All Animals In The World Of Avatar

There is a vast range of animals inhabit the world of Avatar, ranging over the landscape as well as the oceans and skies. Most of the animals presented are hybrids of two animals as shown below:

Lion Turtle 

This is the oldest, most ancient creature in the Avatar world. Lion Turtles existed since the world began, and pre-date the era of the Avatar. Because he is so old, a large, overgrown forest has sprouted on the Lion Turtle’s back. The Lion Turtle stays hidden from the world because, when submerged, he looks like an ordinary island.

Komodo Rhinos 

A large rhino/komodo dragon mix, they have three horns like a triceratops and a long whip-like tail. Outfitted with heavy armor around the face, they are used for pulling carts and carrying people, both for war and civilian purposes. The Rough Rhinos would not have a name without them.

Catgators 

This animal is a cross between a catfish and an alligator. Catgators are the bottom-feeders of the swamp. They will eat anything they can get their teeth on. Although they seem like ferocious animals, they are actually pretty docile towards humans. To most people these catgators are considered an extremely ugly creature, but to the folks of the swamp these catgators are cute pets and have names like “Slim” and “Derby.”

Elbow Leech 

These large, blood sucking swamp insects seem to be everywhere in the swamp. The only thing they enjoy more than the humid weather of the swamp is the occasional passerby who they are sure to attach themselves to. In fact, it is hard to go anywhere in this mucky place without one sticking onto your elbow.

Purple Pentapus 

These are five-eyed, five-tentacled, little octopus-like creatures that live in the sewers of Omashu. Their tentacles have small suction cups that they use to grip on to the side of the sewer in order to eat algae and other sewer food. If you are unlucky enough to get one stuck on you, you will be covered in small, red, suction cup marks for hours.

Badgermoles 

These giant animals are a cross between a badger and a mole. Badgermoles use Earthbending to make tunnels and travel underground, where they hunt for prey and live. Badgermoles were the first Earthbenders. They are blind but they use their Earthbending to feel the ground and “see”. A little known fact about the Badgermoles is their love for music. If the right music is played, you can get a badger mole to do just about anything.

Wolfbats 

These ferocious animals are a cross between a wolf and a bat. They are the size of a wolf but have wings and are able to fly- just like a bat. Wolfbats are native to the caves of the Earth Kingdom. They are territorial animals so if you ever hear their distinct howl it is best to turn back and not disturb them. Wolfbats are a nocturnal animal, only leaving the caves at night.

Ostrich Horse 

A cross between an ostrich and a horse, the Ostrich-Horse is an extremely useful animal to the people of the Earth Kingdom, especially the Earth Kingdom soldiers. Highly trained ostrich horses are even equipped with armor and used for battles by the Earth Kingdom armies. This docile creature is a lot like our version of a horse, used for transportation and to carry supplies, etc. They can be equipped with a saddle and can be used to pull carriages, etc.

Turtle Seal 

These loud, but lovable creatures are native to the North Pole. They especially enjoy swimming through the ice tunnels underneath the northern tribe. Their hard shells provide them with some protection from their natural enemy, the polar leopard. The turtle seals are carnivorous, eating fish, shellfish, squid, and other ocean creatures.

Buffalo-Yak 

Native to the North Pole, the Buffalo-Yak is an extremely useful animal to the people at the Northern Water Tribe. Bred for many years as a domestic animal, this docile creature is a lot like our version of a horse, used for transportation and to carry supplies. And because it can survive, even in the coldest temperatures, the Buffalo-Yak is the perfect animal to take on long hunting trips into the frozen tundra.

Shirshu 

This is a large wolf creature that has a disgusting mole-like nose. It does not have any eyes and sees using its remarkable sense of smell. The nose is the Shirshu’s most important feature. It walks on four legs and stands as tall as an average person. The Shirshu can smell a particular scent over hundreds of miles. This makes it the perfect tracking beast. In addition to its nose, the Shirshu’s whip-like tongue has paralyzing toxins. Depending on a person’s size and how hard you are hit, the Shirshu’s tongue can paralyze anywhere from one minute to two hours. This Shirshu was originally from a small area in the Southern Earth Kingdom. A rare animal collector took it when it was just a baby and later gave it to June’s father as payment for a bounty. June’s father gave it to June and they have been together for more that 17 years.

Turkey Ducks 

These quacking creatures run wild around the streets of Makapu village. They are generally very friendly, but if provoked, they won’t hesitate to peck you back.

