X-ray fish, Xenops, Xenopus, Xerus.
Introduce young children to the English alphabet with these cute animals that start with the letter X.
Click the animal to hear its sound, and it’s name to hear it said out loud.Uppercase XX-ray fishX-ray fish fun facts >Lowercase xx-ray fishX-ray fish fun facts > More animals that start with the letter XXenopsXenopusXerus Alphabetical list of animals that start with XA full alphabetical list of popular animal names that begin with the letter X for toddlers and preschool kids.X-Ray Fish / X-Ray TetraXenopsXerusXenopusWhich one should be the next Alphabetimal?
Let us know on our facebook page.Letter X video All animals A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZAnimals that start with common phonics digraphsChPhShThWhAnimal facts for kidsAlligatorAnacondaAnteaterAntelopeBearCheetahChinchillaDogDolphinElephantFoxGiraffeHippoIguanaJaguarKoalaLeopardLionManateeMonkeyNewtOctopusPandaPenguinPlatypusQuokkaRhinoSharkSnakeT.
rexTigerUrchinVultureWolfX-ray fishYakZebraOther animal collectionsBirdsLowercase Try our Printable Alphabet Worksheets!
What are some animals that start with X?
We have come up with a list of English common names of vertebrate animals that start with x.
And includes the Xeme.
The Xeme is a Sabine’s gull, also known as the fork-tailed gull.
But that’s just the beginning of all the animals that start with x that we found.
One of my favorite animals that start with x.
Fake Animals Starting With X That I Found in Other Lists (Like Xantis and Xanthareel)
When I researched the names from other lists, I found a lot of false information being repeated over and over.
For example, you will often see the Xantis yak appear on lists of animals beginning with x.
There is not a single authoritative site that refers to any yak species as a Xantis.
However, you will find dozens of animal alphabets using it!
A similar problem is Xanthareel, which seems to show up over and over in lists of animals that start with x and is vaguely defined as “a yellow eel formerly used in medicinal foods”.
But again, there is no authoritative reference to the word anywhere as an actual name of an animal.
But if it was, this would definitely be my favorite animal that starts with x.
It would seem that people are so desperate to find an animal that starts with x, they’ll repeat anything they read.
Which is why I decided to create this authoritative list of animals that start with x!
Look below to find some real animals that start with x!
(A Quick Note About Scientific Names of Animals That Start With X)
Usually, when I compile a list of animals that start with a certain letter (like animals that start with n, animals that start with u, and animals that start with e) I only use English common names.
I don’t use scientific names because that’s not really what people are looking for and it usually adds many thousands of names to a list.
However, for animals that start with x, I had to dig a little deeper.
For each animal group below I start with an alphabetical list of common names in bold, and then an alphabetical list of scientific names of animals that start with x in bold italics.
If you’re curious what all the species in that genus are, try searching the genus name in Wikipedia or on the IUCN Redlist.
I’ve also included a few higher classifications like the superorder Xenarthra (that includes anteaters, sloths, and armadillos).
Any genus that has only one species in it, I list the full scientific name and the common name if there is one.
At the end is a bonus list of dinosaurs that start with x and a couple other prehistoric animals that start with x!
If you want more information about any of these animals that start with x, you can highlight a name in the list and then right click it in your browser.
X-Ray Tetra (also known as the X-ray fish)
Xantic Sargo (a fish in the grunt family)
Xantus’ Becard (a bird in Mexico & Central America)
Xantus’ Leaf-Toed Gecko (a lizard)
Xantus’ Murrelet (a small seabird)
Xavier’s Greenbul (a central African song bird)
Xestus Sabretooth Blenny (a fish also known as the Xestus Fangblenny)
Xingu Corydoras (a bottom-feeding freshwater fish from Brazil)
Xingu River Ray (a freshwater stingray from Brazil)
Xinjiang Ground-Jay (a bird in China)
Xolocalca Bromeliad Salamander (a Mexican salamander)
That’s a list of English common names of vertebrate animals that start with x.
