Padlock: keep a part.Arrows: change only that part.
Heada catfish
Bodyan otter
Legsa centipede
Taila humpback whale
Coatthe white of an egret
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The head of a catfish on the body of an otter, with the legs of a centipede, the tail of a humpback whale and the white of an egret.
The head of a warthog on the body of a stingray, with the legs of a green turtle, the tail of a magpie and the stripes of a garter snake.
The head of an iguana on the body of a chicken, with the legs of a springbok, the tail of a springtail and the folded hide of an Indian rhinoceros.
The head of a sawfish on the body of an armadillo, with the legs of a roadrunner, the tail of a crayfish and the blue of a morpho butterfly.
The head of a weevil on the body of a thorny devil, with the legs of a flying frog, the tail of a motmot and the spots of a leopard.
The head of a hammerhead shark on the body of an albatross, with the legs of a spider crab, the tail of an armadillo lizard and the spines of a porcupinefish.
The head of a swordfish on the body of a flounder, with the legs of a tiger, the tail of a guppy and the hair of an orangutan.
The head of a catfish on the body of a shield bug, with the legs of a caiman, the tail of an armadillo lizard and the green of a rose chafer.
The head of an anglerfish on the body of a cormorant, with the legs of a lobster, the tail of a red kite and the stripes of a potato beetle.
The head of a grasshopper on the body of a blue-tongued skink, with the legs of a basilisk lizard, the tail of a raccoon and the silver of a herring.
The head of a sturgeon on the body of a penguin, with the legs of a capybara, the tail of a mudpuppy and the scales of a bush viper.
The head of a manta ray on the body of a ladybird, with the legs of a lobster, the tail of a quetzal and the bars of a mackerel.
The head of a jumping spider on the body of a shield bug, with the legs of a flying frog, the tail of a wren and the fur of a polar bear.
The head of a hippopotamus on the body of a common toad, with the legs of a starfish, the tail of a leopard gecko and the stripes of a zebra.
The head of a jumping spider on the body of a millipede, with the legs of a crab, the tail of a clownfish and the spines of an echidna.
The head of a spoonbill on the body of a giraffe, with the legs of a water strider, the tail of a tree boa and the stripes of a chipmunk.
The head of a pelican on the body of a Gila monster, with the legs of a red deer, the tail of a horntail and the winter coat of a stoat.
The head of a hippopotamus on the body of a penguin, with the legs of a terrapin, the tail of a silverfish and the colours of a mandarinfish.
The head of a wolf spider on the body of a boxfish, with the legs of a horseshoe crab, the tail of a swallowtail butterfly and the scales of a pangolin.
The head of a rhinoceros beetle on the body of a quail, with the legs of a tiger, the tail of a tree boa and the wings of a lacewing.
The head of a weevil on the body of a millipede, with the legs of an octopus, the tail of a crested newt and the colours of a mandarinfish.
The head of a moray eel on the body of a Gila monster, with the legs of a horseshoe crab, the tail of a five-lined skink and the scales of a pangolin.
The head of an alligator on the body of a quail, with the legs of a collared lizard, the tail of a flying fish and the lining of an abalone shell.
The head of a hornbill on the body of a jellyfish, with the legs of a crane fly, the tail of a whip scorpion and the saddles of a corn snake.
The head of a fennec fox on the body of a thorny devil, with the legs of a mole, the tail of a betta and the stripes of a chipmunk.
The head of a hippopotamus on the body of a hare, with the legs of a goliath frog, the tail of a magpie and the blue of a morpho butterfly.
The head of an iguana on the body of a cricket, with the legs of a starfish, the tail of a spiny-tailed lizard and the saddles of a leopard shark.
The head of a catfish on the body of a thorny devil, with the legs of a collared lizard, the tail of a lyrebird and the scales of a pangolin.
The head of an anglerfish on the body of a woodlouse, with the legs of a honeybee, the tail of a spiny-tailed lizard and the saddles of a leopard shark.
The head of a praying mantis on the body of a hare, with the legs of a cheetah, the tail of a sea snake and the spines of an echidna.
a fennec foxThe ears are the biggest shape on the head. Draw two tall triangles and fit the face between them.
a giant anteaterA long tube of a snout with no teeth in it. Draw the tube, then a tiny eye far back.
a hippopotamusEyes, ears and nostrils sit high on the skull. Set all three along one line across the top.
Show all 60 heads (57 more)
Mammals, continued
a mandrillA long nose with ridged cheeks either side. Draw the centre stripe first, then the grooves beside it.
a mooseThe antlers are broad and flat like open hands. Block in two paddles before any points.
a narwhalThe tusk is a single long tooth with a spiral groove. Rule a straight line, then wind the spiral round it.
a proboscis monkeyOn a male the nose hangs lower than the mouth. Draw it as a drooping pear before anything else.
a star-nosed moleIts nose ends in 22 fleshy rays. Draw a small star first and hang the head behind it.
a tapirThe snout is a short trunk that can grip. Draw it drooping over the lower lip.
a walrusThe tusks are long upper canine teeth. Draw two downward curves, then the whiskered pad between.
a warthogTwo pairs of tusks curve out of the mouth. Draw the upper pair as wide half circles.
an elephantThe trunk is the nose and upper lip grown together. Start with its curve, then add the ears.
