As elementary teachers, there is always some reason or another to know a list of items that begin with any particular letter. One of the trickiest groups is those that start with “Y”! While animals like the yak and Yorkshire terrier are common talking points in these conversations, the list below has a few aptly-named, lesser-known Y names to wow your students! Heads up: there is a lot of yellow in store! Keep reading and see how many new animals that start with “Y” you can add to your repertoire!
1. Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake
Just another creature to watch out for in the ocean- where this sea snake spends its entire life! The yellow-bellied sea snake is a venomous predator, though it rarely strikes, that can tie itself in a knot to scrape algae or barnacles off of its body!
Learn More: California Herps
2. Yucatán Squirrel
Bernard Dupont / CC-BY-SA-2.0
This species of squirrel is native to the Yucatán peninsula in parts of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico- living in forests and woodlands. Since they spend most of their lives in trees, this animal is a prime example of why we must work to preserve ecosystems from things like deforestation!
Learn More: iNaturalist
3. Yellow Ground Squirrel
Yuriy Danilevsky / CC-BY-SA-3.0
These speckled creatures are more akin to prairie dogs than squirrels, as their name might suggest. Yellow ground squirrels are highly social, have extended contact between mothers and young, and communicate with one another through a series of special calls; their alarm call is their loudest!
Learn More: Animal Diversity
4. Yuma Myotis
Daniel Neal / CC-BY-2.0
The range of the Yuma myotis bat, stretches from Canada, along the Western US, and all the way to Mexico! These insectivores prefer to live near streams in the forest to ensure they have a large enough pool of prey to hunt.
Learn More: Bat Conservation International
5. Yellow-Eyed Penguin
Steve / CC-BY-SA-2.0
Also known as the hoiho, this species of penguin is native to New Zealand. They are endangered and restoration efforts are underway to help this cute bird survive! Human disturbances are their biggest threat, but they are sometimes hunted by sharks and barracuda too.
Learn More: NZ Department Of Conservation
6. Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby
Los Angeles Zoo
A relative to the kangaroo, the yellow-footed rock wallaby lives in the mountains of Australia. It’s a nocturnal animal with warm-hued fur that helps it blend in with its environment. To cope with Australian heat, the wallaby is able to quickly drink ten percent of its body weight in water!
Learn More: National Geographic Kids
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Fernanda Nuso
The Yorkshire terrier is an adorable canine companion for those who love small dogs. They were once used to hunt rats and are now a great breed to train as therapy dogs. Although their coat is one of their most recognizable features, it feels more like human hair than animal fur.
Learn More: American Kennel Club
8. Yabby
Aquarium Breeder
The yabby is a freshwater crustacean akin to a crayfish or lobster. An interesting fact about this marine animal is that its color changes depending on the water quality of its environment. Cool, right?! These Australian natives are an often destructive species that burrow into dams and levees to survive drought conditions.
Learn More: Australian Museum
9. Yak
Dennis Jarvis / CC-BY-SA-3.0
These Tibetan powerhouses have been dubbed the “boats of the plateau” due to their importance in travel, work, and trade throughout the Himalayas. Yaks have been domesticated animals for 10,000 years serving as both pack-carrying animals and an important source of food for the Tibetan diet.
Learn More: Britannica
10. Yellow Mongoose
The yellow mongoose is a small animal living in the grasslands of southern Africa. They communicate with one another using many different sounds, including purrs, barking, and screams. They can also send signals to one another by swishing their tails!
Learn More: Critter Facts
11. Yellow Sac Spider
The yellow sac spider is indigenous to the United States, where they build their tubes or “sacs” under objects or in ceiling corners. These nocturnal creatures live in these crevices during the day but emerge at night to hunt. Sac spiders have been known to bite humans, but typically only when trapped and feeling threatened.
Learn More: Michigan State University
12. Yellowfin Tuna
These giants of the ocean can grow to be up to 400 pounds and so, are aptly named! While their bodies are mostly blue, their bellies and fins are distinctly yellow. These torpedo-shaped fish live all of their lives in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Learn More: NOAA Fisheries
13. Yeti Crab
Can you guess how this creature got its name? When researchers noticed their hairy arms sticking out of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, they nicknamed it after the abominable snowman! The yeti crab was only recently discovered in 2005, south of Easter Island, and is a close relative of hermit crabs!
Learn More: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
14. Yellow-Winged Bat
These yellow-winged bats are super stealthy! They hide among dead leaves and golden berries while roosting, blending right in with their yellow wings. This animal also has an impressive sense of hearing; they can hear tiny insects walking far below as they hunt!
