Welcome to a captivating journey through the animal kingdom as we explore the intriguing realm of Animals That Start With X. From exotic Xantusiidae lizards to fascinating Xantus’ Murrelet birds, prepare to be amazed by the diversity and wonder of these extraordinary creatures.
List of Animals That Start With X by Classes
This comprehensive list showcases the richness of animal diversity, starting with the elusive letter X. Explore their unique characteristics, habitats, and intriguing behaviors.
Mammals That Start with Letter X
Xanthippe’s Shrew
Birds That Start with Letter X
Xeme
Xantus’s Hummingbird
Xavier’s Greenbul
Reptiles That Start with Letter X
Amphibians That Start with Letter X
Insects and Invertebrates Beginning with X
List of Animals That Start With X: Classification, Behavior, and Facts
Discover their intriguing characteristics and habitats, and learn interesting facts about these captivating creatures.
1. Xoloitzcuintli
Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
Type of animal: Dog breed
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 12-15 years
Habitat: Xoloitzcuintlis are domesticated dogs and can be found in various households worldwide.
Diet: Xoloitzcuintlis typically eat commercial dog food or a balanced homemade meat, vegetables, and grains diet.
Fun Fact: Xoloitzcuintlis, often known as Mexican Hairless Dogs, are one of the world’s oldest and most uncommon canine breeds. The Aztecs revered them and believed they had healing abilities.
Xoloitzcuintlis are medium-sized canines with a lean, muscular build and a hairless look. Their cranium is wide and flat, with almond-shaped eyes and huge, upright ears.
Their skin color can be dark or light, and they are available in three sizes: toy, tiny, and regular. The devoted, quiet, and loving temperament of Xoloitzcuintlis makes them wonderful companions.
2. Xiphactinus
Scientific name: Xiphactinus audax
Type of animal: Prehistoric fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Unknown (extinct)
Habitat: Xiphactinus lived in the Western Interior Seaway during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 million years ago.
Diet: Xiphactinus was a predatory fish and fed on smaller fish and marine reptiles.
Fun Fact: Xiphactinus was an apex predator of its time and could grow up to 20 feet in length. It had large, sharp teeth and a streamlined body, making it an efficient swimmer.
Xiphactinus was a big, thin fish with a deep, compressed form. It possessed a big, tooth-filled mouth and a huge gape that allowed it to swallow prey. It possessed a single dorsal fin and two pelvic fins; its scales were thin and cycloid.
3. Xerus
Scientific name: Xerus spp.
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 4-8 years (in the wild)
Habitat: Xerus, sometimes known as African ground squirrels, live in Sub-Saharan Africa’s savannahs, grasslands, and semi-arid environments.
Diet: Xerus are herbivores, primarily feeding on seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetation.
Fun Fact: Xerus are extremely sociable creatures that dwell in colonies of many family groups. They communicate through vocalizations and tail movements to warn others of impending hazards.
Xerus are tiny to medium-sized squirrels with thin bodies, long tails, and digging claws. They have sandy to reddish-brown fur with a white underbelly. Xerus are diurnal and spend much time hunting for food on the ground. They are quick climbers noted for their ability to examine their surroundings by standing on their hind legs.
4. Xenopus
Scientific name: Xenopus spp.
Type of animal: Amphibian
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 10-15 years (in captivity)
Habitat: Xenopus, commonly known as African clawed frogs, inhabit freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and ponds in sub-Saharan Africa.
Diet: Xenopus are carnivorous and feed on various invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, and small fish.
Fun Fact: Xenopus has distinctive reproductive traits. Females can deposit hundreds or even thousands of eggs, which males externally fertilize. They lack a vocal sac and make clicking noises by striking the water with their forelimbs.
Xenopus are flattened aquatic frogs with webbed hind feet and muscular forelimbs with sharp claws. They have smooth, mucus-covered skin, and their eyes are on their heads, letting them look above the water while the rest of their body is submerged.
5. Xenops
Scientific name: Xenops spp.
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 5-7 years
Habitat: Xenops are found in tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America, where they inhabit the understory and lower levels of the forest.
Diet: Xenops primarily feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates in tree bark and foliage.
Fun Fact: The feeding activity of Xenops is known as “bird-anting.” They may brush ants or other tiny insects on their feathers to get protective secretions for parasite protection.