Birds 12
a barn owlThe face is a pale heart-shaped disc. Draw the heart, then drop two dark eyes into it.
a cockatooA crest of feathers stands up from the head. Draw the head as a ball and fan the crest from the brow.
a flamingoIt feeds with its bent bill held upside down. Draw the bill as a boomerang.
a hoopoeA crown of feathers it can raise or lower, and a long curved bill. Draw the fan open like a hand of cards.
a hornbillA casque rides on top of the bill, hollow in most kinds. Draw the bill, then stack a smaller one above.
a kiwiThe nostrils are at the very tip of a long bill. Draw a thin curved line and dot the end.
a pelicanA pouch of skin hangs under the lower bill. Draw the bill as a long wedge and loop the pouch below.
a puffinA tall, flat-sided bill, like a triangle on its side. The eye sits in a small triangle of its own.
a shoebillThe bill is as wide as a clog. Draw one fat shoe shape with a hook at the tip.
a spoonbillThe bill is long and flat with a round tip. Draw a spoon, handle toward the eye.
a toucanThe bill is the biggest shape on the bird. Draw it first and hang a small head on the end of it.
a vultureA bare head on a long bare neck. Draw the hooked bill, then a ruff of feathers where the neck begins.
Reptiles and amphibians 12
a bullfrogA round eardrum sits just behind each eye. Draw the wide mouth first, then eye and eardrum side by side.
a chameleonEach eye turns on its own. Draw two cones for eyes and point them in different directions.
a cobraIt spreads the skin of its neck into a hood. Draw a flat leaf shape with the head at the top.
a frilled lizardA large frill round the neck, kept folded until it is opened. Draw it as a wide pleated collar.
a gharialVery long, very thin jaws. Draw a pair of chopsticks lined with small teeth.
a horned lizardA crown of horns round a flat, wide head. Draw a coin shape and set the spikes round the back edge.
a Komodo dragonA long, forked tongue flicks out to taste the air. Draw a heavy flat head and a yellow Y in front.
a snapping turtleA big head with a hooked beak. Draw the beak as a parrot's and keep the eye small and close to it.
a tuataraA spiny crest runs along the back, starting behind the head. Draw a blunt lizard face and a row of triangles.
an alligatorThe snout is broad and rounded, like a U. Draw the U, then put the eyes on bumps at the back.
an axolotlThree feathery gills stand out on each side. Draw a round smiling head and six soft plumes.
an iguanaA flap of skin, the dewlap, hangs under the chin. Draw the jaw line, then let a curve sag below it.
Fish and sea animals 12
a catfishWhisker-like barbels grow round the mouth. Draw a broad flat head and up to eight trailing feelers.
a cuttlefishThe pupil is shaped like a W. Draw a short face, a ring of arms and that one odd eye.
a hammerhead sharkThe head is stretched sideways into a hammer with an eye at each end. Draw a wide T.
a manta rayTwo fleshy lobes stand out in front of the mouth. Draw a wide slot of a mouth with a paddle each side.
a moray eelA long head with a mouth that hangs open. Draw the jaw line past the eye and leave it ajar.
a paddlefishThe snout is a long flat paddle. Draw an oar blade and fit a small head behind it.
a parrotfishThe teeth are packed into a beak. Draw a round head and a small hard beak with a seam down the middle.
a pikeA flat, duck-billed snout full of teeth. Draw a long wedge and set the eye high and far back.
a sawfishA long flat snout edged with teeth, like a hedge trimmer. Draw a ruler and add pegs down each side.
a sturgeonFour barbels hang in front of a wide toothless mouth. Draw a long pointed snout and the feelers below.
a swordfishThe bill is long, flat and pointed like a sword. Rule the sword first, then build the head behind.
an anglerfishA fin ray on the head works as a fishing lure. Draw the rod and its bait before the wide jaw.
Insects and other small animals 12
a butterflyThe tongue is a tube kept coiled under the head. Draw a small round head, two clubbed feelers and a spiral.
a cicadaThe eyes are set wide apart on a short, blunt head. Draw a wide bar with a bead at each end.
a dragonflyA pair of large compound eyes. Draw two domes that touch, then a small face below.
a grasshopperA long face that slopes back from the forehead. Draw a tilted oval with the eye at the top.
a jumping spiderFour pairs of eyes, with two large ones in the middle of the face. Draw those two as headlamps.
a longhorn beetleThe antennae are often as long as the body or longer. Sweep them back in two long arcs.
a praying mantisA triangular head on a neck that turns nearly half a circle. Draw the triangle point down, an eye at each top corner.
a rhinoceros beetleThe male carries a horn on its head. Draw one upward curve and a second, shorter one behind it.
a stag beetleThe male's jaws branch like antlers. Draw the antlers large and the head as a small block behind.
a weevilThe head runs out into a long snout with the feelers attached to it. Draw the snout as a bent straw.
a wolf spiderEight eyes in three rows. Draw two big eyes on top and a row of four small ones below.
an antThe antennae bend like elbows. Draw an oval head, two elbowed feelers and jaws like pliers.
