The topic “22 Animals that Start with X” refers to a curated list of animals whose common or scientific names start with the letter “X.” This topic can be of interest to those who are curious about different species of animals around the world or those who are looking for some fun facts and trivia about the natural world.
By learning about these animals, one can expand their knowledge of different animal species and their habitats, behaviors, and characteristics. Additionally, this topic can raise awareness about the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered animal species.
1. Xantus’s Hummingbird
Taxonomy:
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Hylocharis
- Species: H. xantusii
Short Description: Xantus’s Hummingbird is a small bird that measures about 9 cm (3.5 in) in length and weighs around 3 g (0.1 oz). The male has a metallic green head and back, while its underparts are white. The female has a duller coloration, with a greenish-brown back and a white belly. Both sexes have a long, thin, and straight bill that is perfectly adapted for feeding on nectar from flowers.
Fun Fact: Xantus’s Hummingbird was named after John Xantus de Vesey, a Hungarian naturalist who collected the type specimen of the species during his travels in Baja California, Mexico, in the mid-19th century. It is a unique species that is only found in a narrow strip of coastal shrublands and deserts along the western coast of North America, from southern California to Baja California in Mexico.
2. Xenarthra
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Pilosa
- Suborder: Xenarthra
Short Description: Xenarthra is a diverse group of mammals that is characterized by having extra joints in their backbones, which gives them an unusual flexibility. They are native to the Americas and are found mainly in Central and South America. The group includes three main families: anteaters, armadillos, and sloths, which all have unique adaptations for survival in their habitats. Xenarthrans vary in size, with the smallest being the silky anteater, which is only about 35 cm (14 in) long, and the largest being the giant armadillo, which can reach up to 150 cm (59 in) in length and weigh up to 60 kg (132 lbs).
Fun Fact: Xenarthrans are sometimes called “edentates,” which means “toothless,” because many species in the group have reduced or no teeth. For example, anteaters have no teeth at all and feed exclusively on ants and termites, while armadillos have peg-like teeth that are mainly used for grinding up their food. Sloths have long and curved claws that they use for hanging from tree branches and forage on a diet mainly composed of leaves.
3. Xenops
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Furnariidae
- Genus: Xenops
Short Description: Xenops is a genus of small passerine birds that are found in Central and South America. They are arboreal birds that forage for insects and spiders by creeping along tree trunks and branches, using their long, curved bills to pry loose bark and probe for prey. There are several species within the genus, all of which have similar plumage patterns, with brownish-gray upperparts and buffy underparts.
Fun Fact: One species within the Xenops genus, known as the Streaked Xenops, has a unique behavior where it uses its bill to hammer on the wood of dead branches, producing a drumming sound that can be heard from a distance. It is thought that this behavior may be a territorial display or a means of attracting a mate.
4. Xerus
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Sciuridae
- Genus: Xerus
Short Description: Xerus is a genus of ground squirrels that are found mainly in Africa, although some species extend into the Middle East and Asia. They are diurnal and have a robust body and relatively short limbs. The tail is long and bushy and can be used for balance when standing upright. Their diet mainly consists of seeds, fruits, and insects.
Fun Fact: One species within the Xerus genus, known as the African ground squirrel or Xerus inauris, is a popular pet in some parts of the world. They are active, social animals and require a lot of space to exercise and play. They can also be trained to do simple tricks, such as running through an obstacle course or responding to commands.
5. X-ray Tetra
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Characiformes
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Pristella
- Species: P. maxillaris
Short Description: The X-ray Tetra, also known as Pristella Tetra, is a small freshwater fish that is native to South America, specifically the Amazon basin. It has a transparent body that makes its internal organs visible, giving it the appearance of an x-ray, hence its name. The X-ray Tetra is a peaceful, schooling fish that is often kept as an aquarium pet. It grows up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in length and has a silver body with a black patch on its dorsal fin.
Fun Fact: The X-ray Tetra is a popular aquarium fish due to its small size, hardiness, and attractive appearance. It is also known for its iridescent scales that reflect light and create a shimmering effect. In the wild, X-ray Tetras are preyed upon by larger fish, birds, and aquatic mammals.
