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
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.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Origin
Africa
Family
Cercopithecidae
2. 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!
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Desmodus rotundus
Origin
Americas
Family
Phyllostomidae
3. 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.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Vicugna vicugna
Origin
South America
Family
Camelidae
4. 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.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Varies by species
Origin
Worldwide
Family
Accipitridae (for most)
5. 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.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Phocoena sinus
Origin
Gulf of California
Family
Phocoenidae
6. 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.”
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Mutillidae (family level)
Origin
Worldwide
Family
Mutillidae
7. Viper
Fun Fact: Vipers are known for their long, hinged fangs that allow them to deliver a deep and effective venomous bite.
Fun Fact: Viscachas resemble rabbits but are actually part of the chinchilla family and are known for their long, bushy tails.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Lagidium (genus level)
Origin
South America
Family
Chinchillidae
9. Vinegaroon
Fun Fact: Vinegaroons, also known as whip scorpions, can spray a vinegar-like substance from their tails when threatened, hence their name.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Mastigoproctus giganteus (for the giant vinegaroon)
Origin
Americas, Asia
Family
Thelyphonidae
10. 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.
Attribute
Detail
Scientific Name
Onychophora (phylum level)
Origin
Tropical regions
Family
Various 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.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Vangidae (family level)
Origin
Madagascar
Family
Vangidae
12. Vole
Fun Fact: Voles, though small rodents, play a significant role in their ecosystems, influencing soil composition and plant growth.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Microtus (genus level for most common voles)
Origin
Primarily Northern Hemisphere
Family
Cricetidae
13. Velvetfish
Fun Fact: Velvetfish are unique for their velvety skin texture and their incredible ability to blend into their surroundings.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Aploactinidae (family level)
Origin
Indo-Pacific Region
Family
Aploactinidae
14. Vampire Squid
Fun Fact: Despite its name, the vampire squid is neither a true squid nor a vampire; it feeds on detritus.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Vampyroteuthis infernalis
Origin
Tropical and Temperate Oceans
Family
Vampyroteuthidae
15. Variable Hawk
Fun Fact: The variable hawk is named for its highly variable plumage, which can differ drastically among individuals.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Geranoaetus polyosoma
Origin
South America
Family
Accipitridae
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.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Vicugna vicugna
Origin
South America
Family
Camelidae
17. Vervain Hummingbird
Fun Fact: One of the smallest hummingbirds, the vervain hummingbird’s nest is about the size of a half walnut shell.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Mellisuga minima
Origin
Caribbean
Family
Trochilidae
18. Velvet Scoter
Fun Fact: The velvet scoter is a large sea duck known for its distinctive white eye patch and deep diving ability.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Melanitta fusca
Origin
Northern Europe and Asia
Family
Anatidae
19. Vanga Flycatcher
Fun Fact: This bird is known for its striking appearance and its ability to mimic the calls of other bird species.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Artamella viridis
Origin
Madagascar
Family
Vangidae
20. Viperfish
Fun Fact: Viperfish are known for their large mouths and fang-like teeth, making them formidable predators in deep-sea environments.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Chauliodus sloani
Origin
Worldwide in deep waters
Family
Stomiidae
21. Vanikoro Flycatcher
Fun Fact: This bird is known for its strikingly vibrant plumage and its unique, melodious call.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Myiagra vanikorensis
Origin
Solomon Islands
Family
Monarchidae
22. Veery (bird)
Fun Fact: The Veery is a small thrush known for its beautiful, downward-spiraling song that echoes through the forests.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Catharus fuscescens
Origin
North America
Family
Turdidae
23. Verdin (bird)
Fun Fact: Verdins are tiny, active birds, notable for their bright yellow heads and their intricate, globular nests.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Auriparus flaviceps
Origin
Southwestern U.S. and Mexico
Family
Remizidae
24. Vermilion Flycatcher
Fun Fact: This small bird is famous for its vivid red plumage and its acrobatic flying skills while hunting insects.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Pyrocephalus rubinus
Origin
Americas
Family
Tyrannidae
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.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Pooecetes gramineus
Origin
North America
Family
Passerellidae
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.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Tachycineta thalassina
Origin
North and Central America
Family
Hirundinidae
27. Virginia Opossum
Fun Fact: The Virginia Opossum is North America’s only marsupial and is known for ‘playing dead’ as a defense mechanism.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Didelphis virginiana
Origin
North America
Family
Didelphidae
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.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Rallus limicola
Origin
North America
Family
Rallidae
29. Visayan Warty Pig
Fun Fact: This critically endangered pig species is known for its distinctive warts and tufted mohawks, unique among pigs.
Detail
Information
Scientific Name
Sus cebifrons
Origin
Philippines
Family
Suidae
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.
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!