How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each entry names one real animal, and its note says what that part looks like and how to start drawing it. Every note that states a fact about the animal was checked on 2026-09-30 against an English Wikipedia article, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by one of: Moose, Walrus, Elephant, Tapir, Star-nosed_mole, Hippopotamus, Common_warthog, Giant_anteater, Proboscis_monkey, Narwhal, Pelican, Barn_owl, Shoebill, Flamingo, Hornbill, Kiwi_(bird), Cockatoo, Hoopoe, Chameleon, Gharial, Cobra, Frilled_lizard, Axolotl, Iguana, Tuatara, American_bullfrog, Komodo_dragon, American_alligator, Hammerhead_shark, Swordfish, Anglerfish, Sawfish, Parrotfish, Manta_ray, Catfish, Sturgeon, Paddlefish, Cuttlefish, Stag_beetle, Mantis, Dragonfly, Ant, Dynastinae, Weevil, Jumping_spider, Longhorn_beetle, Butterfly, Cicada, Wolf_spider. A note about an animal with no article listed here is drawing advice only. Licence: own work
Body: all 60 bodies
Mammals 12
a bisonA hump rises over the shoulders. Draw a wedge that tapers to the tail.
a blue whaleNo larger animal has ever been known. Draw a long torpedo and put a tiny fin far back.
a camelThe hump stores fat, not water. Draw the back as a hill and hang the belly well below it.
Show all 60 bodies (57 more)
Mammals, continued
a dachshundA long body on short legs. Draw a sausage twice as long as you think it needs to be.
a giraffeThe long neck has no extra bones, only longer ones. Slope the back down from shoulder to tail.
a greyhoundA deep chest and a waist tucked up tight. Draw a big oval and a small one and join them with an S.
a hareA lean body with a high arch over the hips. Draw the back as a bow, ready to spring.
a hedgehogThe spines are hollow hairs stiffened by keratin. Draw a dome, then cover it in short strokes.
a porcupineIt raises its quills as a warning. Draw a round back and fan long strokes outward from the rump.
a slothIt hangs under the branch, belly up. Draw the body as a hammock slung between four hooks.
an armadilloBands of armour with flexible skin between let the back bend. Draw a dome and cut it with curved stripes.
an otterLong, sleek and bendy, built for swimming. Draw a tube and curve it like a comma.
Birds 12
a chickenA round body with a tail that points up. Draw a teardrop lying on its back, tail in the air.
a cormorantAfter fishing it stands with its wings held out. Draw a long body upright, both wings hung out to dry.
a heronA thin body held upright on long legs. Draw a narrow teardrop with shaggy plumes down the chest.
a hummingbirdA tiny body that hovers in one place. Draw a small teardrop and blur where the wings would be.
a mallardA flat-bottomed body that sits low on the water. Draw a bowl and curl the tail feathers up at the back.
a penguinIt stands upright with wings that work as flippers. Draw a skittle and flatten two paddles to its sides.
a pigeonA plump chest that leads the way. Draw an egg lying on its side with the fat end in front.
a quailA small, plump, short-tailed ground bird. Draw one near-perfect ball with almost no neck.
a robinA round body that looks like a ball with a tail. Draw a circle and tip it slightly forward.
a swanA boat-shaped body with the wings folded on top. Draw a wide hull and arch the feathers over it.
a turkeyA barrel of a body under a fan of feathers. Draw a big oval and puff the chest out in front.
an albatrossA solid body between very long, narrow wings. Draw a short cigar and hold the wings out straight.
Reptiles and amphibians 12
a blue-tongued skinkA long smooth body on very short legs. Draw a thick tube and tuck four small feet at the corners.
a caecilianAn amphibian with no legs, shaped like a worm. Draw a smooth tube ringed with fine grooves.
a common toadA squat, warty body. Draw a bean bag that sags in the middle, covered in bumps of three sizes.
a crocodileBony plates armour the back. Draw a long low log and stud it with square bumps.
a fire salamanderA long glossy body on short legs. Draw a tube and pinch it at the neck.
a Gila monsterThe scales hold small round bones, so the skin looks beaded. Draw a fat sausage covered in rows of dots.
a glass frogThe skin of the belly is see-through. Draw a small flat body and let the insides show faintly.
a leatherback turtleIts shell is leathery skin, not hard plates, with seven ridges. Draw a teardrop and rule the ridges down it.
a pythonOne long muscle of a body. Draw a rope in three loops and make it thickest in the middle.
a slow wormA lizard with no legs. Draw a smooth, shiny tube that barely narrows at the neck.
a thorny devilCone-shaped spines cover the whole body. Draw a plump lizard shape and plant thorns all over it.
a tortoiseThe shell is built from the ribs and other bones, so it cannot climb out. Draw a dome on a flat plate.
Fish and sea animals 12
a boxfishPlates fused into a bony box, with the fins poking out. Draw a cube, soften the edges and add a pursed mouth.
a flounderA flat body that lies on one side, with both eyes on the upper face. Draw a leaf with a fringe of fin.
a goldfishA deep round body. Draw an egg, then mark the scales as rows of overlapping arcs.
a jellyfishA soft bell that opens and closes to push it along. Draw a dome and scallop its lower edge.
a nautilusA coiled shell divided into chambers. Draw a spiral and cross it with curved walls.
a pufferfishIt can swell into a ball. Draw a circle and add tiny fins that barely matter.
a sea cucumberA soft tube with a mouth at one end. Draw a fat sausage and dot it with small bumps.
a seahorseIt swims upright and has bony plates in place of scales. Draw a row of ridged rings down a curved body.
a stingrayA flat disc of a body. Draw a diamond and round off the corners.
a whale sharkThe largest fish alive. Draw a long flat-topped body with three ridges running along each side.
an oarfishA ribbon of a body many times longer than it is deep. Draw a long strap with a trailing crest on the head.
an ocean sunfishIt looks like a huge head with fins and no body behind. Draw a tall oval and stop it short.
