Top 10 Coolest Animals (Real or Imaginary)
In this list, you'll find both real-life animals that amaze us with their strength, agility, or sheer uniqueness, and legendary creatures that have fueled our imaginations for centuries. You might lean toward the mysterious wolf, the strange and adorable platypus, or perhaps the combination of two great animals, like the rare liger. The options are endless, and that's what makes it so fun.![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/tiger-233649.jpg)
Honest to God, I've loved tigers ever since I can remember. They are the most dangerous, fierce, powerful, skilled, courageous, unique, and gorgeous animals in creation. My list can go on forever. The largest big cats on Earth, these magnificent felines prowl through territory ranging from tropical jungles to freezing tundras. Tigers are incredibly powerful swimmers and are able to take down a water buffalo while swimming!
I get teased nearly every day for loving them so much, but really, they're a true symbol of power, determination, and royalty. It angers me, and I mean outrages me, when people are killing off these amazing beasts for no good reason at all, just out of greed for money!
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/wolf-233648.jpg)
I LOVE wolves! I love their eyes, their fur, their intelligence, and the way they show affection to their pack. I love everything about them. I hate people who hunt them. Wolves are rarely a threat to humans, and wolf attacks on humans are almost unheard of. These majestic creatures do not even hunt for sport. They only hunt for food, or they'll starve.
Wolves are among the most intelligent and beautiful creatures. Also, just for the record, dogs are not direct descendants of wolves. A recent study was done, and it turns out dogs and wolves share a common ancestor that is now extinct. Again, it's important to remember that dogs are not wolves. They are two totally different species, and I really wish people would stop comparing them as much as they do. The biggest and most obvious difference is that wolves are wild, and dogs are domesticated. Anyway, wolves are still really awesome creatures.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/dragon-233471.jpg)
Dragons are awesome. I mean, really, come on, people! Tigers are cool, but can they breathe fire, fly, have hard scales, or spikes on their tails? No, they just can't. Don't get me wrong, I love tigers, but they are just tigers. Just think, who would win if it was dragon vs. tiger? Let's see, we have one who is pretty strong and looks really cool, and has a lot of other cool stuff, and one who can fly, breathe fire, has really hard scales that are hard to break, can bite down hard, sometimes can spit acid, is really smart, and sometimes has a tail with spikes. Hmm, it's really hard to decide. Oh, I know, maybe the dragon because it has two very important advantages: it can fly and can breathe fire. So, how is a tiger cooler than a dragon? Mythical beats normal any day. But, it all depends on what type of dragon. But in general, dragons are the coolest thing ever.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/phoenix-233472.jpg)
I'm telling you, the Phoenix is the best, okay? The Phoenix is a bird surrounded by fire, and it's really awesome how it can control fire at will because my favorite element is fire! The Phoenix should be number one. They also have the ability to cure themselves and others. They can even revive from death. Basically, they never die. They possess eternal strength and power, unlike dragons or other mythical/existing animals. I'm telling you, the Phoenix is the most awesome and fabulous bird ever created, and my lifelong dream is to meet an actual Phoenix in front of my own eyes.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/lion-233465.jpg)
Lions are more ferocious than tigers. Just watch the black and white video on YouTube of a lion fighting a tiger. It's wild, but the lion is winning. That's because lions are social animals that actively engage in 'warfare'. The male lion has to show dominance. The mane is a symbol of that cocky pride they need to have to be alpha. Tigers are lone creatures, which I can identify with, but solitary living can leave you a bit soft.
Lions are cool animals! And to those people who say that males are lazy, they're not. They leave their territory to make sure no one tries to take over. Male lions also occasionally hunt by themselves. There have even been reports of lone lions taking down a Cape buffalo in its prime!
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/25674.jpg)
Polar bears aren't just cool, they are too amazing for words! All animals that don't exist, for example, dragons and phoenixes, don't count. Lions, wolves, and tigers are nothing against this guy. Respect to the Polar Bears, may the P-bears be ever in your favor! (Watched too much Hunger Games)
They're polar bears! They're awesome, and I want to hug one. They're bears! I love all bears, and if you don't like bears, I don't like you. Don't you just want to hug one? You have to like bears.
One, polar bears are the best (there is no question about it). Have you ever seen a polar bear cub roll around on the floor?! If not, you haven't lived.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/21084.jpg)
The platypus is so awesome! The male platypus has a secret weapon: spurs on its hind feet that are connected to a gland producing toxic venom. When released, this venom can kill a medium-sized dog and severely incapacitate a human. The first scientists who encountered this odd-looking platypus believed someone had sewn together the body of a beaver with a duck's bill as a joke. The animal appears to be an unlikely mix of the bill and webbed feet of a duck, a beaver-like tail, and the fur of an otter.
