Animals That Start With Y - Full List, Images and Facts (2024)

Welcome to animals that start with y.

Animals whose names start with ‘Y’ may be less common than those beginning with other letters. However, in this list, you should encounter some familiar creatures. Let’s explore these unique creatures and their characteristics.

Read the entire article or jump to any animal with the letter y.

Overview of Animals that Start with Y:

1. Yabby

Scientific Name	Cherax destructor
Where It Lives	Streams, swamps and rivers in Australia
What It Eats	They are scavengers and eat any sinking food that fish eat.
Conservation Status	Vulnerable, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: A Yabby can travel many kilometers across dry land.

The Yabby is a freshwater crayfish species found in many parts of Australia. It is also called the Cyan Yabby due to its bright blue color. Catching these animals is a popular activity in Australia.

2. Yak

Scientific Name	Bos grunniens
Where It Lives	Remote, high-elevation Tibetan plateau regions
What It Eats	They are herbivorous and eat grasses and shrubs.
Conservation Status	Vulnerable, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yaks, with their hefty fur, find it challenging to navigate lower altitudes, where milder temperatures lead to heat fatigue.

Living in Tibet, China, and Central Asia, these creatures carry some weight, literally and figuratively. Their thick coats make them well-equipped to endure chilly temperatures and thrive in locations with diminished oxygen levels. They are perfectly adapted for life on mountain peaks.

4. Yellow Ground Squirrel

Scientific Name	Spermophilus fulvus
Where It Lives	Sandy steppes in Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Russia
What It Eats	Bulbs, seeds, stems and leaves
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yellow Ground Squirrels not only hibernate but also indulge in aestivation. Picture this as summertime hibernation, a unique twist in their seasonal rhythms!

Thriving in the sandy steppes, these creatures make their home amidst the vast landscapes, feasting on seeds, leaves, bulbs, and stems.

4. Yellow Mongoose

Scientific Name	Cynictis penicillata
Where It Lives	Africa
What It Eats	Insects and other invertebrates, sometimes small rodents, reptiles, and amphibians.
Conservation Status	Least concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Certain yellow mongooses can harbor the rabies virus for years, remaining symptom-free yet capable of spreading infection.

Meet a mongoose species abundant in Southern Africa. Their fur coat ranges from yellow to reddish. Their long tails help them maintain balance when standing in an upright stance.

5. Yellow Sac Spider

Scientific Name	Cheiracanthium
Where It Lives	It can be found under stones and leaves
What It Eats	Insects
Conservation Status	No conservation status

Fun Fact: Unlike many spiders that rely on webs to catch prey, the Yellow Sac Spider takes a more proactive approach by actively hunting its prey.

In various regions across America, you’ll find the Yellow Sac Spider, accompanied by similar species in different corners of the globe. These nocturnal arachnids construct diminutive web sacs to serve as their daytime retreat.

6. Yellow-eyed Penguin

Scientific Name	Megadyptes antipodes
Where It Lives	New Zealand
What It Eats	Red cod, opal fish, sprat and squid
Conservation Status	Endangered, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: These are the rarest species of penguins on the planet.

This is the fourth-largest penguin in the world. They are native to New Zealand. They are easily distinguished by their yellow eyes and the yellow stripe that runs from one eye to the other behind their head.

7. Yellowfin Tuna

Scientific Name	Thunnus albacares
Where It Lives	Tropical and sub-tropical oceans around the world
What It Eats	Fish, squid and crustaceans
Conservation Status	Near threatened, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Newly hatched Yellowfin tuna are almost microscopic.

The long yellow fins that protrude from this tuna’s back and stomach make it distinctive. It may weigh about 450 pounds and is the second most commonly eaten tuna species.

8. Yeti Crab

Scientific Name	Kiwa hirsuta
Where It Lives	Pacific-Antarctic ridge, south of Easter Island, along hydrothermal vents.
What It Eats	Feed primarily through chemosynthesis, relying on the bacteria that live on their hairy appendages.
Conservation Status	Vulnerable, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yeti crabs stay on top of each other near hydrothermal vents for warmth; these mounds may have up to 700 crabs per square meter.

This is a species of deep-sea crabs that live near hydrothermal vents. They got their name from the ‘hair’ on their arms, which they use to gather bacteria to eat.

9. Yellow-winged Bat

Scientific Name	Lavia frons
Where It Lives	Africa
What It Eats	Insects
Conservation Status	Least Concern

Fun Fact: Yellow-winged bats usually have two roosts at any time.

The Yellow-winged bat is a species of false vampire bats found in Africa. These bats feed on insects and live in trees, cavities, and sometimes buildings.

10. Yuma Myotis

Scientific Name	Myotis yumanensis
Where It Lives	Western United States and Mexico
What It Eats	Insects
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: The Yuma Myotis also uses its interfemoral membrane as a pouch to help it snag larger insects.

The Yuma Myotis is a species of vesper bats found in North America. It has a dull coat that is significantly lighter on the underside and an interfemoral membrane that aids its flight.

