3 Syllable Animals Words

Animal words are a classroom favorite for syllable practice — kids already know them by sound, so clapping out the parts comes naturally. Use these lists for clapping games, sorting mats, and syllable-count scavenger hunts.

buffalo

buf-fa-lo

butterfly

but-ter-fly

crocodile

croc-o-dile

dinosaur

di-nosaur

elephant

ele-phant

flamingo

flamin-go

gorilla

go-ril-la

kangaroo

kan-ga-roo

octopus

oc-to-pus

pelican

pel-i-can

Animals words with other syllable counts

Practice these words

Turn this list into a game: Syllable Star Quest for counting practice, or print a matching worksheet.