Animal-originated enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are major pathogens resulting in newborn and young animal diarrhea. Adhesins and enterotoxins, both are essential for the pathogenicity of ETEC, are two major virulent factors of ETEC. Adhesion of animal-originated ETEC fimbrial adhesins (mainly including K88, K99, 987P, F18, F17 and F41) to intestinal epithelial cells is the initial and most important step involved in the ETEC infection. From the 1960s, studies on ETEC fimbrial genes, structure, biosynthesis, regulation of expression, interaction between fimbriae and host receptors have helped to better understand the biology and role of these organelles in pathogenesis. These studies also provide insight into new diagnostic tools and development of vaccines and inhibitors of ETEC colonization.