6. Xenopeltis
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Xenopeltidae
- Genus: Xenopeltis
Short Description: Xenopeltis is a genus of non-venomous snakes that are commonly known as sunbeam snakes or iridescent earth snakes. They are found in Southeast Asia and are known for their iridescent, rainbow-like scales that reflect light in a striking way. They have smooth, shiny scales and a long, slender body that is adapted for burrowing. Sunbeam snakes are nocturnal and primarily feed on small rodents, lizards, and other small prey.
Fun Fact: The iridescent scales of the Xenopeltis snake are not actually pigmented with color but rather, their structure is what gives them their rainbow-like appearance. The scales contain microscopic ridges that diffract light, creating a prism-like effect. This is similar to the way that opals and certain butterfly wings create iridescent colors.
7. Xylophanes
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Xylophanes
Short Description: Xylophanes is a genus of moths in the Sphingidae family, commonly known as the Sphinx Moths or Hawk Moths. They are found throughout the Americas, from Canada to Argentina. The adult moths have large wingspans and are characterized by their rapid, hummingbird-like flight and their long proboscis, which they use to feed on nectar from flowers. The larvae of Xylophanes species are commonly referred to as hornworms and can be found feeding on the leaves of various plants.
Fun Fact: Xylophanes moths are important pollinators for many plant species, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Some species of Xylophanes have evolved specialized mouthparts that allow them to reach the nectar of flowers with long corollas that other pollinators cannot access. These moths are also important food sources for many predators, including bats, birds, and other insects.
8. Xylocopa
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Apidae
- Genus: Xylocopa
Short Description: Xylocopa, commonly known as carpenter bees, is a genus of large, solitary bees found throughout the world. They are known for their ability to bore into wood to create nests for their young. The female carpenter bees have strong mandibles that they use to chew into wood, while the males are typically smaller and do not have this ability. Xylocopa bees are important pollinators of a wide variety of flowering plants.
Fun Fact: Carpenter bees are sometimes mistaken for bumblebees due to their similar appearance, but they can be distinguished by their shiny, hairless abdomen. Unlike bumblebees, which have a fuzzy abdomen, carpenter bees have a black, shiny abdomen that is often mistaken for a type of fly. Carpenter bees are also less social than bumblebees and are typically solitary, with only one female bee occupying each nest.
9. Xylotrechus
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Family: Cerambycidae
- Genus: Xylotrechus
Short Description: Xylotrechus is a genus of longhorn beetles found throughout North America. These beetles are known for their long antennae and elongated body shape. Xylotrechus beetles can vary in color and pattern, but they are often brown or black with white or yellow markings. The larvae of Xylotrechus beetles are wood-boring and can cause damage to trees and other wooden structures.
Fun Fact: Xylotrechus beetles are attracted to freshly cut or damaged wood, making them a common pest of newly planted trees. In some cases, Xylotrechus beetles can cause significant damage to trees, making them a concern for foresters and arborists. However, they also play an important role in forest ecosystems by breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients.
10. Xantusiidae
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Xantusiidae
Short Description: Xantusiidae is a family of small, ground-dwelling lizards found primarily in North and Central America. These lizards are typically brown or gray with a slender body and short legs. They are known for their excellent vision and are able to distinguish colors, which is uncommon among lizards. Xantusiidae lizards are nocturnal and feed on insects and other small invertebrates.
Fun Fact: The Xantusiidae family is named after John Xantus, a Hungarian naturalist who collected specimens of these lizards in Baja California in the mid-1800s. Xantus’s Night Lizard (Xantusia vigilis) is one of the most well-known species in this family and is found in the deserts of California and Mexico. Another interesting species is the Island Night Lizard (Xantusia riversiana), which is found only on six islands off the coast of California.
11. Xanthidae
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Crustacea
- Class: Malacostraca
- Order: Decapoda
- Infraorder: Brachyura
- Superfamily: Xanthoidea
- Family: Xanthidae
Short Description: Xanthidae is a family of crabs belonging to the infraorder Brachyura. They are commonly known as mud crabs or reef crabs and are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Xanthidae crabs have a distinctive carapace (shell) shape, which is roughly square and wider than it is long. Their pincers are typically short and broad, making them more suited for crushing than for capturing prey.
