7 animals with names starting with letter X

Animals with names starting with ‘X’ are quite rare in the whole world, yet they include some fascinating and diverse species from across the globe. From shimmering hummingbirds to transparent fish and colourful reptiles, these creatures reveal the rich variety of life that thrives on our planet. Here are seven such creatures from the animal kingdom whose names begin with the letter X.

Native to Baja California, Mexico, Xantus’s Hummingbird dazzles with emerald-green plumage and a reddish-bill tipped in black. It feeds primarily on nectar, playing a vital role in pollination. This small but energetic bird prefers desert scrub and coastal habitats, where it hovers around flowers with rapid wingbeats. Its beauty and ecological importance make it a true gem of Mexico’s wildlife.

Xerus, or African ground squirrels, are energetic rodents found across sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike tree-dwelling squirrels, they live in colonies within underground burrows. They use their bushy tails as shade from the sun and rely on teamwork for safety. These squirrels eat seeds, roots, and insects, thriving in dry, open savannas. Their social nature and adaptability make them fascinating examples of desert survival.

The Xiphias gladius or swordfish is a large, powerful predator found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. Its long, flat “sword” helps it slash through schools of fish when hunting. Reaching speeds over 60 mph, it’s one of the fastest fish in the sea. Swordfish prefer deep waters and migrate across vast distances, playing an important role in maintaining marine balance.

Known for its mesmerising iridescent scales, the Xenopeltis unicolor (sunbeam snake) glows with rainbow hues under sunlight. Native to Southeast Asia, it is non-venomous and lives mostly underground, emerging after rain to hunt frogs and small animals. Though its metallic sheen may seem otherworldly, this species is gentle.

African clawed frog or xenopus laevis is an amphibian that is totally aquatic and is found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is known to have clawed hind feet which it uses to tear the food into pieces. It is a lung and skin breather, and because of its regenerative capabilities and toughness has long been used by scientists in research. It is a survivor which can be readily adapted to different water environments.

Xenagama lizards live in the dry countries of Ethiopia and Somalia. Their most notable characteristic is the flat tail that serves as a shield and is like a door when they are going back to their burrows. They are small, tough and can endure high desert temperatures. Their gray colouring allows them to blend with the rocky terrain which makes them good specimens of desert living.

The name of this little South American fresh water fish is explained by the transparency of its body, so its bones and internal organs are visible - almost like X-ray. It is a popular aquarium animal that is easy and peaceful to keep. It inhabits soothing slightly acidic water in the wild and preys on small insects and worms. Its delicacy brings glitz to any water body.