40+ Wild Animals That Start With X: Photos, Facts & Fun

When it comes to the animal kingdom, the letter X isn’t the most common starting point—but you’d be surprised how many wild and fascinating creatures begin with this elusive letter. From rare fish to elusive mammals, this list explores every wild animal that starts with X, grouped by type—mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and more.

Each entry includes quick facts and a fun trivia tidbit, perfect for animal lovers, educators, or anyone expanding their zoological vocabulary. Whether you’re hunting for obscure names or expanding your wildlife knowledge, this guide showcases the rarest members of nature’s cast. Let’s dive into the extraordinary world of wild animals that start with X!

🐾 Wild Animals That Start With X

1. Xantus’s Hummingbird (Basilinna xantusii)

Xantus’s Hummingbird is a small, vibrant bird native to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. With shimmering green plumage and a white eye stripe, this bird frequents arid scrublands, coastal regions, and desert oases. It feeds primarily on nectar but also consumes small insects for protein. Males often perform diving displays during mating rituals. This species is not considered threatened and is classified as Least Concern.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This species is named after Hungarian zoologist John Xantus.

2. Xenopus (Xenopus laevis)

Commonly known as the African clawed frog, Xenopus is a fully aquatic amphibian found in sub-Saharan Africa. It has smooth skin, powerful legs with claws, and no tongue. These frogs are used extensively in scientific research due to their robust reproductive biology. They inhabit freshwater ponds and marshes, and are excellent swimmers. While adaptable, their populations can be affected by pollution.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xenopus frogs were once used for pregnancy testing in humans!

3. Xoloitzcuintli (Canis lupus familiaris)

Although primarily domesticated, the Xoloitzcuintli (or Xolo) is descended from wild canids and was revered by ancient Aztecs. Found in Mexico, this hairless dog was historically semi-wild in rural and jungle environments. It’s known for its keen senses, agility, and loyalty. Xolos have adapted well to domestic life but retain sharp hunting instincts.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xolos were believed to guide souls through the underworld in Aztec mythology.

4. X-ray Tetra (Pristella maxillaris)

This small freshwater fish is named for its nearly transparent body, allowing its bones and organs to be seen—hence the nickname “X-ray.” Native to the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, it prefers slow-moving waters with lots of vegetation. These tetras are peaceful, social creatures that often travel in schools. Though popular in aquariums, they remain common in the wild.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: The X-ray tetra’s see-through body helps it evade predators.

5. Xenarthra (Taxonomic Group)

Xenarthra is not a single species but a superorder that includes sloths, anteaters, and armadillos—native to Central and South America. These animals share unique vertebral features and low metabolic rates. Many Xenarthrans are slow-moving and insectivorous, though diets vary. Some species are endangered due to habitat loss.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: The name “Xenarthra” means “strange joints” due to their unique spinal structure.

6. Xantus’s Murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)

This small seabird is found off the coast of California and Baja California. It nests on rocky islands and forages at sea. Known for its sleek black-and-white plumage, it feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Threatened by habitat disturbance and invasive predators, it’s classified as Vulnerable.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xantus’s Murrelet chicks head straight to the ocean within two days of hatching!

7. Xucaneb Robber Frog (Craugastor xucanebi)

Endemic to Guatemala, this frog dwells in the cloud forests of the Sierra de las Minas. It’s a rare amphibian that’s elusive and little studied. Xucaneb Robber Frogs are nocturnal and terrestrial, feeding on insects. Their population is at risk due to deforestation.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This frog was discovered in the remote Xucaneb mountain range, which inspired its name.

8. Xingu Corydoras (Corydoras xinguensis)

Native to Brazil’s Xingu River basin, this small armored catfish lives in sandy, fast-moving freshwater. It has a stocky body, mottled pattern, and characteristic barbels around its mouth. Peaceful and social, it thrives in schools and feeds on detritus and small invertebrates. These fish are bottom-dwellers and contribute to the aquatic ecosystem’s cleanliness.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xingu Corydoras have sharp fin spines that can lock in place for protection.

