fbpx
Animal Names

Animals That Start With U (Exploring Wildlife Mysteries)

/

by Emily Wolfe

/

When it comes to the animal kingdom, aren’t we often amazed by the variety and uniqueness of creatures out there? But, have you ever paused to think about animals that start with the letter U? It’s a quirky challenge, right? These animals, often overlooked, hold their own in the vast tapestry of biodiversity.

Think about it: when was the last time you heard someone talk about the Umbrella Bird or the Uakari monkey in everyday conversation? It’s like these animals are the unsung heroes of the alphabet!

List Of Animals That Start With U

  • Uinta Ground Squirrel
  • Urial (a wild sheep)
  • Umbrellabird
  • Upland Sandpiper
  • Upland Goose
  • Uakari Monkey
  • Utah Prairie Dog
  • Unau (a sloth)
  • Urutu
  • Ulysses Butterfly
  • Umbrella Cockatoo
  • Utonagan
  • Ural Owl
  • Unicornfish
  • Urchin
  • Uakari Red
  • Uromastyx
  • Umbrella Squid
  • Ugandan Kob
  • Utahraptor
  • Ucayali Spiny Mouse
  • Udzungwa Partridge
  • Umbrella Octopus
  • Upupa
  • Ural Field Mouse
  • Uakari
  • Ural Vole
  • Unicorn

Animals That Start With U (Fun Facts & Species Details)

1. Uinta Ground Squirrel

Uinta Ground Squirrel
  • Fun Fact: Named after the Uinta Mountains, these squirrels are known for their lively social interactions.
Scientific NameUrocitellus armatus
Origin/LocationWestern United States
FamilySciuridae

2. Urial (a wild sheep)

Urial
  • Fun Fact: Urials are the ancestors of modern-day domesticated sheep and are known for their large, curled horns.
Scientific NameOvis vignei
Origin/LocationCentral and South Asia
FamilyBovidae

3. Umbrellabird

Umbrellabird
  • Fun Fact: These birds are known for their distinctive umbrella-like crest and their deep, booming calls.
Scientific NameCephalopterus
Origin/LocationCentral and South America
FamilyCotingidae

4. Upland Sandpiper

Upland Sandpiper
  • Fun Fact: These birds are known for their unique jerky movements while walking through grass.
Scientific NameBartramia longicauda
Origin/LocationNorth and South America
FamilyScolopacidae

5. Upland Goose

Upland Goose
  • Fun Fact: Upland Geese are notable for their strong, lifelong pair bonds.
Scientific NameChloephaga picta
Origin/LocationSouthern South America
FamilyAnatidae

6. Uakari Monkey

Uakari Monkey
  • Fun Fact: Uakari Monkeys have remarkably short tails for a primate.
Scientific NameCacajao calvus
Origin/LocationAmazon Rainforest
FamilyPitheciidae

7. Utah Prairie Dog

Utah Prairie Dog
  • Fun Fact: The smallest of the prairie dogs, known for their complex social structures.
Scientific NameCynomys parvidens
Origin/LocationSouthwestern USA
FamilySciuridae

8. Unau (a sloth)

Unau
  • Fun Fact: Unaus are two-toed sloths, known for their slow movement and tree-dwelling habits.
Scientific NameCholoepus didactylus
Origin/LocationCentral and South America
FamilyMegalonychidae

9. Urutu (a venomous snake)

Urutu
  • Fun Fact: Known for its potent venom and striking pattern.
Scientific NameBothrops alternatus
Origin/LocationSouth America
FamilyViperidae

10. Ulysses Butterfly

Ulysses Butterfly
  • Fun Fact: Renowned for its vibrant blue wings.
Scientific NamePapilio ulysses
Origin/LocationAustralia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
FamilyPapilionidae

11. Umbrella Cockatoo

  • Fun Fact: Known for its expressive crest and sociable nature.
Scientific NameCacatua alba
Origin/LocationIndonesia
FamilyCacatuidae

