Animals that start with Z
Various species are present throughout the world, including plants, animals, and microbes. The name of each species starts with an alphabetical alphabet that makes it easier to identify them. This blog post provides exciting facts and information about those animal species whose names start with “Z.” Examples are Zorse, Zorilla, Zonkey, Zokor, Zebu, Zebrafish, Zebra finch, Zebra, Zebra shark, Zebra Mussels, etc.
List of Animals that start with Z
- Zorse
- Zorilla
- Zonkey
- Zokor
- Zebu
- Zebra finch
- Zebra
- Zebra Shark
- Zebra Mussels
Zorse
The zorses have the scientific name Equus zebra ₓ Equus caballus. These animal species possess pricked ears, large eyes, long muzzles, and large-sized heads. Furthermore, short manes on their backs, and thin legs ending with black-colored hooves, are also present. An exciting fact includes that they have better 360-degree night vision than people. Like most animals, these zorses are herbivores, thus eat plants.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Open woodlands and grasslands |
| Size | 130 to 163 cm |
| Weight | 227 to 450 kg |
| Lifespan | 15 to 30 years |
| Predators | Wolves, leopards and lions |
Zorilla
The zorillas with the scientific name Ictonyx striatus come in the category of animals whose names start with “z.” These animal species are also called African skunk, Cape polecat, Zorille, African polecat, and Zoril. They have small stomachs and long, gray-colored, fluffy tails with sharp, pointed claws. The bodies are of black colors, with white-colored stripes running all along their lengths. They live an average life of almost 5 years in captivity.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Savannas and open countries of Southern, Central, and Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Size | 28 to 38 cm |
| Weight | 810 g |
| Diet | Eggs, insects, birds, snakes, frogs, rabbits, mice |
| Predators | Few animals |
Zonkey
The zonkeys have the scientific name Equus zebra ₓ Equus asinus. These animal species possess tan, grey, or brown-colored coats with black-colored stripes on bellies and legs. In contrast, the bottom sides of their bodies are light-brown colored. In addition to this, they have long ears, large heads, and black-colored tails. These fast and powerful animals run to speeds of about 35 miles per hour. Their diet includes herbs and grasses only.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Savannahs, open woodlands, zoos, and Africa |
| Size | 1 to 1.5 m (height) |
| Weight | 227 to 318 kg |
| Lifespan | 15 to 25 years |
| Conservation status | Least concern |
Zokor
The zokors with the scientific name Myospalax possess chunky, cylindrical-shaped bodies with short-sized strong limbs. These molelike animal species have self-sharpening long front claws and giant and powerful feet. The fun facts include that their small light-sensitive eyes are hidden in thick, soft and gray-colored furs. These solitary rodents remain active the whole year, especially in the fall and spring. They have an average lifespan of about 4.5 years.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Meadows in wooded areas and along river valleys, Western Siberia, Southern Mongolia, Northern China |
| Size | 15 to 27 cm |
| Weight | 200 to 480 g |
| Diet | Shoots, leaves, rhizomes, bulbs, roots |
| Predators | Owls, eagles, hawks |
Zebu
The zebus have the scientific name Bos taurus indicus. These animal species come in the list of animals whose names start with “z.” They possess drooping ears, loose skins around the necks, horns curving back and upward, and humped shoulders. In addition to this, about 75 different species of these animals are present, varying greatly in types of habitats, colors, and sizes. They primarily feed on grasses.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Open plains and tropical rainforests |
| Size | 1.4 to 1.5 m |
| Weight | 400 to 500 kg |
| Lifespan | 20 years |
| Predators | Humans, wild cats and bears |
Zebrafish
The zebrafish with the scientific name Danio rerio are identified by their color patterns. These animal species become transparent in larval stages and look blue on getting matured. Furthermore, slender and torpedo-shaped bodies with yellow or pink-colored tinges are present in males. They are considered an ideal model for biomedical researches due to their fully-sequenced genomes, high fecundity, rapid development, transparent embryos, and external fertilization.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Clearwater of shallow depth in oxbow lakes, ponds, rice paddies, ditches, canals, and streams |
| Size | 4 to 5 cm |
| Diet | Mud, sand, detritus, arachnids, fishy scales, invertebrate eggs, spores, vascular plant material, filamentous algae, phytoplankton, insects, and zooplankton |
| Lifespan | 42 to 66 months |
| Predators | The Indian Leaf fish |
Zebra finch
The zebra finches have the scientific name Taeniopygia guttata. These animal species are mainly grey-colored with zebra-like black and white-colored barring on the upper tails and rumps and black-colored ‘tear drop’ eye stripes. In addition to this, broad black-colored bands on upper chests and pale-grey-colored upper breasts and throats are present. Mates are attracted to males due to their ability to sing beautiful songs. They have an average lifespan of about 2 to 5 years.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Drier areas of Australia, bordering watercourses and dry wooded grasslands |
| Size | 40 cm |
| Weight | 1 ounce |
| Diet | A seed mixture for small birds including Millet, canary seeds |
| Predators | House mouse, black rat, Torresian crow, little crow, yellow-throated miner, Grey-crowned babbler, brown snake, dragon lizard, etc. |
Zebra
The zebras with the scientific name Equus zebra come in the list of animals whose names start with “z.” These animal species possess white-colored bellies and black-colored furs with white-colored stripes. Large rounded ears with lots of hair are present that help them keep dust out. They can run to speeds of approximately 65 kilometers per hour. Like other animals, these species also need food to survive, hence feeding on grasses.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | Savanna woodlands and treeless grasslands |
| Size | 3.81 to 5.25 ft. (shoulder height) |
| Weight | 450 to 992 pounds |
| Lifespan | 25 years |
| Predators | Cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, lions |
Zebra Shark
The Zebra sharks have the scientific name Stegostoma fasciatum. These animal species possess moderately stouts, cylindrical-shaped bodies with five ridges that run along flanks and dorsal surfaces. In addition to this, slender sensory organs are also present to help them seek out their prey. Their non-aggressive behaviors towards humans make them more attractive. They live an average life between 25 and 30 years.
| Phylum | Chordate |
| Habitat | The Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean from Australia to Japan |
| Size | 12 feet |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds |
| Diet | Small fishes, crustaceans, mollusks |
| Predators | Humans and large sharks |
Zebra Mussels
The Zebra mussels with the scientific name Dreissena polymorpha are small animals with striped, D-shaped shells made up of 2 hinge valves joined by ligaments. The stripes are cream, white, black or brown in colors. Furthermore, an interesting fact includes that they clear water of all floating particles. Almost 105 members of these animal species are eaten by adult crayfishes every day.
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Habitat | Black and Caspian sea areas in Southeastern Europe |
| Size | 2 to 2.5 cm |
| Weight | 0.37 ± |
| Lifespan | 4 to 5 years |
| Predators | Species of waterbirds, smallmouth buffaloes, river carp suckers, redhorse suckers, freshwater drums |
FAQ’s
Sometimes people get confused and ask questions about various animals to make themselves clear. The answers to some of those questions are as follow;
What mammals start with “Z?”
Different animals are present in this world including, plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc. The mammals that start with “z” are Zuchon, Zorse, Zonkey, Zebu, and Zebra. They all are recognized for their unique characters.
Conclusion
Although various animals are present globally, those whose names start with “z” are described in this blog post. It provides you with exciting facts about these animal species that are enough to help you in various ways.