Animals that start with U

Various animals are present throughout the world, each having unique characters. But, in this blog post, we provide you with exciting facts and information about those animal species whose names start with the letter “u.” These animals include Urraca, Urubu, Urial, Umbrellabird, Uromastix, Unau, Urchin, Unicorn, Uakari, etc. They are described below;

List of Animals that start with U

1. Uakari
2. Uromastyx
3. Umbrellabird
4. Unau
5. Unicornfish
6. Urial
7. Uaru
8. Upupa
9. Uinta chipmunk
10. Ugandan kob

Uakari

The Uakaris have the scientific name Cacajao. These are the animal species with bald heads and long, loose hair. Their bald faces look skull-like due to the absence of subcutaneous fat. Long shaggy coats of reddish-brown to orange color are present in these animals. In addition to this, these social animals tend to live in large groups containing almost one hundred animals. They have an average lifespan of up to 20 years.

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Amazon River Basin, small lakes and rivers
Size	45.6 centimeters
Weight	6.1 to 7.6 pounds
Diet	Fruit-heavy diet, some insects and leaves
Predators	Large monkeys, snakes and tree-dwelling species

Uromastyx

The Uromastyx is a large animal with a flattened tail and body covering ringed spines. Spiny-tailed lizards are the other name of these animals. Their juveniles are brown and gray-colored. These animal species show sexual dimorphism, and females are less colorful than males. The habitat of these animals includes hot desert conditions, arid regions, and rocky and hilly areas that are close to vegetation. 

Phylum	Chordate
Size	10 to 18 inches
Weight	99 to 907 grams
Diet	Small seeds such as lentils and millet
Lifespan	15 to 30 years
Predators	Larger birds, mammals, carnivores, and reptiles

Umbrellabird

The Umbrellabirds with the scientific name Cephalopterus come in the category of animals whose names start with “U.” Their throats contain wattles with the sizes of 35cm. They have black-colored bodies. Umbrella-like crests are also present on the top of their heads. Furthermore, they eat various animals, including a variety of invertebrates, vegetables, fruits, nuts, spiders, larva, and giant insects. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Sub-tropical belt of South and Central America
Size	14 to 19.5 inches
Weight	320 to 570 grams
Lifespan	16 years
Predators	Snakes, monkeys, eagles, hawks

Unau

The Unaus, also called Linne’s two-toed sloths, or Southern two-toed sloths, have the scientific name Choloepus didactylus. Their shapes are similar to those of dogs. They possess four long limbs ending in two curved claws, flat and short heads, rudimentary ears, large eyes, snub noses and short necks. These animal species diet involves fruits, small twigs, leaves, berries. The lips help them crop the leaves to eat. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Northern South America, Central America, Peru, Brazil, tropical rainforests
Size	21 to 29 inches
Weight	6.2 kg
Lifespan	20 years (in wild), 30 to 40 years (in captivity)
Predators	Large snakes, harpy eagles, ocelots, jaguars

Unicornfish

The Unicornfishes with the scientific name Naso brevirostris come in the category of animals, whose names start with “U.” They have greenish-gray-colored bodies, yellow-colored anal and dorsal fins, and bony horns. In addition to this, either side of their caudle peduncles contains two blue plates pointing towards spines. They tend to live in water with a temperature range between 24 and 26 degrees. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Indian to Pacific oceans, tropical waters around coral reefs
Size	20 to 24 inches
Weight	3.2 pounds
Lifespan	30 to 45 years
Diet	Fleshy and filamentous algae

 Urial

The urials, also known as shapo or arkars, have the scientific name Ovis vignie. These reddish-tan-colored wild sheep possess white-colored lower legs, bellies, muzzles and rump patches. The males have black-colored neck ruffs, white-colored bibs, and gray-colored saddle patches. Furthermore, they can run up to the speed of 40 mph, just like sheep. Their diet includes shrubs and grasses. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Arid country and high altitude places (Ladakh)
Size	31 to 35 inches (shoulder height of adult male), 39 inches (horns’ height)
Weight	60 kg
Lifespan	10 to 12 years
Predators	Humans, leopards, wolves

Uaru

The Uarus or triangle cichilds have the scientific name Uaru amphiacanthoides. These animal species possess oval-disc shaped bodies. The base of their tales contains splotches, while the middles of their silver-gray-colored bodies appear to have dark olive-colored tear-shaped spots. People love to keep them in aquariums, but proper attention and care are required. They can live up to approximately 10 years.

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	White waters, black waters, Amazon basin
Size	12 inches
Hardness	Soft to medium, dH range: 5 to 12
Diet	Plant matter, fruits, detritus, insects, crustaceans, worms
Behavior	Particularly not aggressive

Upupa

The Upupas with the scientific name Upupidae come in the category of animals, whose names start with “U.” These possess pink-colored plumages, short legs, long and thin beaks, and black and white-colored striped wings. Furthermore, black-colored tips and white-colored patches are present on their red or orange-colored crests. These animal species feed on berries, seeds, frogs, small reptiles, insects, etc. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	grasslands, savannas, wooded steppes, heathlands
Size	9.8 to 12.6 inches, 17 to 19 inches (wingspans)
Weight	46 to 89 grams
Lifespan	10 years
Extinction status	Not extinct

Uinta chipmunk

The Uinta chipmunks have the scientific name Neotamias umbrinus. Their bodies contain warm brow-colored pelages on the shoulders, heads and flanks, and moderate distinct dorsal stripes. These animal species running speed is up to 21 mph. They are considered the small members of squirrels. Their bushy tails help them maintain balance while climbing trees. They have a short lifespan of up to 2 years. 

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Western United States, rocky terrain or steep slopes, subalpine and montane forest
Size	20 to 24 cm
Weight	52 grams
Diet	Seeds of coniferous trees like chokecherries, raspberries, wild roses, spruce, juniper, ponderosa pines, Douglas fir
Threats	Habitat loss

Ugandan kob

The Ugandan kobs with the scientific name Kobus kob thomasi have large-sized eyes, medium-sized horns and medium-sized brown-colored coats. Their males use whistling to mark territory boundaries. In addition to this, these animal species have a gestation period of about 8 months, and females give birth to only one young one. As they are herbivores, their diet includes reeds and grasses.  

Phylum	Chordate
Habitat	Woodlands’ margins, floodplains, moist savannas
Size	90 to 100 cm (males), 82 to 92 cm (females)
Weight	94 kg
Lifespan	About 8 years
Predators	Larger snakes, African wild dogs, hyenas, lions, cheetahs

FAQ’s

Sometimes people get confused and raise some questions about different animals. Therefore, the answers to some of those questions are as given below:

Can Urracas or magpies be pets?

These social and intelligent birds need a variety of food to remain healthy. They are the cruel birds that will cause birds’ deaths. That’s why these magpies cannot be kept pets. 

Conclusion

Various animals are present throughout the world, each having unique characters and identification features. This blog post provides exciting information about those animals whose names start with “U.” It helps you greatly.