Fun Fact: Xanthidae crabs are known for their colorful carapaces, which can range from bright orange and red to blue and green. Some species, like the Sally Lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus), are popular in the pet trade due to their striking appearance. Xanthidae crabs are also important in marine ecosystems as they play a key role in controlling populations of other invertebrates like snails and sea urchins.
12. Xenopus
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Pipidae
- Genus: Xenopus
Short Description: Xenopus is a genus of aquatic frogs native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are commonly known as African clawed frogs due to their distinctive claws on their front feet. Xenopus frogs are notable for their use in biomedical research, particularly in genetics and developmental biology. They are also kept as pets and are popular in the aquarium trade.
Fun Fact: The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) was once widely used for pregnancy testing. A female frog injected with a woman’s urine would produce eggs within hours if the woman was pregnant. This test was commonly used in the United States and Europe from the 1930s until the 1960s, when it was replaced by more accurate testing methods.
13. Xenopsylla
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Siphonaptera
- Family: Pulicidae
- Genus: Xenopsylla
Short Description: Xenopsylla is a genus of fleas in the family Pulicidae. This genus includes the Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), which is a significant vector of bubonic plague. The Oriental rat flea is also known to transmit other diseases such as murine typhus and rickettsialpox.
Fun Fact: The Oriental rat flea was responsible for the spread of the bubonic plague, which killed millions of people during the Black Death in the 14th century. Today, the Oriental rat flea is still a significant public health concern in some parts of the world.
14. Xiphias
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Perciformes
- Family: Xiphiidae
- Genus: Xiphias
Short Description: Xiphias is a genus of large, predatory fish in the family Xiphiidae, commonly known as swordfish. They are characterized by their long, sword-like bills which they use to slash and stun their prey. Swordfish are found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide, and are prized by fishermen for their meat and sport fishing value.
Fun Fact: Swordfish are some of the fastest swimmers in the ocean, capable of swimming at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. They are also known to have the ability to regulate their own body temperature, allowing them to swim in waters ranging from 41 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
15. Xiphosura
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Merostomata
- Order: Xiphosura
Short Description: Xiphosura is an order of ancient marine arthropods commonly known as horseshoe crabs. They have a hard, horseshoe-shaped exoskeleton, a long, pointed tail, and several pairs of legs for walking and swimming. Horseshoe crabs are primarily found along the Atlantic coasts of North America and Asia, and are considered living fossils due to their evolutionary history dating back to the Ordovician period over 450 million years ago.
Fun Fact: Horseshoe crabs have blue blood that contains a unique copper-based molecule called hemocyanin, which carries oxygen throughout their bodies. Hemocyanin is used in biomedical research to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment and vaccines, and horseshoe crab blood is harvested for this purpose. However, this practice can harm and kill many horseshoe crabs, and efforts are being made to develop alternative methods.
16. Xiphorhynchus
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Furnariidae
- Genus: Xiphorhynchus
Short Description: Xiphorhynchus is a genus of passerine birds in the family Furnariidae, commonly known as woodcreepers. They are found in the tropical regions of Central and South America and are known for their unique adaptations for climbing trees in search of insects, including long and curved bills and stiff tail feathers that serve as supports.
Fun Fact: There are over 50 species of woodcreepers in the Xiphorhynchus genus, and they vary in size and coloration. One of the smallest species is the Olivaceous Woodcreeper, which is only 13 centimeters long and weighs around 13 grams, while one of the largest is the Strong-billed Woodcreeper, which is around 25 centimeters long and weighs up to 80 grams.
17. Xeromys myoides
Xeromys myoides, also known as the False Water Rat, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Muridae. Here is some information about this species:
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Genus: Xeromys
- Species: Xeromys myoides
Short Description: Xeromys myoides is a small rodent with a body length of around 10-14 cm and a tail length of 11-14 cm. It has a reddish-brown fur with a white underbelly and long, narrow feet with claws adapted for digging. It is found in dry, arid regions of Australia.
