Animal

**Animals** are recurrent creatures in *The Legend of Zelda* series, comprising of many different species and orders. Animals in the series take on numerous forms and roles; most Animals are closely based on their real-world counterparts and frequently appear as wildlife, while others may be anthropomorphic and are sentient, such as those that live in the Animal Village. Most Animals are nonviolent, though some will attack if provoked, while others are helpful to Link.

## Common Animals

### Birds

Main article: Bird
Birds appear in a number of *Zelda* games. Most Birds in the series are small, but also appear in a wide variety of species. Notable species include Herons, Ducks, Hawks, Owls, Pheasants, and Seagulls. As well as simply appearing as wildlife, some Birds also fulfill other roles that are often helpful to Link, such as transporting him by flight to other areas or providing guidance. There are also a number of enemies in *The Legend of Zelda* series that are closely based on real-world birds, such as Crows, Guays, Kargaroks, Takkuri and Vultures, to name a few.

Cuccos are chicken-like fowl that have frequently appeared throughout the series. In certain games, particularly in 3D games, Link is able to use Cuccos to glide from ledge to ledge if he holds one above his head and leaps from a high place, allowing him to access hidden areas. Cuccos are also well known for their tendency to attack Link if he repeatedly tries to harm them.

Loftwings are a species of Bird unique to *The Legend of Zelda* series, appearing in *Skyward Sword*. These large Birds serve as the main transportation for the residents of Skyloft. Each resident of the floating isle owns their own Bird.

### Cats

Main article: Cat
Cats appear in a few *Zelda* games, most often within town settlements where they are either pets of the civilians or strays without an owner. Cats are generally friendly towards Link, even assisting him whenever he possesses the ability to talk to one. They are non-aggressive animals that will usually not attack Link in most games, with the exception of some in *The Minish Cap* when he is Minish-sized.

### Dogs

*Main articles: Dog and Mutt*
Dogs, known as Mutts in *Link's Awakening*, appear in a few *Zelda* games, usually within town or village settlements and as the pets of the civilians. Dogs are often shown to be affectionate animals who act friendly to Link, even sometimes following him. Dogs will usually not attack Link unless when provoked, such as those in *Link's Awakening* when attacked, and if Link happens to be a Deku in *Majora's Mask*.

### Fish

Main article: Fish
Fish are aquatic animals that live in water, either in fresh or salt water. They have served a multitude of roles throughout the series. In many games, Fish appear as items that may either be traded, sold or used to forward Link's main quest or a side-quest. Some games also feature a Fishing mini-game where Link may fish for several unique species of Fish using a Fishing Rod, either at Fishing Holes or at sea in the World of the Ocean King. Enemies based on Fish have also appeared, including Gyorgs, Piranhas and Skullfish, to name a few.

Seahorses are a species of Fish that appear in *Majora's Mask*. This Fish is able to converse with Link, and begs that he reunites the separated pair.

### Frogs

Main article: Frog
Frogs are amphibians that are usually found in rivers and ponds. Frogs most often fulfill a role as singing as part of a choir, such as the Frog choir led by Mamu, the Five Fabulous Frogs, and Don Gero's Frog Choir. These choirs are either related to forwarding Link's quest or are part of an optional side-quest. Enemies based on Frogs or Toads have also appeared in the series, including Gekko, Toadpolis, and the Deku Toad.

### Horses

Main article: Horse
Horses have appeared throughout the *Zelda* franchise in several games and other media. In the games, Horses most commonly serve as mounts that may be ridden to travel faster or reach otherwise inaccessible places. Epona is a notable and reoccurring Horse in the series who frequently appears as Link's steed and companion.

### Insects

Main article: Bug
Insects, also known as Bugs, appear in many *Zelda* games in a myriad of roles. Numerous orders and species of Insects have appeared, with notable ones including Bees, Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Fireflies. Most Insects in the series appear as collectible items, which may be hunted to exchange, sell or use to craft other items. Some Insects are collected as part of a side-quest, such as the Golden Bugs of *Twilight Princess*. Insects have also commonly appeared as hostile enemies in the series as well, with Mothula being a notable example.