Although they are one of a kind, they are very picky creatures. Zoos that house them have to be very careful where they put them and what other machines and animals are around them. The reason is that more than half of the platypuses in captivity die.
They can sense electricity, which helps them hunt in murky water. Thus, any motors or other devices need to be muffled to make the platypuses comfortable.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/fox-233651.jpg)
Sneaky. Cunning. Intelligent. Beautiful. Small. Loyal. Foxes! I personally love them because they are one of the world's most loyal animals. If you get them as a pet, they will love you and never leave your side. I have one fox. We found her in the streets as a pup. A car ran over her paw, and we rescued her. She was forever thankful, and never left our side anymore. We have the license to own exotic animals, so, we are also thankful for having her. Her name is Kat. Instead of an orange color, her color is a little browner. When I saw her, she looked like a real, giant KitKat. I love foxes!
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/188306.jpg)
Ligers are so much better than any other animal on the face of the planet. Am I right? Even Napoleon Dynamite loves them. If you don't know who that is, then you should go look him up. Like, right now. Anyway, if you don't vote for Liger, then you are lame.
The picture is photoshopped, but real ligers are even more amazing! Look up pictures, they're huge! They're bigger than the largest natural cat, which is the tiger! I never associated them with magic, though.
Ligers can only be found in zoos because they are too big to survive in the wild. They nearly triple their mother's and father's size. I think they are amazing cats and should be respected.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/cheetah-233466.jpg)
One of my favorite animals. I definitely vote for this to be higher. These animals are not just fast, they are speedy. They're the fastest animals in the world, more like! Their spots are beautiful, and they are a wonderful creature to live in this world. Maybe someday you can see these spectacular creatures. They are hunters, but they are wild animals. You would normally see these with lions and tigers in zoos. They should definitely be higher on the list. -TryNotToLaugh
Running as fast as the wind, specially spotted to whiz through the air, the cheetah is pro. Also, the lines on the side of its muzzle help it look ahead despite the sun's glare.
The Newcomers
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/41333.jpg)
So cute! Cool, awesome, and smart. What else do you want?
They are so unknown and awesome.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/dog-233646.jpg)
I had a dog that was there for me when I was sad, depressed, and lonely. He helped me with my depression, but ever since he was in pain from getting hit by a car, I became even more depressed. At the time, my grandmother ended up putting him down without telling me. I couldn't get out of bed for a week and still cry now, and it's been over 5 years, and I still mourn his death.
Okay, dogs are super awesome and stuff. But what makes them great is all the different breeds! I love pugs because they are super adorable. But other people like golden retrievers, huskies, or whatever. That's what makes them so great. Thanks to all the loved breeds, dogs should be way higher on this list. Is a platypus a man's best friend?
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/55092.jpg)
Eagles are birds full of pride, and they're also a symbol of America's pride and freedom!
The powerful symbol of America is a great hunter and a devoted parent.
So cool. Could beat any other bird in a fight, except maybe a Cassowary.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/185094.jpg)
Favorite animal by far, they're fluffy, graceful, and overall awesome. Did you know the Iberian Lynx almost went extinct? But for unknown reasons, their fertility rate skyrocketed, going from 156 individuals to almost 200. It might sound like not a lot, but for repopulation, it's awesome! To this day, their numbers continue to increase!
The lynx is one of the most majestic animals on the planet, if not the most. It also has giant feet, which add to its cuteness. They can be vicious, and they are overall beautiful animals who deserve much more attention. While everyone's voting for Tigers and Lions, Lynxes are the real top dog (or cat).
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/45018.jpg)
Sharks are awesome animals that are too misunderstood. If you hate sharks, please reconsider your stance. Without them, the whole ocean ecosystem would fall apart. Over 80% of sharks are docile and friendly creatures. Humans kill more sharks than sharks kill humans.
Sharks are the most misunderstood creatures in the world due to movies. People who kill these amazing animals are appalling. Long live sharks!
Sharks are hurting people because they mistake them for fish. However, I quite like sharks because they are big, and baby sharks are super cute.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/20956.jpg)
It is by far the strongest animal. It is able to take down trees to eat leaves and is not affected by any of the predators such as lions. The predators do not attack the elephant as they know they cannot mess with the sheer strength of the elephant.
