
Examples of four-legged animals include bears, lions, horses, beavers, and bison.
Four-legged animals are typically called quadrupeds.
In this post, we will explore the fascinating world of four-legged animals. We will talk about the evolution from dinosaurs to our modern-day creatures and how they have come to occupy a variety of habitats.
The majority of them are domesticated or used as workhorses for humans, but there are still some that roam free in their natural habitat.
Examples of Four-Legged Animals
1. Antelope

Scientific Name | Bovidae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
The Antelope is a common four-legged animal that has long brown hair, large eyes, and horns. They are commonly found in Africa.
2. Bears

Scientific Name | Ursidae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | North America, South America, Europe, and Asia |
Diet | Omnivore |
Bears are another common four-legged animal. They can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Bears are the largest land predators in North America and can weigh up to 1700 pounds. Bears have a variety of different colorings, but most are black or brown.
3. Beavers

Scientific Name | Castor |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | United States |
Diet | Herbivore |
Beavers are one of the most well-known four-legged animals. They can be found in North America, Asia, and Europe. Beavers live near rivers or lakes and build dams out of mud which they use to catch fish.
4. Bison

Scientific Name | Bison |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | The western United States and Canada |
Diet | Herbivore |
Bison are usually found in grassland areas. They spend most of the day grazing for food and will travel long distances to find it. Bison eat a variety of plants including; sedges, rushes, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs.
Related Article: Do Bison Have Curly Horns?
5. Buffalo

Scientific Name | Bison bison |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | South Asia (water buffalo) and Africa (Cape buffalo) |
Diet | Herbivore |
Buffalo are large, bison-like mammals that can be found in Africa and Asia. They are herbivores meaning they only eat plants or plant matter such as grasses, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
Buffalo live in groups called herds where each herd is led by a dominant male buffalo known as the bull who keeps other males out of the herd.
6. Camels

Scientific Name | Camelus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | desert areas in North Africa and the Middle East |
Diet | Herbivore |
Camels are one of the most well-known four-legged animals in the world. They can be found all over North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Camels have a number of unique features, including two humps on their back, long eyelashes, and a thick coat of fur that helps protect them from the sun and sand.
Related Article: Are Camels Faster than Horses?
7. Cats

Scientific Name | Felis catus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Another common four-legged animal is the cat. Cats are known for their independent nature and often enjoy spending time alone. They come in a variety of different colors and patterns and have sharp claws and teeth that they use to catch prey.
8. Cattle

Scientific Name | Bos taurus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Cattle are a domesticated species of bovine that is raised as livestock for meat or milk. They are the most common type of four-legged animal found in North America and Europe. Cows are herbivores and typically eat grass, hay, or other types of vegetation.
9. Cheetahs

Scientific Name | Acinonyx jubatus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Carnivore |
Cheetahs are the fastest four-legged animals in the world. The Cheetah has spots on its back, which act as camouflage from its prey so that it can catch them off guard and kill them easily before they have a chance to escape or fight back.
10. Cows

Scientific Name | Bos taurus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Cows are big four-legged animals that produce milk for humans to drink. They can be found in many parts of the world, in both Africa and Asia.
11. Deer

Scientific Name | Cervidae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Every state in the U. S. except Alaska |
Diet | Herbivore |
Deer are also very common four-legged animals. They can be found in many parts of the world, but they are most prevalent in North America and Europe. Deer are interesting creatures that come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Some deer are quite small, while others can grow to be quite large.
12. Dogs

Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
Dogs are the most common four-legged animal and can be found all over the world. They come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, but they all share some common characteristics.
Dogs are highly intelligent animals that have been bred for centuries to serve humans in many different ways.
13. Donkeys

Scientific Name | Equus asinus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Donkeys are common in Africa and Asia. They are used as working animals, often pulling carts or wagons. Donkeys are also used for riding. They have a calm temperament and can be very friendly.
14. Elephants

Scientific Name | Loxodonta |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa and Asia |
Diet | Herbivore |
Elephants are the largest land animals in the world. They can weigh up to six tons and grow to be over eleven feet tall. Elephants have two ivory tusks that can weigh up to one hundred pounds each. They use their tusks for digging, fighting, and moving objects.
15. Ferret

Scientific Name | Mustela putorius furo |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. |
Diet | Carnivore |
Ferrets are very interesting animals. They were domesticated thousands of years ago, and have been used for hunting, as well as pets in many countries. Ferrets can be found throughout the world with a large number being located in America due to their popularity there.
16. Frogs

Scientific Name | Anura |
Type of Animal | Reptile |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Frogs are a common four-legged animal that can be found all over the world. Frogs have smooth, wet skin and webbed feet. They live in water or on land and eat insects, fish, other frogs, and small animals.
17. Gazelles

Scientific Name | Gazella |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Gazelles are one of the most common four-legged animals in Africa. They are known for their quick speed and can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. Gazelles typically live in open areas such as grasslands and savannas, where they can easily run away from predators.
18. Giraffes

Scientific Name | Giraffa |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world, with males reaching heights of up to 18 feet. Their long necks help them reach leaves on high trees and also help their large tongues gather more food from bushes than other African herbivores.
19. Goats

Scientific Name | Capra aegagrus hircus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
They have been domesticated for thousands of years and are still used today as a source of food and clothing. Goats can be found all over the world, especially in mountainous areas because goats like to climb up mountains.
20. Hippos

