The surprising variety and unusual personalities of animals make them perfect subjects for riddles. And we have a collection of animal riddles sure to please even the most proficient riddle solver. You might wish to begin with our collection of “Animal Riddles for Kids,” some of which are easy enough for the youngest child. Some of these riddles rhyme to add a special flavor of fun. Next, we have some “Farm Animal Riddles,” since every child’s first encounter with animals is usually farm animals and the sounds they make. You will find our “What Am I? Animal Riddles” a bit more of a challenge. Finally, we close this article with some “Hard Animal Riddles” to test your riddling capability.
Table of Contents
Animal Riddles for Kids
Kids and animals go together and our animal riddles will delight kids of every age. Remind the kiddos to take it slow and think carefully, as many of the riddles use a pun or a play on words. We have riddles about the animals kids will be most familiar with to make it a bit easier.
- What do you call a cat wearing shoes?
- What kind of jungle cat is no fun to play games with?
- Where do mice park their boats?
- Why can’t a leopard hide?
- What steps do you take if you a tiger is running towards you?
- I have the bill of a duck, webbed feet, a tail like a beaver, and I lay eggs. What animal am I?
- The height of my legs – usually around 6 feet – is taller than most humans. What animal am I?
- What goes tick-tock, bow-wow, tick-tock, bow-wow?
- What was the first animal in space?
- Where do hippopotamuses keep their money?
- I have horns,
But I do not beep.
I like to bleat,
But I am not a sheep. - I hide my treasure in the ground,
And dig it out in winter.
You might spot me in a tree,
Eating my nutty dinner. - I never leave water, but I breathe air. I live in a school all my life.
- I am big and fluffy, and a little bit scruffy.
I live in the woods and give big hugs.
If I live on your bed, you might call me Ted. - I am covered in feathers and I cluck.
You might get called my name if you are scared. - You say “hey,” but I eat it. I say “neigh,” but do not mean “no.”
- What color chicks would hatch from brown and white rooster eggs?
- I slither around,
With my home on my back.
I’ve never been rich,
But I leave silver tracks. - I wear a tuxedo in the snow.
I skate on my tummy across the ice floe. - I’m bigger than a house,
And scared of a mouse.
I have great big toes.
And a hose for a nose. - I have a hole in my back and legs I lack.
I live where I can’t breathe,
And I eat without teeth. - I have humps on my back.
I live on the sand.
I am very strong,
As I carry you over land.
Farm Animal Riddles
The first animals most children encounter after house pets are farm animals and they love them. Our farm animal riddles are sure to please with all sorts from farm pets to working animals. We have some easy riddles, some puns, and some that are just plain silly. These riddles work well in classrooms, at camps, anywhere kids gather. The kids won’t have trouble remembering them and sharing them with their friends, too.
- What day do chickens fear the most?
- What did the horse say when it fell?
- What did the teacher say when the horse walked into the class?
- What do you call a cow spying on another cow?
- What do you call a cow that just had a baby?
- What do you call a cow with no legs?
- What do you call a horse that lives next door?
- What do you call a sleeping cow?
- What goes “ooo, ooo, ooo.”
- Why was the cow afraid?
- How do horses stay in such great shape?
- Why do cows have hooves instead of feet?
- What has two heads, four eyes, six legs, and a tail?
- What is the greatest worldwide use of cowhide?
- What always sleeps with its shoes on?
- What can honk without a horn?
- What do you call a cow in a tornado?
- What do you call shaving a crazy sheep?
- I plough fields, but never sow. I’ve a corkscrew tail and snuffly nose.
- What animal is shy and always trying to hide from flying objects?
- What do you get if you cross a chicken and a cow?
- What kind of music do rabbits like?
- What time does a duck wake up?
- Where did the sheep go on vacation?
- What does a cat have that no other animal has?
- Why do cows wear bells?
- Why does a milking stool only have 3 legs?
- What did the duck say when he bought lipstick?
- What do you call a pig with no legs?
- Where do rabbits eat breakfast?
- What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?
“What Am I?” Animal Riddles
Our “What am I?” riddles about animals will keep everyone guessing. You might find these the easiest riddles in this article as the hints are fairly straightforward. However, some of the answers will be surprising. Be careful, because your first answer may be wrong.
- I come from an egg, but have no legs. Be careful, as I may have a poisonous bite. What am I?
