Animals Crossword Puzzles: Free Printable and Online

Explore the incredible diversity of the animal kingdom, from tiny insects to massive mammals. Discover fascinating behaviors, habitats, and unique species.

Print any animals crossword below, download it as a PDF, or play it online. Free, and no signup is needed to play.

10 puzzles, click Print on any puzzle below

Animal Habitats

Medium · 15×15 · 15 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Across

  1. 1. Area an animal defends against others of its own kind
  2. 4. Describes a hot, humid climate found near the equator
  3. 5. Describes a species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth
  4. 6. Natural coloring that helps prey avoid being seen by predators
  5. 8. Describes a species at serious risk of dying out completely
  6. 11. Describes a climate with moderate temperatures and four distinct seasons
  7. 12. Cold, treeless biome with permanently frozen ground beneath the surface
  8. 14. Long period of deep sleep some animals use to survive winter
  9. 15. Describes an animal that is active mainly at night

Down

  1. 2. All the living and nonliving things interacting in one area
  2. 3. Group of animals or plants that can breed with one another
  3. 7. Physical or behavioral trait that helps a species survive in its habitat
  4. 9. Underwater ridge built mostly by tiny coral animals
  5. 10. Habitat where the ground is soaked or covered with water much of the year
  6. 13. Specific role and set of conditions a species needs to survive

Animal Habitats

Easy · 11×11 · 12 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Across

  1. 1. Enormous body of salt water covering most of Earth
  2. 5. Long flowing body of fresh water
  3. 7. Coloring or pattern that helps an animal blend into its surroundings
  4. 10. Very dry, sandy region that gets little rain
  5. 11. Structure a bird builds to lay its eggs

Down

  1. 2. Hollow underground space some animals use for shelter
  2. 3. To travel to a new region, often with the seasons
  3. 4. Underground tunnel or hole dug by an animal
  4. 6. Safe place that protects an animal from weather or predators
  5. 8. Large area covered with trees, home to owls and deer
  6. 9. Icy, freezing region near the North Pole
  7. 10. Hidden shelter where an animal like a fox or bear rests

Animals

Easy · 7×7 · 7 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6

Across

  1. 1. Flocking farm animal sheared to make woolen clothing.
  2. 5. Highly intelligent marine mammal known for playful jumping.
  3. 6. Heavy forest mammal that spends the winter hibernating.

Down

  1. 2. Powerful bird of prey recognized as a symbol of the United States.
  2. 3. Large African cat where the male grows a bushy mane.
  3. 4. Enormous ocean mammal that breathes through a blowhole.
  4. 5. Loyal canine companion known for barking.

Animals

Hard · 11×11 · 13 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Across

  1. 1. Deadly sin hanging out in the canopy.
  2. 4. Ground-dwelling parrot that forgets how to fly when startled.
  3. 6. Warty amphibian sounding like it was hauled away.
  4. 9. Oversized guinea pig that acts as nature's couch.
  5. 11. Marine mammal bringing a sword to a swimming match.
  6. 12. Australian sprinter concealed within problem unraveling.

Down

  1. 1. Mythical fire-dwelling spirit, or a damp amphibian.
  2. 2. Mexican amphibian holding onto its youth forever.
  3. 3. Nocturnal flyer moonlighting in baseball.
  4. 5. Texas roller with a built-in suit of armor.
  5. 7. Tufted cat sounding like connective elements.
  6. 8. Leaping primate with peepers larger than its gray matter.
  7. 10. African grazer that sounds completely fresh.

Animals

Medium · 11×11 · 15 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Across

  1. 1. Howling pack hunter
  2. 3. Winged mammal that navigates by sound
  3. 7. Extremely lethargic tree dweller
  4. 8. Barcoded equine of the savanna
  5. 10. Invertebrate that might squirt ink when startled
  6. 12. Legless reptile that might rattle before striking
  7. 13. Antlered grazer of the woods
  8. 14. Striped stalker of the forest

Down

  1. 2. Nocturnal hooter reputed for wisdom
  2. 4. Warty cousin of a pond hopper
  3. 5. Spotted sprinter that leaves dust in its wake
  4. 6. Tuxedo-clad waddler of the Antarctic
  5. 7. Apex predator with a cartilage skeleton
  6. 9. Massive antlered beast of the north
  7. 11. Ursine creature that may steal a picnic basket

Animals

Easy · 11×11 · 17 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Across

  1. 2. Farm animal with a snout and a curly tail
  2. 5. Feline companion that purrs
  3. 7. Large hoofed mammal used for riding
  4. 8. Nocturnal bird that hoots
  5. 9. Large mammal with a long trunk
  6. 10. Massive marine creature that breathes through a blowhole
  7. 12. Small wild canine known for its bushy tail
  8. 13. Large heavy mammal with thick fur
  9. 14. Farm animal raised for milk and beef
  10. 15. Popular household pet that barks

