Animals beginning with ‘U’


Discover a fascinating array of animals whose names start with the letter ‘U’. There are more than you might think… though that could be because several are named after an umbrella!

Animals beginning with the letter ‘U’

Uakari

Close up of Uakari Monkey eating fruit on Amazon Rainforest: Credit: Getty

A type of monkey found in the Amazon Rainforest, the Uakari characterised by its bald head and bright red face.

Umbrellabird

A tropical bird native to Central and South America, known for its distinctively shaped crest of feathers on its head, hence its name.

Umbrella octopus

Watch the cute dumbo octopus in action, part of the family Opisthoteuthidae, or umbrella octopuses. Credit: Getty

A species of octopus found in deep ocean waters, known for its translucent body and webbing between its tentacles, which gives it the appearance of an umbrella.

Urial

An urial, Ovis orientalis vignei, takes a rest. Credit: Getty

A wild sheep native to Central Asia, recognised by its long, curved horns and reddish-brown coat.

Uguisu

Listen to the enchanting sound of this little warbler. Credit: Getty

Also called the Japanese Bush warbler, it’s a small songbird found in Japan, known for its melodious call.

Ugandan kob

Male Ugandan kob antelopes (Kobus kob thomasi) battle over territory. Credit: Getty

A type of antelope found in East Africa, particularly in Uganda, characterized by its reddish-brown coat and spiralled horns.

Uinta ground squirrel

Watch the adorable Uinta ground squirrel as it grazes in Yellowstone National Park. Credit: Getty 

A species of ground squirrel found in North America, primarily in the Rocky Mountains region.

Uromastyx

Get a closer look at the spiny-tailed lizard, or Uromastyx aegypticus. Credit: Getty

A genus of lizard native to North Africa and the Middle East, known for their spiny tails and herbivorous diet.

Umbrella cockatoo

A species of cockatoo native to Indonesia, known for its distinctive crest of feathers and playful personality.

Numbers of this bird are in decline as a result of large-scale trapping – though this was made illegal in 1999, but still continues – and the decimation of their habitat – notably tall trees for nesting – by the logging trade.

Unicornfish

The enigmatic spotted unicorn fish. Credit: Getty

A type of tropical fish in the genus Naso, which is found in coral reefs. It’s characterised by a long, slender body and a prominent horn-like projection on its forehead.

Umbonia spinosa

This colourful little insect can be easily mistaken for a tree thorn. Credit: Getty

A species of treehopper insect found in Central and South America, known for its thorn-like protrusions on its body, resembling miniature umbrellas.

Uroplatus

Can you spot the leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus fimbriatus) camouflaged on this tree trunk? Credit: Getty

A genus of geckos native to Madagascar, commonly known as leaf-tailed geckos due to their flattened bodies and leaf-like tails.

Urocyon

South American grey fox cubs play in the entrance of their den. Credit: Getty

A genus of small canids native to North America, commonly known as grey foxes.

Ucides cordatus

Also known as the mangrove crab or uçá crab, it’s a species of crab found in mangrove habitats along the Atlantic coast of the Americas.

Umbrella Slug

The umbrella slug could be mistaken for a sea anemone. Credit: Getty

A species of sea slug found in tropical waters, known for its translucent body and umbrella-like mantle.

Looking for more animal facts?

Explore our expertly curated collection of captivating animal features, offering everything from insightful animal ID’s to engaging quizzes. Check out our collection of species guides, from big cats to zebra – all the information you need is in one place!


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