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Animal Names

Animals That Start With V (Discovering Unique Wildlife)

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by Emily Wolfe

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Finding animals that start with ‘V’ can be a bit of a head-scratcher, right? It’s not like ‘C’ for cats or ‘D’ for dogs, where examples just roll off the tongue. But that’s what makes it so intriguing.

Ever wondered why some animals get all the attention while others, equally fascinating, remain in the shadows? Take the vaquita, for instance – ever heard of it? It’s a rare marine mammal, and its story is as captivating as its elusive nature.

List Of Animals That Start With V

  • Vervet Monkey
  • Vampire Bat
  • Vicuña
  • Vulture
  • Vaquita
  • Velvet Ant
  • Viper
  • Viscacha
  • Vinegaroon
  • Velvet Worm
  • Vanga (bird)
  • Vole
  • Velvetfish
  • Vampire Squid
  • Variable Hawk
  • Vicuna
  • Vervain Hummingbird
  • Velvet Scoter
  • Vanga Flycatcher
  • Viperfish
  • Vanikoro Flycatcher
  • Veery (bird)
  • Verdin (bird)
  • Vermilion Flycatcher
  • Vesper Sparrow
  • Violet-green Swallow
  • Virginia Opossum
  • Virginia Rail (bird)
  • Visayan Warty Pig
  • Volcano Rabbit

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

1. Vervet Monkey

Vervet Monkey
  • Fun Fact: Vervet monkeys are known for their incredible ability to adapt to different environments and are often seen living in close proximity to humans.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameChlorocebus pygerythrus
OriginAfrica
FamilyCercopithecidae

2. Vampire Bat

Vampire Bat
  • Fun Fact: Despite their fearsome name, vampire bats don’t suck blood; they make a small incision and lap it up, and they can also walk, run, and jump!
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameDesmodus rotundus
OriginAmericas
FamilyPhyllostomidae

3. Vicuña

Vicuña
  • Fun Fact: Vicuñas produce one of the finest and most expensive wools in the world, and they were once considered a sacred animal by the Inca civilization.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameVicugna vicugna
OriginSouth America
FamilyCamelidae

4. Vulture

Vulture
  • Fun Fact: Vultures have a highly acidic stomach acid that allows them to safely consume rotting carcasses that would be toxic to other animals.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameVaries by species
OriginWorldwide
FamilyAccipitridae (for most)

5. Vaquita

Vaquita
  • Fun Fact: The vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal and is on the brink of extinction, with only a few individuals left.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NamePhocoena sinus
OriginGulf of California
FamilyPhocoenidae

6. Velvet Ant

Velvet Ant
  • Fun Fact: Velvet ants are not actually ants but are wingless wasps, and the females have a very painful sting, earning them the nickname “cow killer.”
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameMutillidae (family level)
OriginWorldwide
FamilyMutillidae

7. Viper

Viper
  • Fun Fact: Vipers are known for their long, hinged fangs that allow them to deliver a deep and effective venomous bite.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameViperidae (family level)
OriginWorldwide, except Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar
FamilyViperidae

8. Viscacha

Viscacha
  • Fun Fact: Viscachas resemble rabbits but are actually part of the chinchilla family and are known for their long, bushy tails.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameLagidium (genus level)
OriginSouth America
FamilyChinchillidae

9. Vinegaroon

Vinegaroon
  • Fun Fact: Vinegaroons, also known as whip scorpions, can spray a vinegar-like substance from their tails when threatened, hence their name.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameMastigoproctus giganteus (for the giant vinegaroon)
OriginAmericas, Asia
FamilyThelyphonidae

10. Velvet Worm

Velvet Worm
  • Fun Fact: Velvet worms have been around for over 500 million years and use a unique hunting method, shooting a sticky slime to trap their prey.
AttributeDetail
Scientific NameOnychophora (phylum level)
OriginTropical regions
FamilyVarious families within Onych

11. Vanga (bird)

Fun Fact: Vangas are renowned for their incredible diversity in beak shapes and sizes, each adapted to a specific type of feeding habit.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameVangidae (family level)
OriginMadagascar
FamilyVangidae

12. Vole

Fun Fact: Voles, though small rodents, play a significant role in their ecosystems, influencing soil composition and plant growth.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameMicrotus (genus level for most common voles)
OriginPrimarily Northern Hemisphere
FamilyCricetidae