### Monkeys

Main article: Monkey
Monkeys appear as helpful animals that come to assist Link in some way, most often by opening a path for him to an otherwise inaccessible area. Some Monkeys require payment in exchange for their help, such as the case with Kiki, who either asks for Rupees or Bananas. Most Monkeys in the games possess the ability to speak and converse with Link, with the exception of *Twilight Princess*. *Link's Awakening* also features a hostile Monkey enemy, who appears only in Toronbo Shores.

### Porcine

*Main articles: Pig and Boar*
Pigs and Boars appear only in a very few *Zelda* games. Pigs first appear in *The Wind Waker*, which are kept as both livestock and pets by the islanders. These animals fulfill a role similar to that of Cuccos, as Pigs are normally harmless but attack if Link antagonizes them. Boars are wild porcine that appear as wildlife in *Breath of the Wild*.

Creatures closely based on real-world Boars have also appeared in the series. Bullbos are mounts that appear in *Twilight Princess* that are used by Bulblins; once riderless, they can be ridden by Link. In *Spirit Tracks*, Bullbos appear only as enemies. Moinks are another Boar-like animal that have cow spots. This animal is normally docile, but attacks when provoked.

### Rabbits

Main article: Rabbit
Rabbits appear in a couple games under different roles. Rabbits most commonly appear as wildlife, but have also appeared as anthropomorphic animals, namely those that live in the Animal Village in *Link's Awakening* and in the land of Labrynna in *Oracle of Ages*. In *Spirit Tracks*, they are wild animals that Link must catch as part of a side-quest. In *A Link to the Past*, Link is also transformed into a Bunny when he enters the Dark World without the Moon Pearl's protection, or when exposed to Rabbit Beams.

## Species of Animals

Their are about 456 different species of animals in the Zelda series, ranging from based on real-life species to completely fictitious and far-fetched.

**Birds (45)**

Birds of Prey:

Hawk, Islander Hawk, Kagarok, Shadow Kagarok, Guay, Owl, Seagull, Vulture.

Large Birds:

Eldin Ostrich, Furnix, Loftwing.

Passerine:

Common Crow, Dacto, Mountain Crow, Raven, Takkuri, Blue Sparrow, Common Sparrow, Golden Sparrow, Rainbow Sparrow, Red Sparrow, Sand Sparrow, Bluebird, Cockatiel, Chirri, Know-It-All-Bird.

Water Birds:

Common Duck, Bright-Chested Duck, Blue-Winged Heron, Pink Heron.

Columbidae:

Hotfeather Pigeon, Rainbpw Pigeon, White Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Dove.

Other:

Cucco, Bone Cucco, Pairodd, 5 unidentified species.

**Fish (79)**

Chondrich:

Gyorg Shark, Savage Shark, Stinger.

Freshwater:

Angler Fish, Angler Fry, Bago-Bago, Fire Bago-Bago, Hearty Bass, Hyrule Bass, Staminoka Bass, Termina Bass, Armored Carp, Groovy Carp, Love Carp, Mighty Carp, Sanke Carp, Colossal Catfish, Ordan Catfish, Hylian Loach, Termina Loach, Cloud Piranha, Mooranha, Piranha, Fragrant Reekfish, Reekfish, Hearty Salmon, Postal Salmon, Chillfin Trout, Sizzlefin Trout, Stealthfin Trout, Voltfin Trout, Ancient Fish, Bombfish, Cheep Cheep, Cuccofish, Cranioc, Ferocious Pirarucu, Freshwater Skullfish, Froak, Greengill, Hylian Pike, Lord Chapu-Chapu, Sweet Ranchfish.

Saltwater:

Fairy Fish, Great Fairy Fish, Ambrosial Amberjack, Skippyjack, Armored Porgy, Mighty Porgy, Grand Swordfish, Rusty Swordfish, Neptoona, Nuptuna, Toona, Bashful Angler, Dancing Sea Bream, Flying Fish, Goodta Goby, Gyorg, Loovar, Ninja Flounder, Ocean Skullfish, Stowfish, Termina Bass.

Other:

Despresko, Seahorse, around 11 unidentified species.

**Mammals (83)**

Cetaceans & Pinnipeds

Findol, Molduga, Pyrup, Sand Seal, Walrus.