Enops are little passerine birds with unusual body forms and behavior. Their beak is large and somewhat curved; they have short tails and powerful legs and feet. Their plumage is typically dark or olive with streaks or mottling, which provides great concealment in the forest.
6. Xenarthra
Scientific name: Xenarthra
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Varies among species
Habitat: Xenarthrans are found in various American habitats, including forests, grasslands, and savannahs.
Diet: The diet of Xenarthrans depends on the species, but it generally consists of plants, insects, and in some cases, small vertebrates.
Fun Fact: Xenarthrans are characterized by unique features like a low metabolic rate and a specialized skeletal structure. Some famous xenarthrans include sloths, armadillos, and anteaters.
Xenarthrans are a diverse group of mammals known for their distinct adaptations. They typically have a slow metabolism and move slowly; many have specialized claws for digging or climbing. Sloths are known for their slow and deliberate movements, while armadillos are recognized by their protective bony plates.
7. X-Ray Tetra
Scientific name: Pristella maxillaris
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 3-5 years
Habitat: X-Ray Tetras are native to the Amazon River basin in South America and are found in slow-moving rivers and flooded areas.
Diet: X-Ray Tetras are omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and plant matter in the wild. In captivity, they can be fed a varied diet of flake or pellet food supplemented with live or frozen foods.
Fun Fact: X-Ray Tetra comes from their transparent bodies, which let you glimpse their internal organs, similar to an X-ray image.
X-Ray Tetras are tiny, schooling fish with a distinctive look. They have a streamlined body that is silver or transparent, allowing light to flow through and reveal their interior components. They have a noticeable horizontal black stripe running from the eye to the base of the tail fin.
8. Xiphosura
Scientific name: Xiphosura
Type of animal: Arthropod
Phylum: Arthropoda
Average lifespan: 20-40 years
Habitat: Xiphosurans, commonly known as horseshoe crabs, inhabit shallow marine waters, including sandy or muddy beaches.
Diet: Horseshoe crabs are scavengers and feed on various organisms, such as worms, mollusks, and decaying organic matter.
Fun Fact: Horseshoe crabs are not genuine but members of a distinct species of arthropods that have existed for more than 450 million years, making them living fossils. Their blood includes Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), a chemical used in medical tests to detect bacterial infections.
Xiphosurans, often horseshoe crabs, have a strong exoskeleton, a long and spiky tail, and a rounded horse-shaped carapace. They have 10 legs and many pairs of book gills for breathing. Horseshoe crabs are well-adapted to their aquatic environment and are well-known for their ability to resist harsh circumstances.
9. Xantus’s Hummingbird
Scientific name: Basilinna xantusii
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 3-5 years
Habitat: Xantus’s Hummingbirds are native to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico and inhabit arid scrublands, desert oases, and coastal areas.
Diet: These hummingbirds primarily feed on nectar from flowering plants and consume small insects and spiders as a source of protein.
Fun Fact: Xantus’s Hummingbirds are named after John Xantus de Vesey, a Hungarian zoologist who collected the first specimen of this species in the 19th century.
Xantus’ Hummingbirds have a slim bodies, a long, thin beak, and iridescent green feathers on their back. Males have a bright orange-red neck patch called a gorget that they utilize to attract females. The neck and belly of females are pale. Hummingbirds are quick fliers, capable of hovering and flying in all directions, even backward.
10. Xantusia
Scientific name: Xantusia spp.
Type of animal: Lizard
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 4-9 years
Habitat: Xantusia lizards are primarily found in rocky desert habitats, such as rocky outcrops, boulder fields, and cliffs.
Diet: Xantusia lizards are insectivorous and feed on various small invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and scorpions.
Fun Fact: Xantusia lizards are named after John Xantus de Vesey, a Hungarian zoologist who collected specimens in the western United States and Baja California.
Small to medium-sized Xantusia lizards have a flattened bodies, short limbs, and a long, tapering tail. They have rough, grainy skin that helps them blend in with rocky terrain. These lizards are generally brown or gray in appearance, with a variety of patterns that help them blend in with their rocky surroundings.
11. Xeme
Scientific name: Sterna hirundo
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 10-15 years
Habitat: Xemes, commonly known as common terns, inhabit coastal areas, including beaches, estuaries, and rocky shorelines.
Diet: Common terns feed on small fish, such as sand eels and herring, which they catch by diving into the water from flight. They also consume crustaceans and insects.
