Animal Name Monsters

I've always been interested in animal names in different languages. I've also long been fascinated by the strange parallel universes which are created when calqueing foreign words for everyday things into English (imagine a world in which potatoes are literally 'apples from the ground'/pommes de terre, or tortoises are really 'shield-toads'/schildkrote). 

These can be great inspiration for new monsters - 'shield-toad' to an English speaker instantly calls to mind something very different to a tortoise, and has D&D written all over it. 

The Japanese language is sadly increasingly characterised by loanwords from English (most of which are horribly ugly and difficult to pronounce in comparison to the original words they've replaced) but it is still replete with very D&D-able parallel-universe animal names. For instance:

Sparrow-wasp (suzumebachi/hornet) - A small bird with a vicious, hooked sting in place of its tail and an attitude to match; a flock can rapidly stab a victim to death, after which they feast with gusto on the eyes and other soft parts.

Treat a flock of 12 as single monster with HD 3, AC 5, #ATT 1, DMG 3d4*, Move 120, ML 6 (*Does 2d4 damage after losing 50% of its hp, and 1d4 damage after losing 75%). More than one flock may be encountered (No. App. 1d6). 

Seven-faced bird (shichimencho/turkey) - A giant, flightless avian predator with seven heads, each as ravenous and rivalrous as the next, on the end of long muscular necks.

HD 7, AC 6, #ATT 7, DMG 1d6/1d6/1d6/1d6/1d6/1d6/1d6*, Move 150, ML 7, No. Appearing 1d6 (*If one head scores a hit, the next head has a 1 in 3 chance of directing its bite attack against the previous one instead of the target, doing half damage)

Scythe-cutter (kamakiri/praying mantis) - A filthy ape-like beast with scythe-like claws for hands; unable to groom itself, it pollutes the air around it with a miasma of stench. 

HD 4+1, AC 5, #ATT 2, DMG 1d10/1d10, Move 120, ML 8, No. Appearing 1d6 (*Anyone coming within 10' must save versus poison or be incapacitated for 1d3 rounds due to retching; scythe-cutters never surprise opponents)

Needle-mouse (harinezumi/hedgehog) - A magical construct, resembling a tiny rodent with sparkling eyes, dextrous hands and a nimble tail, its hairs are needles filled with deadly poison. An assassin par excellence, it is able to sneak its way into its victim's dwelling through the tiniest cracks and crevasses, where it secretes itself in a handy boot or bedsheet and waits for warm flesh to press down upon it... 

HD 1hp, AC 3, #ATT 1, DMG 1d1*, Move 120, ML 12, No. Appearing 1 (*Hits automatically if it surprises an opponent; opponent dies instantly with no saving throw permitted) 

Hole bear (anaguma/badger) - An ursine ambusher, the colour of loam and with amberish eyes, which lurks in a concealed burrow, waiting for a prey animal to pass by. When one does, the bear lurches from its hole with lightning speed and drags its victim down into the dark...

HD 6+6, AC 3, #ATT 3, DMG 1d8/1d6/1d6, Move 150, ML 8, No. Appearing 1 (*When in its hole, the bear always surprises opponents unless they are forewarned or led by a local expert; it does no damage in the first round but if any of its attacks hit, it pulls its target into its burrow)

Each language will, however, have many such examples, and English surely does, too. Give it a whirl!