Animal Words for the Imposter Game

Lions, wolves and penguins: these 40 animal pairs look alike just enough to keep everyone guessing who has the wrong creature.

40 pairs, ready to play. Free, no sign-up.

Play with the Animals pack

Animals word pairs

Civilians get the first word. In Undercover mode the imposter gets the second word; in Classic mode the imposter only sees the hint (if hints are on).

Civilian word	Imposter word	Hint
Lion	Tiger	Big cat
Dog	Wolf	Canine
Cat	Leopard	Feline
Dolphin	Shark	Ocean swimmer
Elephant	Rhino	Huge grey animal
Horse	Donkey	Farm animal you can ride
Cow	Buffalo	Farm animal with horns
Sheep	Goat	Farm animal in a field
Chicken	Duck	Farm bird
Eagle	Hawk	Bird of prey
Parrot	Toucan	Colourful bird
Penguin	Puffin	Black and white bird
Owl	Bat	Comes out at night
Frog	Toad	Hops around ponds
Snake	Lizard	Reptile
Crocodile	Alligator	Scary river reptile
Turtle	Tortoise	Has a shell
Rabbit	Hare	Long ears
Mouse	Rat	Small rodent
Hamster	Guinea Pig	Small pet
Squirrel	Chipmunk	Collects nuts
Monkey	Gorilla	Primate
Giraffe	Camel	Tall animal with long neck
Zebra	Horse	Four-legged runner
Kangaroo	Wallaby	Australian hopper
Koala	Sloth	Sleeps in trees
Panda	Polar Bear	Bear
Fox	Jackal	Sly wild animal
Deer	Moose	Has antlers
Whale	Orca	Giant sea mammal
Octopus	Squid	Sea creature with tentacles
Jellyfish	Starfish	Sea creature with no bones
Butterfly	Moth	Insect with wings
Bee	Wasp	Buzzing insect
Ant	Termite	Tiny insect in colonies
Spider	Scorpion	Eight-legged creepy crawly
Peacock	Flamingo	Showy bird
Pig	Wild Boar	Snout and curly tail
Seal	Walrus	Lies on icy rocks
Cheetah	Jaguar	Spotted big cat

Who the animals pack suits

Animals are one of the most popular themes for an imposter game, and for good reason. Kids recognise most of these words, adults still argue about the differences, and nobody feels left out. It is a strong pick for classrooms, family gatherings and anyone playing their first round.

Sample rounds and clues

Lion vs Tiger. "Big cat" and "roar" fit both. "Mane" points to the Lion and "stripes" to the Tiger, so a sharp civilian keeps the clue general until they know who to trust.
Frog vs Toad. A lovely pair for younger players. "Jumps" and "pond" cover both. "Bumpy skin" leans towards Toad.
Crocodile vs Alligator. Adults often cannot tell these apart either, which makes clues like "river" or "teeth" safe for the imposter and nerve-racking for the civilians.

Other good puzzles in this pack include Turtle vs Tortoise, Rabbit vs Hare and Bee vs Wasp.

Making it easier or harder

For young children, use Classic mode. The imposter is told who they are and can see a hint such as "Big cat" for Lion vs Tiger, which helps them bluff without feeling lost. Older groups will enjoy Undercover mode, where the imposter quietly gets Wolf while everyone else has Dog.

Want a bigger challenge? Select animals with another pack, or use "Random mix" so nobody knows the theme in advance. You can also add custom words, such as your own pets' breeds, for an inside-joke round.

Keep exploring

For younger players, see our guide to the imposter game for kids or try the kids word pack. Teachers might like the classroom guide.

More word packs

Ready? Start a round in two taps.

Play with the Animals pack