This document covers common German vocabulary for wild animals, along with example sentences, to help you learn and use these words in context.
Wild Animals
Wild animals are creatures that live in natural environments without being tamed or domesticated. Below is a list of common wild animals in German, along with example sentences in both German and English.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Löwe | lion | Der Löwe lebt in der afrikanischen Savanne. | The lion lives in the African savannah. |
| der Tiger | tiger | Der Tiger hat ein gestreiftes Fell. | The tiger has striped fur. |
| der Bär | bear | Der Bär schläft im Winter. | The bear sleeps in winter. |
| der Wolf | wolf | Der Wolf lebt im Wald. | The wolf lives in the forest. |
| das Reh | deer | Das Reh springt über den Zaun. | The deer jumps over the fence. |
| der Fuchs | fox | Der Fuchs ist schlau und listig. | The fox is clever and cunning. |
| das Wildschwein | wild boar | Das Wildschwein wühlt im Boden. | The wild boar roots in the soil. |
| der Adler | eagle | Der Adler fliegt hoch am Himmel. | The eagle flies high in the sky. |
| die Schlange | snake | Die Schlange ist giftig. | The snake is poisonous. |
| der Affe | monkey | Der Affe klettert auf den Baum. | The monkey climbs the tree. |
Birds
Birds are a common part of wild animal vocabulary, especially those that live in forests, mountains, or other natural habitats.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Adler | eagle | Der Adler hat scharfe Krallen. | The eagle has sharp claws. |
| die Eule | owl | Die Eule ist nachtaktiv. | The owl is nocturnal. |
| der Specht | woodpecker | Der Specht klopft an den Baum. | The woodpecker taps on the tree. |
| die Krähe | crow | Die Krähe ist schwarz. | The crow is black. |
| der Falke | falcon | Der Falke jagt kleine Vögel. | The falcon hunts small birds. |
| der Schwarm | flock | Ein Schwarm Vögel fliegt vorbei. | A flock of birds flies by. |
The owl is nocturnal.
Die Eule ist nachtaktiv.
'Die Eule' means 'the owl.' 'ist nachtaktiv' means 'is nocturnal.'
Forest Animals
Many wild animals live specifically in forest environments. These creatures are often part of German wildlife vocabulary.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Wolf | wolf | Der Wolf lebt im tiefen Wald. | The wolf lives in the deep forest. |
| das Reh | deer | Das Reh versteckt sich im Gebüsch. | The deer hides in the bushes. |
| der Fuchs | fox | Der Fuchs sucht nach Nahrung. | The fox looks for food. |
| der Dachs | badger | Der Dachs gräbt einen Bau. | The badger digs a burrow. |
| das Eichhörnchen | squirrel | Das Eichhörnchen sammelt Nüsse. | The squirrel collects nuts. |
| der Hase | hare | Der Hase ist sehr schnell. | The hare is very fast. |
Jungle and Savanna Animals
These animals are commonly found in jungles or savannas and are part of the broader category of wild animals.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Löwe | lion | Der Löwe ist der König der Savanne. | The lion is the king of the savanna. |
| der Tiger | tiger | Der Tiger lebt in den Dschungeln Asiens. | The tiger lives in the jungles of Asia. |
| der Elefant | elephant | Der Elefant hat einen langen Rüssel. | The elephant has a long trunk. |
| das Nashorn | rhinoceros | Das Nashorn hat einen Horn auf der Nase. | The rhinoceros has a horn on its nose. |
| die Giraffe | giraffe | Die Giraffe hat einen langen Hals. | The giraffe has a long neck. |
| der Affe | monkey | Der Affe schwingt sich von Ast zu Ast. | The monkey swings from branch to branch. |
Mountain and Arctic Animals
These wild animals live in mountainous or arctic regions and are included in the German vocabulary for wild animals.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Schneeleopard | snow leopard | Der Schneeleopard lebt in den Bergen. | The snow leopard lives in the mountains. |
| das Murmeltier | marmot | Das Murmeltier hält Winterschlaf. | The marmot hibernates in winter. |
| der Polarwolf | Arctic wolf | Der Polarwolf lebt in der Arktis. | The Arctic wolf lives in the Arctic. |
| der Elch | moose | Der Elch ist größer als ein Hirsch. | The moose is larger than a deer. |
| der Eisbär | polar bear | Der Eisbär lebt auf dem Eis. | The polar bear lives on the ice. |
The marmot hibernates in winter.
Das Murmeltier hält Winterschlaf.
'Das Murmeltier' means 'the marmot.' 'hält Winterschlaf' means 'hibernates.'
The polar bear lives on the ice.
Der Eisbär lebt auf dem Eis.
'Der Eisbär' means 'the polar bear.' 'lebt auf dem Eis' means 'lives on the ice.'
Desert Animals
Desert animals are adapted to survive in harsh, arid environments. Here are some common desert animals in German.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| die Wüstenrennmaus | jerboa | Die Wüstenrennmaus springt weit. | The jerboa jumps far. |
| das Kamel | camel | Das Kamel kann lange ohne Wasser auskommen. | The camel can go long without water. |
| die Schlange | snake | In der Wüste gibt es viele Schlangen. | There are many snakes in the desert. |
| der Fennek | fennec fox | Der Fennek hat große Ohren. | The fennec fox has large ears. |
The jerboa jumps far.
Die Wüstenrennmaus springt weit.
'Die Wüstenrennmaus' means 'the jerboa.' 'springt weit' means 'jumps far.'
Sea and River Animals
Many wild animals live in or near water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. Here are some common aquatic wild animals in German.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Fisch | fish | Der Fisch schwimmt im Fluss. | The fish swims in the river. |
| der Hai | shark | Der Hai ist ein gefährlicher Raubfisch. | The shark is a dangerous predator fish. |
| die Robbe | seal | Die Robbe taucht im Meer. | The seal dives in the sea. |
| der Seehund | harbor seal | Der Seehund liegt auf dem Felsen. | The harbor seal lies on the rock. |
| der Wal | whale | Der Wal ist das größte Meerestier. | The whale is the largest sea animal. |
| die Meeresschildkröte | sea turtle | Die Meeresschildkröte legt Eier im Sand. | The sea turtle lays eggs in the sand. |
The whale is the largest sea animal.
Der Wal ist das größte Meerestier.
'Der Wal' means 'the whale.' 'das größte Meerestier' means 'the largest sea animal.'
Insects and Small Creatures
Insects and small creatures are also part of the wild animal kingdom and are important in many ecosystems.
| German Singular | English Singular | German Example Sentence | English Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Schmetterling | butterfly | Der Schmetterling fliegt von Blume zu Blume. | The butterfly flies from flower to flower. |
| die Biene | bee | Die Biene sammelt Nektar. | The bee collects nectar. |
| die Ameise | ant | Die Ameise trägt ein Blatt. | The ant carries a leaf. |
| die Spinne | spider | Die Spinne spinnt ein Netz. | The spider spins a web. |
| die Grille | cricket | Die Grille zirpt in der Nacht. | The cricket chirps at night. |
| die Libelle | dragonfly | Die Libelle fliegt über den Teich. | The dragonfly flies over the pond. |
Summary
You have now learned the German vocabulary for a wide range of wild animals, including example sentences to help you use these words in context. Remember to practice regularly to build your confidence and expand your vocabulary.
Flashcards (1 of 49)
- English Singular: lion
- English Example Sentence: The lion lives in the African savannah.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