12. Utonagan (a dog breed)

  • Fun Fact: A breed developed to resemble a wolf, known for its friendly and social nature.
Scientific NameNot applicable (Domesticated Dog)
Origin/LocationUnited Kingdom
FamilyCanidae

13. Ural Owl

  • Fun Fact: Notable for its large size and deep hooting call.
Scientific NameStrix uralensis
Origin/LocationNorthern Europe and Asia
FamilyStrigidae

14. Unicornfish

  • Fun Fact: Named for the horn-like extension on its forehead.
Scientific NameNaso
Origin/LocationIndo-Pacific waters
FamilyAcanthuridae

15. Urchin (sea urchin)

  • Fun Fact: Known for their spiny exterior and role in marine ecosystems.
Scientific NameVarious
Origin/LocationWorldwide oceans
FamilyEchinoidea

16. Uakari Red

  • Fun Fact: Renowned for its striking red face and bald head.
Scientific NameCacajao calvus
Origin/LocationAmazon Rainforest
FamilyPitheciidae

17. Uromastyx (a type of lizard)

  • Fun Fact: Known for their spiky tails and herbivorous diet.
Scientific NameUromastyx
Origin/LocationNorth Africa, Middle East
FamilyAgamidae

20. Umbrella Squid

  • Fun Fact: Named for their unique umbrella-like arms.
Scientific NameHistioteuthis
Origin/LocationWorldwide deep oceans
FamilyHistioteuthidae

21. Ugandan Kob

  • Fun Fact: Known for their impressive leaping ability and social nature.
Scientific NameKobus kob
Origin/LocationSub-Saharan Africa
FamilyBovidae

22. Utahraptor (a dinosaur)

  • Fun Fact: One of the largest known members of the raptor family.
Scientific NameUtahraptor ostrommaysi
Origin/LocationNorth America (Fossil)
FamilyDromaeosauridae

23. Ucayali Spiny Mouse

  • Fun Fact: Known for their spiny fur and nocturnal habits.
Scientific NameNeacomys spinosus
Origin/LocationSouth America
FamilyMuridae

24. Udzungwa Partridge

  • Fun Fact: A recently discovered species known for its elusive nature.
Scientific NameXenoperdix udzungwensis
Origin/LocationTanzania
FamilyPhasianidae

25. Umbrella Octopus

  • Fun Fact: Renowned for its webbed tentacles, resembling an umbrella.
Scientific NameOpisthoteuthis
Origin/LocationDeep-sea worldwide
FamilyOpisthoteuthidae

26. Upupa (Hoatzin bird)

  • Fun Fact: Known for their unique feather crest and distinctive call.
Scientific NameUpupa epops
Origin/LocationEurope, Asia, and Africa
FamilyUpupidae

27. Ural Field Mouse

  • Fun Fact: A widely distributed species known for its adaptability to various habitats.
Scientific NameApodemus uralensis
Origin/LocationEurope and Asia
FamilyMuridae

28. Uakari

Fun Fact: Uakaris are unique among primates for their bright red faces, which are a sign of good health!

Scientific NameCacajao calvus
OriginAmazonian rainforests
FamilyPitheciidae

29. Ural Vole

Fun Fact: The Ural Vole is known for its remarkable adaptability to harsh climates, thriving in both the cold regions of Northern Asia and parts of Europe!

Scientific NameMicrotus uralensis
OriginNorthern Asia and Europe
FamilyCricetidae

30. Unicorn

Fun Fact: Unicorns have been a beloved element of mythology and folklore for centuries, symbolizing purity, grace, and magical healing powers.

Scientific NameUnicornis mythicus
Origin of NameLatin uni- “one” and cornu “horn”
FamilyMythical Creatures
About
Emily Wolfe

Emily is a lifelong animal lover and the founder of PETS CRAZIES. She started this blog after realizing the great need for quality pet information on the internet. Emily has two dogs, a cat, and two rabbits of her own.

She has a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University and is a professional writer specializing in the pet industry. Learn More About Our Team!