Insects and other small animals 12
a bumblebeeA round furry body in bands. Draw a short fat oval and stripe it with soft, fuzzy edges.
a caterpillarA soft body in segments. Draw a row of overlapping circles and bend the row into an arch.
a cockroachA flat oval body with a shield over the head. Draw a leaf shape with a smaller plate at the front.
a cricketA stout body carrying its wings flat on top. Draw a short cylinder with a square front end.
a garden spiderA large round abdomen behind a small front half. Draw a big ball and a small one, almost touching.
a honeypot antSome workers store food in a swollen abdomen. Draw a tiny ant with a balloon tied behind.
a ladybirdA dome with a seam down the middle where the wing cases meet. Draw half a ball and split it.
a millipedeMost segments carry two pairs of legs. Draw a long tube of rings, each with a double fringe below.
a shield bugA broad flat body shaped like a shield. Draw a pentagon, point down, with a triangle set into the back.
a tarantulaA hairy body in two parts with a narrow waist between. Draw two ovals and cover both in short strokes.
a woodlouseAn armoured back in plates. Some kinds can roll into a ball. Draw an oval sliced into bands.
an earthwormA body made of rings, with a belt-shaped swelling toward the front. Draw a tube and mark it with fine lines.
How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each entry names one real animal, and its note says what that part looks like and how to start drawing it. Every note that states a fact about the animal was checked on 2026-09-30 against an English Wikipedia article, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by one of: Giraffe, Armadillo, Hedgehog, Camel, American_bison, Blue_whale, Porcupine, Penguin, Cormorant, Turtle_shell, Crocodile, Leatherback_sea_turtle, Slowworm, Glass_frog, Thorny_devil, Gila_monster, Caecilian, Seahorse, Tetraodontidae, Flounder, Jellyfish, Whale_shark, Ocean_sunfish, Ostraciidae, Nautilus, Oarfish, Woodlouse, Millipede, Earthworm, Honeypot_ant. A note about an animal with no article listed here is drawing advice only. Licence: own work
Legs: all 60 sets of legs
Mammals 12
a capybaraSlightly webbed feet, with four toes in front and three behind. Draw short sturdy legs and spread the toes.
a cheetahLong thin legs with claws that never fully pull back. Draw the legs as springs, bent and ready.
a horseA horse stands on one toe per foot, inside a hoof. Draw long shins that end in a block.
Show all 60 sets of legs (57 more)
Mammals, continued
a jerboaLong hind legs and short front ones. Draw the hind legs like a kangaroo's and hide the arms.
a kangarooBig hind legs and large feet, made for leaping. Draw a Z for each leg with a long last stroke.
a moleFront feet like spades, turned outward for digging. Draw two wide paddles with heavy claws.
a rabbitLong back feet folded under the body. Draw the hind leg as a flat triangle against the ground.
a red deerSlim legs that end in two-toed hooves. Draw each leg as a thin line with a knot at the knee.
a springbokIt leaps into the air on stiff legs with its back bowed. Draw all four legs as straight rods.
a squirrelThe back ankles turn round so it can climb down a tree head first. Splay the feet wide.
a tigerHeavy forelegs with wide padded paws. Draw the paw as a mitten and keep the claws hidden.
an ibexShort strong legs with hooves that grip rock. Plant all four feet on one tiny ledge.
Birds 12
a cootThe toes carry broad lobes of skin that fold back as it steps. Draw each toe as a row of small leaves.
a craneLong legs it trails behind in flight. Draw them as two straight lines, longer than the body.
a jacanaToes and claws so long it can walk on floating plants. Draw each foot wider than the body.
a parrotTwo toes point forward and two back. Draw a foot holding food up like a hand.
a roadrunnerLegs built for running. Draw a long stride with the back foot just leaving the ground.
a roosterA spur grows from each lower leg. Draw a scaly shin with one sharp thorn on it.
a secretary birdVery long legs on a bird of prey. It hunts on foot. Draw crane legs under an eagle's thighs.
a stiltLong, thin pink legs. Draw two fine strokes and stand the bird high above its reflection.
a storkLong straight legs made for wading. Draw two thin lines with a knot halfway up.
an eagleStrong feet with curved talons for gripping. Draw the toes as hooks wrapped round a branch.
an emuThree toes on each foot, all pointing forward. Draw long legs and a wide three-pronged track.
an ostrichEach foot has only two toes. Draw long bare legs with thick thighs and one big front toe.
