80+ Animals That Start With Q: Photos, Facts & Fun

When it comes to wildlife, the letter Q is one of the trickier letters in the alphabet — but it still offers a unique and fascinating mix of animals. From mammals to birds, reptiles to insects, this list covers every known species that starts with the letter Q. Whether you’re a teacher, trivia lover, student, or curious explorer, you’re in for a delightful deep dive.

These animals are grouped by type for easy reading and include detailed facts on size, habitat, diet, and conservation. Get ready to meet every animal that starts with Q — some of which you may never have heard of before!

Animals That Start With Q

Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)

The quokka is a small marsupial native to a few islands off the coast of Western Australia, particularly Rottnest Island. With its rounded ears, chubby cheeks, and permanent “smile,” the quokka has earned internet fame for being incredibly photogenic. These nocturnal herbivores feed on grasses, leaves, and stems, and they hop in a manner similar to kangaroos. Quokkas live in small family groups and are generally friendly but should not be touched in the wild. They are considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and predation by invasive species.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Quokkas can survive long periods without fresh water, getting moisture from plants.

Quail (Coturnix coturnix and others)

Quails are small ground-dwelling birds found all over the world, especially in Europe, Asia, and North America. They are known for their plump bodies, short tails, and distinctive calls. Most quail species prefer open fields and brushy habitats where they can forage for seeds and insects. Quails are known to be prolific breeders and build nests close to the ground. They are commonly hunted and also raised domestically for meat and eggs.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A group of quails is called a “covey.”

Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)

The queen angelfish is a vibrantly colored tropical fish found in coral reefs throughout the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean. Known for its bright blue and yellow body with a distinct “crown” spot on its head, it is one of the most iconic reef species. Queen angelfish feed primarily on sponges and small invertebrates. They are usually seen in pairs and can be quite territorial. Their dazzling appearance makes them popular in aquariums, though capturing wild specimens is discouraged.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Their “crown” is a vivid blue ring on their forehead that resembles a royal diadem.

Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)

The queen butterfly is a close relative of the monarch and can be found in the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. It has rich brown wings with white spots and feeds primarily on milkweed, which makes it toxic to predators. The queen butterfly undergoes complete metamorphosis and plays an important role in pollination. Its caterpillars also mimic those of the monarch, offering extra protection.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen butterfly larvae sequester toxins from milkweed, making them unpalatable to predators.

Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus)

The quillback is a freshwater fish native to North America, often found in slow-moving rivers and lakes. It gets its name from the long, filamentous dorsal fin ray that resembles a quill. Despite its carp-like appearance, the quillback is actually part of the sucker family. It feeds by sifting through sediment for small invertebrates and algae. The species is not commonly targeted by anglers due to its low popularity as a game fish.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The quillback’s long dorsal fin ray grows longer with age and is unique among North American suckers.

Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

The resplendent quetzal is a brilliantly colored bird found in Central America’s cloud forests, especially in Guatemala and Costa Rica. With shimmering green plumage and a bright red chest, males are particularly striking due to their long, flowing tail feathers. Quetzals are fruit eaters, particularly fond of wild avocados, which they swallow whole. They nest in tree cavities and are known to be quite elusive and shy. This species is sacred in Mesoamerican culture and appears on Guatemala’s national flag and currency.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The quetzal’s tail can be longer than its body during mating season.

Quokka Shrimp (Atyoida pilipes)

Despite the quirky name, the quokka shrimp is a freshwater shrimp found in tropical streams and rivers, particularly in Southeast Asia and some Pacific islands. It has fan-like appendages it uses to filter microscopic particles from the water. These shrimps prefer shaded areas with low current and are important contributors to the ecosystem as detritivores. Although not widely studied, their populations are considered stable in the wild.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This shrimp filters food from the water using tiny fan-like “hands.”

Queen Snapper (Etelis oculatus)

The queen snapper is a deep-sea fish found in the western Atlantic, particularly around the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. It has a long, streamlined body and vibrant red coloration with large eyes adapted for deepwater hunting. These carnivorous fish feed on smaller fish and squid. Commercially fished in some regions, queen snappers are a prized catch due to their delicate texture and taste.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen snappers live at depths over 200 meters and are rarely seen near the surface.