If you you want more, like common names of invertebrate animals that start with X, scientific names of animals that start with x, and even dinosaurs that start with x, check out my huge list below!
If you you want more, like common names of invertebrate animals that start with X, scientific names of animals that start with x, and even dinosaurs that start with x, check out my huge list below!
Animals That Start With the Letter X: The Authoritative List
Mammals: Animals Beginning With X
Xenarthra (a superorder including sloths, anteaters & armadillos)
Xenurus (a former genus of armadillos, now named Cabassou)
Xerus (genus of African ground squirrels, 4 species)
Birds: Animals That Start With X
Xenicidae (prior family name of New Zealand wrens, now Acanthisittidae)
Xenipirostris (genus of birds from Madagascar, 3 species)
Xenops (genus of ovenbirds, 4 species)
Xolmis (genus of flycatchers in South America, 8 species)
Reptiles: Animals That Start With X
(for Dinosaurs that start with x, see end of list below)
Xantusia (genus of night lizards, 14 species, in family Xantusiidae)
Xenopeltis (genus of sunbeam snakes, 2 species, in family Xenopeltidae)
Xenosaurus (genus of lizards, 10 species, in family Xenosauridae)
Amphibians: Animals That Start With X
Xolocalca Bromeliad Salamander (Dendrotriton xolocalcae)
Xenopus (genus of African Clawed Frogs, 24 species)
Fish: Animals Beginning With X
X-ray Tetra (also known as X-ray fish: Pristella maxillaris)
Xanthichthys (genus of triggerfishes, 6 species)
Xenaploactis (genus of velvetfishes, 3 species)
Xenentodon (genus of needlefishes, 2 species)
Xenichthys (genus of grunts, 3 species)
Xenisthmus (genus of wrigglers, 9 species, in family Xenishtmidae)
Xenistius (genus of grunts, 2 species)
Xenobalistes (genus of triggerfish, 2 species)
Xenocephalus (genus of stargazers, 6 species)
Xenocharax (genus of characins, 2 species)
Xenocyprioides (genus of cyprinids from China, 2 species)
Xenocypris (genus of cyprinids in east Asia, 7 species)
Xenodermichthys (genus of slickheads, 2 species)
Xenomystax (genus of eels, 5 species)
Xenophysogobio (genus of cyprinids in China, 2 species)
Xenopoecilus (a generally un-recognized genus of fish in Sulawesi)
Xenotilapia (genus of cichlids in Lake Tanganyika, 16 species)
Xenurobrycon (genus of characins in South America, 6 species)
Xiphophorus (genus of tooth-carps, approx 28 species)
Xiurenbagrus (genus of torrent catfishes, 3 species)
Xyliphius (genus of banjo catfishes in South America, 7 species)
Xyrias (genus of snake eels, 4 species)
Xyrichtys (genus of wrasses, 12 species)
Xystreurys (genus of large-tooth flounders, 2 species)
Xystichromis (genus of cichlids, synonym for Haplochromis)
Invertebrates Animals That Start With X
Xeniades Swallowtail (butterfly, Mimoides xeniades)
Xuthus Swallowtail (butterfly, Papilio xuthus)
Xanthostigma (genus of snakeflies)
Xenopsylla (genus of fleas)
Xerosecta (genus of snails)
Xestia (genus of noctuid moths)
Xiphinema (genus of dagger nematodes)
Xylocopa (genus of carpenter bees, 500 species)
Dinosaurs that start with X (and other prehistoric animals that start with x)
Xenoceratops (genus of Centrosarinae dinosaur)
Xenotarsosaurus (genus of Abelisauridae dinosaur)
Xiaosaurus (genus of Ornithischia dinosaur)
Xiaotingia (genus of Anchiornithid dinosaur)
Xingxiulong (genus of Sauropodiform dinosaur)
Xinjiangovenator (genus of Maniraptora dinosaur)
Xinjiangtitan (genus of Mamenchisauridae dinosaur)
Xiongguanlong (genus of Tyrannosauroidea dinosaur)
Xixiasaurus (genus of Troodontidae dinosaur)
Xixiposaurus (genus of Sauropodomorpha dinosaur)
Xuanhuaceratops (genus of Chaoyangsauridae dinosaur)
Xanclomys (genus of extinct mammal, Paleocene, Xanclomys mcgrewi)
Xenacanthus (genus of extinct shark)
More Posts From Our Animal Alphabet Series
Animals Starting With K: the Humongous List
Animals That Start With N: an Illustrated Guide
Animals Beginning With N: the Humongous List
Animals That Start With U: the Ultimate List
Animals That Start With U: the Ultimate List
Brindley is an American conservation biologist, wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, and illustrator living in Asheville, NC.
