Animal Tattoo Ideas

1. Dinosaur Tattoo Idea

Where better to start than over 66 million years ago with this beautiful Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur Tattoo?

Made famous by being the star of the 1993 film Jurassic Park, the T-Rex lived throughout an island continent known as Laramidia, where it was the last known member of the tyrannosaurids and among the last non-avian dinosaurs to exist.

This beautiful Neo-Traditional Tattoo has a gorgeous color palette and a nice addition of a Skull Tattoo. 

2. Cat Animal Tattoo

From 66 million years ago to the modern day, check out this cute Cat Tattoo.

Currently the cat family known as Felidae is made up of 41 extant species, 14 genera, and 92 subspecies.

This includes the 40 wild cat species and also domesticated pets.

This gorgeous Cat Tattoo has the face of the cat imprinted onto its own silhouette, making for an amazing, eye-catching design. 

3. Hippo Animal Tattoo

The Hippopotamus is large semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, with its name coming from the ancient Greek for "river horse."

While native to sub-Saharan Africa, a population exists in Colombia after their descends escaped from captivity that were located at Pablo Escobar's estate following his death in 1993. 

4. Butterfly Animal Tattoo

Butterfly Tattoos symbolise transformation, freedom, beauty, femininity, and hope, but can also be a symbol of life cycles and how that change is a natural part of life or how that change and transformation is possible.

5. Spider Animal Tattoo

As of November 2023, taxonomists have recorded 51,673 spider species in 136 families, with them estimating that there are likely twice as many species that are yet to be discovered.

Spider Tattoos come with a lot of symbolism, such as protection, transformation, growth, and resilience.

6. Frog Tattoo

As of March 2024, AmphibiaWeb estimates that there are at least 7,400 species of frogs worldwide, with the estimated number being far higher.

Did you know that there is evidence to suggest that frogs have existed on this planet for more than 200 million years and that frogs were the first land animals with vocal cords? 

7. Bull Tattoo

This gorgeous Hand-Poked Tattoo is by Korean artist zzizziboy, whose art features quite often on our page due to its amazing coloring and detailing.

Contrary to the common myth, bulls are not enraged by the color red and are, in fact, color-blind to red.

The bull's reaction during a bullfight is due to the movement of the muleta (the red cloth) rather than its color.

8. Duck Tattoo

Over 120 species of ducks are found worldwide in various habitats, including freshwater lakes, marshes, rivers, oceans, and even remote forests.

In many cultures, ducks symbolize grace, agility, and fidelity, as many duck species form strong pair bonds with their mates.

This Duck Tattoo has amazing vibrant colors and a great glitter effect also. 

9. Whale Tattoo

Whales are some of the largest animals on the planet, with the Blue Whale being the largest, growing up to 100 feet in length and weighing as much as 200 tons.

This gorgeous Celtic Tattoo is of a Humpback Whale, which has some of the longest migrations of any mammal, with some populations swimming 5,000 miles (8,047 km) between breeding and feeding grounds.

10. Raven Tattoo

Ravens are not only among the smartest birds but of all animals on the planet.

These remarkable creatures have shown abilities to solve complex problems, use tools, and even plan for the future in ways previously thought to be unique to humans and great apes.

Ravens were also seen as sacred amongst the Vikings, with Odin having two personal Ravens, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory), who flew around the world and brought him information.

If you want to have a Viking theme to your Raven Tattoo, consider getting a Raven and Helm of Awe Tattoo. 

11. Dog Animal Tattoo

Finally, we’ve reached what I expect many have been waiting for, the Dog Tattoo.

Considering so many people own dogs I’m almost certain that Dog Tattoos are one of the most popular Animal Tattoo Designs out there.

This beautiful Dog Tattoo is done in an oriental style to pay homage to a beloved pet. 

12. Platypus Animal Tattoo

One of the strangest-looking animals on the planet, the Platypus is one of a few mammals that lays eggs along with the Echidna.

Platypus hunt their prey through electrolocation as they can detect the electric fields generated by the muscular contractions of their prey.

Male platypuses can create venom, as they have a spur on their hind legs that can deliver venom capable of causing severe pain to humans and other animals.

