Ever wondered how many animal names begin with X? While it may seem impossible to round up more than five, there is undoubtedly a long list waiting to be explored! From fish and birds to mammals and insects, we’ve gathered some new and X-citing creatures for you to explore! Dive right into our list of 50 fascinating animals that start with the letter X and get ready to impress your friends with new and interesting facts about the animal kingdom!
1. X-Ray Tetra
The X-ray tetra is a bony fish that can be found in coastal rivers. They are omnivorous and enjoy small bugs and insect larvae. They are approximately 5 cm in length and get along well with other species; making them great tank companions to a host of other fish.
Learn More: Aquarium Source
2. Xerus
The African ground squirrel, Xerus, is a member of the Sciuridae family. They are the ground-dwelling, terrestrial cousins of prairie dogs and marmots. The African ground squirrel is distinguished by its long tail, small ears, strong claws, and prickly hair. They mainly inhabit stony, arid grasslands.
Learn More: Kidadl
3. Xoloitzcuintli
One of the breeds of hairless dogs is the Xoloitzcuintle. You’ll find three distinct sizes of Xoloitzcuintle; toy, miniature, and standard – as well as two different varieties; hairless and coated. These cheerful dogs require regular exercise and make wonderful watchdogs.
Learn More: American Kennel Club
4. Xantus’s Hummingbird
Xantus’s hummingbird is a medium-sized species that averages a length of 3-3.5 inches. They are native to Baja, California. Their diet consists of nectar from flowering trees and flowers; which they hastily lap up at a whopping 13 times per second!
Learn More: Audubon
5. Xami Hairstreak
The xami hairstreak butterfly is also commonly known as the green hairstreak. It’s a rare butterfly that can be spotted throughout the Southern United States; generally in Central Texas and the Southern and Southeastern regions of Arizona. They are generally spotted in hilly, canyon regions.
Learn More: Bug Guide
6. Xingu Corydoras
The Xingu corydoras is a tropical freshwater fish. They originate in the upper Xingu River basin in Brazil and the South American seas. They are placid bottom-dwellers that enjoy an omnivorous diet. They enjoy communal living and can be spotted in small shoals of about 6 members.
Learn More: Aquadiction
7. Xeme
One of the tiniest birds to soar the oceans is the xeme. A xeme has a lifespan of around 18 years, and there are approximately 340,000 of them in existence! This social species enjoys a diet of crustaceans, eggs, small fish, and a wide assortment of insects.
Learn More: Animalia
8. Xenarthra
The Xenarthra is a member of the anteater and sloth family. The majority of Xenarthra species that are still in existence live in rainforests mainly situated in Latin America. Their diet stringently consists of insects which they use their long claws to dig for.
Learn More: Britannica
9. Xalda Sheep
Xalda sheep have been reared since 27 BC. In their native country, Spain, they are one of the oldest sheep breeds. The wool of Xalda sheep was once used to produce the tunics worn by the Asturi people.
Learn More: Slow Food Foundation
10. Xantic Sargo
Due to its native habitat being in the Pacific Ocean, the xantic sargo is more frequently referred to as the California sargo. It belongs to the family of grunt fish, which make grunting noises by rubbing their flat teeth plates together. They are frequently found in rocky reefs near kelp beds.
Learn More: Guidesly
11. Xavier’s Greenbul
The olive-green Xavier’s greenbul is frequently referred to as a perching bird or songbird. They enjoy subtropical habitats and thrive in Uganda, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea in Central Africa.
Learn More: eBird
12. Xenopus
A genus of African frogs called the Xenopus is sometimes referred to as the “African clawed frog”. The aquatic creatures have relatively flat bodies and are covered in a slimy layer of armor. On each foot, they have three claws that help them wade through water.
Learn More: CAM
13. Xingu River Ray
The Xingu River ray is also commonly referred to as the Polkadot stingray or the white-blotched river stingray. This freshwater ray’s disc width reaches a maximum of 72cm. The Xingu River ray is distributed throughout the tropical freshwaters of South America.
Learn More: Sharks And Rays
14. Xantus’s Murrelet
Xantus’s murrelet is a species of seabird that resides in the Pacific Ocean near California. It is also referred to as the Guadalupe murrelet. During mating season, Xantus’s murrelets build their nests in natural rock crevices, cliffs, and canyons.
Learn More: Beauty Of Birds
15. Xantus’ Swimming Crab
South of Morro Bay is where this species is frequently found; swimming in muddy waters. Their claws are remarkably long and feature a distinctive, single purple stripe.
Learn More: Bodega Head
16. Xinjiang Ground Jay
The Xinjiang ground jay is also known as Biddulph’s ground jay. They are native to Northwest China where they predominantly reside in the vicinity of Xinjiang; a sizable region made up of mountains and deserts. These chirpy birds are no bigger than an average human’s palm.
Learn More: Birds Of The World
17. Xanthippe’s Shrew
The Xanthippe’s shrew is a tiny species of shrew predominantly found in Sub-Saharan Africa; in Kenya and Tanzania. It inhabits shrublands and dry savannas. Despite having a long nose and rodent-like appearance, it is actually more closely related to moles.