Down

  1. 1. Colorful tropical bird that can mimic speech
  2. 3. Very large and powerful ape
  3. 4. Farm animal prized for its wool
  4. 6. Tall African mammal with a very long neck
  5. 10. Wild canine ancestor of domestic dogs
  6. 11. Large feline known as the king of the jungle
  7. 12. Amphibian known for jumping and croaking

Animals

Medium · 7×7 · 7 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5

Across

  1. 1. Sly creature of many fables
  2. 4. Sprinter covered in spots
  3. 5. Nature's engineer known for lodge building

Down

  1. 1. Gilled swimmer
  2. 2. Towering browser of the African savanna
  3. 3. Safari sight with stripes
  4. 4. Purring pet that might knock over a glass

Animals

Easy · 11×11 · 17 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Across

  1. 1. Wild canine animal
  2. 5. Forest animal with antlers
  3. 8. Large predatory marine fish
  4. 9. Flightless bird living in cold regions
  5. 11. Largest marine mammal
  6. 13. Popular domestic pet
  7. 14. Large bird of prey with keen eyesight
  8. 15. Marine mammal with flippers

Down

  1. 2. Nocturnal bird of prey
  2. 3. Animal that lives in water and has fins
  3. 4. Large furry omnivore
  4. 5. Waterfowl known for quacking
  5. 6. Mammal with a long trunk
  6. 7. Primate known for swinging in trees
  7. 8. Rodent that collects nuts
  8. 10. Domesticated riding animal
  9. 12. Man's best friend

Animals

Hard · 11×11 · 14 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Across

  1. 2. Ghostly sounding primate of Madagascar whose name stems from Roman spirits of the dead
  2. 4. Jungle herbivore sporting what looks like a drastically shortened elephant trunk
  3. 6. Chatter endlessly about a shaggy Tibetan beast of burden
  4. 9. Pocket-sized bounder of the outback that isn't quite large enough to be a kangaroo
  5. 10. Heavyweight, flightless, nocturnal parrot native to New Zealand
  6. 12. Zebra-striped forest dweller hiding in the giraffe family tree
  7. 13. Mountain cat frequently found prowling the aisles of a sneaker store
  8. 14. Cat-like apex predator reigning supreme over the lemurs of Madagascar

Down

  1. 1. A deadly sin hanging upside down in the Central American canopy
  2. 3. Giant South American rodent that serves as nature's favorite plush chair for other species
  3. 5. Egg-laying mammal that baffled British biologists with its duck-like bill
  4. 7. Primate famously photographed enjoying the thermal hot springs of Nagano
  5. 8. Bald canine from south of the border, known by a snappy four-letter abbreviation
  6. 11. Desert antelope whose name is completely hidden inside the phrase memory x-ray

Animals

Medium · 11×11 · 13 words
Play online →

Printing for a class?

Print 2 or 4 versions of this puzzle with different grid layouts, so desk neighbors cannot copy answers. Same words and clues, and each version has its own answer key. Class sets are a Plus feature in the Grid Genius app.

Make a class set →
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Across

  1. 1. Desert mongoose famous for its upright sentry posture
  2. 2. Tufted-eared wildcat adapted to snowy northern forests
  3. 3. Equine marked by unique monochromatic stripes
  4. 8. Nocturnal forager covered in thousands of protective quills
  5. 10. Flightless Australian runner featured on the national coat of arms
  6. 11. Semi-aquatic mammal that floats on its back to crack open shells
  7. 12. Heavyweight herbivore with a highly versatile appendage

Down

  1. 1. Gentle aquatic herbivore sometimes nicknamed the sea cow
  2. 4. Fierce burrowing omnivore with distinctive facial stripes
  3. 5. Spotted apex predator stalking the Amazon rainforest
  4. 6. Feline sprinter of the savanna
  5. 7. Tropical lizard featuring a prominent dewlap
  6. 9. Arboreal slowpoke of Central and South America

Make your own Animals crossword

Turn your own word list into a crossword with the free Grid Genius maker. Print it with an answer key or share a playable link with your class. No account needed.

Make your own Animals crossword

Related Printable Crossword Topics

Animals Crossword FAQ

Is this Animals crossword puzzle free?

Yes. Every Animals crossword on this page is free. You can print it, download it as a PDF, or play it online without paying anything or creating an account.

Can I print the Animals crossword?

Yes. Click Print on any puzzle for a print-ready page with the grid, the clues, and a name and date line, or use Download to save it as a PDF, PNG, or JPEG for photocopying. The PDF download includes a filled answer key on the last page for grading.

Can students play these crosswords online?

Yes. Every puzzle has a Play online link that opens in the browser on any device. No app install and no signup is needed to play, which makes it easy to share with a class.

Can I make my own Animals crossword?

Yes. The free Grid Genius crossword maker builds a puzzle from your own words and clues, with a printable grid and answer key. The Grid Genius app can also generate a complete crossword from any topic you type.