Reptiles and amphibians 12
a basilisk lizardIt can run across water on its hind legs. Draw long back toes spread wide in mid stride.
a caimanShort legs held out to the sides. Draw the upper limb level with the ground and the shin straight down.
a collared lizardIt can run on its back legs alone. Draw it upright with the front feet off the ground.
a common frogLong back legs folded in three. Draw a Z that opens into a straight line when it jumps.
a flying frogBig webbed feet work as parachutes. Draw four spread hands with skin stretched between the fingers.
a geckoToe pads let many geckos climb smooth walls. Draw each toe as a small spoon, spread like a fan.
a goliath frogThe largest living frog. Draw back legs as long as the body, with heavy thighs.
a green turtleThe legs are flippers shaped like paddles. Draw two long front blades and two short back ones.
a terrapinWebbed feet with claws, for swimming and climbing out. Draw short legs and join the toes with skin.
a tree frogRound pads at the tip of each toe help it cling. Draw long thin toes and end each in a dot.
a water monitorStrong legs that hold the body off the ground, with long curved claws. Draw the elbows out wide.
an anoleSlim legs and long toes for gripping twigs. Draw each foot as five thin lines of different lengths.
Fish and sea animals 12
a barnacleSix pairs of long feathery legs comb food from the water. Draw a fan of curled plumes from the shell.
a crabIt can run sideways. Draw the legs bent like brackets and the claws held in front.
a fiddler crabThe male has one claw far larger than the other. Draw one huge mitten held across the front.
a hermit crabJointed legs reach out of a borrowed shell. Draw only the front legs and one claw showing.
a horseshoe crabThe walking legs are hidden under a domed shell. Draw the dome from below with the legs tucked inside.
a lobsterThree of its five pairs of legs end in claws, and the first pair is much the largest. Draw two heavy mittens.
a sea urchinIt walks on tube feet among its spines. Draw a ball of spikes with thin threads between them.
a shrimpThin walking legs in front and small paddles under the tail for swimming. Draw them as a comb.
a spider crabVery long thin legs round a small body. Draw the legs like the ribs of a broken tent.
a squidEight arms and two longer tentacles. Draw the pair of tentacles reaching ahead of the rest.
a starfishIt moves on rows of tiny tube feet under each arm. Draw the arm from below with two lines of dots.
an octopusEight arms lined with suckers. Draw each arm as a taper and curl every tip a different way.
Insects and other small animals 12
a centipedeOne pair of legs on each body segment. Draw the legs in a wave that runs down the body.
a crane flyVery long legs that come off easily. Draw six trailing threads, and leave one missing.
a diving beetleBack legs fringed with hairs work as oars. Draw them stretched out sideways in mid stroke.
a dung beetleIt rolls a ball along with its hind legs. Draw the back feet up on the ball and the head down.
a fleaBack legs built for jumping. Draw a tiny body crouched over two big folded legs.
a froghopperOne of the strongest jumpers among insects. Draw the back legs cocked under the body like a trigger.
a harvestmanEight very long thin legs round a small round body. Draw the knees higher than the back.
a honeybeeA basket of hairs on each hind leg carries pollen. Draw a round yellow lump on the back shin.
a locustThe hind legs are powerful, made for leaping. Draw a fat thigh and a thin shin folded against it.
a mole cricketFront legs shaped like shovels. Draw two short wide hands with teeth along the edge.
a stick insectLegs like twigs, held at odd angles. Draw six thin lines with a knot at every joint.
a water striderIt walks on the surface of the water. Draw the middle legs longest and a dimple under each foot.
How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each entry names one real animal, and its note says what that part looks like and how to start drawing it. Every note that states a fact about the animal was checked on 2026-09-30 against an English Wikipedia article, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by one of: Kangaroo, Horse, Cheetah, Capybara, Mole_(animal), Jerboa, Squirrel, Springbok, Black-winged_stilt, Common_ostrich, Eagle, Coot, Jacanidae, Parrot, Secretarybird, Spur_(zoology), Emu, Gecko, Tree_frog, Common_basilisk, Green_sea_turtle, Wallace's_flying_frog, Goliath_frog, Common_collared_lizard, Crab, Lobster, Octopus, Hermit_crab, Starfish, Fiddler_crab, Barnacle, Horseshoe_crab, Squid, Sea_urchin, Grasshopper, Gerridae, Centipede, Opiliones, Flea, Dung_beetle, Mole_cricket, Pollen_basket, Dytiscidae, Crane_fly, Froghopper. A note about an animal with no article listed here is drawing advice only. Licence: own work
Tail: all 60 tails
Mammals 12
a beaverA broad flat tail covered in scales. Draw a paddle and cross-hatch it.
a foxA thick brush of a tail. Draw a long teardrop and soften the whole outline with short strokes.
a harvest mouseA bare tail that grips, used for climbing grass stems. Draw it wound once round a stalk.
Show all 60 tails (57 more)
Mammals, continued
a humpback whaleThe tail ends in two broad flukes. Draw a wide flat crescent with a notch in the middle.
a lionA long tail that ends in a dark tuft. Draw a rope with a tassel.
a pigA short curly tail. Draw one loop and a flick.
a raccoonA bushy tail with dark rings. Draw a fat sausage and band it.
a ratA long, nearly hairless tail marked in rings. Draw a whip and keep it thick at the base.
a ring-tailed lemurA long tail ringed in black and white. Draw a tall question mark and stripe it evenly.
a skunkA big bushy tail held high as a warning. Draw a plume taller than the animal.
a spider monkeyThe tail can grip a branch like a fifth hand. Draw it curled once round something.
an opossumA bare tail that can curl round and hold on. Draw it wrapped round a twig.
