Animals That Start with X are the topic of our blog post today!
Ever wondered about animals that start with X? Yeah, me neither – until I stumbled down this particular rabbit hole. Turns out, there’s a whole world of critters out there with names kicking off with this oddball letter. Who knew?
From the tongue-twisting Xenops (it’s a bird, I promise) to the alien-sounding Xenopus laevis (spoiler: it’s just a fancy frog), these X-traordinary animals might not be household names, but they’re pretty fascinating once you get to know them.
I’ve rounded up a bunch of these X-cellent beasts (okay, I’ll stop with the puns now) and dug into what makes them tick. Fair warning: you might find yourself going down your own Wikipedia wormhole after this. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Animals That Start with X
Here are 15 animals that start with X
1. The X-Ray tetra
Source: 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’s the sole species in its genus, it’s closely related to a rich variety of nearly 150 other tetra species found in South America. This fish is a staple in aquatic setups and serves as a vibrant addition to a diverse tetra family.
Source: A-Z Animals
2. Xenicids
Xenicids are petite, stout birds with a nuthatch-like bill and a notably short tail, bearing a vague resemblance to pittas, potentially a shared ancestor. Among them, the rifleman stands out with its tiny size—just eight centimeters long—and its brown and yellow plumage, reminiscent of a British rifle corps uniform. Mainly found in beech forests, it’s a tree-creeping species. Its relatives, the bush wren and rock wren, are also primarily insect eaters; the former thrives in trees, while the latter is adapted to mountainous open slopes. Both wrens have a unique bobbing motion upon landing, and the rifleman tends to quiver its wings constantly.
Source: Britannica
3. Xantusia vigilis
Source: Flcikr
Xantusia vigilis is known as the desert night lizard. Although its name implies nocturnal habits, it’s actually active during the day. These lizards typically measure between 1.5 to 2.75 inches from snout to vent, sporting a tail of about the same length. They exhibit a range of colors, from grey and yellow-brownish to olive, and have the ability to change their hue from light olive in the evening to dark brown in daytime. As skilled climbers, they predominantly feed on termites, small insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
Source: Wikipedia
4. Xenophidion
Xenophidion is a genus of snakes uniquely standing as the only genus in the monotypic family Xenophidiidae. First described in 1995, these snakes are commonly known as spinejaw snakes and are native to Borneo and peninsular Malaysia. Their distinct family classification sets them apart in the world of herpetology. Isn’t it fascinating how even in the realm of snakes, you can find such specialized and unique species?
Source: Wikipedia
5. Xiphias gladius
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Xiphias gladius, commonly known as the swordfish, is a remarkable migratory billfish that can reach lengths of up to 177 inches from its slender bill to the tip of its crescent-shaped tail fin. Sporting a dark brown to black coloration on top that fades into a lighter shade underneath, the swordfish is identifiable by its pronounced and curved first dorsal and anal fins. Interestingly, adult swordfish lose both their scales and jaw teeth, likely swallowing their prey whole after incapacitating it with their powerful bill. Another fascinating aspect is their ability to tolerate a wide range of water temperatures, thanks in part to specialized tissue that insulates their brains.
Source: Florida Museum
6. Xylophanes
Source: Flickr
The Xylophanes, belonging to the Sphingidae family and Macroglossinae subfamily, 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 marks. Notably, adults begin feeding at sunset, and their range is extensive—from Massachusetts down to Florida and across to Arizona, even extending into Central and South America. As for its life cycle, in the north, there’s one brood from May to October, while warmer states like Florida see multiple broods from February to November.
Source: Butterflies and Moths
7. Xenopeltidae
Source: Wikipedia
The Xenopeltidae family comprises sunbeam snakes, which are semifossorial and known for their striking iridescent scales. Typically measuring 2 to 3 feet in length, these snakes sport a dark brown dorsal color and a paler gray or yellow underside. However, it’s the rainbow-like reflection of their scales that earns them their “sunbeam” moniker. Consisting of just one genus and two species, these snakes are often found in agricultural areas, settled 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.