Queen Parrotfish (Scarus vetula)

Found in coral reefs of the Caribbean and western Atlantic, the queen parrotfish is known for its bright blue-green body with pink and purple accents. It plays a key role in reef health by scraping algae from coral and rocks with its beak-like teeth. The species can change sex during its lifetime and often sleeps in a cocoon of mucus to ward off parasites. These fish are usually found in small groups or harems.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen parrotfish create a “mucus sleeping bag” to protect themselves from predators overnight.

Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula)

The queen triggerfish is a striking reef fish known for its bold blue, green, and yellow markings and elongated dorsal fin spines. Found in warm Atlantic waters, it uses its strong jaws to feed on hard-shelled invertebrates like sea urchins and crustaceans. This species is solitary and territorial, often fiercely guarding its space on the reef. Divers admire their beauty, but caution is needed as they can become aggressive during nesting.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen triggerfish can produce audible “grunting” sounds using their swim bladders.

Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)

The queen snake is a nonvenomous, slender-bodied snake found in the eastern United States, particularly near clean streams and rivers. It has olive-brown to gray coloring with distinctive yellow stripes along its sides. Queen snakes are highly aquatic and feed almost exclusively on freshly molted crayfish. They are active during the day and often bask on rocks or logs near water. Due to their specialized diet, they are sensitive to pollution and habitat destruction.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen snakes can detect the specific scent of freshly molted crayfish underwater.

Queensland Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)

Also known as the giant grouper, the Queensland grouper is one of the largest bony fish species in the world. Native to tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the Great Barrier Reef, it has a stocky, robust body and can grow to enormous sizes. This predator feeds on fish, crustaceans, and even small sharks. Once overfished, conservation efforts have helped protect its numbers in some areas. It is generally solitary and territorial.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The Queensland grouper can swallow prey nearly as large as itself in one gulp.

Quinkan Rock Rat (Zyzomys quantum)

Endemic to Queensland, Australia, the Quinkan rock rat is a rare and elusive rodent that lives among sandstone outcrops and rocky escarpments. It has a thick, blunt tail used for fat storage and a stocky body built for climbing. Mostly nocturnal, it feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects. Discovered in the 1990s, it’s considered one of Australia’s most endangered mammals due to its limited range.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The Quinkan rock rat stores fat in its tail for survival during dry spells.

Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae)

This is the largest butterfly species in the world, found only in the lowland rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Females can have wingspans of over 25 cm and are brown with white markings, while males are smaller and feature iridescent blue and green coloring. These butterflies rely on a single species of vine as a larval food plant, making them extremely vulnerable to habitat loss. Due to their rarity and beauty, they are highly protected.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: It’s illegal to trade this butterfly without a special international permit.

Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis)

The quailfinch is a small, ground-dwelling songbird found in sub-Saharan Africa. It resembles a miniature quail but is actually a waxbill finch. With its chunky body, short wings, and active nature, it is often seen in grasslands and wetlands foraging for seeds and small insects. Quailfinches are social birds that live in flocks and are known for their energetic, buzzing calls.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Though they look like quails, quailfinches are actually related to waxbills.

Queen Leaf Insect (Phyllium giganteum)

The queen leaf insect is a master of mimicry, perfectly camouflaged to look like a green leaf — complete with vein-like markings and leaf-shaped legs. Native to Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Borneo, this large insect blends into the foliage to avoid predators. It feeds on tropical leaves and is harmless to humans. Females are larger and flightless, while males are smaller and capable of flight. These insects are popular in exotic pet circles for their appearance and docile nature.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen leaf insects sway like leaves in the wind to enhance their disguise.

Queen Carola’s Parotia (Parotia carolae)

This extravagant bird-of-paradise species is found in the mountain forests of Papua New Guinea. Males are known for their courtship dances, where they fan out their jet-black flank feathers and bob around in an elaborate performance. Their iridescent chest shields and wire-like head plumes create a dazzling visual. Females are brown and much less ornate. These birds are elusive and spend most of their lives high in the canopy.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Males clean and “groom” their display court before every dance.

Queen Coral Snake (Micrurus queenslandicus)

(Note: Often confused due to regional naming overlap; more accurate identification: Queensland Coral Snake)

Found in northern Queensland, Australia, this small, brightly colored elapid snake is extremely venomous but rarely encountered. It has alternating bands of red, black, and yellow-orange, mimicking other coral snakes in behavior and look. Despite its potency, it is shy and nocturnal, often hiding under rocks or debris. Bites to humans are extremely rare.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Like other coral snakes, this species uses its color pattern to ward off predators despite its reclusive nature.

