Animals starting with X are the topic of our blog post today!
In the vast tapestry of the animal kingdom, creatures with names starting with ‘X’ may not be the most talked about, but they are certainly intriguing in their own right. From birds like the Xeme to amphibians like Xenopus laevis, these animals offer a fascinating glimpse into the diversity and adaptability of life on Earth.
In this post, I’ve collected a variety of animals whose names begin with this elusive letter. And as always, I’ve provided you with credible sources to delve deeper into each creature’s unique world. Let’s embark on this alphabet adventure together!
Animals that start with X
Here are 15 animals that start with X.
1. The X-ray tetra
Fountain: Flickr
The X-ray tetra (Pristella maxillaris), first described by Albert Ulrey in 1894, has gained immense popularity as a freshwater aquarium fish. Although it is the only species in its genus, it is closely related to a rich variety of almost 150 other tetraspecies found in South America. This fish is a staple in aquatic environments and serves as a vibrant addition to a diverse tetra family.
Fountain: Animals AZ
2. Xenicides
Fountain: British
Xenicids are small, stocky birds with a nuthatch-like beak and a noticeably short tail, bearing a vague resemblance to Pittas, potentially a shared ancestor. Among them, the rifleman stands out for its tiny size (barely eight centimeters long) and its brown and yellow plumage, reminiscent of the uniform of a British rifle corps. It is mainly found in beech forests and is a tree climbing species. Its relatives, the wren and wren, also feed primarily on insects; the former thrives in trees, while the latter adapts to open mountain slopes. Both wrens have a unique rolling motion when landing, and the fusilier tends to flap its wings constantly.
Fountain: British
3. xanthusia police
Fountain: flcikr
xanthusia police It is known as the desert night lizard. Although its name implies nocturnal habits, it is actually active during the day. These lizards typically measure between 1.5 and 2.75 inches from snout to cloaca and sport a tail of approximately the same length. They exhibit a range of colors, from gray and yellow-brown to olive, and have the ability to change their shade from light olive at night to dark brown during the day. As skilled climbers, they feed predominantly on termites, small insects, spiders and other arthropods.
Fountain: Wikipedia
4. Xenophidi
Fountain: The Reptile Database
Xenophidion is a genus of snakes that stands out as the only genus in the monotypic family Xenophidiidae. First described in 1995, these snakes are commonly known as spiny-jawed snakes and are native to Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Their different family classification distinguishes them in the world of herpetology. Isn’t it fascinating how even in the snake kingdom you can find such specialized and unique species?
Fountain: Wikipedia
5. The sword of Xiphias
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
The Xiphias gladius, commonly known as the swordfish, is a notable migratory billfish that can reach lengths of up to 177 inches from its slender beak to the tip of its crescent-shaped tail fin. With a dark brown to black coloration above that fades to a lighter shade below, the swordfish is identifiable by its pronounced and curved first dorsal and anal fins. Interestingly, the adult swordfish loses both its scales and jaw teeth, and probably swallows its prey whole after incapacitating it with its powerful beak. Another fascinating aspect is their ability to tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, thanks in part to the specialized tissue that insulates their brains.
Fountain: Florida Museum
6. Xylophanes
Fountain: Flickr
Xylophanes, belonging to the family Sphingidae and subfamily Macroglossinae, is an intriguing moth with a wingspan ranging from 2 3/8 to 3 1/8 inches. Its forewings display a pale brown hue with lavender gray at the base and dark brown lines throughout, while its hindwings are dark brown adorned with a band of whitish wedge-shaped markings. In particular, adults begin feeding at dusk and their range is extensive: from Massachusetts to Florida and as far as Arizona, even extending to Central and South America. As for their life cycle, in the north there is one brood from May to October, while warmer states like Florida see multiple broods from February to November.
Fountain: Butterflies and moths
7. Xenopeltidae
Fountain: Wikipedia
The family Xenopeltidae comprises sunbeam snakes, which are semifossorial and known for their striking iridescent scales. Typically measuring 2 to 3 feet long, these snakes sport a dark brown dorsal color and a paler gray or yellow underside. However, it is the reflection of their rainbow-shaped scales that gives them the nickname “sunbeam.” Consisting of a single genus and two species, these snakes are often found in agricultural areas, populated regions, and along forest edges. Their unique iridescence and specific habitat preferences set them apart in the snake world, making them fascinating subjects of study.
