Animals

1. Dog

   Usage

   The key word for "I was bitten by a dog". Loose dogs are common on country lanes in the UK and Ireland

2. Cat

   Usage

   For the resident cat at a guesthouse or pub. If you react to them, say "I am allergic to cats" when you check in

3. Bird

   Usage

   Watching them is "birdwatching" — a national hobby in the UK, so the word comes up at any nature reserve

4. Fish

   Usage

   The animal and the food share the word, and the plural stays "fish"

   Grammar Note

   Plural is "fish"; "fishes" only when listing different species

5. Horse

   Usage

   For booking "horse riding" (US: horseback riding). On UK and Irish country roads, drivers are expected to slow down for horses

6. Cow

   Usage

   You meet them on farms and footpaths. On UK rights of way you often walk through a herd — take extra care if you have a dog

7. Pig

   Usage

   The animal; the meat is "pork". If you avoid it, say "no pork" when ordering

8. Chicken

   Usage

   Same word for the bird and the meat. A female is a "hen", a male a "cockerel" (UK) or "rooster" (US)

9. Duck

   Usage

   A park-pond regular. UK parks now ask you not to feed them bread — bring oats or seeds instead

10. Goat

    Usage

    Comes up on farm visits and at cheese counters — "goat cheese" (UK also "goats cheese")

11. Sheep

    Usage

    Everywhere in rural Britain, Ireland and New Zealand. They wander onto roads, so drive slowly

    Grammar Note

    Same form in singular and plural: one sheep, ten sheep

12. Donkey

    Usage

    British seaside towns still offer "donkey rides", and they are a common sight in Ireland and on Mediterranean islands

13. Rabbit

    Usage

    A common sight in meadows at dusk. In Australia they are treated as an invasive pest

14. Mouse

    Usage

    Report one to reception if you see it in your room. The bigger kind is a "rat" and English keeps the two apart

    Grammar Note

    Irregular plural "mice"

15. Rat

    Usage

    Seen around city bins and subway tracks. Always report one at your accommodation. Aimed at a person the word is a serious insult, so keep it for the animal

16. Squirrel

    Usage

    A fixture of parks in London and New York. In Britain the native "red squirrel" is now rare and the "grey squirrel" dominates

17. Fox

    Usage

    Urban foxes are a normal sight on London streets at night. They are not dangerous, but do not feed them

18. Deer

    Usage

    Seen in Richmond Park in London and across the Scottish Highlands. Watch for them on roads after dark

    Grammar Note

    Same form in singular and plural: one deer, five deer

19. Wild boar

    Usage

    Numbers are rising in southern English woodland and across continental Europe. Never approach one with young

20. Bear

    Usage

    The critical word in North American national parks — learn it with "bear spray" and "bear box". There are none in Britain or Ireland

21. Hedgehog

    Usage

    A much-loved night visitor to British gardens, now in decline and legally protected

22. Bat

    Usage

    Out at dusk near rivers and old buildings. If one bites or scratches you, see a doctor — rabies risk

23. Pigeon

    Usage

    In every city square. Feeding them is banned in some places, including Trafalgar Square in London

24. Seagull

    Usage

    On the British coast they really will snatch your chips — cover your food outdoors. Birders just say "gull"

25. Snake

    Usage

    In Britain only the "adder" is venomous. In Australia and the US many species are dangerous — if bitten, stay still and call for help

26. Lizard

    Usage

    Basking on sunny walls and dunes. Harmless — no need to chase one off

27. Frog

    Usage

    Around ponds and wetlands. The warty relative is a "toad" and English keeps the two apart

28. Mosquito

    Usage

    Ask for "insect repellent" (informally "bug spray"). Say "I got a mosquito bite" at a pharmacy for a cream

    Grammar Note

    Plural "mosquitoes"

29. Fly

    Usage

    Comes up when eating outdoors. In the Scottish Highlands the real summer menace is the "midge" — a different word

30. Bee

    Usage

    If you carry an EpiPen, say "I am allergic to bee stings" up front

31. Wasp

    Usage

    They crowd beer gardens and café terraces in late summer. Swatting invites a sting — stay still instead

32. Ant

    Usage

    Report them to reception if they get into your room, and keep food sealed

33. Cockroach

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms. Americans often shorten it to "roach"

34. Spider

    Usage

    British spiders are essentially harmless. In Australia some are not — shake out your shoes before putting them on

35. Tick

    Usage

    The parasite to watch for on grassy trails in Britain, Ireland and North America. It carries Lyme disease — tell a doctor "I was bitten by a tick"

36. Jellyfish

    Usage

    Tell a lifeguard "I was stung by a jellyfish". In northern Australia some species are deadly — always obey the beach signs

    Grammar Note

    Same form in singular and plural

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