Queen Mole Rat (Cryptomys damarensis)

(Note: Often called Damaraland Mole Rat; the queen is the only breeder in a colony)

Native to southern Africa, the queen mole rat is the dominant female in a eusocial mole rat colony — a rare structure among mammals. These mole rats live underground in dry savannah regions and are nearly blind, relying on smell and touch. The queen suppresses reproduction in all other females using pheromones and aggression. These rodents feed on underground roots and tubers.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Only the queen in each colony reproduces — similar to bees or ants.

Queen-of-the-Andes Hummingbird (Oreotrochilus estella)

(Note: Properly called the Estella’s Hillstar — included due to rare common name variation)

Found in the high Andes of South America, this high-altitude hummingbird is built to survive freezing nights and low oxygen levels. It has iridescent green plumage and is often found near Puya raimondii, the Queen of the Andes plant. This bird hovers less than typical hummingbirds and often perches while feeding to conserve energy. It is one of the few hummingbirds adapted to such cold climates.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This hummingbird can go into torpor — a mini-hibernation — to survive freezing nights.

Queen Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus)

This fascinating lizard species is native to New Mexico and is one of the few all-female species in the animal kingdom. Queen whiptail lizards reproduce through parthenogenesis, meaning females lay eggs without needing males. They are fast-moving, slender reptiles with long tails and patterned scales. These lizards are insectivorous and highly active during the day, often seen darting through desert grasslands.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Every queen whiptail lizard is a clone — the species has no males at all.

Quokkafish (Bostockia porosa)

Also known as the nightfish, this species is found in freshwater rivers and streams of southwestern Australia. Despite the name, it’s not closely related to the quokka but shares a similar regional habitat. The quokkafish is a small, dark-colored fish that prefers still or slow-moving waters. It is nocturnal and feeds on small aquatic invertebrates and insect larvae. Though not widely known, it plays a role in freshwater ecosystems.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The quokkafish is named for the region where quokkas are also found.

Quadrimaculatus Beetle (Hippodamia quadrimaculata)

A species of ladybird beetle, the quadrimaculatus beetle is identified by its four black spots on a red-orange elytra. Found in North America and Europe, it’s an important biological control agent, feeding on aphids and other soft-bodied pests. It inhabits gardens, meadows, and agricultural fields. Like other ladybugs, it can emit a foul-smelling fluid to deter predators.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This beetle’s name means “four-spotted,” referring to its distinct wing pattern.

Quail-Dove (Geotrygon spp.)

Quail-doves are a group of medium-sized ground-dwelling doves native to the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. Their plumage is often iridescent with earthy tones, allowing them to blend into forest floors. They are shy, elusive, and known for their quiet, cooing calls. These birds forage for seeds, berries, and small insects under dense vegetation.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Though they resemble quails in behavior, quail-doves are true doves from the pigeon family.

Queen Anthia (Anthia sexguttata)

This ground beetle is native to parts of Africa and is a member of the tiger beetle family. Known for its aggressive behavior and ability to spray formic acid when threatened, the queen anthia is a fearsome predator of other insects. Its black body is marked with distinctive white or yellow spots. It’s fast-moving and nocturnal, often hiding during the heat of the day.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen anthias can shoot a chemical spray up to 30 cm to deter predators.

Queen Termite (Macrotermes bellicosus)

The queen termite is the heart of a termite colony, responsible for producing thousands of eggs each day. Found in Africa and Asia, she resides deep inside the nest, where she can grow to astonishing sizes—sometimes more than ten times the size of a worker. Unlike workers or soldiers, the queen is entirely immobile due to her swollen abdomen. Termites feed on cellulose from wood, and the queen can live for decades under the care of her colony.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: A queen termite can lay up to 30,000 eggs per day.

Queensland Tube-Nosed Bat (Nyctimene robinsoni)

This unusual-looking bat is found in northeastern Queensland, Australia. Its most notable features are its tube-shaped nostrils, which help with echolocation and airflow during flight. This fruit bat has a mottled yellow and brown coat and is active at night, feeding on nectar, pollen, and soft fruits. It roosts alone or in small groups in dense foliage during the day.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Its tube-shaped nostrils help reduce moisture loss during breathing.

Quinkan Ctenotus (Ctenotus quinkan)

This small skink species is endemic to the sandstone escarpments of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland. It’s known for its quick, darting movements and cryptic coloration, which helps it blend into rocky surroundings. The quinkan ctenotus is insectivorous and often found under leaf litter or sunning on rocks. It’s poorly studied due to its remote and restricted habitat.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This species is named after the Quinkan region, rich in Aboriginal rock art and biodiversity.