Common:

Wasteland Coyote, Hylian Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Terrier, Gassland Fox, Mutt, Snowcoat Fox, Cold-Footed Wolf, Maraudo Wolf, White Wolf, White Wolfos, Wolfos, Stalhound, Mua, Grizzlemaw Bear, Honeyvore Bear, Domestic Cat, Tiger, Common Cow, Hateno Cow, Highland Sheep, Mountain Goat, Ordon Goat, White Goat, Water Buffalo, Common Horse, Donkey, Giant Horse, Stalhorse, Great-Horned Rhinoseros, Mountain Deer, Tabantha Moose, Bulbo, Moink, Pig, Red-Tusked Boar, Woodland Boar, and an unidentified pack beast.

Rodents:

Acro-Bandit, Mole, Moledozer, mouse, Pols Voice, Beaver, Bone Putter, Deadrock, Spinut, Common Rat, Ghoul Rat, Bushy-Tailed Squirrel, Squirrel.

Manibus:

Floormaster, Key Master, Knucklemaster, Wallmaster, Dexihand.

Primate:

Remlit, 4 unidentified species.

Winged:

Dark Keese, Electric Keese, Fire Keese, Ice Keese, Keese, Shadow Keese, Thunder Keese, Bad Bat, Chasupa, Mad Batter, Vire, Snurglar.

Other:

Kangaroo, Rabbit, Bluppee, Toppo, Pengator, Bombskit.

**Reptiles (29)**

Dracohor:

Dodongo, Dodorongo, Gleeok, Staldra, King Helmasuar, Helmasaur, Helmasuarus, Ra, Aquamentus, Barba, Gemasaur.

Pedal-Squamate:

Fireproof Lizard, hearty Lizard, Hightail Lizard, One-Eyed Lizard, Alligator.

Serpintene:

Common Rope, Rope, Skullrope, Common Snake, Deep Python, Dodongo Snake, some unidentified species.

Testudine:

Mama Turtle, Heatoise, Lakitu, Shell Spinner, Snapper, Terrorpin.

**Amphibian (17)**

Anura:

Eyeball Frog, Golden Frog, Hot-Footed Frog, Tireless Frog, 3 unidentified frog species, Deku Toad, Fire Toadpali, Toado, Toadpali, Cursed Spume, Electro Spume, Magma Spume, Water Spume.

Other:

Gekko, Ku.

**Invertabrate (204)**

Anemone:

Barinade.

Arachnid

Aracha, Arurodo, Bombling, Ghoma, Skulltula, Big Skulltula, Pygmy Skulltula, Skullwalltula.

Crustaceans:

Bright-Eyed Crab, Crayk, Ironshell Crab, Karat Crab, Razorclaw Crab, Running Crab, Sand Crab, Golden Tektite, Rocktite, Tecktite, Water Tecktite, Ghoma, Magtail, Tile Worm, Twin Mold.

Insects:

*Cleoptera -*

Forest Firefly, Starry Firefly, Sunset Firefly, Beetle, Bladed Rhino Beetle, Energetic Rhino Beetle, Golden Beetle, Golden Ladybug, Godlen Stag Beetle, Hardhat Beetle, Pesto, Rugged Rhino beetle, Scissors Beetle, Shadow Insect, Sky Stag Beetle, Spiked Beetle, Spiny Beetle, Stag Beetle, Stagnox, Volcanic Ladybug, Woodland Beetle, 1 unidentified species.

*Hymenoptera -*

golden Ant, Lanayru Ant, Courser Bee, Deku Hornet, Giant Bee, Golden Bee, Hylian Hornet,.

*Lepidoptera -*

Blessed Butterfly, Fabled butterfly, Goddess Butterfly, Golden Butterfly, Joy Butterfly, Madderpiller, Smotherwing Butterfly, Summerwing Butterfly, Thunderwing Butterfly, Winterwing Butterfly, 4 unidentified butterfly species, Moth, Mothula.

*Odonata -*

Dragonfly, Gerudo Dragonfly, Golden Dragonfly, Cold Darner, Electric Darner, Warm Darner.

*Other -*

Boon, Chu Worm, Deeler, Devalant, Golden Dayfly, Golden Mantis, Golden Phasmid, Golden Pill Bug, Poison Mite, Rollobite, Sand Cicada, Skyloft mantis, Vengas, Faron Grasshopper, Golden Grasshopper, Restless Cricket.

Myriapod:

Lanmola, Desert Lanmola, Mini Moldorm, Moldorm, Gleerok, Geldarm, Pincer, Swamola,

Echinoderms:

Deku Like, Force Like, Like Like, Life Like, Rupee Like, Pokey, Sea Urchin, Star.

