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Animals that Start with X

xuthus swallowtail
Greg Peterson, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to Animals that start with an X.

While animals that begin with the letter X may appear non-existent, many exist worldwide—many have scientific names in languages like Latin and Greek that start with X.

Overview of animals that start with X

1. Xalda Sheep

Xalda Sheep
Moro anleo, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameOvis aries
Where it LivesAsturia, northern Spain
What it EatsGrass, grain
Conservation StatusEndangered

Fun Fact: The Asturi people made black tunics out of Xalda sheeps’ wool.

Xalda sheep are one of the oldest sheep breeds indigenous to Asturia, Northern Spain. They were first recorded in 27 BCE. They used to be quite populous in Asturia with about 6,000 individuals. However, they are currently considered endangered and are at risk of extinction, with only 1,700 individuals left today.

2. Xanthippe’s Shrew

xanthippe's shrew
Xanthippe’s shrew. Image by Rollstein via Pixabay
Scientific NameCrocidura xantippe
Where it LivesEastern Africa
What it EatsWorms, slugs, snails
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: The shrews’ offspring become independent three weeks after birth.

Xanthippe’s shrews are moles that bear resemblance to a rodent. They are native to Kenya and Tanzania in particular. These shrews are omnivores and feed on both plants and small animals.

3. Xantic Sargo

xantic sargo fish
Xantic Sargo. Image by Gerald R. Allen via FishBase
Scientific NameAnisotremus davidsonii
Where it LivesEastern Pacific Ocean
What it EatsKelp, seagrass, seaweed
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: Xantic Sargos can survive as individuals or in a group.

Xantic Sargos, otherwise known as California Sargos, are endemic to the Pacific Ocean. They often feed on small fish and are prey to larger fish. Xantic Sargos are also often fished and eaten by humans.

4. Xantus’s Hummingbird

xantus's humming bird
Xantus’s Hummingbird. Image by Ron Knight via Flickr
Scientific NameBasilinna xantusii
Where it LivesBaja California peninsula
What it EatsNectar
Conservation StatusLeast concern

 Fun Fact: Xantus’s birds are major pollinators of madrone trees.

Xantus’s hummingbirds are a rare bird endemic to Baja California, Mexico. They are mainly green-colored birds with black cheeks and a distinctive white stripe above their eyes.

5. Xantus Leaf-Toed Gecko

xanthus gecko
You can see by the discoloration of the tail that this gecko has recently grown its tail back. Source: USGS, http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/phxa.htm * Photo by Chris Brown {{PD-USGov-USGS}}
Scientific NamePhyllodactylus xanti
Where it LivesCalifornia, north-west Mexico
What it EatsTermites, flies, spiders, ants
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: The Xantus leaf-toed gecko protects itself against predators by “dropping” its tail, which can grow back.

Xantus leaf-toed geckos are found in areas where shrubs are abundant. They are a highly-populous group, with females able to lay up to 20 eggs in one reproduction cycle.

6. Xantus Murrelet

xantus murrelet
Xantus murrelet. David Pereksta, Pacific Southwest Region US Fish And Wildlife Service, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameSynthliboramphus hypoleucus
Where it LivesPacific Ocean
What it EatsTuna, anchovies, sardines
Conservation StatusEndangered

 Fun Fact: They will typically be found fishing in pairs.

Xantus murrelets, also known as Guadalupe murrelets, are a bird species that inhabit the Pacific Ocean from the shores of California to Mexico. The Xantus Murrelet is considered one of the most endangered species on earth.

7. Xeme

xeme
Xeme. Matt VanWallene, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXema sabini
Where it LivesArctic coasts, tundra
What it EatsFish, insects, eggs, spiders
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: Once a Xeme male and female pair up, they become mating partners for life.

Xemes, also known as Sabine gulls, are sea birds that inhabit the Arctic coasts. They often breed in coastal and tundra biomes. They are characterized by their dark gray masks and yellow-tipped beaks.

8. Xenarthra

armadillo
Xenarthra superorder. Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameMultiple taxa
Where it LivesSouth and Central America
What it EatsInsects, worms
Conservation StatusSome species are endangered, others are of least concern

Fun Fact: The Xenarthra have extra vertebral (spinal) joints that aid them in hunting for food.