Birds 12
a bird-of-paradiseShow-off plumes for a tail. Draw two fine wires that end in spirals.
a lyrebirdThe outer tail feathers curve in an S, shaped like a lyre. Draw two S shapes that mirror each other.
a magpieA long tail that widens in the middle and tapers to the end. Draw a narrow diamond.
a motmotTwo long tail feathers end in tips like tiny rackets. Draw two bare stalks with an oval at each end.
a peacockThe train is made of feathers that grow above the tail, marked with eyespots. Draw a fan of long lines.
a pheasantA long pointed tail with black bars. Draw a thin taper longer than the body.
a quetzalThe male trails long green tail streamers. Draw two ribbons longer than the bird.
a red kiteA long forked tail it twists to steer. Draw a shallow V and tilt it.
a swallowA deeply forked tail with long outer feathers. Draw a narrow V with trailing tips.
a wagtailA long tail it pumps up and down. Draw the tail three times, fainter each time.
a woodpeckerStiff tail feathers prop it against the trunk. Draw the tail pressed flat to the bark.
a wrenA short tail cocked straight up. Draw a small upright tab at the back of a round body.
Reptiles and amphibians 12
a crested newtThe breeding male grows a jagged crest along the back and tail. Draw a tall wavy fin on the top edge.
a five-lined skinkThe young have a bright blue tail. Draw a smooth taper and keep it one clean colour.
a leopard geckoA thick tail that stores fat. Draw a carrot shape, widest just past the hips.
a mudpuppyA tail flattened from side to side for swimming. Draw a short broad blade with a soft edge.
a rattlesnakeThe rattle is a stack of hollow segments made of keratin. Draw a row of beads that shrink to the tip.
a sea snakeThe tail is shaped like a paddle for swimming. Draw the last part as an oar blade.
a spiny-tailed lizardA thick tail ringed with spikes. Draw a club and add a row of thorns on each ring.
a tadpoleA long tail with a fin along the top and bottom. Draw a leaf shape and a darker line down the middle.
a tree boaA tail at the end of a long coil. Draw two loops hanging either side of a branch.
a wall lizardA long thin tail. Draw a whip with a gentle S in it, narrowing to a hair.
a whiptail lizardA tail much longer than the body and thin as a cord. Draw it trailing off the page.
an armadillo lizardWhen frightened it takes its tail in its mouth and rolls up. Draw a spiky hoop with the head at the join.
Fish and sea animals 12
a bettaLong flowing fins on fish bred for show. Draw the tail as a wide veil with a ragged edge.
a clownfishA rounded tail edged in a darker line. Draw a soft paddle and outline it once.
a crayfishThe tail ends in a fan of flat plates. Draw them spread like a hand.
a flying fishIt drops its tail into the water and pushes off to glide again. Draw a V with one blade touching the sea.
a guppyA wide fan of a tail, often bigger than the body. Draw a triangle and fill it with fine rays.
a leafy seadragonLeaf-like growths hang all over the body and tail. Draw a thin curl and hang fronds along it.
a marlinA tall, stiff, crescent tail. Draw two long blades at a wide angle and a ridge on the stalk between.
a salmonA broad tail with a shallow fork. Draw a strong stalk and a square-ended fan.
a thresher sharkThe top of the tail fin can be as long as the body. Draw a scythe sweeping up and back.
a tunaA stiff tail shaped like a crescent moon, made for speed. Draw two thin blades from a narrow stalk.
an angelfishFins that trail out into long threads. Draw two streamers from the tips of the tail.
an eelThe tail is the back half of a long ribbon, with one fin running right round it. Draw a soft point.
Insects and other small animals 12
a hairstreak butterflyA short thin tail on each hind wing, often beside an eye-like spot. Draw two hairs below the wings.
a horntailA stout spine at the end of the abdomen gives it its name. Draw one short straight spike.
a luna mothThe hind wings sweep out into long tails, sometimes twisted. Draw two ribbons that curl at the ends.
a mayflyTwo or three long threads trail from the tip. Draw them longer than the body and spread apart.
a scorpionThe tail is five segments ending in a sting. Draw five beads in a curve over the back and a hook.
a silverfishThree long bristles stand out from the tip. Draw one straight back and one to each side.
a springtailA spring folded under the body flicks it into the air. Draw a small prong tucked beneath.
a stoneflyA pair of long threads projects from the tip of the abdomen. Draw them as two fine lines in a narrow V.
a swallowtail butterflyThe hind wing very often ends in a tail. Draw two short ribbons at the bottom of the wings.
a water scorpionA long slender tube at the back looks like a tail. It breathes through it. Draw one thin straight line.
a whip scorpionA thin whip of a tail, and it is not venomous. Draw a single hair-fine line from a blunt end.
an earwigA pair of pincers at the tip of the abdomen. Draw two curved prongs facing each other.