Learn More: iNaturalist
15. Yellow-Throated Marten
This species of marten is the biggest of its kind, growing up to almost 13 pounds! Its ombre coat is golden near its head and fades to black toward the tail. These guys live throughout most of Asia, where they hunt in packs, often preying on animals larger than themselves.
Learn More: Animalia
16. Yacaré Caiman
The yacaré caiman is often at odds with other predators of South America, sometimes getting into scuffles with jaguars and even anacondas! When it’s not fighting, this caiman is on the hunt for its favorite meal – the piranha! Unfortunately, it is also at risk for illegal poaching because of its beautiful skin.
Learn More: Crocodiles Of The World
17. Yungas Pygmy Owl
This Peruvian bird is a bit of a mystery; they were once thought to be considered a sub-species of another owl, but they have actually now been identified as a separate species! Scientists believe they are not currently endangered, despite not knowing how many are living in their habitat. One cool feature of these animals is the “false eye” markings on the backs of their heads!
Learn More: The Peregrine Fund
18. Yellow-Banded Poison Dart Frog
Can you guess why this frog is also known as the bumblebee poison dart frog? While not currently endangered, these animals could be potentially harmed by the exotic pet trade. They are quite popular as many people are enamored by their unique markings.
Learn More: Rosamond Gifford Zoo
19. Yellow-Eye Rockfish
These sunset-hued fish live in crevices near the ocean floor and are prized for their unique color and large size. In fact, they can grow up to an astonishing three feet long! While the females of the species lay over two million eggs, life cycle analyses show that only a tiny portion will survive and make it to adulthood.
Learn More: Alaska Department Of Fish And Game
20. Yellow Anaconda
These Paraguayan giants can grow up to twelve feet long! Despite their large size, some people actually still keep them as pets! These animals are voracious eaters and will dine every few weeks on prey as large as capybara! Did you know that each snake has its own unique pattern of spots?
Learn More: World Land Trust
21. Yellow-Backed Duiker
The word ‘duiker’ means “diver” in the Afrikaans language, but these animals are actually named for a distinctive yellow triangle on their backsides. You might expect these docile creatures to have a vegetarian diet, but 30% of their meals actually consist of birds, rodents, and bugs!
Learn More: LA Zoo
22. Yellow-Footed Antechinus
The yellow-footed antechinus is a tiny marsupial with a short life span; males often die before their first birthday after producing young. These Australian animals are generally nocturnal and live in forests and near creeks. If you are lucky enough to see one check out the clumsy movement of their walk.
Learn More: Queensland Museum
23. Yellowjacket
Yellowjackets are stinging insects that are quite often mistaken for bees. They build their underground nests out of paper and life cycle analyses show that there’s a complicated process where every member of the colony has an important role. Can you guess the only member who will survive the winter? The queen, of course!
Learn More: Missouri Department Of Conservation
24. Yellow-Bellied Marmot
This cat-sized rodent is native to the western United States and Canada and you might know it by another name. These animals are actually the namesake of a US holiday, Groundhog Day, and are also sometimes called whistle pigs, or woodchucks! As you walk through their alpine habitat you might hear them whistling warnings to one another.
Learn More: National Park Service
25. Yapok
The yapok is more commonly known as the water opossum. These semi-aquatic creatures live in rivers and streams throughout South America and use their tails as rudders for swimming and as extra support when they’re carrying objects.
Learn More: Animal Diversity Web
26. Yellow-Nosed Cotton Rat
These creatures inhabit the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where they live in shrublands and woods. They are aptly named after their golden-yellow nose. The young of this rodent leave the nest soon after birth in just a month and a half!
Learn More: iNaturalist
27. Yellow Pine Chipmunk
The yellow pine chipmunk has adapted itself to many environments in the northwestern United States and Canada. They build nests in logs and rocks, using leaves to cover the entrances like little doors! How cute! Although these are very adorable creatures, they are also known to carry tick-borne diseases and the plague! Not quite as cute now!
Learn More: Animal Diversity
28. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
The sapsucker belongs to the same family as woodpeckers! These birds drill holes in trees and return later to suck out the sap that has gathered. The adults are great teachers and provide their young with all the instruction they’ll need on how to acquire their favorite food!
Learn More: Audubon
29. Yellow-Bellied Weasel
Don’t be fooled by its appearance: the yellow-bellied weasel is a highly skilled predator known to hunt or attack rodents, birds, geese, goats, and even sheep! One interesting fact is that they can be tamed to hunt rodents! You can find them throughout Central and Southeast Asia.