Animals that start with X include: mammals such as Xanthippe’s shrew and the xolo (a breed of dog); the reptile Xantus’ leaf-toed gecko (a species of lizard); fish such as the X-ray tetra and xestus sabretooth blenny; and birds such as Xantus’ Hummingbird and the xeme.On this page are pictures and facts on these and other animals beginning with X.
Included in this list are individual species (e.g. X-ray tetra) and groups of species (e.g. the genus Xenops) whose names begin with X.The scientific name and conservation status (where known) are provided for each of the individual species.Use the index below to find information on an animal.
Use the “Back to animal list” links to return to the index and search for another animal.Animals That Start With XXami HairstreakXanthippe’s ShrewXanthic SargoXantus’ HummingbirdXantus’ Leaf-Toed Gecko (Leaf-Toed Gecko)Xantus’ MurreletXantus’ Swimming CrabXantusia (genus)Xavier’s GreenbulXeme (Sabine’s gull)Xenarthra (superorder)Xenops (genus)Xenopus (genus)Xerus (genus)Xestus Sabretooth BlennyXingu CorydorasXingu River RayXinjiang Ground-Jay (Biddulph’s Ground Jay)Xolmis (genus)Xolo / XoloitzcuintleX-Ray TetraXucaneb Robber FrogXuthus Swallowtail (Asian Swallowtail)Discover More AnimalsFind more animals by clicking on the letters below!
Xami HairstreakScientific name: Callophrys xamiType of animal: ButterflyWhere found: USA, Mexico, Central AmericaConservation status: UnassessedCallophrys xami is a rare species of butterfly also known as the “xami hairstreak” or “green hairstreak”.
It is a member of the family Lycaenidae – the world’s second-largest butterfly family (in terms of species diversity), after Nymphalidae (“brush-footed butterflies”).Members of the family Lycaenidae are also known as “gossamer-winged butterflies”.The xami hairstreak belongs to the subfamily Theclinae, a group of butterflies known as “hairstreaks” due the hair-like markings present on the undersides of the hindwings of many species in this group.Back to animal listXanthippe’s ShrewNo photos of the Xanthippe’s shrew were available; above is a Buena Vista Lake Ornate shrew, a North American shrew species.Scientific name: Crocidura xantippeType of animal: MammalWhere found: AfricaConservation status: Least ConcernXanthippe’s shrew is a small species of shrew found in Kenya and Tanzania in eastern Africa.
It lives in dry savanna and shrubland habitats and is present in the foothills of Tanzania’s Usambara Mountains.Xanthippe’s shrew is one of around 376 shrews.
These small mammals make up the family Soricidae.
Despite resembling animals such as mice and voles, shrews are not rodents.
Instead, they belong to the order Eulipotyphla, a group of animals that also contains moles and hedgehogs.Back to animal listXanthic Sargo(No photo available)Scientific name: Anisotremus davidsoniiType of animal: FishWhere found:Conservation status: Least ConcernThe Xanthic sargo is a fish found on the Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico.