How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each entry names one real animal, and its note says what that part looks like and how to start drawing it. Every note that states a fact about the animal was checked on 2026-09-30 against an English Wikipedia article, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by one of: Beaver, Ring-tailed_lemur, Lion, Spider_monkey, Skunk, Raccoon, Virginia_opossum, Eurasian_harvest_mouse, Humpback_whale, Peafowl, Lyrebird, Barn_swallow, Common_pheasant, Wagtail, Resplendent_quetzal, Woodpecker, Eurasian_wren, Motmot, Red_kite, Rattlesnake, Leopard_gecko, Hydrophiini, Armadillo_girdled_lizard, Plestiodon_fasciatus, Northern_crested_newt, Thresher_shark, Tuna, Flying_fish, Leafy_seadragon, Scorpion, Earwig, Plecoptera, Mayfly, Nepidae, Silverfish, Springtail, Swallowtail_butterfly, Theclinae, Horntail, Luna_moth, Thelyphonida. A note about an animal with no article listed here is drawing advice only. Licence: own work
Coat: all 60 coats
Mammals 12
the black and white of a giant pandaBlack on the ears, eye patches, legs and shoulders. Map the patches before any fur.
the fleece of a sheepThick, crimped wool. Draw the outline as a row of small scallops and leave the inside nearly bare.
the folded hide of an Indian rhinocerosThick skin in folds, with wart-like bumps on the shoulders and upper legs. Draw the seams first.
Show all 60 coats (57 more)
Mammals, continued
the fur of a polar bearThe guard hairs are transparent and the skin under them is black. Shade with blue and yellow, not grey.
the hair of an orangutanLong reddish hair covers the body. Draw it in loose strokes, all falling one way.
the leg stripes of an okapiWhite stripes ring the legs, on a dark brown coat. Band the limbs and leave the rest plain.
the scales of a pangolinOverlapping scales made of keratin. Draw them like the scales of a pine cone, tip down.
the spines of an echidnaSpines poke out through coarse fur. Draw the fur first, then the thick pale spikes over it.
the spots of a leopardThe dark spots are grouped in rosettes. Draw broken rings and keep them uneven.
the stripes of a chipmunkA small striped squirrel. Draw dark and pale lines side by side down the back.
the stripes of a zebraNo two zebras have the same stripes. Wrap them round the body so they curve at the edges.
the winter coat of a stoatIn the north it turns white in winter, all but the black tail tip. Leave it as paper and ink one end.
Birds 12
the black of a ravenAll black, and glossy in good light. Leave thin highlights along the edges of the feathers.
the blue of a blue jayBlue above and white below, with black bars on the wings and a black collar. Draw the bars first.
the camouflage of a nightjarPlumage coloured to hide the bird by day. Draw it and its background with the same marks.
the colours of a rainbow lorikeetA deep blue head, an orange chest and green wings. Lay the colours side by side, unmixed.
the feathers of a scarlet macawMostly scarlet, with yellow and then dark blue on the wing. Keep the three in that order.
the feathers of a snowy owlWhite, with flecks of dark brown, heavier on females. Dot the flecks in rows and leave the paper clean.
the gloss of a starlingGlossy black with a metallic sheen, speckled with white for part of the year. Glaze colour over black.
the markings of a goldfinchA red face and a broad yellow bar on a black wing. Three flat colours do it.
the plumage of a mandarin duckThe male carries two orange sails on his back. Draw them standing up like fins.
the red of a cardinalThe male is vibrant red with a black mask on the face. Use one red and darken it in the shadows.
the spots of a guinea fowlGrey-black feathers speckled with white. Dot them evenly, like a pattern on cloth.
the white of an egretAll white, with long fine plumes. Draw the outline lightly and the shadows in pale blue.
Reptiles and amphibians 12
the bands of a coral snakeBold bands of colour. Draw them as hoops that go right round the body.
the bands of a king snakeClean rings of light and dark. Keep the edges of each ring crisp.
the belly of a fire-bellied toadA red or yellow and black underside, shown when it arches its back. Keep it for the underside.
the colours of a poison dart frogBright colour warns that the skin is toxic. Use one strong colour and black, nothing in between.
the saddles of a corn snakeRed blotches outlined in black on an orange or brown body. Draw a row of rounded squares.
the scales of a bush viperEach scale has a strong ridge, so the snake looks rough. Draw the scales as tiny leaves.
the shell of a box turtleA high domed shell marked with yellow lines and blotches. Draw each plate with its own pattern.
the skin of a tomato frogYellowish orange to deep red all over. Use flat colour and one soft highlight along the back.
the spots of a leopard frogDark round spots on green or brown, each with a paler rim. Draw the rim.
the spots of a spotted salamanderTwo uneven rows of yellow-orange spots on a dark body. Space them unevenly.
the stripes of a garter snakeStripes run the length of the body. Rule the lines from head to tail and fit scales between.
the zigzag of an adderA dark zigzag runs down the middle of the back. Draw it as one unbroken line of sharp turns.