Scientific Name | Hippopotamus amphibius |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Omnivore |
Hippos are one of the largest four-legged animals. They can be found in Africa and they love to swim. Hippos eat grass, roots, and fruit.
21. Horses

Scientific Name | Equus caballus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Another common four-legged animal is the horse. Horses have been used for transportation, farming, and war for thousands of years. There are many different breeds of horses, each with its own unique characteristics.
22. Lions

Scientific Name | Panthera leo |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Carnivore |
The lion is the king of the jungle and one of the most well-known four-legged animals. Lions are found in Africa and Asia. They are the largest cats in the world and can weigh up to 500 pounds.
Lions have a thick mane of hair around their head and neck that makes them look larger than they are.
23. Lizards

Scientific Name | Lacertilia |
Type of Animal | Reptile |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Carnivore |
Lizards are a common four-legged animal that can be found all over the world. There are many different types of lizards, ranging from small geckos to large Komodo dragons.
Lizards have long, slender bodies and often have colorful scales. They are typically insectivores, but some larger species will eat other animals.
24. Moose

Scientific Name | Alces alces |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | northern regions of the United States |
Diet | Herbivore |
A four-legged animal known as a Moose can weigh close to 1000 pounds and be over six feet tall. A typical moose lives in the northern part of North America, Europe, and Asia. The male moose has antlers that are larger than its body and span up to eight feet across.
25. Otters

Scientific Name | Lutrinae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | throughout most of North America |
Diet | Carnivore |
Otters are also common four-legged animals. They live in the wild and can be found all over Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa. Otters have webbed feet which help them swim through the water quickly and easily find food such as fish or shellfish.
26. Giant Pandas

Scientific Name | Ailuropoda melanoleuca |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | China |
Diet | Herbivore |
There are three types of panda bear, but the most well-known is the Giant Panda. This bear has thick fur and can weigh up to 300 pounds! Pandas live in temperate forests high in the mountains of China.
Females only give birth once every two years, so populations grow very slowly because they depend on their cubs surviving until they reach maturity.
27. Pigs

Scientific Name | Sus scrofa domesticus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Omnivore |
Pigs are also common four-legged animals. They are usually found in rural areas where they can forage for food. Pigs are omnivorous and eat both plants and meat. They are very intelligent animals and can be trained to perform a variety of tasks.
28. Rabbits

Scientific Name | Oryctolagus cuniculus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Rabbits are small, furry, and known for their long ears. Rabbits live in burrows underground with their young called kits. The rabbit’s life can be divided into two main stages: adulthood (12 months to breeding age) and maturity (birth until 12 months).
29. Reindeer

Scientific Name | Rangifer tarandus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | northern Europe and Asia |
Diet | Herbivore |
Reindeer are an important part of the culture and economy in many arctic and subarctic regions. They are used for transportation, their meat, hides, antlers, and sinews being valuable resources. They are also hunted for sport. In some areas, reindeer are herded by humans.
30. Rhinoceros

Scientific Name | Rhinocerotidae |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. |
Diet | Herbivore |
Rhinoceros are the second-largest land animal. They can be found in Africa, Asia, and North America. Two of the most well-known Rhino species are The White Rhinoceros (the most dangerous) and Black Rhinoceros(least dangerous).
31. Sheep

Scientific Name | Ovis aries |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Worldwide |
Diet | Herbivore |
Sheep are the most common four-legged animals in Europe. They have wool that is often used to make sweaters, coats, and blankets. Sheep live on farms or ranches where they feed off of grasses while grazing on large fields.
32. Tigers

Scientific Name | Panthera tigris |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Southwest Asia to the Indonesian island of Sumatra |
Diet | Carnivore |
You can find tigers in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Tigers are the second largest cat behind lions. They have thick stripes on their fur that help them blend into tall grass and trees when they hunt at night.
33. Wildebeest

Scientific Name | Connochaetes |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | southeastern Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
The wildebeest is a large, hoofed mammal that can be found in Africa. They are known for their long horns and are often hunted by lions. Wildebeests typically travel in herds and can run up to 40 mph.
34. Wolf

Scientific Name | Canis lupus |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Alaska, Canada, and Russia |
Diet | Carnivore |
Wolves are animals that hunt in packs and eat meat. The most well-known wolf is the gray wolf, which has been known to attack humans in some rare situations.
35. Zebra

Scientific Name | Equus quagga |
Type of Animal | Mammal |
Range | Africa |
Diet | Herbivore |
The zebra is a four-legged animal that can be found in Africa. They are herbivores and their stripes help them to camouflage in the tall grasses of the African savannah. Zebras are very social animals and live in herds of anywhere from two to fifty individuals.
More Four-Legged Animals
- Hyenas
- Lynxes
- Mongoose
- Fossa
- Binturong
- Raccoon
- Mink
- Aardvark
- Peccary
- Alligator
- Marmot
- Wolverine
- Jackal
- Skunk
- Serval
- Ocelot
- Cougar
- Leopard
- Squirrel
- Turtles
- Tapirs
- Mice
- Crocodile
- Muskrat
- Elk
- Caiman
- Coyotes
- Echidnas
- Porcupines
- Chinchillas
- Tamandua
- Anteaters
- Armadillo
- Guinneapigs
- Rats
- Jaguar
- Wild Boar
- Fox

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.