Learn More: DBPedia
18. Xantusia
The Xantusiidae family of night lizards includes the Xantusia. You’ll find them in South, North, and Central America. They are tiny to medium-sized species of reptile that give birth to live offspring.
Learn More: Reptile Database
19. Xenops
Xenops are found in rainforests throughout Central and South America. They relish a diet of insects found in the rotting bark of trees, stumps, and twigs. Check out the link below for a coloring page that your students can indulge in whilst learning a host of fun facts about xenops.
Learn More: Educational Toy Factory
20. Xylophagous Leafhopper
The xylophagous leafhopper, or glassy-winged sharpshooter, is endemic to the Southeastern United States and Northern Mexico. Their translucent, red-veined wings and mottled brown and yellow bodies distinguish them. Despite their small size, they are viewed by the agricultural sector as an environmental nuisance.
Learn More: IDTools
21. Xantus Leaf-Toed Gecko (Leaf-Toed Gecko)
The Xantus leaf-toed gecko creates an assortment of noises such as chirps, clicks, and hisses because, unlike other lizards, it has vocal cords. Due to an absence of eyelids, these geckos lick their eyes to clean them. They are nocturnal creatures native to the United States.
Learn More: iNaturalist
22. Xestochilus Nebulosus
Xetochilus nebulosus grows to a maximum length of 47 centimeters. It is only found in the warm seas of the Indo-Pacific and is harmless to humans. These eels live between the depths of 2-42m and thrive in sandy or weedy environments.
Learn More: Fish Base
23. Xiphosura
There are several different kinds of horseshoe crabs, but they all belong to the Xiphosura family. Believe it or not – Xiphosura are more closely related to scorpions and spiders than they are to crabs! They are found along the eastern coasts of both Asia and North America.
Learn More: Britannica
24. Xestus Sabretooth Blenny
The Xestus sabretooth blenny is a member of the Blenniidae family, which contains over 400 species that are referred to as “combtooth blennies”. These fish find their home in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. They only grow to a length of 7cm.
Learn More: iNaturalist
25. Xolmis
Xolmis is a genus rather than a specific species. It belongs to the Tyrannidae family, which includes the birds referred to as “tyrant flycatchers”. Xolmis are found throughout South America in both tropical and subtropical shrublands and dilapidated former forests.
Learn More: Data Zone
26. Xucaneb Robber Frog
The Xucaneb robber frog is exclusively found in Guatemala in Central America. This species lives in bushes and other vegetation in hilly woods. The robber frog is directly developing which implies that it begins its life as a frog rather than as a tadpole.
Learn More: World Species
27. Xuthus Swallowtail
The Xuthus swallowtail is also known as an Asian swallowtail. It is a medium-sized, yellow, and black butterfly with an extension on each of its hindwings that resembles a tail. Xuthus swallowtails are found throughout China, Japan, and other parts of Southeast Asia where they inhabit forests.
Learn More: Takao 599 Museum
28. Xantis Yak
Domesticated cattle bred in the Himalayan mountains are known as Xantis yaks. They are renowned for their unusual color patterns and their thick, lengthy coats.
Learn More: All Species
29. Xuhai Goat
Goats from the Xuhai region are unique to Jiangsu, China. These popular animals are descendants of wild goats that once roamed Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. They are ruminant animals and are closely related to sheep.
Learn More: Oklahoma State University
30. Xenopeltis Unicolor
The smooth scales of the Xenopeltis unicolor snake glisten beautifully in the light. It also goes by the names “iridescent earth snake”, and “sunbeam snake”. It easily glides through muddy railroads as it forages for tiny lizards and frogs.
Learn More: Snake Tracks
31. Xilingol Horse
This strong and fast horse is actually a newer breed that hails from central Mongolia where it was developed in the 1960s. The Xilingol is a special hybrid of six breeds that produced this beautiful horse that can be used for riding, hauling, and tilling.
Learn More: Horse Breeds Pictures
32. Xingu Scythebill
The Xingu scythebill is an unusual-looking bird with an amazingly long, curved bill that it uses to probe bark crevices, bromeliads, and broken bamboo stems for food. This shy bird is a bit hard to find, but if you’re lucky, you might spot it climbing trees in the rainforests of eastern Amazonia.
Learn More: eBird
33. Xenocrates Leafwing
The Polygrapha xenocrathes is the scientific name for what is commonly known as the xenocrates leafwing. These large leafwing butterflies live in the forest canopies of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and French Guiana and can vary in color from black to blue, brown, and orange.
Learn More: Butterflies Of The Amazon
34. Xylocopa Violacea
These huge but harmless insects are also called large carpenter bees due to their nesting habit of burrowing into deadwood or reeds. They are common in Europe where they tend to live as solitary creatures. You can spot these buzzing beauties by looking for their purplish-blue wings hovering among shallow-faced flowers.