It belongs to the family Haemulidae, a group of fish also known as “grunts” on behalf of the sounds they make by grinding their teeth.Back to animal listXantus’ HummingbirdPhoto: Ron Knight [CC BY 2.0]Scientific name: Basilinna xantusiiType of animal: BirdWhere found: MexicoConservation status: Least ConcernXantus’ hummingbird is a mid-sized hummingbird found only in Baja California, (a state in north-west Mexico).
Like several species in this list of animals that start with X, Xantus’ hummingbird was named after John Xantus de Vesey, a Hungarian zoologist.Xantus’ hummingbird is mainly green in color, and has black cheeks and a bright white stripe behind each eye.
It uses its long bill and extendable tongue to obtain nectar from flowers.There are around 360 hummingbird species.
While doing so, their wings beat fast enough to produce a humming sound.You can find out more about this species on this page: Xantus’ Hummingbird FactsBack to animal listXantus’ Leaf-Toed Gecko (Leaf-Toed Gecko)Scientific name: Phyllodactylus xantiType of animal: ReptileWhere found: U.S.A., MexicoConservation status: Least ConcernThe leaf-toed gecko is also known as Xantus’ leaf-toed gecko to commemorate the Hungarian naturalist, John Xantus.Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota.
Because they are unable to blink; geckos clean their eyes by licking them with their tongues.Xantus’ leaf-toed gecko is found in southern California, Baja California, Mexico, and on nearby islands.
Those found on Raza Island are known as “Raza Island leaf-toed geckos”.Back to animal listXantus’ MurreletGuadalupe murrelet.
Photo by David Pereksta, Pacific Southwest Region US Fish And Wildlife Service, (cropped / resized by ActiveWild.com) CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsScientific name: See textType of animal: BirdWhere found: North AmericaConservation status: Scripps’s murrelet: Vulnerable; Guadalupe murrelet: EndangeredThe species previously known as Xantus’ Murrelet was split into two species–Scripps’s murrelet (Synthliboramphus scrippsi) and the Guadalupe murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)–in 2012.Both species are found off the western coast of North America, from British Columbia, Canada, south to the Baja Peninsula, Mexico.Murrelets are small seabirds in the auk family, Alcidae.
Other members of the family include puffins and guillemots.Back to animal listXantus’ Swimming CrabCallinectes arcuatus, a swimming crab in the same family as Xantus’ swimming crab.
Photo by Jordanroderick, (cropped / resized by ActiveWild.com) CC BY-SA 4.0Scientific name: Portunus xantusiiType of animal: CrustaceanXantus’ swimming crab is a species of crab in the family Portunidae.
Species in this family have flattened hind legs, which they use as oars while swimming.Like many other animals in this list of animals that start with X, Xantus’ swimming crab is named after the Hungarian naturalist John Xantus.Back to animal listXantusia (Genus)Island Night lizard, a species of genus XantusiaType of animal: ReptilesWhere found: North AmericaXantusia is a genus, rather than a species beginning with X.
A genus is a group of closely-related animals (for example, the genus Pan contains the chimpanzee and the bonobo).Xantusia is part of the Night lizard family, Xantusiidae.
This group of small lizards, many of which give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, is found in southern North America, Central America, and nearby islands.Back to animal listXavier’s Greenbul(No photo available)Scientific name: Phyllastrephus xavieriType of animal: BirdWhere found: AfricaConservation status: Least ConcernXavier’s greenbul is a bird found in tropical forests in central Africa.
It is one of around 150 species in the family Pycnonotidae.Pycnonotidae is part of a larger group of birds, Passeriformes, whose members are known as “songbirds” or “perching birds”.Back to animal listXeme (Sabine’s gull)Scientific name: Xema sabiniType of animal: BirdWhere found: Eurasia, North America, AfricaConservation status: Least ConcernSabine’s gull is a species of seabird also known as the “xeme” (hence it’s appearance in this list of animals that start with X).
It is a member of the family Laridae.
