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Tattoos are a long-term investment, so it’s only logical to use good tattoo ideas and designs. With so many of them floating around on the internet, one branch, or category, has gotten a lot of attention from tattoo artists — animal tattoos. There are plenty of reasons why people choose to make these tattoos over others and they might inspire your next tattoo project, if you are in the market for one.

Animals are symbolic, as they can capture the aspects of the world around us through their beauty alone. Sometimes, we connect with an animal and want to show that visually. If we want tattoos of animals that represent strength, we will usually get a bear or a crocodile tattoo. On the other hand, if you are more of a romantic, friendly person, you can be sure that there are animal tattoo designs to depict those feelings too. So if there’s a feeling or a character trait you want to capture, there are ample tattoo designs of animals that can relate that quite successfully.

People tend to get ideas by exploring the ideas already realized. The same thing goes for animal tattoo ideas. We have compiled quite a long list of ideas you could use for that creativity boost. If you have a pet and are a bit symbolic, check out our list of pet tattoos for inspiration. We even have dog tattoos and cat tattoos to look at, so no fluffy friend is missed. If an idea caught your attention — be sure to upvote it and share it with a friend. On the other hand, if you already have a similar tattoo, be sure to comment below and tell us more about it!

#1

Once You Have Had A Wonderful Dog, A Life Without One Is A Life Diminished. – Dean Koontz

Once You Have Had A Wonderful Dog, A Life Without One Is A Life Diminished. – Dean Koontz

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#7

Everything Looks Better With Cheese

Everything Looks Better With Cheese

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#10

My Client Told Me To Tattoo Whatever I Wanted To And She Didn’t Want To See It Until The Tattoo Was Finished

My Client Told Me To Tattoo Whatever I Wanted To And She Didn’t Want To See It Until The Tattoo Was Finished

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drheidiashley avatar
Dr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stunning result. The person sitting obviously had reason to trust the artist.

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#12

Got To Do One Of My Fruit Bat Tattoos

Got To Do One Of My Fruit Bat Tattoos

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Auntriarch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh dear I only just realised it's a fruit bat and the fruit is watermelon...

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#19

Just A Little Blue Whale And Baby Squid

Just A Little Blue Whale And Baby Squid

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Powerful Katrinka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know about the choice of red ink, however. It looks like the poor whale is being slaughtered. Blue would have been much better.

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#26

Herbs And A Bumble Bee For Ines. Thanks For The Lovely Day

Herbs And A Bumble Bee For Ines. Thanks For The Lovely Day

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Suzette Morgandunlap
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is Beautiful. I wouldn't want a tattoo this large. That being said, it would look Great small version. Well Done 👏

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#34

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

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#38

Small Dainty Dotwork Sea Turtle

Small Dainty Dotwork Sea Turtle

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Dr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thus is done SO well. You can somehow also sense the water and the movement.

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#41

Another Day, Another Fox

Another Day, Another Fox

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#43

Ladybug

Ladybug

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BeKindAnyway
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My very first tattoo was of a little ladybug. With rainbow wings. I was 16 and used my library card as identification at the tattoo shop. Good ol days. This is very cute. 🐞

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#44

Beautiful Butterfly

Beautiful Butterfly

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dReZ bEeZ
Community Member
1 year ago

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sorry but I've seen a lot better tats than this one... this is below part. this makes me not want to get a tat

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#45

Animal Tattoo Ideas

Animal Tattoo Ideas

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#46

Squid Tattoo

Squid Tattoo

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Vinchenski
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When squid are viewed from a certain angle, I always think they have a derpy face

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#47

Dogs And A Daughter

Dogs And A Daughter

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Disinforminationalisticalities
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the one on the right looks more like the one on the left than the one on the left looking more like the one on the right, but I could be mistaken, the lighting is a little off.

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#52

Cute Rabbit Tattoo For Paige

Cute Rabbit Tattoo For Paige

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Dr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't use "cute" to describe this but it is a great tat

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#55

Our Shark Friend, The Manta Ray And The Seal

Our Shark Friend, The Manta Ray And The Seal

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#59

Cute Fawn Tattoo

Cute Fawn Tattoo

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dReZ bEeZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how this is "cute".. this one makes me wanna go grab my old skool 3d glasses!

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#63

Snake Wrap From Today

Snake Wrap From Today

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#66

Thank You Both For Getting These Matchy Merlion Tattoos

Thank You Both For Getting These Matchy Merlion Tattoos

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#72

Lion Healed

Lion Healed

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#76

Crocodile Tattoo

Crocodile Tattoo

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#77

Flashes

Flashes

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Lisa Lolo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It bugs me that their placement isn't completely symmetrical. (Hihi bugs) Otherwise the nicest thing on this list.

#78

Otter Tattoo

Otter Tattoo

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#79

Little Nut Eater

Little Nut Eater

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#84

Butterfly Tattoo

Butterfly Tattoo

She knew exactly what she wanted! She wanted a butterfly. She just didn't know which one. It was really hard for her to decide. For two months we courted one after the other, I ask if she has made a decision and she sends me another picture of a butterfly.
In the end, we ran into each other at a meeting of "Emek Hefer Independents", a meeting of businesswomen, and there a final decision was made on the selected sketch... which was changed again at the last minute.
But all the changes are dwarfed compared to the smile she had when I finished and she looked in the mirror.
Such a smile reminds me every time how much I love my job.

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