Learn More: Animal Diversity
30. Yellowhammer
The males of this species are the vibrant ones! While their bodies are bright yellow, females’ yellow-hued coloring is often a slightly duller shade. These animals originated in Europe but were brought to New Zealand in the 1800s.
Learn More: NZ Birds Online
31. Yellow-Billed Hornbill
The yellow-billed hornbill also nicknamed the flying banana, is known for its distinctive long, curved yellow bill. This bird is found all around South Africa where it enjoys foraging on the ground for seeds, but also spiders and even scorpions!
Learn More: One Kind Planet
32. Yellow Perch
The yellow perch is a fish found mainly in the United States and Canada. It is known for its green and yellow coloring with black stripes and is mostly active during the day, aside from when they are spawning. This fish loves company and is known to travel in schools of upwards of 200 fish!
Learn More: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
33. Yellow Baboon
This primate is very concerned about social status! The yellow baboon is found in the eastern and southern parts of Africa and spends a lot of time in large family groups. They also have complex forms of communication, including gestures, auditory cues, and vocalizations.
Learn More: New England Primate Conservancy
34. Yellowthroat
The common yellowthroat was one of the first birds ever cataloged in the “New World”. They are easily found in spring and summertime in open habitats such as marshes and brushy fields. Interestingly, both the males and females have bright yellow underbellies, but only males have distinctive black “masks”.
Learn More: All About Birds
35. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
These beautiful birds are a purplish-gray color and have a long yellow crown of feathers. They’re found mostly in coastal wetlands in central and northern parts of South America and their foraging habits follow the tide. Their breeding season very much depends on when crabs emerge in the spring!
Learn More: All About Birds
36. Yellow-Headed Caracara
Although a bird of prey, the yellow-headed caracara is not known for its speed and relies heavily on scavenging for its food. Even though this bird is part of the powerful falcon family, it’s not a frequent flier and prefers to walk instead. Another interesting fact is they do not make warning calls as some other birds of prey do.
Learn More: Kidadl
37. Yellow-Necked Spurfowl
Another bird that prefers staying close to the ground is the yellow-necked spurfowl. This beautiful bird is found mostly in East Africa and is known for its brightly yellow-colored throat. As a form of protection, these birds have spurs on the backs of their feet, so don’t get too close!
Learn More: Similar But Different Animals
38. Yellow-Bellied Glider
The yellow-bellied glider is found largely on the eastern coast of Australia, typically in eucalyptus forests. Similar to a flying squirrel, gliders have expandable folds of skin around their wrists and ankles, allowing them to travel long distances through the air. They live in small family groups and are largely nocturnal.
Learn More: Office Of Environment And Heritage
39. Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse
Found all over Africa, these birds move a lot like pigeons, but the pale yellow feathers at their throat set them apart. These birds definitely like their own space and are known to make their nests several meters from one another. Interestingly, they are one of the species that mate for life!
Learn More: Wild Life Safari
40. Yellow Tang
Although believed to be indigenous to Hawaiian waters, yellow tangs are found throughout the Pacific islands. They are a popular fish for people with saltwater tanks, due to their distinctively bright yellow coloring that actually changes at night to a dull brown color!
Learn More: Jaljeev
41. Yorkie-Poo
This adorable little dog is a hybrid of a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle and is sometimes referred to as a Yoodle. Yorkie-poos are quick learners and are known to be affectionate and friendly. Their coat can have a wide range of coat textures and is also hypoallergenic making them a pretty popular pup!
Learn More: Dog Time
42. Yellow-Rumped Cacique
This common blackbird is easily identified by its bright, yellow-colored tail and shoulder flashes. It is found largely in Central and South America from Panama all the way to Brazil. The males and females of this species are similar in appearance, although females tend to be a little smaller.
Learn More: Oiseaux Birds
43. Yemen Rock Agama
These brightly colored blue lizards are found in northern Yemen and across Saudi Arabia. They tend to enjoy scurrying around rocky areas and boulders. While they can be found in areas near water, they actually obtain much of their water from the insects they eat!
Learn More: Focusing On Wildlife
44. Yakutian Laika
This beautiful, fluffy arctic dog breed originated in the Yakutia region of Russia as a sled dog. In fact, they are believed to be the first sled dogs! It’s not surprising to learn that they are built to withstand extremely cold temperatures and are known as super hard workers. Not to mention they are also super cute!
Learn More: Pet Crates Direct
45. Yellow Bullhead Catfish
This catfish is identifiable by its “whiskers” that act as external tongues, helping this fish find its next meal! Other features are the yellow to greenish-brown coloring of its top scales and the predominantly yellow belly scales. They are known to be very social and can even recognize one another by smell!