Xenarthra is a superorder of animals including armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. They commonly inhabit rainforests in Latin America. There is a relatively high population of Xenarthra in the Latin American region, but some species have become extinct.

9. Xenoceratops

xenoceratops
Xenoceratops. ケラトプスユウタ, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXenoceratops foremostensis
Where it LivedCanada
What it AteLikely ferns and flowers
Conservation StatusExtinct

Fun Fact: “Xenoceratops” comes from Greek words meaning “alien horned face.”

Xenoceratops are dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period (100-66 million years ago). Their fossils were first found in 1958 during an excavation near Alberta, Canada. Their dentition revealed that they were most likely herbivores.

10. Xenoposeidon

xenoposeidon
Xenoposeidon. Levi bernardo, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXenoposeidon proneneukos
Where it LivedEngland
What it AteLikely ferns and cycads
Conservation StatusExtinct

Fun Fact: “Xenoposeidon” comes from Greek words meaning “alien Poseidon (god of the sea).”

Xenoposeidons are dinosaurs that lived during the Early Cretaceous period (140 million years ago). A fossilized bone was first found in the 1890s in England, but was only properly analyzed and names in 2007. A single vertebra was found, but this specimen was special as it had small, circular openings that may have been air sacs that made the skeleton lighter.

11. Xenops

xenops
Xenops. keesgroenendijk, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXenops spp.
Where it LivesSouth America
What it EatsInsects
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact:  Due to their small size, they are rare to spot and often overlooked.

Xenops are a genus of small birds that are mostly distributed around South America. There are currently only three surviving species in the wild. The birds are identifiable by their miniature size and long tail.

12. Xenurus unicinctus

armadillo
Xenurus unicinctus. Jan Ebr, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXenurus unicinctus
Where it LivesSouth America
What it EatsAnts, termites
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact:  Because they spend lots of time underground, they have poor eyesight.

Xenurus unicinctus, commonly known as the Southern naked-tailed armadillo, are well-loved animals. They are rarely seen above ground as they spend a large portion of their time burrowed underground. Their burrows are entire caverns complete with all the essentials they need to survive.

13. Xerus

xerus
Xerus. © Hans Hillewaert, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameGeosciurus inauris
Where it LivesSouthern Africa
What it Eatsbulbs, fruits, grasses, herbs, insects
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: Xerus squirrels mate throughout the year as opposed to during only a single season.

Xerus’, also known as African ground squirrels, are a species of squirrels that reside in African burrows. Although they are highly social animals, males and females typically isolate themselves from one another and only come together to mate.

14. Xestochilus nebulosus

Xestochilus Nebulosus
Photo by G.R. Allen, provided to FishBase by M.V. Erdmann. 
Scientific NameXestochilus nebulosus
Where it LivesIndo-Pacific Oceans
What it Eatsfish, crustaceans, invertebrates
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: Though they look dangerous, Xestochilus nebulosus pose no threat to humans.

Xestochilus nebulosus, also called the nebulosus snake eel, is endemic to the Indo-Pacific oceans. They favor isolated habitats such as sandy or weed-enshrouded ocean floors and tidepools.

15. Xingu Corydoras

corydoras
Corydoras. Nate Wessel, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameCorydoras xinguensis
Where it LivesXingu River in Brazil
What it EatsAlgae, insects, crustaceans, worms
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact:  The Xingu females lay their eggs all across the river when spawning.

Xingu corydoras are a spectacular fish species that inhabit the waters of the Brazilian Xingu River. They are omnivores, but are also quite easy targets as prey for predators.

16. Xiphactinus

xiphactinus
Fossil of a Xiphactinus audax at the Tellus Science Museum near Cartersville, Georgia. JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameXiphactinus audax
Where it LivedUnited State East Coast
What it AteLikely fish, reptiles, cephalopods
Conservation StatusExtinct

Fun Fact: “Xiphactinus” comes from Greek words meaning “sword ray.”

