Animals that Start with W

The walking catfish is literally a fish out of water story. Sporting one of the most unusual adaptations in the animal kingdom, it has the ability to “walk” (or rather slither) across the land by wiggling its body back and forth. The purpose of this behavior is to move between bodies of water after heavy […] Read More

The main distinction between wallabies and kangaroos is based primarily on kangaroos being significantly larger than most wallabies. Like kangaroos, wallabies are marsupials that are part of the family Macropodidae. Native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, wallabies have been introduced to other areas of the world, including New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Of the more […] Read More

The Walleye Fish is also known as the yellow pike or yellow pickerel Walleye is a species of ray-finned fish native to freshwater bodies in many states throughout the Midwestern United States and in many regions of Canada. They are popular game fish for anglers who are seeking a fun fight along with a solid […] Read More

Walrus Classification and Evolution The Walrus is a large marine animal that is found inhabiting the freezing cold and icy waters of the Arctic Circle. Thought to be most closely related to Fur Seals, Walruses are the second largest ocean-dwelling mammals that come ashore to breed after Elephant Seals and are highly distinctive amongst pinnipeds […] Read More

“The Wandering Albatross has the widest wingspan of any living bird” The wandering albatross lives mostly on the wing above the world’s southern seas. As one of the largest birds living, it has been the subject of numerous studies. As a result, researchers have compiled an extensive list of facts about the species. Although the […] Read More

“Warthogs are herbivores by choice, omnivores by necessity.” A large member of the swine family, the warthog is an animal species that is best known for its four sharp tusks and padded bumps, or warts, on its face. The females of the species are quite social and live out their lives in family groups called […] Read More

Most wasps build their nests from chewed up wood or mud! Wasps are some of the world’s most diverse creatures as this category of insects has more than 100,000 species worldwide. While most people think of wasps as aggressive insects that live in large colonies, the vast majority of wasps are peaceful, solitary creatures. Although […] Read More

“The water buffalo is known as the living tractor of the East.” The water buffalo, also known as the Asian buffalo, Asiatic water buffalo, or arni, is the second largest member of the bovid family, and it is closely related to yak, bison, African buffalo, ox, and various other forms of wild cattle. Its great […] Read More

“Water dragons can run very quickly when threatened and remain submerged for as long as 90 minutes.” Water dragons are agamid lizards native to southern China, the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Australia. The two main species are the Chinese Water Dragon, along with the Australian Water dragon found on the […] Read More

Water Vole Classification and Evolution The Water Vole is a small species of semi-aquatic rodent that is found along the riverbanks throughout the UK and Europe. They are similar in appearance to Mice and Rats but have a number of distinctive differences including a flatter snout and a shorter tail. Also known as the European […] Read More

Weasel Classification and Evolution The Weasel is a small-sized carnivorous mammal that is found on every continent with the exception of Australia and its surrounding islands, along with the more hostile polar regions. There are numerous Weasel species that all vary in size, colour and slightly with their behaviours depending on where in the world […] Read More

The Weimaraner is also nicknamed the “gray ghost” for its light gray coat and eye color. The Weimaraner is a big sporting dog that originated from 19th century Germany. The very first members of this breed were used by the German aristocracy to hunt large game such as boar, deer, and bears. After these animals […] Read More

Despite their physical differences, both the Weimaraner and the Poodle were bred in Germany as hunting dogs. The former was a more conventional “gun dog,” while the latter was built to retrieve game from the water with its strong swimming ability. This deep hunting pedigree shows up in the Weimardoodle’s exceptional athleticism. First bred around […] Read More

The Welsh corgi is a small herding dog that probably originated from the countryside of Wales sometime before the year 1000 AD. Its small size is well-suited for nipping at the heels of cattle or sheep to herd them around their grazing lands or into pens. The breed can be identified by its short but […] Read More

The Welsh Terrier was bred in Wales for hunting foxes and badgers. The Welsh Terrier is a breed of long-legged earth dogs with an iron constitution and exceptionally strong spirit. It was developed in the 18th century (and perhaps even earlier) for hunting foxes, badgers, and otters in the rugged terrain of northern Wales. The […] Read More

While hunting, the West Highland Terrier uses its compact size to burrow underground and wriggle into tight underground caverns. That makes the Westie a go-to in many parts of the globe as a hunting companion. The West Highland Terrier is a large dog in a small body. Flush with energy, stubborn and curious, even-tempered and […] Read More

The western gorilla is one of two gorilla sub-groups found on the African continent (the other being the eastern gorilla). The western gorilla is the most numerous species gorilla and also the larger out of the two. The western gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with […] Read More

“The western lowland gorilla has been observed using basic tools in the wild in order to more effectively gather food“ The Western Lowland Gorilla is an intelligent animal sharing 98% of its DNA with that of humans. However, despite our similarities, there are many differences between humans and these gorillas. The scientific name of the […] Read More