9. Xingu River Ray (Potamotrygon leopoldi)

Also called the white-blotched river stingray, this ray is endemic to the Xingu River in Brazil. It has a striking black body covered in white spots. These freshwater rays prefer sandy or muddy bottoms and feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. They’re vulnerable due to habitat changes and damming.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: The Xingu River Ray is one of the most beautiful freshwater rays in the world.

10. Xami Hairstreak (Callophrys xami)

This small butterfly, also known as the green hairstreak, is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It inhabits arid regions and is known for its green coloration and tiny tail-like extensions on its wings. It feeds on nectar and uses host plants in the buckthorn family to lay eggs.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: The Xami Hairstreak’s green wings provide excellent camouflage on leaves.

11. Xestia Moth (Xestia c-nigrum)

Also called the Setaceous Hebrew Character moth, this nocturnal species is widespread across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. It thrives in temperate forests and gardens, feeding on nectar as an adult and various plants as a caterpillar. It is attracted to lights and has a characteristic dark mark on its wings.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its name comes from a Hebrew-like symbol on its wings.

12. Xylophanes Moth (Xylophanes tersa)

The Tersa Sphinx moth is a sleek, fast-flying moth found in the Americas. It has a streamlined body and long, narrow wings. The caterpillar has eye spots to scare off predators. Adults feed on nectar and are strong fliers, while larvae consume host plants like buttonbush and catalpa.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: These moths can hover like hummingbirds while feeding.

13. Xenocyon (Xenocyon lycaonoides)

Xenocyon is an extinct genus of wild canids related to modern African wild dogs and dhole. They roamed Eurasia and Africa during the Pleistocene epoch. Larger than wolves, they were likely pack hunters and scavengers, feeding on large herbivores. Fossils suggest they lived in open grasslands.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xenocyon may have influenced the evolution of modern hunting dogs.

14. Xestobium Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum)

Known as the Deathwatch Beetle, this wood-boring insect lives in damp, decaying wood—particularly in old buildings and trees. It is most active at night, and males produce a tapping sound during mating. While not dangerous to humans, it can damage timber structures.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: It’s called “Deathwatch” due to its ticking sound once associated with deathbed vigils.

15. Xantus’s Leaf-Toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus xanti)

This small gecko is native to Baja California and thrives in dry, rocky habitats. It’s nocturnal, using camouflage to hide among leaves and rocks. The leaf-shaped toes help it grip surfaces. It feeds on insects and can drop its tail when threatened.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its tail twitches after detachment to distract predators.

16. Xenicid Rail (Xenicibis xympithecus)

This extinct, flightless bird lived in Jamaica and belonged to the ibis family. It had uniquely club-like wings thought to be used in combat. Unlike other rails, it walked upright and possibly fought using its modified wings like clubs. Fossils suggest it went extinct due to human arrival and habitat destruction.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its wing bones were shaped like clubs—the only known bird with this adaptation.

17. Xenosaur (Xenosaurus grandis)

Also called the knob-scaled lizard, Xenosaur is a primitive lizard found in Mexico. It has thick, bumpy scales and prefers cool, rocky habitats like crevices and forest floors. These reptiles are reclusive and slow-moving, feeding mostly on insects and small invertebrates. They give birth to live young, unlike most reptiles.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xenosaur lizards are considered “living fossils” due to their primitive features.

18. Xenagama Agama (Xenagama taylori)

Also known as the shield-tailed agama, this small desert lizard is native to Ethiopia and Somalia. It uses its flat, spiky tail to block burrow entrances from predators. It thrives in arid environments and has a stocky body with short limbs. Its diet consists mainly of insects and vegetation.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This lizard can wedge itself in a burrow and seal the entrance with its tail!

19. Xylocopa Bee (Xylocopa virginica)

Commonly called the carpenter bee, this large bee species bores into wood to make its nest. Unlike honeybees, carpenter bees are solitary and do not form hives. They’re important pollinators and are often seen around wooden structures in temperate regions of North America.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xylocopa bees don’t eat wood—they just excavate it to lay eggs.

20. Xestia Beetle (Xestia baja)

Another species in the Xestia genus, this ground beetle lives in forests across Eurasia. It’s a nocturnal beetle that forages under bark and leaves. With a glossy black body and powerful mandibles, it helps in controlling pest populations and contributes to soil turnover.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This beetle’s larvae live underground for months before emerging.

