Question is there a list of animals you should take along with a settler when settling a new town just a rundown of the various buildings only animals can make or assist in building with the various animals? i could write it down myself but seeing as i am making the same mistake on every village it probably won't be a recommended list
Sort of depends when, but basic ancient->early middle ages period something like (ideally):
eagle (phoenix myth)
some other bird (feather worker)
tortoise (shell worker)
2 snakes (snake charmer + <the other one I forget name>
2 more or less anything (governors pets/menagerie)
1 more or less anything (totem)
1 of a type that can built a master tracker (for the health boost if nothing else)
goat (herd)
cow (herd)
pig (herd)
horse (herd)
elephant (herd)
deer/moose (herd)
musk ox if far enough north (herd)
camel (herd)
duck (herd)
emu/ostriche (herd)
wolf/dire-wolf X 2 (dog breeder + dog kennels)
some sea creature [or platypus] (the food thing)
larger sea creatures (forget what its called but it gives research)
more or less any sea creature (naval boost thingie)
Obviously at least the herds you're very unlikely to have a full set of in any given game for any given city being founded!
There may be more I'm missing, but that's off the top of my head. If you also have a carnival many animals can be settled for extra culture (and later research) also. I think some can also build the carnival, though I forget which.