Animals that start with X
Various animals are present throughout the world, each with specific characters and identities. This blog post provides you with exciting facts and information about those animals whose names start with “w.” Examples include xerus, Xenops, Xenopus, x-ray tetra, Xoloitzcuintli, Xantis yak, xerces blue butterfly, xylophagous leafhopper, and xestochilus nebulosus.
List of Animals that start with X
- Xerus
- Xenops
- Xenopus
- X-ray Tetra
- Xoloitzcuintli
- Xerces blue butterfly
- Xylophagous leafhopper
Xerus
The xerus or African ground squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae. There are the coverings of light brownish-colored fur from head to toe. Their bodies contain a greater number of hair on feet. In addition to this, these animal species love to live in groups with 2 to 3 males and 1 to 3 females. The African ground squirrels have four species globally: cape ground squirrel, damara ground squirrel, unstrap ground squirrels, and striped ground squirrels.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Africa, grasslands, deserts, woodlands |
| Size | 17 to 18 inches, excluding tail |
| Weight | 14 ounces |
| Lifespan | 11.5 years |
| Predators | Jackals, lizards, snakes |
Xenops
The xenops belonging to the family Furnarridae are the birds with small-sized brown-colored bodies, deep bills, and long tails. They use these bills to forage insects and hammer decay insects. As they probe the bark, these animal species do not use tails as props. Like other animals, they also need food to survive. Their eating material includes insects, including larvae. There are the linings of grass and other plant materials around their nests.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Tropical swamps of South America, tropical rainforests, f oothills of Andes, and Amazon rainforest |
| Size | 11 to 12 cm |
| Weight | 12 grams |
| Lifespan | 5 to 6 years |
| Conservation status | Least extinct |
Xenopus
The xenopus belong to the family Pipidae. They come in the category of animals whose names start with “x.” These crawled animal species possess slippery skins, and flattened, streamlined, egg-shaped bodies. Their smooth skins contain sensory organs with stitch-like appearances. Furthermore, scientists use these frogs for various fundamental pathological and biological processes.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Streams as well as stagnant grassland ponds in arid and semi-arid regions |
| Size | 45.6 to 97.5 cm |
| Weight | 64 grams |
| Lifespan | 15 to 16 years |
| Diet | worms, spiders, and insects and sometimes on their skins |
X-ray Tetra
The X-ray Tetras with the scientific name Pristella maxillaris have faint silvery-yellowish colored bodies that sometimes become golden. The re-tipped tails and yellow, black and white-colored striped anal and dorsal fins are also present. The exciting facts include that they share their habitat with other animal species. These animals need different species like small crustaceans, insects, and worms to eat.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Venezuela in South America, Amazonian coastal waters of Guyana, Guiana, and Brazil |
| Size | 1.75 inches |
| Sexual maturity age | 5 to 8 months |
| Lifespan | 3 to 4 years |
| Predators | Snakes, birds, frogs, larger fish |
Xoloitzcuintli
The xoloitzcuintlis are the Mexican hairless dogs with the scientific name Canis lupus familiaris. These animal species closely resembles Pharaoh Hounds in appearances, such as having long necks, big bat-like ears, almond-shaped eyes, and sleek bodies. An exciting fact includes that these hairless animals are prone to skin issues and a good choice for allergic people. They live up to 12 to 15 years.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Central America, Mexico |
| Size | 12 to 23 inches |
| Weight | 4 to 25 kg |
| Diet | 1.75 cups of high-quality dog food daily |
| Common names | Xolo xolo |
Xerces blue butterfly
The xerces blue butterflies with the scientific name Glaucopsyche xerces come in the category of animals whose names start with “x.” These extinct animal species had blue-colored wings with white-colored spots. In addition to this, they used to feed on vegetation belonging to the genu Lotus. It was considered one of the first Americana butterflies that became extinct due to habitat destruction.
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Habitat | Sunset District of San Francisco Peninsula’s coastal sand dunes |
| Speed | 12 mph (top butterfly speed) |
| Striking strength | Below average human class |
| Lifespan | Not more than one month |
| Stamina | High |
Xylophagous leafhopper
The xylophagous leafhoppers have Homalodisca coagulata. These animal species, also called Glassy-winged Sharpshooters, are slender, wedge-shaped insects. The markings of these insects include yellow-brown, or green colors. Furthermore, the nymphs that are lighter in color don’t possess any wings. They feed on various species of vascular plants, such as broad-leafed woody, sedges, grasses and all plant saps.
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Habitat | Forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts |
| Size | 14 to 18 inches |
| Life cycle | Incomplete metamorphosis |
| Lifespan | 30 to 90 days |
| Predators | Birds, lizards, and invertebrates |
FAQ’s
Sometimes people get confused and ask some questions about the animal species that start with “x.” Therefore, the answers to some of those questions are as given below;
What is the meaning of xenops?
These animal species are also called ovenbirds. They are native to tropical rainforests, Mexico, South, and Central America. These small birds tend to have brown-colored backs, laterally flattened bills, and long tails.
What do x-ray tetras do?
They primarily hunt small crustaceans, insects, insect larvae, and worms. These small creatures are known as the micro-predators, whose diet also includes small invertebrates.
Why is Xenopus a good model organism?
These animal species show a close resemblance to humans. Researchers used to surgically treat or manipulate xenopus embryos with various chemicals and proteins. That is the reason these species are good model organisms.
Is a leafhopper harmful?
A single xylophagous leafhopper is not hazardous to plants, but a group of these leafhoppers can be serious economic pests causing severe problems. They can destroy plants by destroying their chlorophylls, transmitting diseases, curling leaves, and removing saps.
Conclusion
Various animals are present throughout the world whose names start with each alphabet. This blog post has provided you with exciting information about those animals whose names start with “x.”