Here are some animals alive today that begin with the letter x – how many more can you think of?
Animals beginning with 'x'
Xeme
This small gull, also known as Sabine’s Gull, is easy to identify by its striking wing pattern. They breed in the Arctic and are found throughout northernmost North America and Eurasia.
Xerus
Also known as the African ground squirrel, this little rodent lives in burrows in Africa's savanna, grasslands and deserts. It enjoys a diet of insects, leaves, seeds and nuts.
- What is a rainbow squirrel?
- Red squirrel vs grey squirrel: Think you know how they differ? Think again as the differences between these two squirrels will surprise you
Xingu river ray
Found in the Xingu River basin in Brazil – hence the name – the Xingu river ray is a venomous stingray.
Xoloitzcuintle
While this isn't technically an animal species in itself, it is a breed of dog. Also known as the Mexican hairless dog, it features prevalently in Aztec culture as a guide through the underworld – and is thought to be one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds.
X-ray tetra
Known as the x-ray fish because of its translucent body, this South American species is found in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as coastal rivers in the Guianas. It is also a popular aquarium fish.
Xenops
Xenops are tiny Neotropical birds known for climbing tree trunks and probing bark for insects, much like woodpeckers. Found in Central and South America, they have distinctive upturned bills and thrive in dense forest habitats.
Xantus's Hummingbird
Xantus's Hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird endemic to Baja California, Mexico, where it inhabits dry forests and scrublands, feeding primarily on nectar and small insects.
- Cute, colourful, tiny – and weird – they can beat their wings 50-80 times a second and are the only birds that can fly backwards
- Alcohol-loving hummingbirds love to drink and fly...but do they know their limits?
It has glossy green upperparts, a white stripe over the eye, and a relatively long, slightly curved bill, with a mostly pale underside and a distinctive dark tail with white tips.
Check out the rest of the animal alphabet and find animals starting with every letter from A-Z