They are one of the smartest animals in the world, gentle, and caring. Giraffes are inferior to the elephant. There are three types of elephants: the African, Indian (Asian), and another kind that lives in forests (round-eared) and are rare.
Elephants are slowly going extinct, and I don't want them to. They are such fascinating creatures! They don't deserve to be killed off. We must save them! I love elephants. They are adorable, beautiful, majestic, and they must be saved!
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/146332.jpg)
Beautiful. I own one. Her name is BlackStream. We call her Berry because we rescued her as a kitten in the jungle, where her mother got shot and she ran from the hunters. We decided to save her because she would never have survived.
The Black Panther is my brother's favorite animal. I know he is happy right now that I voted for the Black Panther.
It's back in black. This cat is secretive and shy, but it is still super cool and amazing.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/55080.jpg)
I love dolphins. I have gone swimming with them and have met them on multiple occasions since I live close to the ocean. They are truly beautiful. I also love multiple other sea creatures.
I hate that they are being held captive. I understand that people want to see them, but trapping them in aquariums isn't good. Wouldn't you rather see happy dolphins frolicking in the oceans than them floating around in a glass tank? I think dolphins should be higher on this list. They are truly amazing animals, extremely smart, and have emotions.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/leopard-233469.jpg)
Leopards are, like, the coolest animals on the planet. Stealthy, smart, agile, fast, and so much more! Not only that, but they are also elegant and stunning. But when you look one in the eye, you can tell that both of you know who outranks whom on the food chain. They are pound for pound the strongest cat in the big cat family. Favorite animal for sure!
Almost all humans, dogs, and whatever wear leopard patterns. No other mammal has that kind of pattern in the wild. It's called natural swag.
Leopards can climb, swim, run, hide, fight, and much more! I say these should be in first place because of their talent.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/20964.jpg)
Alligators are tough and badass! Also, they're so cute when they're still hatchlings.
They are super cool and super tough.
I believe this is my spirit animal.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/jaguar-233467.jpg)
How do you people not include jaguars? They're awesome cats and the third strongest of the big cats. They're better than leopards!
Jaguars are really cool and awesome. Also, really? Loch Ness Monster? Phoenix? Dragon? Come on, people, focus on real animals, like the best one - JAGUAR!
This big cat has such an impressive bite. The bite force is incredibly strong. This is also a beautiful cat.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/25215.jpg)
Ducks are not one of my favorite animals. There are good and bad things about them. First of all, they are cute in their annoying ways. Quack, quack, quack! Well, they are adorable, whether a baby or not. I just dislike the fact that they couldn't care less about their ducklings getting taken by crows or other predators.
Come on, people. We all know that ducks are the best. There are so many different species and subspecies! They live in so many different places! Their waddling is adorable, as is their quacking. Quack quack.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/20853.jpg)
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/2829.jpg)
Crocodiles are super cool. A crocodile is cooler than a lot of animals, like some snakes and some of the cats. I think the Nile crocodile is the coolest ever. They are like the second coolest animals in the world (only the platypus is cooler than the Nile crocodile).
Alright, it's animals, not like dragons, Bigfoot, and the unicorn. The coolest animal ever. They have a strong mouth. It could kill a person in one swallow. All I can say. It should be number one.
Dude, it's just a straight-up boss. I forgot where, but somewhere it's an apex predator.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/i/top-ten-coolest-animals/horse-233650.jpg)
Approximately 4.6 million Americans work in the horse industry in one way or another. The US horse industry has an economic effect of $39 billion annually on just nine million American horses. There are approximately 58 million horses in the world, and the vast majority are cared for by humans.
Horses are among the fastest animals, alongside tigers. Heroes from medieval and western stories ride them, full of bravery. I would just love to ride one someday.
How is this not first? Horses are the best animals! Reasons:
1. They are beautiful and intelligent.
2. They are awesome.
3. You can have them as pets, who wouldn't love that?
They should be first, period.
![](https://static.thetoptens.com/img/lists/3007.jpg)
How is the owl not on here? They are amazing and by far my favorite animal. Owls can fly almost silently, but very slowly. Seventy percent of their skull is made up of eye sockets, while only five percent of a human's skull is made up of eye sockets. They can turn their heads all the way around because the veins are connected much differently than in humans. If a human attempted to do that, they would cut off their circulation and die. Owls can see at night because they see twice as bright as a human does. All in all, owls should be at the top of the list, in my opinion.