Platypus Bear 

Like its name suggests, this animal is half duck-billed platypus and half bear.   Do not be fooled by its cute “duck” mode because when this animal gets angry it stands on its hind legs and is as ferocious as a bear. If you see a large den in the woods chances are it’s the home of a platypus bear, so do not go in. And never stand between a mama platypus bear and its cub. The platypus bear is usually found inland, swimming in rivers and hunting for its favorite food – Se Tu fish.

Strange Fish 

The Se Tu fish is a strange looking fish often said to have thoughtful eyes. It lives in the rivers of the Southern Earth Kingdom and has been known to grow to the size of full-grown man. These fish are the favorite food of the platypus bear. Once a year these fish swim hundreds of miles up river to spawn.

Frozen Wood Frogs 

These critters can be found in just about any swamp on the Earth Kingdom’s western coast. Throughout the year they seem like any other frog, but in winter the frozen wood frogs hibernate by freezing themselves in the bottom of a swamp. In order to stay alive, the frozen wood frogs excrete a unique substance which coats their skin, protecting them from the cold. The substance they excrete is also the perfect remedy to the common head cold in humans, all you have to do is suck on them before they thaw out.

Miyuki 

This is the Herbalist’s cat whose special diet of herbs has kept her alive for over 28 years (that’s 97 cat years). And she is still going strong.

Dragon Hawk 

This is a bird native to the jungles of the Fire Nation. Their innate ability to locate people and places was recognized hundreds of years ago by Fire Nation citizens who kept them as pets. The birds play an important role in the Fire Nation army. They are trained specifically to deliver messages over long distances.

Canyon Crawler 

This large, terrifying beast resides in the Great Divide, though its habitat extends throughout the arid terrain of the Western Earth Kingdom. With an arachnid body, the crawler is able to scale the sides of the canyon in search of prey. Its many sensitive nostrils provide a sharp sense of smell for hunting, and its powerful crocodile-like jaws bring death to any creature it finds. Though they prefer live meat, canyon crawlers are omnivorous scavengers and will eat whatever they can find.

Hog Monkey 

A vicious-looking mammal that resembles a cross between a hog and a monkey. Their bark is worse than their bite, but as Aang has learned, they are still not easy to tame and ride. They can, however, usually be coerced with lychee nuts.

Reptile Bird 

A favorite pet of sailors in the Avatar world. This flying reptile is temperamental and loyal only to the person on whose shoulder it perches.

Roku’s Dragon 

This is Roku’s animal familiar, like Appa is to Aang. When Roku died, the dragon passed into the Spirit world. The dragon cannot talk but he has the ability to communicate with people by giving them visions.

Meadow Vole 

A small mammal that is native to the Earth Kingdom.

Sooty Copper Fritillary 

Only the leading lepidopterists (people who study butterflies) at Ba Sing Se University know how many butterflies there are in the Earth Kingdom, but this species is one of the most coveted. The Sooty Copper Fritillary is often found flying near the dust of copper mines. So following them can be both flighty and prosperous to the wallet. Many a wealthy miner has gotten his start by following these beautiful butterflies.

Long-eared Rabbit 

Aang mistakes this tiny animal for “Flopsie” during one of the King’s test. In fact, this cute rabbit is actually the Goat Gorilla’s food.

Goat Gorilla 

Named “Flopsie,” this huge, furry beast is King Bumi’s pet. It seems vicious, but is quite lovable and docile.

Elephant Koi 

The giant koi fish that surround the waters of Kyoshi are the Island’s main export. Fishermen hunt them for food, blubber, and oil. They are also prey to the Unagi. But to Aang, the best thing about elephant koi is riding them

The Unagi 

This is a giant eel that lives in the waters around Kyoshi Island, feeding off the Elephant Koi. This is a very dangerous creature that has the ability to spit water at a very high velocity. Because of the Unagi’s vicious nature, the people of Kyoshi do not swim in bay where it lives.

Momo 

A flying lemur that Aang finds at the Air Temple. Aang names him Momo after watching him eat a peach. The lemurs were the Air Nomad children’s favorite pets. Airbenders trained them to do many tasks, one of which was to retrieve their staffs if they dropped them off their flying bison.

Penguins 

These animals are half otter, half penguin. They are native to the South Pole. They are a bit clumsy on land, but are very talented swimmers. They love to slide down the ice, with or without a human passenger. But they have to watch out for their natural predators, the tiger seals.

Appa 

Appa and Aang have a lot in common: Appa is Aang’s flying bison who was also trapped for one hundred years in the iceberg with him. Appa is loyal to and protective of Aang. He is a peaceful animal that gets along with humans and other animals. Like Aang, Appa is the last of his kind. There are no other flying bison in the entire world. Appa is also an Airbender, which is why he can fly.