Though a Westiepoo is small in size, it has a strong bark that can scare away strangers on the property. Westiepoos are social, intelligent dogs that are full of curiosity. They are the result of breeding a West Highland White terrier with a miniature poodle. These dogs date back to the 1970s. They are believed […] Read More

Often growing to 40 feet or more, the mysterious whale shark is the largest living fish! Despite their name, whale sharks are not whales, they are actually fish. Their name comes from their huge size. Often growing to 40 feet long or more, the whale shark is a fish that is about the size of a […] Read More

The Wheaten Terrier was once known as the “poor man’s Wolfhound.” The Wheaten Terrier, also known as the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, is one of three breeds of terrier originating from Ireland. Its original purpose was to be an all-around versatile farm dog that could hunt vermin, protect the chicken coop, and herd animals. This […] Read More

The Whippet, also known as the English Whippet or Snap Dog, is the fastest dog of its weight with the ability to reach speeds of up to 35mph. The medium-sized breed is also called the “Poor Man’s Racehorse” and “Lightning Rag Dog.” Although it is thought of as a small Greyhound, it has a unique […] Read More

“They are called cabbage white butterflies because they eat cabbage leaves while the caterpillar stage of life.” The white butterfly lives all over the world including Australia, Asia, and Europe. There are a total of 1,100 species of white butterfly worldwide. They are found in gardens, forests, and traveling over fields of weeds. Their bright, […] Read More

“The largest of all rhino species” Known for its square upper lip, large two horns, and incredible size, the white rhino once roamed across southern and northern Africa. At the start of the 20th century, the white rhino population dwindled to as few as 50 individuals. Today, the white rhino shows both the promise of […] Read More

White Tiger Classification and Evolution The White Tiger (also known as the White Bengal Tiger) is a subspecies of Tiger, found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Although the range of the White Tiger is historically very large, these animals are incredibly rare as their colouration is dependent on a defective, recessive gene that is passed on […] Read More

The white-faced capuchin monkey barks and coughs to alert other monkeys of a predator in the area. White-faced capuchins live in social groups of 18 to 20 monkeys. They are omnivores and live to be around 30 years old in the wild. These monkeys make their homes in tropical evergreen and dry deciduous forests where […] Read More

The white-tail deer, also called Virginia deer, live from Southern Canada to South America. This deer that has a white tail is bigger the further away from the equator it lives. They are a favorite target for hunters, but wolves, mountain lions, bears, jaguars, and coyotes also love to dine on them. White-tail deer are […] Read More

“The largest eagle in all of Europe” The white-tailed eagle is a sea eagle. It has a fairly large range across Eurasia. It is a raptor or carnivorous bird of prey. Its plumage is unique and quite beautiful. 4 Incredible White-tailed Eagle Facts! It is the national bird of Germany and is portrayed in the […] Read More

Whoodles inherited a love of swimming from their poodle parent. When you breed a poodle with a soft-coated Wheaten terrier you get what’s known as a Whoodle. This canine has a friendly, affectionate personality and is very energetic. Whoodles belong to the hybrid group of dogs. Though Whoodles originated in the United States, no one […] Read More

The whooping crane is among the largest and most distinguished birds of North America. Centuries ago, this species was seen in large numbers across the country. But after years of overhunting and habitat destruction, the whooping crane was nearly driven to extinction by the midpoint of the 20th century. Conservationists have expended enormous efforts to […] Read More

Wild Boar Classification and Evolution The Wild Boar is a species of Wild Pig, native to the forests of Europe, north-west Africa and it is also found throughout Asia. The Wild Boar is an animal with an extremely wide distribution with the number of estimated Wild Boar subspecies ranging from 4 to 25. Naturally, it […] Read More

A wildebeest is a version of an antelope. They have horns whether they are male or female. While they are territorial, they are also known for being playful, energetic and active. Of all the antelopes in Africa, the wildebeest population has grown from 250,000 alive in 1960, and 1.5 million as of 2020.  Wildebeest Top […] Read More

Its song has been called “the sound of summer.” The willow warbler is a small, migratory songbird known for its sweet sound. You can see it in parks, gardens, and woodland areas all over Europe and Scandinavia. This bird travels thousands of miles on its annual migration to Africa. 5 Incredible Willow Warbler Facts! While […] Read More

The entire line of Fox Terriers was originally bred from the Rough Coated Black and Tan Terrier. Their strong prey drive, plucky, independent mind, and specialized training gave them the ability to drive foxes from the den. The Wire Fox Terrier was once a quintessential part of the British fox hunting scene. It was developed […] Read More

Loyalty to its owner is one of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s most prized traits. In fact, these dogs are so loyal to their owners, they can be wary of any visitors to the house. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is friendly, intelligent, and devoted to its owner. The history of this dog dates back to France […] Read More

“Wolves are apex predators that travel in packs and are essential for the health of most ecosystems.” Wolves are some of the most iconic predators in the animal kingdom. They’re featured in songs, legends, and even modern films. Although the gray wolf is the most recognizable, there are more than 30 distinct subspecies that range […] Read More