Learn More: Chadwick Lakes
35. Xiphias Gladius
The Xiphias gladius, or broadbill swordfish, is easily recognizable by its sword-like upper jaw that’s over two feet long! This interesting feature is used to slash prey like small bony fish and cephalopods. At over 14 feet long, it’s also one of the fastest fish, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph!
Learn More: Thought Co.
36. Xenoceratops
This one is for our fossil-loving friends! The Xenoceratops foremostensis loosely means “alien horned face”. At 78 million years old, it lived during the mid-Cretaceous period and is the oldest ceratopsid known from Canada. Paleontologists aren’t exactly sure what it looked like, but this rendering shows one unique possibility!
Learn More: Smithsonian Magazine
37. Xyrichtys Novacula
The pearly razorfish lives in clear shallow water from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea where it builds nests from coral debris and lives on a diet of mollusks, crabs, and shrimp. This fish wastes no time when frightened – it quickly dives headfirst into the sand for cover!
Learn More: Fish Base
38. Xenophthalmichthys Danae
Can you guess why this one is also known as the google-eye fish? This species of pencil smelt has unique eyes that are thought to detect bioluminescence. Its long and slender body is only four inches long and it is found in warmer waters at depths of more than 5,000 feet!
Learn More: Jungle Dragon
39. Xystreurys Liolepis
It’s easy to see why the common names of the Xystreurys liolepis are fantail flounder and fantail sole! This flat-shaped fish lives on the muddy and sandy bottom of the Eastern Pacific Ocean where it likes to hunt for its next meal of crabs and shrimp.
Learn More: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
40. Xyelacyba Myersi
Take one look at this strange-looking and rare fish and it’s no surprise that its common name is the gargoyle cusk. This is a deep-sea fish that lives at depths between 3,000 and 10,000 feet which might be one reason why there isn’t a lot of information about the Xyelacyba myersi.
Learn More: Fishes Of Australia
41. Xenophallus Umbratilis
This sociable fish is only about two inches in length and prefers to swim in shoals – after all, there’s strength in numbers! This tiny creature loves the freshwater streams, rivers, and lakes in Costa Rica and Nicaragua where it feeds on filamentous algae and aquatic insects.
Learn More: Fishi Pedia
42. Xenicus Gilviventris
Known as the rock wren or Pīwauwau, this small and endangered bird is found in the Southern Alps of South Island, New Zealand. It builds its enclosed nest on the ground where it prefers to hop rather than fly to hunt a diet composed primarily of insects.
Learn More: New Zealand Birds Online
43. Xiongguanlong
Another find for our budding paleontologists! The Xiongguanlong was a carnivorous, bipedal dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period, over 66 to 145 million years ago! The only fossil of this species was found in Gansu, China, and shows evidence that this giant was about 15 feet long!
Learn More: The Dinosaur Database
44. Xenopsylla Cheopis
These tiny creatures measure only two to four mm in length, but have a mighty reputation as being one of the carriers of the bacterium that caused the plague! Also known as the oriental rat flea, this insect ectoparasite likes to feed on the blood of smaller mammals such as rats or gerbils.
Learn More: University Of Florida
45. Xestia c-nigrum
The Xestia c-nigrum is also known as the lesser black-letter dart moth. This medium to large-sized moth is very common throughout Eurasia and North America where it feeds on hardwoods and grasses, and where it is also known to cause serious damage to peppermint and alfalfa crops.
Learn More: Pacific Northwest Moths
46. Xenacanthus
This extinct prehistoric freshwater shark had a pretty unique dorsal spine reminiscent of something you’d see in Jurassic Park! Fossil remains show that the Xenacanthus was a freshwater fish between three and six feet long and once lived in Europe, India, Australia, and the United States.
Learn More: Australian Museum
47. Xerosecta Cespitum
The Xerosecta cespitum is a beautiful species of medium-sized snail varying in color from gray to yellow. These mollusks are native to Western Europe and can be found in a range of natural habitats from roadsides and meadows to coastal areas, mountain slopes, and valleys.
Learn More: GBIF
48. Xeniades Swallowtail
The Xeniades swallowtail loves the higher altitudes of the Eastern slope of the Andes Mountain in Colombia and Ecuador. The different color patterns are interesting in that females are black with white patches and a little red while males are black with red patches and a little white – opposites certainly attract!
Learn More: Inventory Of The Butterfly Species Of Sangay National Park
49. Xenopterus Naritus
The Xenopterus naritus or golden puffer fish has plenty of unique characteristics! If threatened, these shape-shifters can inflate their stomachs with water or air to become two to three times their normal size! Another cool feature is that their body contains the neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, which is more deadly than cyanide!
Learn More: Research Gate
50. Xenomys Nelsoni
Xenomys nelsoni, also known as the Magdalena woodrat, are unfortunately endangered due to deforestation. They’re found in a small region of western Mexico where they live in the trees of tropical forests. These cinnamon to yellowish-brown rats can be quite large with adults growing to about a foot long!
Learn More: iNaturalist
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