Fountain: Encyclopedia
8. Worry
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
The Xeme, also known as the Sabina gull, is a small gull that follows an interesting migratory pattern. During the breeding season, you will find it in the Arctic, but when winter comes, it heads to more tropical waters, making quite the transoceanic journey. Typically flying low over the sea and foraging in shallow ponds and marshes, the Xeme has a diet that consists primarily of insects and fish. What stands out about this bird is its social character. Mating for life, they spend a significant part of the year in flocks. Given the long distances they travel, it is like the digital nomad of the bird world: it adapts to different climates and thrives in varied environments.
Fountain: Animals AZ
9. Xanthippe
The Xanthippe shrew, classified in the family Soricidae, has its natural habitat in the dry savannahs and tropical or subtropical dry shrublands of Kenya and Tanzania. This small mammal navigates these arid landscapes, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Fountain: Wikipedia
10. Murrelet of Xantus
Fountain: Flickr
The Guadalupe Murrelet, once known as part of the Xantus Murrelet along with the Scripps’ Murrelet, is a small seabird that nests primarily on islands off the west coast of Baja California. From time to time, you may see it venturing into California waters. This bird is similar in appearance and behavior to the Scripps’ murrelet, but a distinctive feature is the white coloration that extends around the eye and up to the face.
Fountain: Audubon
11. Xero
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
Geoffrey’s ground squirrel, also known by its scientific name Xerus erythropus, is well suited to arid climates and makes its home in the savannahs of various parts of Africa, including eastern Sudan and southwestern Kenya. The color of its rough coat often mimics the soil where it resides, varying from brown to reddish gray and even yellowish gray. The species is recognizable by a white or beige stripe that runs from the shoulders to the hindquarters. With a body length of 203 to 463 mm and a tail of 180 to 274 mm, this ground squirrel is not particularly large. Its tail is somewhat flattened and typically a shade darker than its body.
Fountain: Animal Diversity
12. Xenopus laevis
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
Xenopus laevis, a large frog, shows sexual dimorphism with males typically being smaller than females. They have a flattened appearance with small, round eyes set on top of their heads. Smooth fur and sturdy hind limbs are other defining characteristics, along with small black claws on the three inner toes of its fully webbed feet. Its body color varies from dark gray to greenish-brown above and becomes lighter below.
Fountain: amphibian network
13. Jenops
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
The Xenops is a small, agile bird commonly seen in humid tropical forests. Known for its distinctive features, such as a striking white whisker mark and conspicuously patterned wings in black and rust, this bird is usually a solitary vagrant, but can sometimes be found in mixed-species flocks. It has an affinity for calling and climbing small branches and vines, often inverting itself like a titmouse as it forages in the middle and upper levels of the forest. Its short, wedge-shaped bill and unique song (a short, high-pitched, liquid trill) contribute to its intriguing personality.
Fountain: eBird.org
14. Xenarthrans
Xenarthrans are a fascinating group of animals that originated in South America during its period of continental isolation in the Tertiary era. Today, the group consists of 29 species spread across four families: armadillos, two-toed sloths, three-toed sloths and anteaters, most of which are small to medium-sized insectivores and herbivores. However, the historical diversity of xenarthrans was much more extensive, including mammoth-sized creatures such as giant ground sloths and heavily armored glyptodonts that stretched up to 3 meters.
Fountain: Animal Diversity
15. Xanthus
Fountain: Wikimedia Commons
The Xantus hummingbird is an exceptionally stocky, medium-sized hummingbird endemic to the southern half of the Baja California peninsula. Since there are no similar species in its restricted area of distribution, it easily stands out. The bird is versatile and inhabits a variety of landscapes, from scrub forests and mountainous terrain of pine and oak to scrubland and desert gardens. It’s even a regular on feeders, much like how teachers love their regular sources for educational tools. Both males and females sport a distinctive black mask, a striking white ear stripe, and a red-based bill. Additionally, males can display a bright green throat under the right lighting conditions, while females have pale tan underparts.
Fountain: eBird.org
Final thoughts
While these creatures don’t typically make headlines in biology textbooks or nature documentaries, their unique characteristics and adaptations offer invaluable insights into the complexity and diversity of life on our planet. Getting to know these lesser-known animals opens new avenues for understanding and appreciating the world around us. I hope you found this exploration of animals starting with x as fascinating as I did. I’ve provided sources for you to learn more, so don’t stop here – deepen and enrich your understanding of these extraordinary animals.