13. Chimpanzee Tattoo

This Film Tattoo is of Ceasar, the protagonist of the Planet of the Apes reboot series starting in 2011.

Caesar is the son of the first genetically altered ape ‘Bright eyes’ who passed on the experimental Alzheimers cure ALZ-112 to him.

This drug increased the apes' intelligence, with its successor ALZ-113 ultimately leading to all apes becoming as intelligent as humans.

However, this drug also led to the downfall of humanity as the drug caused a pandemic known as the Simian Flu, devolving humanity of intelligence and reverting them back to animal instincts.

14. Sparrow Animal Tattoo

Sparrow Tattoos, not to be confused with Swallow Tattoos, symbolize loyalty and commitment due to a Sparrow's monogamous nature, so they can also symbolize love and romance with your partner.

While not readily apparent, this Tattoo Design also doubles as an Anime Tattoo as this is Zenitsu’s sparrow Chuntaro from the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series.   

15. Eagle Tattoo

Eagles exist on every continent except Antarctica, with more than 60 known species.

In Druidry, the eagle is associated with deep spiritual significance, seen as a messenger of the heavens due to its ability to soar to great heights.

Eagles undergo molting periods, during which they lose old feathers and grow new ones, which is symbolic in Druidry for personal growth and transformation.

16. Penguin Animal Tattoo

While most people associate Penguins with Antarctica, they can also be found on the coasts of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

This gorgeous design, while not a true Studio Ghibli Tattoo, is inspired by the works of the Japanese animation studio. 

17. Panda Tattoo

Pandas are a species endemic to China, native to a few mountain ranges in central China, primarily Sichuan.

Pandas eat primarily bamboo consuming up to 38 kilograms each day. This beautiful Bear Tattoo is of a baby panda sitting on his rocking horse. 

18. Shark Tattoo

Sharks have existed for over 400 million years, adapting to survive multiple extinction events.

Their entire skeleton is made up of cartilage, making them incredibly buoyant in water.

This sensational Shark Tattoo has both sharks with lovely patterns, and they also look like they are swimming above shallow water.

19. Angler Fish Tattoo

This Fish Tattoo is of an angler fish. The angler fish has a bioluminescent appendage that sprouts from the top of its head that it uses to lure in prey.

There are more than 200 known species of anglerfish, with them living at depths as low as 300 to over 3,000 meters. 

20. Orca Tattoo

The Orca or Killer Whale can be found in all of the world’s oceans and, despite the name, are actually the largest species of the dolphin family. live in closely-knit family groups known as pods that have complex social structures.

As a child, I used to believe that the big white spot on each side of an Orcas face were its eyes. 

21. Crocodile Animal Tattoo

Like the frog, the crocodile has also lived since the time of the dinosaurs.

They live in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia and have remained largely unchanged over millions of years due to their effective evolutionary adaptations.

Like the Shark Tattoo, this Crocodile Tattoo Design has an amazing three-dimensional effect as it swims over the wearer's arm.

22. Omanyte Tattoo

Well, you can’t have an animal tattoo list without the addition of a Pokemon Tattoo.

Omanyte is the 138th Pokemon in the Pokedex and is an ancient Pokemon obtained by resurrecting the Helix Fossil.

During a Twitch Plays Pokemon stream, a social experiment that consisted of a crowdsourced attempt to play Pokémon video games by parsing commands sent by users through the channel's chat room, the Helix Fossil was continuously selected by the community leading to an internet in-joke that the Helix Fossil held a God that guided the player until its eventual rebirth. 

23. Mammoth Tattoo

This Animal Tattoo is of a Mammoth, an iconic prehistoric ancestor of the Elephant. Several species of mammoths existed, but the most well-known is the woolly mammoth which was covered in a thick coat of brown hair to survive the cold Ice Age climates.

There are discussions about reviving the Mammoth today, although it raises ethical, ecological, and practical issues.

24. Tiger Animal Tattoo

One of the most common Animal Tattoos you can get is the Tiger Tattoo.

Tigers are the largest of all wild cat species, with six existing sub-species that have adapted for specific environments throughout the world.

This Trash Polka Tattoo is incredible, with lots of great detailing and excellent coloring.

25. Deer Animal Tattoo

In many Native American tribes, deer symbolize gentleness, grace, and peaceful living.