Xiphactinus’ are an extinct species of bony fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period (100-66 million years ago). They were one of the largest species of bony fish to have ever lived. These fishes were carnivores and likely consumed both marine animals and sea birds. They would have been very fast swimmers.

17. Xiphosura

xiphosura
Xiophosura. Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameMultiple taxa
Where it LivesMarine and brackish water
What it EatsWorms, mollusks, invertebrates
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: The Horseshoe crab blood is essential to the medical field because it can identify bacterial contamination in small quantities.

Xiphosura is an order of horseshoe crabs that includes Mangrove, Atlantic, and Chinese horseshoe crabs. Xiphoras have two main body parts, the prosoma (the head) and opisthosoma (the body), which comprises multiple plates for breathing.

18. Xinjiang Ground-jay

 Xinjiang Ground-jay
John Gerrard Keulemans, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NamePodoces biddulphi
Where it LivesChina
What it EatsSeeds, grain, insects
Conservation StatusNear threatened

 Fun Fact:  The Xinjiang Ground-jay is only as large as an adult’s human hand.

Xinjiang ground-jays are distinctive members of the Corvidae family. They are a group of slender and small-sized birds that originate from China. These ground-jays have only a few surviving members in the world.

19. Xoloitzcuintle

xolo dog
Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameCanis lupis familiaris
Where it LivesMexico
What it EatsMeat, bones
Conservation StatusCritically endangered

Fun Fact:  The Aztecs’ history reports that the Xoloitzcuintle originated from a sliver of the Bone of Life which gave rise to all of humanity.

Xoloitzcuintles, commonly known as the Mexican hairless or Xolo for short, are native to Mexico. Their name is pronounced “show-low-eats-QUEENT-lee.” They are It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. This breed is on the brink of extinction due to low breeding interest by breeders.

20. X-ray Tetra

tetra
X-ray tetra. Debivort at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NamePristella maxillaris 
Where it LivesAmazon River
What it EatsSmall insects, plankton
Conservation StatusLeast concern

 Fun Fact:  The X-ray Tetra is an incredibly peaceful and tolerant species of fish.

X-ray Tetras are a small group of schooling fish that naturally breed and live in the Amazon River in South America. They were first discovered in 1894 and are now one of the most common freshwater fish featured in aquariums.

21. Xuthus Swallowtail

xuthus swallowtail
Greg Peterson, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NamePapilio xuthus
Where it LivesMany parts of Asia
What it EatsCitrus plants
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: They are one of few butterflies that can mate and reproduce multiple times.

Xuthus swallowtails are a beautiful butterfly species native to Asia and found in Taiwan, Japan, Siberia, China, Myanmar, and the Korean peninsula. They have a lot of genetic diversity within their species.

22. Xylophagous Leafhopper

sharpshooter
Image by Peggy Greb USDA, Agricultural Research Service via USDA. ARS. Image Gallery
Scientific NameHomalodisca vitripennis
Where it LivesNorth America
What it EatsGrapes, citrus, almond fruits
Conservation StatusLeast concern

Fun Fact: These insects are infamous for starting and spreading Pierce’s Disease, with the most recent outbreak occurring in Temecula, California, in 1997.

Xylophagous leafhoppers, also called glassy-winged sharpshooters, are a species of insect usually found in old leaves during winter. They can survive in temperatures are as low as 20 °F (-6 °C).

23. Xucaneb Robber Frog

Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific NameCraugastor xucanebi
Where it LivesGuatemala
What it EatsInsects, snails, spiders
Conservation StatusVulnerable

Fun Fact: Unlike other frogs that hatch tadpoles, Xucaneb robber frogs hatch small frogs when reproducing.

Xucaneb robber frogs are commonly found in Guatemala with populations in Sierra de Xucaneb, Sierra de las Minas, and Sierra de la Chuchumatanes. Unfortunately, they are on the brink of extinction due to deforestation and charcoal pollution.

Summary of Animals that Start with X

YouTube video
List of animals starting with X – All Animals. Source: Youtube, Uploaded: All The Animals In The World

There you have it: a host of interesting animals starting with the letter X. We’ve also covered every other letter of the alphabet, so please go ahead and take a look!

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