- I am an animal that holds the distinction of being the first word in many English dictionaries. What am I?
- I am the biggest reptile on earth. Humans sometimes want shoes named after me. What am I?
- I have four noses and thousands of teeth. You can hold me in your hand, although most folks do not want to, because I am slimy. Some of my brothers can break off a piece of their tail if they are attacked by a predator. What am I?
- I am a big, beautiful bird with a loud cry. I like to fan out my colorful feathers to get attention. What am I?
- My bite is strong enough to crush a bowling ball. I am one of the biggest land mammals and like to eat meat, but about ¾ of my diet is berries, leaves, and nuts. What am I?
- I cannot taste sugar, because I do not have sweet taste buds. But, I’m a very popular pet and have been for a very long time. What am I?
- One of my teeth can weigh up to 9 pounds. I sometimes use mud for sunscreen. I am extremely large and have a long, funny nose. What am I?
- I am born pink in color but then change to black and white. I’m a cheap date as my favorite food is bamboo. I have black circles round my eyes even when I’m not tired. What am I?
- I am the world’s fastest land animal, but I can’t climb trees. What am I?
- I have about 5,000 feathers and Benjamin Franklin wanted to make me the national bird of the United States over the bald eagle. What am I?
- I am a fruit, a bird, and a person. What am I?
- I build a home of sticky string and catch my prey with a bite or sting. What am I?
- I grow from eye to fish to creature. I burp when I talk and jump when I walk. What am I?
- I hang upside-down on trees. I sleep and sleep, I’m very slow, and on each foot, I have three toes. It takes me two weeks to digest food, but then again, I’m not noted for being fast. What am I?
- I have a mane, but I’m not a lion, and I wear my shoes to bed. What am I?
- I have no eyes, legs or ears, but I can move the earth if you give me time. What am I?
- I live upside down. I see with my ears and don’t use my eyes, and on Halloween I’ll give you a big surprise. I always turn left when leaving my home. I’m the only mammal capable of continued flight. What am I?
Hard Animal Riddles
Now, for the section of our article designed not only to test your knowledge of animals, but also your riddling capabilities. Some of these riddles may seem easy at your first reading, but beware, we have some surprises for you!
- I have bigger eyes than any other mammal that lives on land. I’m an animal whose height is measured in hands (about 4 inches = one hand). Most of my kin are about 15.2 hands tall or 5 feet, 2 inches.
- Why did the fish blush?
- Why do dragons sleep all day?
- A cat can jump up to two meters. There’s a window one meter from the ground, but the cat can’t jump through. Why not?
- What kind of mouse do cats dislike eating?
- What’s black and white and blue?
- Why do cats make good soldiers?
- What did the leopard say after finishing his meal?
- Why do fish and reptiles always keep a trim physique?
- What animal is the best cricket player?
- Why did the chicken, the pheasant, turkey, duck, and goose get in trouble?
- What animal has a cent?
- What animal always has a buck?
- What did the duck say at the end of his meal at the restaurant when the waiter brought him the check?
- What is the only mammal that cannot jump?
- I am able to turn my head around 270 degrees and I’m noted for being quiet in flight.
- I fly faster than any other bird. In fact, I’ve been clocked at 242 miles per hour.
- My arms are longer than my legs. I’ve been taught to use sign language. Most experts believe that my strength is 10X my body weight.
- Where did the cat go when it lost its tail?
- Where do you find a dog with no legs?
- How did the fight between two silk worms end?
- What does the horse say when the bartender greets him by saying “hey?”
- A monkey, a squirrel, and a bird are racing to the top of a coconut tree. Who will get the banana first, the monkey, the squirrel, or the bird?
- What is as big as an elephant, but weighs nothing at all?
- What fur do we get from a Tiger?
- What has a horn but does not honk?
- What two keys can’t open any doors?
- Why do fish live in saltwater?
- Where do fish sleep?
Well, there you have it; a plethora of animal riddles for exercising your mind and having fun. Share them with your family and friends, at work and in the classroom – anywhere people gather to learn or socialize. Enjoy and share the fun!
Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.
Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.
![30 Fun Field Day Games and Activities [for Kids & Adults]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NTA4OjUwMDM=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAwIDEwMCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMDAiIHhtbG5zPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8yMDAwL3N2ZyI+PC9zdmc+)