Learn More: University Of Michigan
46. Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee
Until 2021, this species of bee, found in the eastern parts of North America and Canada, was called by a different name – Fernald’s cuckoo bumblebee. Perhaps its most interesting characteristic is that, unlike some other bee species, this one doesn’t make its own nests but instead invades the hives of other bees! How rude!
Learn More: Wild Whiskers
47. Yellow Crazy Ant
You have to love this insect’s name! These invasive ants from Southeast Asia got their name from the unpredictable, “crazy” movement that occurs when they are bothered by an outside disturbance. Their antics have landed them a spot in the list of the world’s top 100 worst invasive species!
Learn More: Wet Tropics
48. Yellow Cobra
These venomous snakes, also known as the cape cobra, are found in the southern part of the African continent. Like other cobras, it has a hooded head that flattens just before attacking. Don’t be fooled – these snakes can be yellowish, but can also appear reddish brown and sometimes nearly black!
Learn More: Kids Britannica
49. Yellow Aphids
Also known as oleander aphids due to their common presence on the oleander plant, these insects are parasitic. Interestingly, the reason their population can increase so quickly is due to the fact that they reproduce asexually. An embryo can grow from either a male or a female!
Learn More: NC State Extension Publications
50. Yokohama Chicken
This is one beautiful and elegant-looking chicken! Just look at those long white tail feathers and the red or black and white checked feathers across the chest and shoulders. The Yokohama red-shouldered chicken is the only remaining breed with this special and unique coloring.
Learn More: The Livestock Conservancy
51. Yellow-Tailed Damselfish
This one is a stunner! The yellow-tailed damselfish has a bright blue body and contrasting yellow tail. As if this isn’t eye-catching enough, depending on where it originates from, this fish can also have bright yellow pelvic or pectoral fins. Their unique coloring and their peaceful demeanor make them popular aquarium pets!
Learn More: Animal World
52. Yellowmouth Barracuda
Not as pretty as the previous entry, the yellowmouth barracuda is found mostly in the Eastern Atlantic, such as Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. Despite its name, this fish is mostly silver with black markings. It swims in schools during the day, but at night it likes to become more solitary.
53. Yellow-Eared Parrot
This beautiful green and yellow parrot is found mostly in the Andes Mountains in Colombia and until recently, was thought to be extinct! Their cloud forest habitats are being cleared for farming, and the wax palm – a main source of their diet – is often harvested for use in Palm Sunday ceremonies.
Learn More: American Bird Conservancy
54. Yellow-Tailed Woolly Monkey
Another victim of agriculture that has threatened this primates’ forest habitat, is the yellow-tailed woolly monkey. It is found in the high elevations of the Peruvian cloud forests where they spend their time high up in the tree canopies and leap up to 50 feet between tree limbs!
Learn More: New England Primate Conservancy
55. Yellow-Headed Gecko
Found largely in South and Central America, this gecko is known for its yellow-orange head and dark blue-black body. This vibrant coloring is reserved only for the males while the females are generally grayish-brown. One cool fact? The rough skin on their feet and toes makes them very speedy runners!
Learn More: Canopy Family
56. Yezo Sika Deer
Learn More: Wild Art Works
57. Yunnan Box Turtle
This creature is sadly one of the most endangered species of turtles in the world. It is a semi-aquatic turtle that is native to the forests and wetlands of China’s Yunnan province. As with other species on our list, its main threat is habitat loss because of agriculture and urban development.
Learn More: Desert Scorpions
58. Yutyrannus
This is for the fans of extinct animals! This dinosaur fossil was found in China and is similar to its later cousins because of its carnivorous nature and large size. There is also evidence that this dinosaur had feathers, suggesting that dinosaurs are related to birds!
Learn More: Natural History Museum
59. Yunnan Muntjac
This teeny tiny deer is only about a foot tall and is found largely in the Yunnan region of China. Don’t let their tiny size and cute appearance fool you! They are known for unique tusks that grow out of their mouth and while both sexes use these for self-defense, the males also use them in sparring with other males over winning a female mate!
Learn More: Kidadl
60. Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey
Sadly, this is yet another endangered species on our list with only around 2,000 thought to be left in the wild. This primate is known as the Yunnan snub-nosed Monkey or the black snub-nosed monkey. They are found only in Tibet and Yunnan and are the only primates living in such high elevations and cold climates.
Learn More: New England Primate Conservancy
Grammar Activities For Middle School Learners: Games, Writing Practice, And Resources