Fun Fact: Common terns are highly migratory birds and undertake long-distance journeys, traveling from their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere to wintering areas in the southern hemisphere.
The common tern, or xeme, is a medium-sized seabird with a streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a forked tail. They have black hat on their heads and have a white body with gray wings. Their bills are red during the mating season and black during the non-breeding season. The elegant flying and aerial acrobatics of common terns are well-known.
12. Xingu Corydoras
Scientific name: Corydoras sp.
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 5-10 years
Habitat: Xingu Corydoras are native to the Xingu River basin in Brazil and inhabit clear, flowing freshwater rivers and streams.
Diet: Xingu Corydoras are bottom-dwelling omnivores, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae, and organic debris.
Fun Fact: Xingu Corydoras are popular aquarium fish due to their peaceful nature, striking coloration, and ability to clean up leftover food and debris from the aquarium substrate.
Xingu Corydoras are little catfish with compact bodies and bony plates running down their flanks. They have a flattened skull and a pair of barbels surrounding their lips to help them find food. Xingu Corydoras are distinguished by their brilliant color, which includes black, orange, and yellow marks on their bodies.
13. Xenopeltis
Scientific name: Xenopeltis unicolor
Type of animal: Snake
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 15-20 years
Habitat: Xenopeltis snakes are native to Southeast Asia and inhabit tropical rainforests, grasslands, and swamps.
Diet: Xenopeltis snakes are carnivorous and feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are known to constrict their prey before consuming it.
Fun Fact: Xenopeltis snakes have shiny iridescent scales that give them a unique appearance. They are commonly known as sunbeam snakes or iridescent earth snakes.
Snakes of the genus Xenopeltis have slim bodies and short tails. They are distinguished by their glossy, mirror-like scales, which reflect light and give them a shimmering look. Their scales are generally dark brown or black, but they exhibit iridescent purple, blue, and green colors when exposed to light.
14. Xenopeltidae
Scientific name: Xenopeltidae
Type of animal: Snake
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Up to 9 years
Habitat: Xenopeltidae snakes are found in Southeast Asia and inhabit forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas.
Diet: Xenopeltidae snakes are carnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Fun Fact: Xenopeltidae snakes are known as sunbeam snakes due to their iridescent scales reflecting light like a sunbeam.
Snakes of the xenopeltidae family have cylindrical bodies with smooth scales that are extremely iridescent, showing purple, blue, and green tints. They have short tail and a blunt skull. These snakes are mostly nocturnal, spending most of their time digging in dirt or leaf litter.
15. Xenodermatidae
Scientific name: Xenodermatidae
Type of animal: Snake
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Varies among species
Habitat: Xenodermatidae snakes are native to Southeast Asia and inhabit forested areas, including rainforests and bamboo groves.
Diet: Xenodermatidae snakes are primarily insectivores, feeding on various invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and earthworms.
Fun Fact: Xenodermatidae snakes are known for their unique defensive behavior of “playing dead.” When threatened, they will flatten their bodies, open their mouths, and remain motionless, resembling a dead snake.
Snakes of the Xenodermatidae family have thin bodies with keeled scales that give them a rough feel. They are usually dark or gray in hue, which makes them great concealment in their native habitat. These snakes’ heads are triangular, and the eyes are tiny. Snakes of the Xenodermatidae family are mostly terrestrial and excellent climbers.
16. Xingu River Ray
Scientific name: Potamotrygon leopoldi
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 15-20 years
Habitat: The Xingu River Ray is native to the Xingu River basin in Brazil, inhabiting freshwater rivers and tributaries.
Diet: These rays are carnivorous, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Fun Fact: The Xingu River Ray has a unique black and white spotted pattern on its dorsal side, resembling a leopard called “Leopard Ray.”
The Xingu River Ray has a disc-shaped body and a flat, circular pectoral fin for swimming and moving in the water. It has a dark black or brown upper surface with noticeable white or yellow dots and a paler underside. It has a long, whip-like tail with no sting.
17. Xantic Sargo
Scientific name: Diplodus cervinus
Type of animal: Fish
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Up to 15 years
Habitat: The Xantic Sargo is a coastal marine fish from Portugal to Senegal in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. It inhabits rocky areas, reefs, and seagrass beds.
Diet: Xantic Sargos are omnivorous, feeding on various prey, including small fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and algae.