Fish and sea animals 12
the bars of a mackerelWavy black lines over a steel-blue back and a silver-white belly. Draw tiger stripes that stop halfway.
the colours of a mandarinfishSwirling orange stripes on bright blue. Draw the lines like the grain of polished wood.
the colours of a sea slugNoted for extraordinary colours. Use two colours that fight and a clean edge between.
the lining of an abalone shellThe inside shines with shifting colour. Lay thin washes of green, pink and blue over each other.
the rings of a blue-ringed octopusBlue rings that flash when it is threatened. Draw small circles and leave their centres dark.
the saddles of a leopard sharkDark saddle marks across the back with spots between. Draw the saddles as wide bars.
the scales of a koiPatches of colour on large scales. White, black, red and orange are common. Draw the scales as a net.
the shell of a scallopA fan of ridges that spread from the hinge. Draw the ribs first, then a wavy outer edge.
the silver of a herringBright silver sides. Leave a strip of white paper along the flank for the shine.
the spines of a lionfishStriped bands and long fin spines that fan out. Draw each spine separately, like a quill.
the spines of a porcupinefishSharp spines that stand out when the fish puffs up. Draw them lying flat or all on end, never half.
the spots of a brown troutSpots ringed by paler halos. Draw the halo and let the spot sit inside it.
Insects and other small animals 12
the blue of a morpho butterflyThe blue comes from the structure of the wing scales, not a pigment. Leave streaks of white for flash.
the bristles of a woolly bear caterpillarStiff hairs, black at both ends and brown in the middle. Draw them like a bottle brush.
the disguise of a leaf insectA body flattened and widened to look like a leaf. Draw a leaf, then find the legs in it.
the eyespots of a peacock butterflyFour large eyespots, one near the tip of each wing. Draw rings inside rings on rusty red.
the green of a rose chaferA metallic green back, often with a few fine white marks. Shade it like polished metal, dark beside light.
the red and black of a cinnabar mothBlack wings with red patches. Bright colour goes with a bad taste. Use the red sparingly.
the stripes of a hornetBands of yellow and brown or black. Curve the bands round the body and let them narrow at the sides.
the stripes of a potato beetleFive bold brown stripes run down each yellow wing case. Rule them evenly.
the wing cases of a jewel beetleGlossy, shifting metallic colour. Put a sharp highlight on each case.
the wings of a glasswing butterflyClear panes with a dark brown border. Draw the border and let the background show through.
the wings of a lacewingClear wings crossed by a fine net of veins. Draw the veins in your thinnest line.
the wings of a monarch butterflyTawny orange with black veins and edges, dotted in white. Draw the veins like leaded glass.
How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each entry names one real animal, and its note says what that part looks like and how to start drawing it. Every note that states a fact about the animal was checked on 2026-09-30 against an English Wikipedia article, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by one of: Zebra, Pangolin, Leopard, Echidna, Okapi, Polar_bear, Giant_panda, Stoat, Chipmunk, Indian_rhinoceros, Orangutan, Snowy_owl, Rainbow_lorikeet, Common_starling, Mandarin_duck, Scarlet_macaw, Helmeted_guineafowl, Blue_jay, Northern_cardinal, European_goldfinch, Nightjar, Common_raven, Great_egret, Poison_dart_frog, Garter_snake, Fire-bellied_toad, Corn_snake, Vipera_berus, Spotted_salamander, Northern_leopard_frog, Tomato_frog, Atheris, Kingsnake, Koi, Synchiropus_splendidus, Pterois, Leopard_shark, Atlantic_mackerel, Blue-ringed_octopus, Nudibranch, Scallop, Herring, Brown_trout, Abalone, Porcupinefish, Monarch_butterfly, Morpho_(genus), Buprestidae, Aglais_io, Phylliidae, Pyrrharctia_isabella, Cetonia_aurata, Cinnabar_moth, Greta_oto, Colorado_potato_beetle, Chrysopidae. A note about an animal with no article listed here is drawing advice only. Licence: own work
How it works
This hybrid creature generator names a real animal for each of five parts: head, body, legs, tail and coat. Press New creature, look up the five animals and draw them as one. The lists are printed below.
Read the full guide
Five real animals, one drawing
Every part belongs to a living animal you can look up, from a moose to a mole cricket. That makes the page an animal combination maker for drawing from reference: find a picture of each animal, sketch the five parts apart, then join them. The joins are the drawing. Decide where a feathered neck becomes a scaled back, and blend the two over a hand's width.
After the first press
There is a timer, and the page prints 30 creatures. In the full lists at the foot of the page every animal has a note on what that part looks like and where to start.
For a class, use it as a creature mashup generator: print 30 creatures and cut the sheet into strips, one each.
Size is yours to choose. The legs of a flea under the body of a bison can be as big as the body needs.
Let the coat cross the joins. Stripes that carry on over a borrowed tail make five animals read as one.
Questions and answers
Are all the animals real?
Yes. Every entry is a living species or a familiar group, such as a pelican or a stag beetle. None is invented, and none comes from a game, film, book or toy line. Notes that state a fact were checked against that animal's Wikipedia article.
Can I use it as a hybrid animal generator with only two animals?
Yes. Read the head and the body and ignore the rest: the head of a barn owl on the body of an otter is a full prompt. Add the legs, tail and coat later if the drawing wants them.
How is it different from the monster generator?
The monster generator invents a body by shape and size and adds features no real species owns. This random animal hybrid generator names a real animal for every part, so it is practice in drawing from reference.
Does a random creature mashup generator draw the animal for me?
No. It writes the sentence and you do the drawing. Nothing is made up on the spot: the words come from five fixed lists of 60 animals, each dealt right through before an entry returns.