As well as gulls, this family also includes terns and skimmers.Sabine’s gull breeds on the Arctic tundra of North America and northern Eurasia.
The species migrates great distances, and outside of its summer breeding season may be seen off the coasts of Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia.Back to animal listXenarthra (Superorder)Xenarthra is the group of mammals that contains the sloths, anteaters and armadillos.Type of animal: MammalsWhere found: North and South AmericaThere aren’t many animals that start with X, so we’ve included the superorder Xenarthra, the group of mammals that contains anteaters, sloths and armadillos.
The name refers to the unique joints of the spinal cords of members of the group.Another characteristic of xenarthrans (members of Xenarthra) is a low metabolism, which means that their bodies don’t use a lot of energy.
Well-known examples include the giant anteater, nine-banded armadillo, and brown-throated sloth.You can find out more about Xenarthra on this page: Xenarthra FactsYou can find out more about sloths on this page: Sloth FactsYou can find out more about anteaters on this page: Anteater FactsBack to animal listXenops (Genus)Plain Xenops.
Photo: Hector Bottai (cropped / resized by ActiveWild.com) [CC BY-SA 4.0]Type of animal: BirdWhere found: Mexico, Central and South AmericaXenops is not a species; it’s a genus (a group of related species) of birds in the ovenbird family, Furnariidae.
There are three species of genus Xenops: the slender-billed xenops, plain xenops, and streaked xenops.Found in Mexico, Central and South America, the Xenops are small brown birds that hop up and down tree trunks foraging for insects.You can find out more about Xenops on this page: Xenops FactsBack to animal listXenopus (Genus)Xenopus is a genus of frog found in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e. the portion of Africa south of the Saharan Desert).
The genus contains 29 species, including Xenopus amieti (the volcano clawed frog), Xenopus laevis (the African clawed frog) and Xenopus tropicalis (the western, or tropical clawed frog).Frogs of genus Xenopus are typically quite flat-bodied, and have a coating of protective slime.
Like several frog species, Xenopus species burrow into the mud and enter a state of dormancy known as Aestivation during dry periods.Xenopus species have three clawed toes on each foot.
Several members of the group are known as “clawed frogs”.Back to animal listXerus (Genus)Striped Ground Squirrel in Sénégal.Type of animal: RodentWhere found: AfricaXerus is a genus (a group of related species) of rodents in the squirrel family, Sciuridae.
Species of genus Xerus are commonly called African ground squirrels.Xerus contains four species: the striped ground squirrel, Cape ground squirrel, Damara ground squirrel, and unstriped ground squirrel.
All are burrowing animals that live in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands and shrublands.Like all rodents, African ground squirrels have a pair of sharp incisor teeth in both their upper and lower jaws which continue to grow throughout the animal’s lifetime.
This allows the squirrels to gnaw on tough seeds, grains and roots without wearing their teeth out.You can find out more about these animals on this page: African Ground Squirrel FactsBack to animal listXestus Sabretooth BlennyScientific name: Petroscirtes xestusType of animal: FishWhere found: Pacific Ocean, Indian OceanConservation status: Least ConcernXestus sabretooth blenny is a small fish that lives on coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.
It is one of around 400 species in the family Blenniidae, whose members are known as “combtooth blennies”.Like all blennies, the Xestus sabretooth blenny has a blunt head, large eyes, and a dorsal fin that extends the length of the back.
Combtooth blennies are named for their comb-like teeth.Back to animal listXingu Corydoras(No photo available)Scientific name: Xingu corydorasType of animal: FishWhere found: South AmericaConservation status: UnassessedXingu Corydoras is a small freshwater fish found in Brazil’s Xingu River basin.
A member of the “armored catfish” family Callichthyidae, it reaches a length of around 1.5 in.
/ 3.81 cm, and lives in small shoals.Like other species of genus Corydoras, Xingu Corydoras is a popular aquarium fish.Back to animal listXingu River RayPhoto by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped / resized by ActiveWild.com)Scientific name: Potamotrygon leopoldiType of animal: FishWhere found: South AmericaConservation status: Data DeficientThe Xingu river ray is a freshwater stingray found in Brazil’s Xingu River basin.