11. Yellow-throated Marten

Scientific Name	Martes flavigula
Where It Lives	Asia
What It Eats	Small mammals, birds, insects.
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yellow-throated martens prey on rats, mice, snakes, and nesting birds. They have also been reported to have killed cats and poultry.

The Yellow-throated Marten is the largest of the old-world martens in existence. It has beautiful fur blending white, yellow, brown, and black. To sum up, they are native to Asia.

12. Yellowhammer

Scientific Name	Emberiza citrinella
Where It Lives	Europe and Asia
What It Eats	Seeds and insects
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: The eggs of the Yellowhammer feature dark scribbles resembling ink markings as if someone has been scribbling on them!

Spread across numerous regions globally, this bunting bird species showcases its presence. The mature male Yellowhammer stands out with vibrant yellow plumage on its head and undersides, while others display a more subdued color palette following the same pattern.

13. Yacare Caiman

Scientific Name	Caiman yacare
Where It Lives	South America
What It Eats	Fish, birds, and small mammals
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: After hatching, Yacare Caimans display a unique behavior – they consume the shells of their own young.

The Yacare Caiman is native to Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. In the 1980s, these creatures faced significant hunting pressure for their valuable skins. Fortunately, stringent conservation measures have led to a rebound in their population.

Scientific Name	Antechinus flavipes
Where It Lives	Australia
What It Eats	Insects, small vertebrates
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yellow-footed Antechinus have a short life span of less than a year.

You can find this tiny marsupial in Australia. Similar to many marsupials, it possesses a pouch, yet it resembles a shrew in appearance.

15. Yellowjacket

Scientific Name	Vespula spp. / Dolichovespula spp.
Where It Lives	Worldwide
What It Eats	Insects
Conservation Status	Not Specified

Fun Fact: Since they feed on crop pests, yellowjackets benefit agriculture.

The Yellowjacket is an aggressive species of wasp that can be found anywhere humans reside. They have yellow and black stripes that are similar to that of Bees.

16. Yellow-backed Duiker

Scientific Name	Cephalophus silvicultor
Where It Lives	Central and West Africa
What It Eats	Fruits, seeds, leaves, and small animals
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: Yellow-backed duikers have yellow hairs on their back that stand when they are threatened.

Another interesting member of the animals that start with y club. This is the most common type of duiker in western and central Africa. These speedy animals are quick to bolt at the sign of a threat.

17. Yellow Anaconda

Scientific Name	Eunectes notaeus
Where It Lives	South America
What It Eats	Fish, birds, small mammals
Conservation Status	Data Deficient

Fun Fact: Yellow Anacondas are not venomous, they kill prey by squeezing them to death.

This is a snake species found in many regions of South America. It is one of the largest snakes in the world and can be found near bodies of water.

18. Yellow-eye Rockfish

Scientific Name	Sebastes ruberrimus
Where It Lives	North Pacific Ocean
What It Eats	Small fish
Conservation Status	Not Specified

Fun Fact: The Yellow-eye Rockfish boasts an impressive lifespan, with some individuals living up to 120 years.

Residing in the eastern Pacific, the Yellow-eye Rockfish is a sizable fish species. Notably, these fish undergo a captivating color transformation as they age, transitioning from reddish hues to vibrant orange and eventually to a pale yellow shade.

19. Yungas Pygmy Owl

Scientific Name	Glaucidium nana
Where It Lives	South America
What It Eats	Insects, small vertebrates
Conservation Status	Data Deficient

Fun Fact: Yungas Pygmy Owls can turn their necks up to 270 degrees like all owls.

The Yungas Pygmy Owl is a species of owl found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. Also, these owls have dark feathers and false eyes on their napes to trick attackers.

20. Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog

Scientific Name	Dendrobates leucomelas
Where It Lives	Northern South America
What It Eats	Insects
Conservation Status	Least Concern, according to the IUCN

Fun Fact: These frogs rely on eating certain insects for their poison. Therefore, without those, they’d become harmless.

These frogs are found in Venezuela, Brazil, and the eastern edges of Columbia. They are highly poisonous and noted for their yellow and black coloration.

Summary of animals Starting With Y

Several of these animals that start with y are more common than you might think and could live closer to you than expected. Keep an eye out as you explore nature, and you will be surprised at how many you can spot. Take a look at this exciting list of animals that start with u.

Full Alphabet:

• Animals That Start With A
• Animals That Start With B
• Animals That Start With C
• Animals That Start With D
• Animals That Start With E
• Animals That Start With F
• Animals That Start With G
• Animals That Start With H
• Animals That Start With I
• Animals That Start With J
• Animals That Start With K
• Animals That Start With L
• Animals That Start With M
• Animals That Start With N
• Animals That Start With O
• Animals That Start With P
• Animals That Start With Q
• Animals That Start With R
• Animals That Start With S
• Animals That Start With T
• Animals That Start With U
• Animals That Start With V
• Animals That Start With W
• Animals That Start With X
• Animals That Start With Z