Queensland Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri)

This ancient species is a living fossil, surviving largely unchanged for over 100 million years. Native to a few rivers in southeastern Queensland, the lungfish can breathe air using a single lung and is capable of surviving in low-oxygen environments. It prefers slow-moving rivers with dense vegetation. It’s long-lived, with some individuals known to live over 80 years. Breeding is infrequent, and the species is protected.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: The Queensland lungfish can live for days out of water in damp conditions.

Queen Mantis (Heterochaeta orientalis)

Sometimes referred to as a “queen” due to its size and regal appearance, this mantis species is one of the largest and most graceful African praying mantises. Found in savannas and shrublands, it has leaf-like projections that provide camouflage. It is an ambush predator that feeds on insects, including other mantises. Females are typically larger and live longer than males.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Female queen mantises may eat their mates after or during copulation.

Quinkan Rock Wallaby (Petrogale coenensis)

The Quinkan rock wallaby is a rare marsupial found only in the sandstone escarpments of the Laura Basin in northeastern Queensland. It’s part of the rock wallaby group, adapted for life among cliffs and boulders. This species has a grayish-brown coat with paler underparts and is known for its agility in rugged terrain. It feeds mainly on grasses and leaves and is most active during dawn and dusk.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: This wallaby’s strong hind legs allow it to leap several meters between rocks.

Queen Scallop (Aequipecten opercularis)

The queen scallop is a medium-sized bivalve mollusk found in the northeast Atlantic, including waters around the British Isles. It lives on the seafloor and uses rapid valve clapping to swim away from predators. These scallops feed by filtering plankton from the water and are harvested commercially for food. Their shells are often brightly colored, ranging from orange to pink and brown.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen scallops have up to 100 tiny blue eyes along their shell edges.

Queen Heliconian (Heliconius hecale)

Also known as the Hecale longwing, this tropical butterfly is native to Central and South America. It has bright orange wings bordered with black and white spots, which serve as a warning to predators. Queen heliconians feed on nectar and pollen, making them one of the few butterflies to get nutrients from both sources. They are known for long lifespans and communal roosting.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Queen heliconians can remember flower locations and revisit them regularly.

Queen Angelfish (Juvenile Stage Revisit)

Juvenile queen angelfish look notably different from adults — deep blue bodies with bright electric blue stripes. They occupy shallower waters and often serve as “cleaners” for other fish, removing parasites. Their color transition to adult form is gradual and striking.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Juvenile queen angelfish act as “cleaner fish,” helping reef health.

Queen Snake (Subspecies Revisit – Regina septemvittata)

Some regional variations of the queen snake show differing stripe patterns and size. Subspecies are being studied for ecological variations across the southeastern U.S. Though still the same species, regional morphs can differ in color tone and behavior.

Quick Facts

Fun Fact: Subspecies vary slightly in color based on water chemistry and prey type.

FAQs About Q Animals

Are there any mammals that start with Q?

Yes, notable Q mammals include the quokka, quoll, queen mole rat, Quinkan rock rat, and Quinkan rock wallaby. These animals are found mostly in Australia and New Guinea.

Which bird names start with Q?

Birds starting with Q include the quail, quetzal, queen parrotfish (mistakenly named but often listed), quail-dove, and Queen Carola’s parotia.

Do any reptiles begin with the letter Q?

Yes! Reptiles include the queen snake, queen whiptail lizard, and Quinkan ctenotus — all adapted to unique ecosystems.

What are some rare or endangered Q animals?

Some of the rarest include Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, the Queensland lungfish, and the Quinkan rock rat — all threatened by habitat loss.

Read: Animals That Start With AP
Read: Animals That Start With W
Read: Animals That Start With I
Read: Animes That Start With K
Read: Animals That Start With H

Conclusion

From quokkas to quailfinches, queen snakes to queen butterflies, the letter Q may be rare in the animal kingdom, but it certainly doesn’t lack intrigue. This diverse collection of animals that start with Q spans continents and ecosystems — from desert lizards to cloud forest birds, giant fish to leaf-shaped insects.

Learning about them reminds us how quirky and incredible nature can be. Whether you’re here for education, trivia, or curiosity, may these Q-animals leave you feeling a little more connected to the wild wonders of the world.