Fun Fact: Xeromys myoides is known for its ability to survive without drinking water. It obtains all the moisture it needs from its food, which includes seeds, roots, and tubers. It also has specialized kidneys that allow it to conserve water more efficiently.
18. Xylophis
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Suborder: Serpentes
- Family: Colubridae
- Genus: Xylophis
Short description: Xylophis is a genus of small, venomous snakes found in India and Sri Lanka. There are currently five recognized species in this genus, which are commonly known as shieldtail snakes due to their unique pointed scales on their tails that serve as a protective mechanism.
Fun fact: One species of Xylophis, Xylophis captaini, is named after Captain R. H. Beddome, a British army officer and naturalist who first collected specimens of the species.
19. Xenodermus javanicus
Taxonomy: Xenodermus javanicus belongs to the family Xenodermidae in the order Squamata.
Short description: Xenodermus javanicus, also known as the Javan file snake or Javan mud snake, is a species of non-venomous snake found in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. It has a unique flattened body and a pointed head, which helps it navigate through muddy environments.
Fun fact: Despite their intimidating appearance, Javan file snakes are not venomous and are harmless to humans. They are often kept as pets because of their unique appearance and low-maintenance care requirements.
20. Xoloitzcuintli
Taxonomy: Xoloitzcuintli belongs to the Animalia kingdom, Chordata phylum, Mammalia class, Carnivora order, Canidae family, and the Canis genus. Its scientific name is Canis lupus familiaris.
Short description: Xoloitzcuintli, also known as Mexican hairless dog, is a breed of dog that originated in Mexico. It comes in three sizes – toy, miniature, and standard – and can have a range of colors, including black, gray, bronze, and red. As the name suggests, this breed is mostly hairless, although it can have some hair on its head, tail, and feet.
Fun fact: The Xoloitzcuintli breed has been in existence for over 3,000 years and is believed to have played a significant role in Aztec and Mayan cultures. It was considered sacred by these ancient civilizations and was often used in religious ceremonies.
21. Xylophaga
Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Bivalvia
- Order: Myoida
- Family: Pholadidae
- Genus: Xylophaga
Short description: Xylophaga is a genus of bivalve mollusks that live in wood and burrow into it, digesting the cellulose with the help of symbiotic bacteria.
Fun fact: Some species of Xylophaga are considered pests because they can damage wooden structures like docks and ships.
22. Xyrichtys
Taxonomy: Xyrichtys is a genus of wrasses in the family Labridae.
Short description: Xyrichtys is a genus of fish commonly known as razorfish or coral wrasses. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Fun fact: Male razorfishes can be extremely territorial, defending their small area of coral reef from other males. They can change their coloration quickly to reflect their mood or to blend in with their surroundings.
Final thoughts
Throughout this blog post, we have covered a wide range of animals whose names begin with the letter “X”. We started with well-known animals like the X-ray Tetra, Xenopus, and Xiphias, and went on to explore lesser-known animals.
We discussed the taxonomy and basic description of each animal, along with a fun fact and provided links to Google pictures for visual reference.
From insects and fish to mammals and reptiles, we discovered the diversity of animal life that exists on our planet.It is fascinating to explore the vast array of animal species and learn about their unique characteristics.
Animals are an integral part of our world, and each species has a role to play in maintaining ecological balance. It is essential to protect these animals and their habitats so that they can continue to thrive and contribute to our planet’s health.
Erzsebet Frey (Eli Frey) is an ecologist and online entrepreneur with a Master of Science in Ecology from the University of Belgrade. Originally from Serbia, she has lived in Sri Lanka since 2017. Eli has worked internationally in countries like Oman, Brazil, Germany, and Sri Lanka. In 2018, she expanded into SEO and blogging, completing courses from UC Davis and Edinburgh. Eli has founded multiple websites focused on biology, ecology, environmental science, sustainable and simple living, and outdoor activities. She enjoys creating nature and simple living videos on YouTube and participates in speleology, diving, and hiking.