Other names for the species include “white-blotched river stingray”, and “polka-dot stingray”.Being a stingray, the Xingu River ray’s tail is equipped with a venomous stinger.
All rays belong to the superorder Batoidea and are closely related to sharks.Back to animal listXinjiang Ground-Jay (Biddulph’s Ground Jay)Scientific name: Podoces biddulphiType of animal: BirdWhere found: AsiaConservation status: Near ThreatenedThe Xinjiang ground-jay (also known as the Biddulph’s ground jay), is a small member of the crow family, Corvidae.
It is found only in China, where it inhabits high-altitude desert and other arid habitats.The species has a pale, sandy-brown plumage with darker markings on its head and face.
It has a powerfully-built, curved beak for digging.All four species of ground jays, although able to fly, rarely do so.
Instead, they spend most of the time on the ground, and are capable runners and jumpers.Back to animal listXolmis (Genus)Black-crowned Monjita (Xolmis coronatus) in Uruguay.
Photo: Hector Bottai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsType of animal: BirdWhere found: South AmericaXolmis is not an individual species, but a genus (a group of related animals).
It contains two species: the white-rumped monjita Xolmis velatus and the white monjita Xolmis irupero.Xolmis is part of the family Tyrannidae, a group of birds known as “tyrant flycatchers”.Tyrannidae, whose members are found in both North and South America, is the largest family of birds, containing around 400 species.Back to animal listXolo / XoloitzcuintlePhoto: Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped / resized by ActiveWild.com)Scientific name: Canis lupusType of animal: MammalWhere found: Originated in Mexico)Conservation status: DomesticThe Xoloitzcuintle, whose name is often shortened to “xolo”, is a breed of hairless dog.
The breed is thought to have originated in Mexico, and may be over 3,000 years old.
Sculptures of dogs resembling xolos have been found in several ancient burial sites.The xolo is a breed of dog, rather than a species in its own right.
All breeds of dogs (e.g., Alsatian, Border collie, Labrador, etc.) are the same subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris.
(Some biologists now believe that the domestic dog should be treated as a separate species: Canis familiaris.You can find out more about dogs on this page: Dog FactsBack to animal listX-Ray TetraScientific name: Pristella maxillarisType of animal: FishWhere found: South AmericaConservation status: Least ConcernThe X-ray tetra is a small freshwater fish found in South America.
The species is able to tolerate brackish water (i.e., water that is partly salty), and feeds on small insects and plankton.The X-ray tetra gets its name due to its transparent skin, through which its internal organs and bones are visible.You can find out more about this species on this page: X-Ray Tetra FactsBack to animal listXucaneb Robber Frog(No photo available)Scientific name: Craugastor xucanebiType of animal: AmphibianWhere found: Central AmericaConservation status: VulnerableThe Xucaneb robber frog is a species of frog found only in Guatemala in Central America.
The species inhabits mountainous forests, living in bushes and undergrowth.Like all species in the family Craugastoridae (whose members are known as “fishbelly frogs”), the Xucaneb robber frog is direct-developing.
This means that it skips the tadpole stage of development, and instead hatches from the egg as a small frog.Back to animal listXuthus Swallowtail (Asian Swallowtail)Scientific name: Papilio xuthusType of animal: InsectWhere found: AsiaXuthus swallowtail is an alternative name for the Asian swallowtail (another name for this species is the “Chinese yellow swallowtail”).
It is a medium-large, yellow and black-winged butterfly that, like many other swallowtail butterflies of family Papilionidae, has a tail-like extension to each of its hindwings.Xuthus swallowtail is a common species that is found in woodlands and other habitats in China, Japan, and other countries in southeastern Asia.Back to animal listDiscover More AnimalsFind more animals by clicking on the letters below!