Lapus:

Frost Pebblit, Frost Talus, Igneo Pebblit, Igneo Talus, Stone Pebblit, Stone Talus, Head Thwomp, Mega Thwomp, Spiked Thwomp, Thwomp, Cragma, Eox, Grinexx, Nejiron, Trinexx

Moculus:

Dharkstare, Kholdstare, Icestar, Digdogger, Mini Digdogger, Moa, Fire Moa, Eyeball Monster, Eye Guardian, Girubokku, Karakoro, Laser Eye, Morth, Patra, Vitrous.

Mollusk:

*Armollusk -*

Camo Goblin, Geldman.

*Gelvite -*

Big Chuchu, Dark Chuchu, Electric Chuchu, Fire Chuchu, Ice Chuchu, Rock Chuchu, Spiny Chuchu, Blue Zol, Gel Slime, Zol, Giant Bari.

*Jellyfish -*

Giant Biri, Bari, Biri, Girabari

*Octopus -*

Big Octo, Big Octorok, Cyclock, Ergtorok, Forest octorok, Golden Octorok, Ocean Octorok, Octive, Octoballoon, Octorok, Rock Octorok, Sky Octorok, Slarok, Cnow Octorok, Treasure Octorok, water Octorok, Winged Octorok, Phytops, Storytelling Octopus

*Snail -*

Golden Snail, Hearty Blueshell Snail, Sneaky River Snail.

*Slug -*

Cukeman, Blob, Buzz Blob, Sluggula, Torch Slug.

*Squid -*

Arrghus, Blooper, Shadow Vermin.

*Other -*

Bit, Bot, Gerune, Leever, Lowder, Myu, Shell Blade, Pikit.

Worm:

Parasitic Tentacle, Molgera, Sand Worm, Tailpasaran

(No Category):

Black Boe, White Boe, Freezard, Mini Freezard, Anti-Kirby, Bob-Omb, Bombarossa, Chain Chomp, Eeno, Kyandokyan, Podoboo, Spark, Vacuum Mouth

## Common Animals

Some of the animals more commonly thought of have that have appears in the series:

* Alligators
* Bears
* Beavers
* Chain Chomps, iron ball-like creatures and enemies with dog-like behaviors. In *Link's Awakening*, they are kept as pets.
* Cows
* Crabs
* Deer
* Dolphins
* Donkeys
* Foxes
* Goats
* Kangaroos, namely Ricky from *Oracle of Seasons* and *Oracle of Ages*
* Keatons, vulpine creatures that have appeared as helpful Animals and as enemies
* Lizards, such as the Hightail Lizards and Hearty Lizards
* Mice
* Mole
* Ostriches
* Pigeons
* Remlits, feline creatures that are docile by day and hostile at night in *Skyward Sword*
* Rhinoceroses
* Seals, namely Walrus from *Link's Awakening* and Sand Seals from *Breath of the Wild*
* Snakes, namely Blue and Red Snake
* Squirrels
* Tigers
* Turtles, such as Giant Turtle and Mama Turtle
* Wolves

## Animal Enemies

Numerous enemies based on real-world Animals have also appeared throughout *The Legend of Zelda* series, with some closely adopting the behaviors and likeness of their real-world counterparts, and others only sharing physical similarities. Some enemies with Animal-like traits include:

* Crows, monsters similar to their real-life counterpart.
* Guays, monsters that resemble crows.
* Keese, monsters that closely resemble bats.
* Octoroks, monsters that resemble octopi with large snouts.
* Piranhas, monsters closely based on their namesake
* Rats, monsters closely based on their namesake.
* Real Bombchu, mouse-like monsters that either use Bombs to attack or are explosives themselves.
* Ropes, monsters that closely resemble snakes.
* Sand Crabs, monsters that resemble crustaceans.
* Skulltulas and Walltulas, monsters that resemble spiders.
* Vultures, monsters similar to their real-life counterpart.
* Wolfos and White Wolfos, monsters that closely resemble wolves.

## Gallery

* Concept art of the Creatures from *Breath of the Wild*
* Concept art of a Mountain Buck from *Breath of the Wild*

## References

1. ↑ "*If you run into any trouble, try talking to the animals.*" — Squirrel (*Twilight Princess HD*)