Raven Eagle 

This vicious bird preys on other birds. Combustion Man keeps one as a pet in case he needs to intercept important hawk messages.

Messenger Hawk 

This These hawks are used to delivered important messages throughout the Fire Nation. When someone needs to send a message to the Firelord, they tie a black ribbon to the hawk, indicating its urgent nature.

Toucan-Puffins 

These peaceful and friendly birds are also very lazy. They have the ability to fly, but would rather hang out by the ocean and eat cave-hoppers.

Hippo-Cow 

If you haven’t already guessed, this animal is a cross between a hippo and a cow, and can be found on farms throughout the world. While in most cases the hippo-cow is known to be a vegetarian, in the Fire Nation, things are a little different. The hippo-cows of the Fire Nation love meat. Like Sokka says: In the Fire Nation, “Even the meat eats meat.”

Cave-Hoppers 

This albino-looking grasshopper can be found in the cool caves of the Fire Nation. This bug hates sunlight, preferring the dimly lit caves where it eats algae and other cave vegetation. Sadly, cave-hoppers are among the favorite snacks of the Toucan-Puffins.

Sealguanas 

These half seal, half iguana creatures inhabit the outlying islands of the Fire Nation. They love the hot, humid weather as much as they love swimming. The call of the sealguana is a melodious sound. Sailors used to believe that the sealguanas were actually beautiful mermaids calling to them. But when they got up close, they saw they were just scaly creatures and killed them for food.

Boar-q-pine 

Bad tempered, yet shy, yet vengeful, yet prone to cute waddling. They come fully-loaded with sharp quills and horns and teeth! Really, all the best of both animals.

Vulture-lion 

No creature should be able to swoop down and attack from above with beak, teeth, claws and such muscular gusto – practically nothing on earth is built to fend off this kind of onslaught.  Their viciousness make them extremely difficult to tame, but the reward is well worth it- they make fabulous circus performers.

Gilacorn 

A gila monster (poisonous lizard) equipped with a whimsical, yet deadly, unicorn horn. Only the diminutive version survives today. Known to be the nanny-goats of the desert, these things eat anything except Sour Beetles. 

Dragonflies 

These long, skinny dragons with butterfly wings can grow up to 1 meter in length. Like real dragonflies they can look surprisingly scary, but don’t actually pose a threat to humans. Bugs and fish should watch out though.

Rabbiroo 

A mystery to naturalists: what could possibly be the point of two such similar animals (kangaroos and rabbits) combining? Also mysterious is their rarity, as both rabbits and kangaroos tend to reproduce exponentially.

Tigerdillo 

This paradoxical combination is endowed with both highly aggressive, and highly cowardly tendencies.  For example, it is not uncommon for them to race towards moving objects with claws and teeth bared, only to curl up into a tight ball at the first sign of counter-aggression.  Consequently, they are abnormally prone to being run over, and carcasses can be found on the side of many major roads.

Pygmy Pumas 

Smaller, sleeker versions of pumas bread to be compact for compact city living. These cat-sized, extremely muscular panthers roam in packs and other animals avoid them at all costs. Some people consider pygmy-pumas the “Kings of the alleyways.” Don’t make these extremely threatening animals mad! Their sharp claws and teeth will do some serious damage. Evolution has made them amazing “city-hunters.” They are able to scale walls, fences, etc., and leap from building to building in a blink of an eye.

Bosco 

The Earth King’s favorite pet, this rare “bear” was captured in the forests along the eastern coast of the Earth Kingdom. He is the only known member of his species, although the Earth King has commanded the top zoologists of Ba Sing Se University to lead a battalion of soldiers in scouring the earth to find Bosco a mate. Little is known about his habits in the wild, but Bosco seems to enjoy roaming the grounds of the Royal Palace with his master, and has developed quite a taste for cakes and pies.

Cabbage Slug 

This tiny slug, able to quickly reproduce, can destroy entire cabbage patches in less than a week. These pests are sometimes hard to spot because they actually bore holes into the cabbages and eat them from the inside out. By the time you realize they’re there, it can be too late.

The Serpent 

This giant, amphibious reptile lives in the waters near the Serpent’s Pass. The serpent is able to move through the water undetected. This helps him to get close to his prey before attacking. At over 100 feet long, this scaly creature is just as ferocious as it looks and it is known to let out an extremely loud, blood-curdling scream just before it attacks. The serpent lives mostly on fish and other water creatures but it will attack and eat just about anything - it has even been known to attack ships when looking for a meal.

