squids, and octopuses belong to a large family with over 85,000 known species. Molluscs are soft-bodied animals, usually protected by calcium carbonate shells like an oyster’s shell.
• Cnidarians: Underwater creatures draw us into a mysterious, colourful world. Despite their soft bodies, they have stinging cells for protection and hunting. Cnidarians have beautified our planet for around 500 million years and are important in marine ecosystems.

How Many Birds Are In The World?

Experts estimate that Earth is home to between 5 million and 30 million kinds of invertebrates. Counting the number of birds is challenging, but there are around 50 billion birds from 9,700 species. The American Ornithological Society says we’ve found around five new bird species annually for the past decade.

Types Of Birds In The World

• Albatrosses: Southern Hemisphere sea birds have the world’s largest wingspan, reaching up to 12 feet. They are excellent gliders and use wind currents to fly without flapping their enormous wings.
• Sparrow Birds: They live on every continent and are a common sight in our daily lives, from gardens and parks to farms and city streets. One type of sparrow, the House Sparrow, has quickly adjusted to city life worldwide.
• Accipitridae: This group of birds, including hawks, eagles, and vultures, represents strength and speed in the bird world. They are experts at flying high on warm air currents, watching every movement below. They are the perfect combination of hunters and scouts in nature.

Final Words

Counting all the animals on Earth is a tough job because there are so many different types, and their numbers keep changing. But it’s important to know how many animals are there in the world, there are to help us protect and save the unique species on our planet.

Knowing that there are millions, maybe even billions, of animal species shows us how rich and diverse life is. The surprising answer to ‘How many animals are in the world?’ reminds us that we all have a role to play in keeping this diversity alive.

FAQs