Often considered messengers of serenity, they are revered for their ability to move quietly through the woods.  

In Celtic mythology, the deer is considered to be a magical being capable of moving between worlds.

The appearance of a deer often signals a change or a call to adventure. 

26. Paw Print Tattoo

If you want to pay homage to a beloved pet, then a paw print tattoo is perfect for you.

Paw Print Tattoos while may seem simple, can have many different styles in their designs.

This incredible Tattoo Design has the face of the dog imprinted into a cast of its own paw. 

27. Pig Tattoo

The Pig is among the smartest domesticated animals, considered to be as intelligent as dogs and chimpanzees.

Pigs were one of the first animals to be domesticated around 9,000 years ago with there being numerous breeds of domestic pigs, bred for various qualities like size, temperament, and meat yield.

This adorable little Pig Tattoo has the pig looking into a fish bowl with a realistic refraction effect on the pig’s face.

If you want to see more adorable Animal Tattoos, check out BOUY’s Instagram.

28. Tardigrade Tattoo

Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic creatures known for their incredible resilience and survival abilities.

Tardigrades can withstand temperatures from just above absolute zero to above boiling, pressures six times greater than those found in the deepest ocean trenches, ionizing radiation at doses hundreds of times higher than the lethal dose for a human, and the vacuum of space.

This Tattoo Design embodies the Tardigrades fighting spirit with it depicted as a Japanese Warrior.  

29. Hummingbird Tattoo

Hummingbirds are the only bird species capable of flying backward and hovering in a single spot.

This is due to their wings beating at incredibly fast speeds of about 50 to 80 times per second.

Thanks to the structure of their feathers, which refracts light, hummingbirds' feathers shimmer.

This shimmering helps to attract mates and defend their territory and is perfectly captured in this gorgeous Hummingbird Tattoo Design. 

30. Bugs Bunny Tattoo

I would be remiss if I were to leave out one of the most iconic animal characters in media history.

This Cartoon Tattoo is of Bugs Bunny, the main icon of the Looney Tunes (it’s not Looney Toons) franchise.

This Bugs Bunny Tattoo is the internet named ‘Big Chungus,’ a gaming joke that spread online as a slang term for anything “(adorably) chunky.”

The scene originally comes from the Merrie Melodies 1941 cartoon “Wabbit Twouble” 

31. Jellyfish Tattoo

Jellyfish have roamed the earths seas for more than 500 million years, making them one of the oldest organisms on Earth.

These fascinating creatures have no brain, heart, or bones, and are made from 95% water.

As much as I dislike Jellyfish, having been stung somwhere best not mentioned, I do have to admit that they make for incredible Tattoo Designs.  

32. Dolphin Tattoo

Dolphins are known for their exceptional intelligence, as they have large brains relative to their body size.

Dolphins exhibit complex behaviors such as problem-solving, self-awareness, and the ability to learn and use language patterns.  

Communicate using a variety of sounds that include clicks, whistles, and other vocalizations, with each dolphin having a unique signature whistle that acts like a name.

33. Mantis Animal Tattoo

The Mantis species are known for their exceptional hunting skills with the ability to rotate their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings.

This amazing Mantis Tattoo by Laurenblairart is filled with amazing colors and is designed after the spiny flower mantis. 

34. Angry Birds Tattoo

Angry Birds is a mobile puzzle game created by Finnish company Rovio in which the titular angry birds try to save their eggs from the villainous green pigs.

This Angry Birds Tattoo pays homage to the Dragon Ball series, with the birds acting out the fusion dance. 

35. Rhino Tattoo

The Rhino has five species still living today, with almost all facing the risk of extinction due to poaching.

Unlike the horns of many other horned mammals, which have a bony core covered by a keratin sheath, rhino horns are made entirely of keratin which is prized for unfounded medicinal ‘benefits.’ 

36. Hedgehog Tattoo

The Hedgehog is a small mammal known for its spiky quills and curious nature.

It has between 5,000 and 7,000 quills on its back, which it uses for protection against predators.

Hedgehogs perform a behavior known as self-anointing, where they lick and bite an unusual source, form a frothy saliva, and then spread it on their quills with their tongues.