Buzzard-Wasps 

Horrible, filthy flying monsters that live in caves they dig out of Si Wong Rock. While they primarily subsist on carrion and prefer not to hunt live game, they will attack if absolutely desperate for food or are provoked by something invading their home caves. In such cases they can be incredibly dangerous, as their beaks and talons are razor sharp. The females produce a sticky substance similar to honey that they feed to their young. Unlike honey, however, the substance is not palatable to humans, with a flavor described by some as resembling rotten penguin meat.

Singing Groundhogs 

These little critters attract tourists from all over the Avatar world. As Aang demonstrates, these creatures have an innate musical ability and will respond to any musical note by singing a pitch-perfect response. Like ordinary groundhogs, they live in underground tunnels and feed off insects and roots. Don’t go looking for them in the winter, though. Even singing groundhogs have to hibernate.

Saber-Tooth Moose-Lioness 

This is the mother of the baby saber-tooth moose-lion. Standing at about the size of a large moose, these animals are extremely good fighters- their long teeth, long horns and ferocious attitude make them a formidable opponent. Although they look scary, for the most part saber-tooth moose-lions are friendly animals- that is, unless you stand in between a mother saber-tooth moose-lion and her cub, then these animals have been known to become quite violent. The saber-tooth moose-lion is native to the forests of the Southern Earth Kingdom.

Mongoose Dragons 

This is an hybrid animal typical of the Avatar world. It is a cross between a mongoose and a basilisk lizard. The Mongoose Dragons are large animals that are basically ridden like a horse- only Mongoose Dragons are much more versatile. Their quick, mongoose-like reflexes help them to dodge just about any attack, and their lizard-like abilities enable them to quickly crawl over just about any obstacle- even up walls. Riding this animal takes a little getting used to  especially when it stands on its hind legs, but it is well worth it. These animals are originally from the tropical jungles of the Fire Nation.

Turtle-ducks 

This animal is a cross between a turtle and a duck. They live in ponds throughout the world, but they especially love the warm weather of the Fire Nation. They are both great fliers and great swimmers. These animals are especially cute when they are young but you better resist the urge to pet these adorable creatures- if you mess with them, their mother will be sure to bite you.

Hybrid Pigs 

These are different types of pigs that the Lee family raises at their farm.

Wooly-pig: This is a cross between a pig and a sheep. These animals grow wool that can be used to make clothing, etc. Unfortunately, the wool gets quite muddy from all their rolling around in the muck.

Moo-Sow: This is a cross between a cow and a pig – they produce a special and delicious pig-milk.

Pickens: These are a cross between a Pig and a chicken- they lay eggs and are also very delicious to eat.

Pigster: This is a cross between a pig and a rooster – they make great alarm clocks.

Eel hound 

Nothing runs faster over land, or swims quicker, than a giant eel-hound. That’s a fact. A cross between a greyhound and an eel, the eel-hound has been used for hundreds of years for transportation over sea and land. They are a wonderful animal, that is, once they are trained- they can be pretty wild otherwise. In fact training an eel-hound is so difficult, that most people won’t even bother. This is the reason you don’t see too many of them these days.

Ran and Shaw 

Revered by the Sun Warriors, Ran and Shaw are two Firebending masters who are also ancient dragons. In order to learn Firebending from them, any potential student must present themselves to the dragons. Ran and Shaw examine you and read your heart and soul. If they deem you worthy, they will teach you, if they don’t, they will destroy you on the spot. Many people have presented themselves to Ran and Shaw over the years, but the dragons have deemed worthy only a few people, including Aang, Zuko, and Uncle Iroh.

Badgerfrog 

This furry, hopping animal is indigenous to the Western Fire Nation. At first look, the badgerfrog seems cute and harmless, but if cornered by a predator, it will defend itself by hopping, clawing, and biting angrily. Badgerfrogs have been found to be strangely attracted to earnest monologues delivered by weary travelers who stop to camp in their habitat.

Armored Appa 

Drafted and constructed by Sokka, Appa’s unique and durable armor protects him against all sorts of attacks. It is made of metal and leather and has plenty of little hidden compartments, including a “pocket” to hold smoke bombs and other weapons. There are also two large water barrels on either side, enabling Katara to shoot water at the enemy while riding on Appa.

Koala Sheep 

These cute, cuddly creatures are the main inhabitants of the Black Cliffs. They spend most of their day eating grass, sleeping, and avoiding their natural predator, Boar-Q-Pines.

Catowl 

This animal lives in the forests of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. It’s natural prey are mice and other small rodents. It’s distinctive Meow-Hoot is one of the most bizarre sounds in the animal kingdom. If you hear a Cat-Owl, stay away, as it’s considered bad luck to run across one.