The Wolf Eel mates for life and prefers to spend its time in tight caves and crevices. Despite its name, the Wolf Eel is actually a fish. It was given this name because of its powerful jaws and sharp teeth that it uses to crush hard-shelled creatures, such as crabs and abalone. Wolf Eels are […] Read More

The wolf spider is a family of carnivorous spiders that have adapted to most of the world’s major ecosystems. Among their many distinctive and interesting characteristics, most wolf spiders lack the ability to spin elaborate webs to trap prey. Instead, they ruthlessly hunt down their prey like the famous animal for which they’re named. Females also […] Read More

With its sharp canines, powerful jaws, and carnivorous lifestyle, the wolffish has a fearsome and devil-like appearance that lets you know it is a true predator of the sea. The name derives from its resemblance to the famous canine wolf species, but the similarities end there. The wolffish is a rather solitary hunter that forms […] Read More

The wolverine is an aggressive carnivore that punches well above its weight. Despite its small size, the wolverine is an animal that has earned a ferocious reputation as a top predator in the wild. This species looks like a small bear, but the facts suggest it is closely related to the weasel, another small but […] Read More

Wombats have cube-shaped poop that they use to mark their territories. Wombats are chunky little vegetarian animals that live only in Australia and Tasmania. They are marsupials, which means that they carry their babies in a pouch after they are born. Wombats are excellent diggers and create tunnels and burrows to live in. Their digestive […] Read More

The Wood Bison is the Largest living, native terrestrial North American Mammal. In March 2011, the first wood bison roamed free on American soil again for the first time in over 100 years. These animals that are the largest North American mammal, weigh about 350 pounds more than the plains bison. Wood bison live in […] Read More

Did you know that the wood frog lives the furthest north of any other North American amphibian including into the Arctic Circle? The wood frog has gained scientific attention over the last century because of its terrestrial, habitat associations, freeze tolerance, and long-range movements. The wood frog is the proposed New York State official amphibian. […] Read More

“The Wood Turtle is a slow but intelligent reptile.” A description of a wood turtle is of an attractive, smallish turtle that rarely grows over 10 inches long. There are several species of wood turtle. There is the North American wood turtle found in the eastern part of the continent; the Central American wood turtle, […] Read More

“A female pill bug has a pouch on her belly where she carries as many as 200 fertilized eggs.” When a woodlouse feels threatened or in danger, it rolls its body up into a ball so only its shell is visible. A rolled-up woodlouse looks kind of like a pill. That’s how it earned the […] Read More

The Woodlouse spider is found throughout the world. They live in Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. This spider is named for the woodlice it hunts in its habitat. These spiders don’t make a web. Instead, they capture prey with their fangs, then deliver a dose of venom. The lifespan of this […] Read More

Woodpeckers are birds that have zygodactyl feet, with the first and fourth toes facing backward, the second and third facing forward, so they can grip tree trunks more efficiently Woodpeckers are birds that live in nearly every region of the world except for New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, Australia, and both the North and South […] Read More

“The woodrat is the collector of bright and shiny objects.” The woodrat, also called the packrat or the trade rat, is famous for picking up or even stealing man-made objects and using them to build its nests and dens. The accumulated trash thrown out of these dens over time can tell scientists the history of […] Read More

The woolly mammoth was an enormous mammal that once roamed the vast frozen, northern landscapes in large size. Believed to be closely related to the modern-day elephant, the woolly mammoth remained in the wild until roughly 1700 BC when it became extinct. The woolly mammoth was found roaming the bitter Arctic tundra where they would […] Read More

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to help us educate about the world’s species so we can all better care for them. The woolly monkey excels above all at one thing: climbing. Even among arboreal primates, its climbing ability is remarkable. With […] Read More

Worms are one of the largest groups of invasive species in the world. With over one million species, the bilateral symmetry of their elongated bodies makes them easy to identify. They can live on land and in the sea, moving along any surface with a slimy substance that comes from their skin. Worms are hermaphrodites, […] Read More

The wrasse is an animal family that is most well-known for the bright colors for is made up of brightly colored fishes. The family boasts of diversity and comprises over 600 fish species that are spread across 81 genera. Wrasse fishes are further divided into nine groups or tribes. They can be about 5 cm […] Read More

“Writing spiders can pluck webs like guitar strings to communicate with a mate. Almost like, they are playing songs to get their attention. “ The writing spider is a mostly passive carnivorous pest that is as shy as it is small. It feasts on smaller pests like Aphids, flies, mosquitos, and gnats. While their bite is […] Read More

“Wyoming toads release poison from a gland in their neck as a defense against predators” Wyoming toads are Extinct in the Wild, but there are still some living in captivity. There are breeding programs in place to try to increase the number of Wyoming toads. These toads are carnivores and live for about […] Read More