Animal Names That Begin With X

There are not many animal names that begin with letter X. However, the list could be longer if we are listing animals based on scientific names. There are two main names of animals that begin with the X namely X-Ray Tetra and the Xantus’s Hummingbird.

The Two Most Common Animals Whose Names Start With X

X-Ray Tetra

X-ray Tetra fish are scientifically known as Pristella Masillaris though are locally known as the Golden Pristella Tetra. The fish species are natives of South America mostly in the Orinoco and Amazon river system. The X-ray tetra is a fish species that derives the name from its transparent appearance. The unique feature makes it possible to view the internal organs including the bone structure. The adaptation protects the fish from predators. The fish dots a captivating color design and pattern with the anal fins and dorsal fins sporting yellow, white and black brand. The Caudal fin sports light red or pink colors which make them striking beautiful. The X-ray tetra thrives in freshwater ecosystem though can tolerate some level of saltiness like in brackish water. X-ray tetra is an omnivorous fish whose diet consists of plankton, aquatic plants, and small insects. Reproduction is by laying of eggs which hatch into Small and dull fry which reaching sexual maturity 5 to 8 months later.

Currently, the fish are found in many regions of the world where they are reared artificially in aquariums for aesthetic reasons. Both male and female have a similar appearance though a closer look will reveal that the females are larger and rounder compared to males. X-ray Tetra fish can live for 3 to 4 years in the wild and can live longer in captivity.

Xantus’s Hummingbird

The Xantus’s Hummingbird is a medium-sized bird native to Baja California state in north-west Mexico. Scientifically known as Basilinna xantusii, the species were named after a Hungarian zoologist and researcher John Xantus de Vesey. The mid-sized birds are green in color with a cinnamon brown underside. The birds have a white stripe behind the eyes while the cheeks are black. The bird has a red bill with a black tip while the tail is rufous. The Xantus’s Hummingbird produces loud metallic sounds hence it is easy to notice them as they hum by beating their wings with a flap that is audible to humans. Metabolism is very high when they are in flight to support the rapid flapping of wings.

Xantus’s hummingbirds have a long beak that enables them to suck nectar from flowers with the aid of an extendable tongue. The general ecosystem of the bird is forests, bushes and home gardens where flowering plants are in plenty. The birds can seasonally feed on small spiders, crickets and termites. An adult can be 8 to 9 centimeters long and have a weight of 3 to 4 grams. The birds live on nests where the female lays two white eggs. The nestlings are fed by the mother by inserting her bill into the open mouth of the young ones.

Group of Animals whose Names Begin With X

Globally very few animal names begin with X. We can, therefore, include a group of animals which start with X such as the Xenarthra, a superorder of placental mammals which comprise of the Armadillos, anteaters and the sloths. The other group is known as Xenops, a genus in the Furnariidae family. The closely related animals include the Streaked Xenops, plain Xenops and slender-billed Xenops. The third group is the Xerus which refers to a genus in Sciuridae. Xerus are squirrels commonly known as the African ground squirrels and include the Cape ground squirrel, unstriped ground squirrel, and the striped ground squirrels.