Fun Fact: Xantic Sargos can change their coloration to match their surroundings, allowing them to blend in and avoid predators.
Xantic Sargos has a silvery body that is laterally compressed. They have high brows and tiny mouths with powerful teeth. Their dorsal side is typically dark or brown, with a paler ventral side.
18. Xucaneb Robber Frog
Scientific name: Craugastor xucanebi
Type of animal: Amphibian
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Varies among individuals and species
Habitat: Xucaneb Robber Frogs are found in the cloud forests of Guatemala and Honduras, inhabiting mossy areas and leaf litter on the forest floor.
Diet: These frogs are insectivores, feeding on various small invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
Fun Fact: The Xucaneb Robber Frog has a unique adaptation where its skin secretes a toxin that acts as a defense mechanism against predators.
Xucaneb the Robber Frogs are modest, with adults generally averaging approximately 2-3 inches long. They have a stocky build, a small snout, and strong limbs. Coloration varies, but they often have a brown or grey body with darker mottling or patterns.
19. Xalda Sheep
Scientific name: Ovis aries
Type of animal: Mammal
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: 10-12 years
Habitat: Xalda Sheep is a domestic sheep breed originating in the Asturian Mountains of northern Spain. They are adapted to mountainous regions and are often found grazing in steep and rocky terrain.
Diet: Xalda Sheep are herbivores, feeding on various grasses, herbs, and shrubs in their mountainous habitat.
Fun Fact: Xalda Sheep are a rare and endangered breed, with a population concentrated in a small region of northern Spain.
Xalda Sheep are tiny to medium-sized sheep that are well-built. They have a thick wool covering that keeps them warm in the harsh alpine conditions. Their wool is usually dark brown or black, although some have white patterns on their face and legs. Males and females both have curving horns.
20. Xantus Murrelet
Scientific name: Synthliboramphus hypoleucus
Type of animal: Bird
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Up to 20 years
Habitat: Xantus’ Murrelets breed in the Channel Islands of California and Baja California, Mexico. They nest in rock crevices and use marine habitats such as kelp forests and offshore waters.
Diet: These murrelets feed on small fish and invertebrates, diving underwater to catch their prey.
Fun Fact: Xantus Murrelets are known for their unique breeding behavior, where they lay their eggs in the burrows of other seabirds, such as Cassin’s Auklets.
Xantus Murrelets are little seabirds that grow around 25-28 cm long. They have a blackish-brown upper body and head, with a white underbelly. Their wings are small, and their beak is pointed. They grow noticeable white patches behind their eyes during the mating season.
21. Xestospongia
Scientific name: Xestospongia spp.
Type of animal: Sponge
Phylum: Porifera
Average lifespan: Up to 2000 years
Habitat: Xestospongia sponges are found in marine environments, particularly coral reefs and tropical coastal waters.
Diet: Xestospongia sponges are filter feeders, extracting nutrients from the water by pumping it through their porous bodies and trapping small particles and organic matter.
Fun Fact: Xestospongia sponges are known for their unique chemical compounds, some of which have been found to possess potential pharmaceutical properties.
Depending on the species, Xestospongia sponges occur in various forms, sizes, and colors. They have a soft, porous body that is made up of several interconnecting tubes and chambers. The surface on the outside might be rough or smooth.
22. Xantusiidae
Scientific name: Xantusiidae
Type of animal: Lizard
Phylum: Chordata
Average lifespan: Up to 11 years
Habitat: Xantusiidae lizards are found in various habitats throughout North and Central America, including deserts, grasslands, and tropical forests.
Diet: These lizards are carnivorous, feeding on various small invertebrates, such as insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
Fun Fact: Xantusiidae lizards are known for their ability to communicate through complex body postures and movements, often displaying territorial behaviors.
Xantusiidae lizards are tiny to medium-sized lizards that range in length from 5 to 20 cm, depending on the species. They have long tails, small legs, and skinny bodies. Their color varies across species, but it usually comprises brown, gray, or green colors, helping them blend in.
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Conclusion
So there you have it—a wild journey through the animal kingdom, exploring the mysterious realm of Animals That Start With X. From Xantus’ Murrelet to Xestospongia sponges, these extraordinary creatures remind us of our planet’s astonishing diversity. Keep exploring and keep marveling at nature’s wonders!
