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New Mexico Native Animal Words

Here are the American Indian names of six native animals of New Mexico. We have given their names in four different Indian languages: Jicarilla Apache,, Comanche, Navajo, and Zuni.

Two of these Native New Mexico languages are related to the Athabaskan language family, and the other two are not. Can you guess which languages are relatives by looking at the animal names on this page? (Hint: Not every word will sound similar even in closely related languages, so you will need to look at several different animals to figure it out!) You can find the answer on this page: The Athabaskan languages.

New Mexico Native Animal Names


Apache: shǫǫdii (pronounced shone-dee)
Comanche: tseena (pronounced tsay-nah)
Navajo: ma'ii (pronounced mah-ee)
Zuni: suski (pronounced soo-skee)

Apache: bįį (pronounced been)
Comanche: aruka (pronounced ah-ruh-kah)
Navajo: bįįh (pronounced been)
Zuni: shohkwida (pronounced shoh-kwee-dah)

Apache: gah (pronounced gah)
Comanche: tamu (pronounced tah-moo)
Navajo: gah (pronounced gah)
Zuni: okshik'o (pronounced oak-sheek-oh)

Apache: naojiłgai (pronounced nah-oh-jeelth-guy)
Comanche: wokohwi (pronounced woh-koh-wee)
Navajo: dloziłgaii (pronounced dloh-zeelth-guy)
Zuni: yashi (pronounced yah-shee)

Apache: tsidéé (pronounced tsee-day)
Comanche: huutsuu (pronounced hoot-soo)
Navajo: tsídii (pronounced tsee-dee)
Zuni: wo (pronounced woh)

Apache: gwii' (pronounced gwee)
Comanche: kwasinabóo (pronounced kwah-see-nah-bo)
Navajo: tł'iish (pronounced tl-eesh)
Zuni: suski (pronounced soo-skee)

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