Animals That Start With Z (Discover Rare Species)

Zoos and wildlife documentaries often highlight the usual suspects – lions, tigers, elephants – but what about those creatures starting with ‘Z’? Ever wondered why they don’t get as much spotlight? It’s a curious world in the animal kingdom, especially at the end of the alphabet. 

Think about it: how many animals can you name that start with ‘Z’? Not many, right? This scarcity makes ‘Z’ animals somewhat of a mystery. Are they just elusive or underappreciated? Each ‘Z’ animal brings its own unique flair to the biodiversity party.

List Of Animals That Start With Z

• Zebra
• Zebu
• Zorilla (also known as the Striped Polecat)
• Zebrafish
• Zonkey
• Zorse
• Zokor
• Zanj Sun Squirrel
• Zigzag Heron
• Zebra Shark
• Zebra Pleco
• Zebra Mussels
• Zebra Finch
• Zebra Dove
• Zenaida Dove
• Zebra-Tailed Lizard
• Zanzibar Red Colobus
• Zorro
• Zebra Spider
• Zebra Duiker
• Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
• Zonure
• Zebroid
• Zalophus (California Sea Lion)
• Zalambdalestes
• Zorro Chilote
• Zorros Voladores (Flying Foxes)
• Zosterops (Typical White-eye)
• Zarudny’s Jird
• Zigzag Salamander

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

1. Zebra

Fun Fact: Zebras are one of the few mammals that can see in color, although they cannot see the color orange​​.

2. Zebu

Fun Fact: The zebu has been a part of human art and culture for thousands of years, appearing on coinage, architecture, and statues​​.

3. Zorilla (Striped Polecat)

Fun Fact: Zorillas can spray a foul-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism, similar to skunks, which can cause temporary blindness if it gets into the eyes of an attacker​​.

4. Zebrafish

Fun Fact: Zebrafish are one of the few species of fish that have been sent to space and are frequently used as model organisms for genetic and developmental studies​​.

5. Zonkey

Fun Fact: Zonkeys are hybrids between zebras and donkeys and are capable of running at speeds of up to 35 mph (60 kph)​​.

6. Zorse

Fun Fact: A Zorse is a hybrid animal resulting from the crossbreeding of a zebra and a horse. They inherit the striking striped pattern from their zebra parent and the size and shape of a horse. Each Zorse has a unique stripe pattern, much like human fingerprints.

7. Zokor

Fun Fact: Zokors are unique rodents known for their underground lifestyle. They have fewer predators due to their subterranean habitat, and interestingly, they do not have external ears!

8. Zanj Sun Squirrel

Fun Fact: The Zanj Sun Squirrel, found in Africa, is known for its agility and speed. It can leap impressively between trees while searching for food, making it a fascinating sight in the wild.

9. Zigzag Heron

Fun Fact: The Zigzag Heron is a mysterious and elusive bird. It is named for its unique zigzag flight pattern, which makes it quite a spectacle when it takes to the air.

10. Zebra Shark

Fun Fact: Despite its name, the Zebra Shark is actually more spotted than striped as an adult. Young zebra sharks have stripes, which transform into spots as they mature.

11. Zebra Pleco

Fun Fact: The Zebra Pleco is highly sought after in the aquarium trade for its striking black and white stripes, resembling a zebra’s pattern. It’s also known for being a nocturnal species, being more active at night.

12. Zebra Mussels

Fun Fact: Zebra Mussels are known for their incredible ability to filter water, which can actually improve water quality. However, they are also invasive and can cause significant ecological and economic damage.

13. Zebra Finch

Fun Fact: The Zebra Finch is a popular pet bird known for its cheerful and loud song. They are highly social birds and often seen in large flocks in the wild.

14. Zebra Dove

Fun Fact: Zebra Doves are known for their peaceful and gentle nature. They have a distinctive, repetitive cooing call and are often found in pairs.

15. Zenaida Dove

Fun Fact: The Zenaida Dove is known for its fast and direct flight. It has a distinctive ‘coo-oo-oo’ sound, which is often heard in the regions it inhabits.

16. Zebra-Tailed Lizard

Fun Fact: The Zebra-Tailed Lizard is known for its distinctive black and white striped tail and its impressive speed. It can run on its hind legs to escape predators.

17. Zanzibar Red Colobus

Fun Fact: This species is unique to the Zanzibar archipelago and is known for its striking red and black coat. It’s one of Africa’s most endangered primates.

18. Zorro

Fun Fact: “Zorro” is a common name in Spanish for several types of canids, including the South American Gray Fox. They are known for their cunning and adaptability.

19. Zebra Spider

Fun Fact: Zebra Spiders are small jumping spiders known for their black and white striped bodies. They don’t use webs to catch prey but rather jump on them with precision.

20. Zebra Duiker

Fun Fact: The Zebra Duiker is a small antelope known for its distinctive zebra-like stripes. It’s one of the most striking duikers due to its unique appearance.

21. Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly

Fun Fact: The Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly has a unique wing shape and pattern, with long tails resembling a swallow’s tail. Its larvae feed exclusively on pawpaw leaves.

22. Zonure

Fun Fact: Zonures, also known as Girdled Lizards, have a distinctive armor of hard, bony scales around their bodies, which gives them a very prehistoric appearance.

23. Zebroid

Fun Fact: A Zebroid is a hybrid between a zebra and any other equine, often a horse or donkey. These hybrids inherit the distinctive stripes of zebras, often on parts of their bodies.

24. Zalophus (California Sea Lion)

Fun Fact: California Sea Lions are known for their intelligence and playfulness. They are often seen performing acrobatic tricks in the wild, like high-speed porpoising and leaping out of the water.

25. Zalambdalestes

Fun Fact: Zalambdalestes was a small mammal that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It is known only from fossil remains and was an early relative of modern-day mammals.

26. Zorro Chilote

Fun Fact: The Zorro Chilote, or Chilote Fox, is a small and elusive canid native to the Chiloé Island in Chile. It’s known for its adaptability to different habitats within the island.

27. Zorros Voladores (Flying Foxes)

Fun Fact: Flying Foxes are the largest bats in the world. They don’t use echolocation like other bats; instead, they rely on their keen eyesight and sense of smell.

28. Zosterops (Typical White-eye)

Fun Fact: Typical White-eyes are named for the distinctive white ring around their eyes. They are incredibly adaptable and are among the most rapidly evolving bird species.

29. Zarudny’s Jird

Fun Fact: Zarudny’s Jird is a type of rodent known for its burrowing lifestyle. It’s adapted to arid environments and has a diet primarily consisting of seeds and vegetation.

30. Zigzag Salamander

Fun Fact: The Zigzag Salamander is named for the distinctive zigzag pattern on its back. It’s a small salamander that prefers moist, wooded habitats.