13. Velvetfish

Fun Fact: Velvetfish are unique for their velvety skin texture and their incredible ability to blend into their surroundings.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameAploactinidae (family level)
OriginIndo-Pacific Region
FamilyAploactinidae

14. Vampire Squid

Fun Fact: Despite its name, the vampire squid is neither a true squid nor a vampire; it feeds on detritus.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameVampyroteuthis infernalis
OriginTropical and Temperate Oceans
FamilyVampyroteuthidae

15. Variable Hawk

Fun Fact: The variable hawk is named for its highly variable plumage, which can differ drastically among individuals.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameGeranoaetus polyosoma
OriginSouth America
FamilyAccipitridae

16. Vicuna

Fun Fact: The vicuna is a relative of the llama and produces some of the finest and most expensive wool in the world.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameVicugna vicugna
OriginSouth America
FamilyCamelidae

17. Vervain Hummingbird

Fun Fact: One of the smallest hummingbirds, the vervain hummingbird’s nest is about the size of a half walnut shell.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameMellisuga minima
OriginCaribbean
FamilyTrochilidae

18. Velvet Scoter

Fun Fact: The velvet scoter is a large sea duck known for its distinctive white eye patch and deep diving ability.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameMelanitta fusca
OriginNorthern Europe and Asia
FamilyAnatidae

19. Vanga Flycatcher

Fun Fact: This bird is known for its striking appearance and its ability to mimic the calls of other bird species.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameArtamella viridis
OriginMadagascar
FamilyVangidae

20. Viperfish

Fun Fact: Viperfish are known for their large mouths and fang-like teeth, making them formidable predators in deep-sea environments.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameChauliodus sloani
OriginWorldwide in deep waters
FamilyStomiidae

21. Vanikoro Flycatcher

Fun Fact: This bird is known for its strikingly vibrant plumage and its unique, melodious call.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameMyiagra vanikorensis
OriginSolomon Islands
FamilyMonarchidae

22. Veery (bird)

Fun Fact: The Veery is a small thrush known for its beautiful, downward-spiraling song that echoes through the forests.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameCatharus fuscescens
OriginNorth America
FamilyTurdidae

23. Verdin (bird)

  • Fun Fact: Verdins are tiny, active birds, notable for their bright yellow heads and their intricate, globular nests.
DetailInformation
Scientific NameAuriparus flaviceps
OriginSouthwestern U.S. and Mexico
FamilyRemizidae

24. Vermilion Flycatcher

Fun Fact: This small bird is famous for its vivid red plumage and its acrobatic flying skills while hunting insects.

DetailInformation
Scientific NamePyrocephalus rubinus
OriginAmericas
FamilyTyrannidae

25. Vesper Sparrow

Fun Fact: The Vesper Sparrow is known for its sweet song that often serenades the evening hours, hence its name ‘Vesper’, meaning evening.

DetailInformation
Scientific NamePooecetes gramineus
OriginNorth America
FamilyPasserellidae

26. Violet-green Swallow

Fun Fact: This bird is admired for its iridescent green back and violet rump, making it one of the more strikingly colored swallows.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameTachycineta thalassina
OriginNorth and Central America
FamilyHirundinidae

27. Virginia Opossum

Fun Fact: The Virginia Opossum is North America’s only marsupial and is known for ‘playing dead’ as a defense mechanism.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameDidelphis virginiana
OriginNorth America
FamilyDidelphidae

28. Virginia Rail (bird)

Fun Fact: This secretive bird is known for its distinctive ‘kiddick’ call and its ability to move through dense vegetation without making a sound.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameRallus limicola
OriginNorth America
FamilyRallidae

29. Visayan Warty Pig

Fun Fact: This critically endangered pig species is known for its distinctive warts and tufted mohawks, unique among pigs.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameSus cebifrons
OriginPhilippines
FamilySuidae

30. Volcano Rabbit

Fun Fact: One of the world’s smallest rabbits, the Volcano Rabbit is known for its high-pitched calls and its habitat in the volcanic regions of Mexico.

DetailInformation
Scientific NameRomerolagus diazi
OriginMexico
FamilyLeporidae
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!