This list includes 9 Animals that start with X, from “X-Ray Tetra” to “Xoloitzcuintli”. They range across fish, birds, and mammals and are ideal for classroom references, quick species facts, or casual exploration.
Animals that start with X are species whose common names begin with the letter X. One notable example is the Xoloitzcuintli, an ancient Mexican dog revered in pre-Columbian cultures.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Description, and Conservation status.
Common name: The everyday name used for each species, helping you quickly recognize animals in lists, classrooms, or casual references.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial that identifies species worldwide, so you can cross-check taxonomy and find authoritative information.
Habitat: Short biome and regional notes showing where each animal lives, helping you understand ecological context and distribution.
Description: A concise one- or two-sentence summary highlighting appearance, behavior, or notable traits for easy identification.
Conservation status: A simple tag indicating risk level or protection, so you know each species’ conservation priority at a glance.
Animals that start with X
| Common name | Scientific name | Conservation status | Habitat (region/biome) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xantus’s Hummingbird | Basilinna xantusii | LC | Scrubland and forests — Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. |
| Xantus’s Leaf-toed Gecko | Phyllodactylus xanti | LC | Rocky deserts and canyons — Baja California, Mexico. |
| Xantus’s Murrelet | Synthliboramphus hypoleucus | EN | Open ocean and rocky islands — Pacific coast of California and Mexico. |
| Xenopus | Xenopus laevis | LC | Freshwater ponds and streams — Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Xerus | Xerus inauris | LC | Arid savannas and deserts — Southern Africa. |
| Xingu River Ray | Potamotrygon leopoldi | VU | Freshwater river — Xingu River basin, Brazil. |
| Xinjiang Ground-jay | Podoces biddulphi | NT | Sandy deserts with sparse vegetation — Xinjiang, China. |
| Xoloitzcuintli | Canis lupus familiaris | Not Evaluated | Domesticated — originated in Mexico. |
| X-Ray Tetra | Pristella maxillaris | LC | Freshwater rivers — Amazon and Orinoco basins, South America. |
Descriptions
Xantus’s Hummingbird
This vibrant hummingbird is the only one endemic to Baja California. It has a striking white stripe behind its eye and a reddish-brown tail.
Xantus’s Leaf-toed Gecko
A small, nocturnal lizard known for the leaf-like pads on its toes that help it climb. It’s often found in rock crevices and feeds on insects.
Xantus’s Murrelet
A small, diving seabird that spends most of its life on the open ocean. This name now refers to the endangered Guadalupe Murrelet, threatened by invasive predators on its nesting islands.
Xenopus
A fully aquatic frog famous in scientific research. Lacking a tongue, it uses clawed feet to shred food and sense vibrations in the water.
Xerus
A type of African ground squirrel, the Xerus is highly social and lives in burrows. It often uses its bushy tail as a parasol to shade itself from the sun.
Xingu River Ray
A stunning freshwater stingray with a black body covered in white-yellow spots. Endemic to the Xingu River, it is threatened by habitat loss from dam construction.
Xinjiang Ground-jay
A member of the crow family adapted to desert life, endemic to a small region of China. It spends most of its time on the ground, running quickly to catch insects.
Xoloitzcuintli
Also known as the Mexican hairless dog, the Xolo is an ancient breed dating back over 3,000 years, treasured in Aztec culture as a companion and protector.
X-Ray Tetra
A small, peaceful fish named for its translucent skin that reveals its backbone. Popular in aquariums, it grows to about 5 cm and lives in schools.
