Scientists have developed several methods to group different members of the animal kingdom by species or unique characteristics. However, there’s probably no better way to learn fun facts than by listing animal names alphabetically. These are just a few animals that start with.
1. African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)
These African frogs are endemic to ponds and shallow waterways in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although toothless, the African clawed frog is carnivorous and relies on its long fingers to grab and consume its prey. This small species is also known to be cannibalistic, regularly feeding on tadpoles and eggs.
2. Horseshoe crab (Xiphosura)
Horseshoe crabs seem like strange, shelled sea spiders from ancient times, and that description would be quite accurate. The few species still alive today can trace their lineage back to a common ancestor that swam in similar coastal rivers 135 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous Period.
Despite the name, horseshoe crabs only resemble crustaceans with their large protective shells. Instead, these living fossils belong to a subgroup of anthropods more closely related to arachnids. They often hunt on the ocean floor, but can also tolerate brackish water.
3. Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintle)
The Xoloitzcuintle, commonly known as Xolo, is an ancient domestic dog breed that has been endemic to Central America for thousands of years. Fossil records from the western Mexican coast show that this pet played an important role in ancient Mayan society.
Similar to ancient Egyptian relationships with cats, these dogs were often sacrificed and buried along with their owners to guide their souls into the afterlife.
The Xolo breed was one of the first to be documented by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1887. However, in 1959, the AKC removed it from publications because it was thought to be an extinct genus, even though the breed continues to survive. Today.
4. Night lizard (Xantusiidae)
There are only three species of Xantusiidae alive today. They are found in separate regions: Baja California, Cuba and Central America. Scientists originally speculated that night lizards were exclusively nocturnal, but eventually discovered that many engage in diurnal (diurnal) activities to thrive in niche natural habitats.
5. Sabine gull (Xema sabini)
This Arctic gull, better known as Xema, is a small species of seagull discovered in 1819 by naturalist Joseph Sabine. These striking white and black birds generally prefer any natural habitat around the northern Pacific Ocean, although some sightings are common south of Baja California.
6. South African ground squirrel (Xerus inauris)
South African ground squirrels are also called Cape ground squirrels; however, their habitat extends to Botswana and Namibia. Ground squirrels’ features resemble prairie dogs, except they have flat, bushy tails, like their tree-dwelling cousins.
South African ground squirrels also live in close-knit social groups that seek shelter in deep burrows.
7. Banded Xenops (Xenops rutilans)
This perching member of the ovenbird family, Furnariidae, is found in tropical forests of South America. Unlike many bird species that migrate, the climate in these regions is suitable for year-round habitation.
8. Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis)
There are three different species of burrowing snakes that go under the scientific name Xenopeltis, and they are extremely shy and rarely seen. If you can catch a glimpse of this reclusive snake, you will quickly understand how it got its name ‘Sunburst’. The iridescent scales reflect light in dazzling rainbow colors.
9. Xantus’ leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus xanti)
This small Mexican reptile is another skittish animal that starts with the letter X. Many animals avoid human contact at all costs, but this little lizard leans more toward the melodramatic. The Xantus leaf-toed gecko often squeaks and loses its fragile tail when handled, so it’s best to leave it alone.
10. Xanthogramma Sand Bass (Parapercis ramsayi)
This leopard-spotted bony fish is found on rocky bottoms and coral reefs off the coast of Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa. It is not the fastest fish, but its elaborate camouflage allows it to ambush its prey, consisting of small fish and invertebrates.
11. Xenarthrans
Xenarthra (loosely translated to “strange joints”) includes several species of placental mammals endemic to the Americas. This group includes tree sloths, armadillos and anteaters – all animals that live on small insects found underground, in tree bark and in fallen logs on the forest floor.
These members of the sloth family differ from other types of placental animals with unique spines, teeth, vision and metabolism. Xenarthra animals actually have one of the slowest metabolisms in the animal kingdom.
12. Xenoceratops (Xenoceratops voorensis)
This horned dinosaur roamed the far northern wilderness of modern-day Alberta, Canada sometime during the late Cretaceous period. Like the more commonly known triceratops, this lumbering giant likely protected itself from potential predators with several horns protruding from a shield-like skull.
13. Xinjiang ground jay (Podoces biddulphi)
The Xinjiang ground jay, also known as the Biddulph ground jay, is a long-legged, hook-billed member of the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, magpies and ravens. Researchers of this bird found that, like its dark-feathered cousins, this corvid also prefers urban environments near people.
14. Xingu river ray (Potamotrygon leopoldi)
The Xingu river stingray, also known as the white-spotted river stingray, is a member of the Potamotrygonidae family endemic to clear, fresh waterways in Brazil. This freshwater stingray has a venomous dentine backbone that it uses to stun its victims.
15. X-ray fish (Pristella maxillaris)
The X-ray fish, or X-ray tetra, is a small freshwater fish found in both acidic and alkaline waters near the Amazon Basin. Because of their resilience and striking, translucent bodies, X-ray tetras have become a popular aquarium fish that can bring any home aquarium to life.
16. Xucaneb robber frog (Craugastor xucanebi)
The Xucaneb robber frog is a montane forest amphibian endemic to the central highlands of Guatemala. The scientific name of this little frog comes from its favorite habitat, the Sierra de Xucaneb. However, due to human expansion and deforestation in this region, the species is quickly becoming an endangered species.
The history of Xantus in Central and South America
When researching animals that start with ‘X’, you are likely to come across several animal names in South and Central America that include Xantus. Many species are not closely related, except for the fact that they were discovered by the same person, a Hungarian zoologist named John Xantus de Vessey.
John Xantus was an exiled Hungarian diplomat who joined the United States Army as an assistant surgeon under 19th-century Surgeon General and founder of the Army Medical Museum William Alexander Hammond.
Xantus exaggerated his experience as a medical professional to earn this position and was often ridiculed by his colleagues as a habitual liar.
Under Hammond’s tutelage, however, Xantus developed a love of natural history. Once transferred to California and Mexico, Xantus left his diplomatic post and failed to concentrate medical practice on his naturalistic research. This resulted in several varieties that bore his name and serve as his legacy today.
That is interesting
Scientists have long linked dinosaurs to birds, but only in recent decades have they concluded that many ancient species were likely feathered rather than sporting the smooth reptilian skin depicted in Hollywood. The Xiaotingia, endemic to China in the Late Jurassic period, is an important example of this revelation. This small carnivorous dinosaur was about the size of a modern chicken, and its hind legs had long feathers that allowed it to make short-distance flights – an important tool for catching large prehistoric insects and occasionally escaping. T. rex.
Original article: There are more animals that start with ‘X’ than you might expect
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