21. Xyloryctes Beetle (Xyloryctes jamaicensis)

Also called the rhinoceros beetle, this armored insect has a single large horn and is found in the Americas. It is active at night and is known for its strength—capable of lifting many times its body weight. It feeds on sap, fruit, and decaying plant matter.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Male beetles use their horn in battles over territory and mates.

22. Xylophagous Fly (Xylophagus cinctus)

This predatory fly feeds on other insects and lays its eggs in decaying wood. It’s found in forested areas of North America and Europe. Despite its wasp-like appearance, it is harmless to humans and plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its larvae act as both scavengers and predators in rotting wood.

23. Xenotilapia Cichlid (Xenotilapia flavipinnis)

Found in Lake Tanganyika in Africa, this shimmering freshwater fish prefers sandy-bottomed habitats. It has an elongated body and is known for mouthbrooding, where parents hold fertilized eggs in their mouths until they hatch. It feeds on zooplankton and small organisms found in sand.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Both males and females take turns mouthbrooding their young!

24. Xami Toad (Unknown Species)

Although not well-documented in scientific literature, some sources mention a Xami toad as a colloquial name for toads seen in the Xami regions of Mexico. These toads are adapted to dry environments and are mostly nocturnal, appearing after rains.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xami toads likely spend most of their lives underground in dry spells.

25. Xestia Ochreago (Xestia ochreago)

This rare noctuid moth is found in the alpine meadows of Europe, particularly in the Alps. It’s active mainly at dusk and dawn. The forewings are brownish-ochre with darker markings, providing camouflage against dry grasses. Caterpillars feed on low vegetation, and the adults feed on flower nectar.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: These moths are only active during a brief summer window in high-altitude zones.

26. Xylotrupes Beetle (Xylotrupes gideon)

This Southeast Asian rhinoceros beetle is known for its glossy exoskeleton and powerful horn used in combat. Males battle over food and mates, using their large Y-shaped horns. Though intimidating in appearance, they’re harmless and mostly nocturnal, feeding on rotting fruit and tree sap.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xylotrupes beetles are sometimes used in beetle fighting contests in parts of Asia.

27. Xenorhina Frog (Xenorhina parkeri)

This narrow-mouthed frog is native to Papua New Guinea and lives in moist lowland forests. It’s burrowing by nature and uses its pointed snout to tunnel into the soil. It feeds on ants and termites and is rarely seen due to its cryptic lifestyle underground.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: These frogs are expert burrowers and spend much of their life underground.

28. Xenodontine Snake (Xenodon merremii)

Found across South America, this rear-fanged colubrid snake mimics venomous species like the coral snake through coloration. Though mildly venomous, it’s harmless to humans. It prefers savannas and woodlands, where it preys on frogs, lizards, and eggs.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its mimicry of coral snakes helps it avoid predators.

29. Xestia Fungivora (Xestia fungivora)

A rare moth species whose larvae feed primarily on fungi, a trait not common in most moths. Found in temperate forests of Eurasia, these moths are nocturnal and hide during the day in leaf litter. Adults are attracted to light and live for only a few weeks.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This species is among the few moths whose caterpillars feed primarily on mushrooms.

30. Xanthichthys Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus)

Also called the blue triggerfish, this reef-dwelling species lives in the Indo-Pacific. It has bright blue coloring with yellow-edged fins. Known for its territorial behavior, it uses powerful jaws to crush sea urchins and crustaceans. It’s popular in aquariums but requires space due to its aggression.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Triggerfish can lock their dorsal spine to wedge into reef crevices when threatened.

31. Xyrichtys Wrasse (Xyrichtys novacula)

Also called the pearly razorfish, this species is found in the Mediterranean and western Atlantic. It has a thin, blade-like body and buries itself in sand when threatened. It inhabits sandy bottoms near seagrass meadows and feeds on crustaceans and worms.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This fish can vanish into the sand in a split second when startled!

32. Xeniaria Insect (Xeniaria bicornis)

A rare and obscure species of planthopper insect found in Southeast Asia. These small creatures feed on plant sap and have intricate body structures used in mimicry. They are little studied but play a role in forest ecosystem health by regulating plant growth.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Their ornate wings often resemble leaves or bark for camouflage.