37. Snake Tattoo

Snake Tattoos come with a lot of positive symbolism, such as rebirth, transformation, or renewal, calling to mind the way a snake sheds its skin as it grows and changes.

Snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica, where they inhabit a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments, from rainforests and deserts to rivers and oceans.

38. Koala Tattoo

The Koala is an iconic Australian marsupial that feeds almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves.

Its highly specialized digestive system detoxifies the poisonous chemicals found in these leaves, allowing the koala to extract the limited nutrients available in them.

Check out Ziv for more beautiful Minimalist Tattoo Designs. 

39. Ratatouille Tattoo

This Disney Tattoo is of Remy from Ratatouille, a film about a young rat who dreams of becoming a chef like his idol, Auguste Gusteau.

Throughout the film, Remy controls a young boy named Alfredo by pulling his hair like a marionette, creating masterpiece dishes. 

40. Guinea Pig Tattoo

Guinea Pigs are rodents, originally native to the Andes Mountains in South America.

The name "guinea pig" possibly came from the animals being transported to Europe via Guinea and being sold for a guinea (a British coin).

Guinea pigs are popular pets around the world thanks to their docile nature, relatively low maintenance, and ability to bond with their owners. 

41. Capybara Tattoo

The Capybara is the world's largest rodent, found in wetlands, rivers, ponds, and marshes across South America.

It spends a lot of its life in the water because it lacks sweat glands, having its eyes, ears, and nostrils positioned high on its head, allowing it to see and breathe while mostly submerged.

42. Sloth Tattoo

The Sloth is a creature famous for its lackadaisical nature and slow movements.

It has become a cultural icon as a symbol of relaxation and taking life at one's own pace. 

Their slow movements are used as a strategy to conserve energy due to their incredibly low metabolic rate.

Sloth’s fur is also home to a complex ecosystem including algae, fungi, and a variety of insects. 

43. Earthworm Jim Tattoo

This Video Game Tattoo is of Earthwork Jim, the protagonist of the Earthworm Jim video game franchise.

Earthworm Jim wears a futuristic robotic suit that he uses to battle the forces of evil after it gave him extraordinary powers when he crawled into it.

With the success of the games, Earthworm Jim was animated into a television series, a toy line, and a series of comic books, becoming a significant part of 1990s pop culture.

44. Peacock Tattoo

If you really want some vibrancy in your Animal Tattoos, then consider a Peacock or Peacock Feature Tattoo.

Peacocks or Peafowls are known for their spectacular tail feathers, which can make up over 60% of their body length.

The name Peacock is actually specific to the male Peafowl, with females called Peahens.

The Peacock’s tail feathers or train are used in a ritual during mating season to attract a mate. 

1. Animal Tattoo On Forearm Idea

Forearm Tattoos are a great choice for your Animal Tattoo as you can show it off as often as you like.

This Forearm Tattoo is of Gibbons, known for their incredible agility and distinctive vocalizations.

I recently spent time in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, where the people from Save Vietnam’s Wildlife were rehabilitating Gibbons and other endangered species to save them from extinction.

If saving wildlife is important to you, then consider donating to SVW here.

2. Animal Tattoo On Thigh Idea

The Thigh is another excellent place for your Animal Tattoo, particularly if you frequent the beaches or poolside quite often.

This Thigh Tattoo is of the Oarfish, an illusive creature that inhabits the deep pelagic zone of the ocean, typically between 200 and 1,000 meters below the surface. 

3. Back Animal Tattoo

If you’re looking for big and intricate designs, consider a Back Tattoo.

The Back offers the most space for huge designs with plenty of detail if you’re the type who really loves to show off your personality.

This gorgeous Crane Tattoo is filled with vibrant colors with an amazing design.

4. Leg Animal Tattoo Design

Leg Tattoos are another great location for people who want to show off their Tattoo Design as often as possible.

If you live in a hot country with plenty of sun, you can show off your Leg Tattoo as much as you like.

This cute Tattoo is of an Otter in a Japanese Kimono. 

5. Wrist Animal Tattoo Idea

The wrist is a delicate spot that can look extremely feminine.

A Wrist Tattoo is a little canvas on which you can make a statement or say something personal as if you’re wearing your heart on your sleeve.

This cute Wrist Tattoo is of a Turtle with some added flowers.