Source: Encyclopedia
8. Xeme
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Xeme, also known as Sabine’s gull, is a petite gull that follows an interesting migratory pattern. During the breeding season, you’ll find it in the Arctic, but come winter, it’s off to more tropical waters, making quite the trans-oceanic journey. Habitually flying low over the sea and foraging in shallow ponds and tidal flats, the Xeme has a diet that mainly consists of insects and fish. What stands out about this bird is its social nature. Mating for life, it spends a significant part of the year in flocks. Given the long distances they travel, it’s like the digital nomad of the bird world—adapting to different climates and thriving in varied environments.
Source: A-Z Animals
9. Xanthippe
The Xanthippe’s shrew, classified under the family Soricidae, has its natural habitat in the dry savannas and subtropical or tropical dry shrublands of Kenya and Tanzania. This small mammal navigates these arid landscapes, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Source: Wikipedia
10. Xantus’s Murrelet
Source: Flickr
The Guadalupe Murrelet, once known as part of the Xantus’s Murrelet alongside Scripps’s Murrelet, is a small seabird that primarily nests on islands off Baja’s west coast. Occasionally, you might spot it venturing into California waters. This bird is similar in appearance and behavior to Scripps’s Murrelet, but one distinguishing feature is the white coloration extending around the eye and up onto the face.
Source: Audubon
11. Xerus
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Geoffrey’s ground squirrel, also known by its scientific name Xerus erythropus, is well-suited for arid climates and makes its home in the savannas across various parts of Africa, including eastern Sudan and southwestern Kenya. The color of its coarse fur often mimics the soil where it resides, ranging from brownish to reddish-grey and even yellowish-grey. The species is recognizable by a white or buff stripe that runs from its shoulders to its hindquarters. With a body length ranging from 203 to 463 mm and a tail length 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.
Source: Animal Diversity
12. Xenopus laevis
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Xenopus laevis, a large frog, displays sexual dimorphism with males typically smaller than females. They sport a flattened appearance with small, round eyes positioned atop their heads. The smooth skin and robust hind limbs are other defining features, along with tiny black claws on the three inner toes of their fully webbed feet. Their body color varies from dark-gray to greenish-brown on the top and becomes lighter underneath.
Source: Amphibia Web
13. Xenops
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Xenops is an agile, small bird commonly spotted in humid tropical forests. Known for its distinct features like a bold white whisker mark and strikingly patterned black-and-rusty wings, this bird is usually a solitary wanderer but can sometimes be found in mixed-species flocks. It has an affinity for clamoring and climbing on small branches and vines, often inverting itself like a chickadee while foraging in middle to upper levels of the forest. Its short, wedge-shaped bill and unique song—a short, high, liquid trill—add to its intriguing persona.
Source: 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 far more extensive, including mammoth-sized creatures like the giant ground sloths, and the heavily armored glyptodonts that stretched up to 3 meters.
Source: Animal Diversity
15. Xantus
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Xantus’s hummingbird is a uniquely stocky, medium-sized hummingbird endemic to the southern half of the Baja California peninsula. With no similar species in its restricted range, it easily stands out. The bird is versatile, inhabiting a variety of landscapes—from scrubby woodlands and pine-oak mountain terrains to desert scrubs and gardens. It’s even a regular at 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 flash a brilliant green throat in the right lighting conditions, while females have pale cinnamon underparts.
Source: eBird.org
Final thoughts
So, we’ve taken a quick tour through the world of X-named animals – not exactly your everyday zoo inhabitants, but fascinating in their own right. From the peculiar Xenops to the lesser-known Xeme, these creatures remind us just how diverse and adaptable life on Earth can be. While they might not star in many nature documentaries, each has its own unique story of survival and evolution. I don’t know about you, but learning about these off-the-beaten-path animals has been pretty eye-opening for me. If you’re curious to dive deeper, I’ve sprinkled some links throughout the post. Who knows? You might just become the go-to expert on X animals at your next trivia night.