33. Xyleborus Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus)

Also called the redbay ambrosia beetle, this wood-boring insect spreads laurel wilt—a deadly tree disease. It’s invasive in the southeastern U.S. but originates from Asia. Females carry fungal spores and drill into trees to cultivate fungus for larvae.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This beetle has devastated redbay tree populations in Florida and Georgia.

34. Xantusia Night Lizard (Xantusia vigilis)

This secretive reptile lives under rocks and logs in arid deserts of the southwestern United States. It’s named after John Xantus and is known for its ability to remain motionless for long periods to avoid predators. These lizards are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young, and are active mainly at night or in twilight hours.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Despite living in hot deserts, Xantusia lizards avoid the sun and are rarely seen in the open.

35. Xami Skipper (Staphylus xami)

A tiny butterfly species found primarily in Mexico and parts of Central America. Skippers are named for their rapid, skipping flight. Xami skippers live in grassy or shrubby areas and lay eggs on host plants in the pea family. Adults feed on flower nectar and are active during the day.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Their zigzag flight pattern makes them hard for predators to catch.

36. Xenochrophis Snake (Xenochrophis piscator)

Also known as the checkered keelback, this non-venomous water snake is common in South and Southeast Asia. It is semi-aquatic and excellent at swimming, often found in rice paddies, ponds, and wetlands. It feeds primarily on fish and frogs and may puff up when threatened.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: This species often plays dead to fool predators!

37. Xenopeltis Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor)

Known as the sunbeam snake, it has smooth, iridescent scales that reflect a rainbow-like sheen. Native to Southeast Asia, it lives underground and emerges at night to hunt frogs and small mammals. Non-venomous and secretive, it is often mistaken for more dangerous snakes due to its appearance.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Its shiny, oil-slick scales earned it the name “sunbeam snake.”

38. Xestia Raptor (Xestia raptor)

A moth found in the northern forests of Europe and Asia. Like other noctuids, it’s nocturnal and is drawn to light. It has mottled brown wings that camouflage it among bark and leaves. Caterpillars feed on herbaceous plants, while adults feed on nectar.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Though drab in appearance, its larvae can sometimes exhibit bright warning colors.

39. Xenolechia Moth (Xenolechia ceanothiella)

A micro-moth found in parts of North America, particularly in coastal California. The caterpillars feed on plants in the buckthorn family, and adults are small and grayish-brown. It is considered rare and has only been documented a few times due to its tiny size and cryptic behavior.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Xenolechia larvae build silken tunnels on leaves to feed unnoticed.

40. Xantholophus Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus)

A subspecies of Jackson’s chameleon known for its vivid green coloration and three horns on the male’s face. Native to Kenya but introduced to Hawaii, it lives in forests and uses its long sticky tongue to catch insects. These chameleons are arboreal and highly territorial.

Quick Facts Table:

Fun Fact: Males use their three horns to joust over territory and mates.

Read: Animals That Start With Q
Read: Aquatic Animals That Start With H
Read: Sea Animals That Start With M
Read: Animals That Start With U
Read: Ocean Animals That Start With I

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some reptiles that start with X?

Notable reptiles include the Xenagama agama (shield-tailed lizard), Xantusia vigilis (night lizard), and Xenopeltis unicolor (sunbeam snake), each with unique adaptations.

Are there any mammals that start with X?

Yes! The Xoloitzcuintli is a famous example, along with the extinct Xenocyon—both showcasing different wild and ancestral traits.

What birds begin with the letter X?

Xantus’s Hummingbird and Xantus’s Murrelet are two bird species named after naturalist John Xantus and are found in Baja California.

Is the X-ray tetra a real fish?

Absolutely! The X-ray tetra is a transparent fish native to South America’s rivers, and its internal organs can be seen through its body.

Conclusion

From shimmering snakes to elusive moths and ancient mammals, this list of wild animals that start with X highlights just how diverse and surprising nature can be—even when working with one of the rarest letters in the alphabet.

Each creature carries its own unique features, behaviors, and stories. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast or a trivia lover, there’s always more to discover in the incredible world of wildlife that begins with the letter X.