Animals that Start with Z

Updated: October 12, 2022
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Read below for information on 14 different animals that start with the letter Z, from Zebra to Zorse. The most popular animal that starts with Z is the zonkey, the least popular is the zebra shark. Some fun facts about Z name animals include:

  • Both the Zorse and Zonkey are both crossbred animals. Zorses have one zebra and one horse parent. Zonkeys have one zebra parent and one donkey parent
  • Zebra stripes are like fingerprints and are unique to each individual animal.

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Alphabetical List of Animals That Start with Z

Animals that Start with Z

Zebra

Zebra Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Perissodactyla
Family
Equidae
Genus
Equus
Scientific Name
Equus zebra, Equus quagga, Equus grevyi

Fun Fact: Stripe patterns are unique to each individual!

The zebra is perhaps the most visually dazzling member of the family Equidae, a group that includes horses, asses, zebras, and multiple other species. Zebras are famous for their black and white stripes. While some may think the stripes are a camouflage against predators, they actually repel flies! And these stripes–are zebras white with black […] Read More


Zebra Finch

Zebra Finch Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Estrildidae
Genus
Taeniopygia
Scientific Name
Taeniopygia guttata

Fun Fact: The male zebra finch creates a unique song by drawing inspiration from its parent or tutor

The zebra finch is a small songbird (and a formal member of the estrildid finches) whose origin is the southern Pacific region. Perched atop a branch or log, the male emits a unique composition of his own making to woo a prospective mate. Common in the wild, they are also fairly popular in the exotic […] Read More


Zebra Mussels

Zebra Mussels Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Bivalvia
Order
Myida
Family
Dreissenidae
Genus
Dreissena
Scientific Name
Dreissena polymorpha

Fun Fact: A female zebra mussel can deposit 30,000 to 1,000,000 eggs each year!

Zebra mussels are small freshwater mollusks that look like tiny clams. They usually measure only the size of a fingernail, up to one inch long. Their outer shell physical characteristics consist of bands of dark and light stripes, earning their name from the zebra. Zebra mussels are the only freshwater mollusk species able to attach […] Read More


Zebra Pleco

Zebra Pleco Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Siluriformes
Family
Loricariidae
Genus
Hypancistrus
Scientific Name
Hypancistrus zebra

Fun Fact: The zebra pleco is a bottom feeder with a sucker mouth.

The most prominent feature is the zebra-like stripes covering the body. This gives it a unique look compared to other fish in the aquarium. The zebra pleco is a small species of freshwater catfish, adorned with luxurious stripes and characterized by a docile temperament. First discovered in 1991, it quickly became a popular fish in […] Read More


Zebra Shark

Zebra Shark Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Chondrichthyes
Order
Orectolobiformes
Family
Stegostomatidae
Genus
Stegostoma
Scientific Name
Stegostoma Fasciatum

Fun Fact: Can get to be 30 years old in the wild!

While zebra shark ‘pups’ do have stripes when they are born, those actually turn into spots as they grow! Zebra sharks are gentle fish that hang around coral reefs in tropical oceans. They spend their days sleeping and their evenings leisurely hunting around the sea floor and eating. Because of climate change and human activity, zebra shark numbers are […] Read More


Zebra Snake

Zebra Snake Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Naja
Scientific Name
Naja nigricincta

Fun Fact: The zebra snake is a black-hooded species of spitting cobra native to several of the southern countries of Africa.

The zebra snake is a black-hooded species of spitting cobra native to several of the southern countries of Africa. The zebra snake is nocturnal, can swim, and its cytotoxic venom is extremely dangerous. Zebra Snake Amazing Facts A zebra cobra can spit venom up to nine feet!Zebra snakes can live more than 12 years!A zebra […] Read More


Zebra Spitting Cobra

Zebra Spitting Cobra Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Naja
Scientific Name
Naja nigricincta

Fun Fact: This snake can spit a distance of nine feet or further!

A zebra spitting cobra can spit its venom a distance of over nine feet. The western barred spitting cobra is more familiarly known as the zebra spitting cobra. Its name refers to the pattern of brown or black and white stripes running the length of its body. The zebra spitting cobra has strong venom that […] Read More


Zebra Tarantula

Zebra Tarantula Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Theraphosidae
Genus
Aphonopelma
Scientific Name
Aphonopelma seemanni

Fun Fact: They can stay hidden in their burrows for months!

“A zebra tarantula is a black spider with white stripes!” The zebra tarantula is a medium-sized black spider with white stripes. Their eight long legs have white stripes that run vertically. Sometimes they are called striped knee tarantulas because the stripes pass over their knee joints. Zebra tarantulas are native to Central America and are […] Read More


Zebrafish (Zebra Fish)

Zebrafish (Zebra Fish) Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Danio
Scientific Name
Danio rerio

Fun Fact: Used extensively in scientific research

Summary Also known as the zebra danio, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) belongs to the minnow family Cyprinidae. This freshwater fish is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish due to its hardy nature, vivid colors, and reproductive capacity. Originally from southern Asia, you can now find zebrafish in private and public aquariums worldwide. Zebrafish […] Read More


Zebu

Zebu Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Bovidae
Genus
Bos
Scientific Name
Bos taurus indicus

Fun Fact: There are around 75 different species!

The zebu is the most common subspecies of domesticated cattle on the Indian subcontinent, where it has traditionally served the role of a working or riding animal. Because it was considered to be a sacred animal in Hinduism, the zebu is not a significant source of meat, and although it can provide plenty of milk, […] Read More


Zokor

Zokor Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Spalacidae

Fun Fact: Zokors are expert diggers. They burrow tunnels hundreds of feet long!

“Zokors are expert diggers. They burrow tunnels hundreds of feet long!” Zokor Summary Zokors are rodents native to Asia. They are “molelike” creatures with tiny eyes, long, sharp claws, and long incisors. Zokors are expert burrowers and mostly live underground. You will rarely catch these animals on the surface, though you could spot the mounds […] Read More


Zonkey

Zonkey Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Perissodactyla
Family
Equidae
Genus
Equus
Scientific Name
Equus zebra x Equus asinus

Fun Fact: The offspring of Zebra and Donkey parents!

The world of hybrid animals is fascinating and bizarre. While hybrid animals can appear in the wild, it’s a rare occurrence. Hybrid animals are usually created through controlled crossbreeding at specialized farms or zoos. One of the popular hybrid animals that have stirred the curiosity of many animal lovers is the Zonkey–an animal created by […] Read More


Zorse

Zorse Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Perissodactyla
Family
Equidae
Genus
Equus
Scientific Name
Equus zebra x Equus caballus

Fun Fact: The offspring of a Zebra and Horse parents!

Classification and Evolution The Zorse is one of a number of equine hybrids that are known as Zebroids, which is the name given to an equine hybrid that has Zebra ancestry. The Zorse is the result of cross-breeding a generally male Zebra (stallion) with a female Horse (mare) to produce an animal that looks more […] Read More


Zuchon

Zuchon Picture
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Fun Fact: The breed often changes colors throughout its life, with its puppy coat becoming lighter over the first few years of life, then darkening as he ages.

The Zuchon breed often changes colors throughout its life, with the puppy coat becoming lighter over the first few years of life, then it darkens with age. A sweet, loving breed, the Zuchon is a mix between the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise. The goal was to breed an affectionate companion that has the best […] Read More


Animals that start with the letter Z, including the Zebra Shark & Zebu
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