Animals That Start with Y | List, Exercise & Examples

List of Animals That Start with Y

Animal	Type	Where It Lives	Interesting Fact
Yabby	Crustacean	Freshwater Rivers and Lakes of Australia	Yabbies can survive drought by burrowing into mud.
Yak	Mammal	Mountains of Central Asia	Yaks are adapted to cold climates with thick fur and large lungs.
Yarara	Reptile	Forests and Grasslands of South America	Also known as the urutu, it is a highly venomous viper.
Yellow Anaconda	Reptile	Wetlands and Swamps of South America	Smaller than the green anaconda, but still a powerful constrictor.
Yellow Bass	Fish	Freshwater Lakes of North America	Known for their bold stripes and schooling behavior.
Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake	Reptile	Tropical Oceans Worldwide	This highly venomous snake can live its entire life at sea.
Yellowfin Tuna	Fish	Warm Oceans Worldwide	Yellowfin tuna are fast swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph.
Yellowjacket	Insect	Forests, Gardens, Urban Areas Worldwide	Aggressive wasps that are important pollinators and predators of pests.
Yellowhammer	Bird	Grasslands and Woodlands of Europe and Asia	Known for their melodic "little bit of bread and no cheese" song.
Yellow Mongoose	Mammal	Grasslands and Deserts of Southern Africa	Also called the red meerkat, it lives in colonies and hunts insects.
Yellow Perch	Fish	Freshwater Lakes and Rivers of North America	Popular among anglers for its tasty meat.
Yellowtail Snapper	Fish	Coral Reefs of the Western Atlantic Ocean	A brightly colored fish often found in tropical waters.
Yeti Crab	Crustacean	Deep Hydrothermal Vents in the Pacific Ocean	Yeti crabs have hairy claws that help them farm bacteria for food.

Animals that start with Y - Flashcards and Exercise

These exercises focus on Animals that start with Y

Illustration of Animals That Start with Y

Featured Animals

Yabby

The yabby is a freshwater crayfish native to Australia. Known for its resilience, it can survive dry periods by burrowing into mud and waiting for rain. It is also a popular delicacy in Australian cuisine.

Yak

Yaks are large, shaggy-haired mammals found in the mountains of Central Asia. Domesticated yaks are used for milk, meat, and as pack animals. Wild yaks are larger and more elusive, inhabiting remote areas.

Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake

This highly venomous snake spends its entire life in the ocean, even giving birth in the water. It is well-adapted to marine life, with a flattened tail for swimming and the ability to stay submerged for long periods.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna are among the fastest and most sought-after fish in the world. They are known for their streamlined bodies and are important both ecologically and economically.

Yeti Crab

Discovered near hydrothermal vents, yeti crabs are named for their hairy claws, which they use to farm bacteria. These bacteria serve as their primary food source in the nutrient-poor deep-sea environment.

Everyday Use of Animal Names

Some animal names starting with "Y" are used metaphorically or idiomatically:

"Hungry as a yak": Refers to someone with a large appetite.
"Yellow-bellied": Describes someone who is cowardly, possibly inspired by the yellow-bellied sea snake.

Common Errors

Spelling Mistakes

Incorrect: "Yellow jacket" → Correct: "Yellowjacket" (as one word for the wasp species).
Incorrect: "Yellow Tail Snapper" → Correct: "Yellowtail Snapper" (as one word).

Pronunciation Issues

Yarara: Pronounced as (/ˈjɑː.rɑː.rɑː/), not "yah-rah-rah."
Yellowhammer: Pronounced as (/ˈjɛl.oʊˌhæm.ər/), not "yellow-hammer."

Using Articles

Incorrect: "I saw yellowfin tuna in the ocean." → Correct: "I saw a yellowfin tuna in the ocean."
Incorrect: "Yaks is domesticated animals." → Correct: "Yaks are domesticated animals."

FAQ

Are yellow-bellied sea snakes dangerous to humans?

Yes, yellow-bellied sea snakes are highly venomous, but they rarely pose a threat to humans unless provoked.

Why are yellowfin tuna so fast?

Yellowfin tuna have streamlined bodies and powerful muscles, enabling them to swim at high speeds to evade predators and catch prey.

What do yeti crabs eat?

Yeti crabs "farm" bacteria on their hairy claws, which they consume as their primary food source in deep-sea environments.

Can yaks survive extreme cold?

Yes, yaks are well-adapted to cold climates with thick fur, a layer of insulating fat, and large lungs for high-altitude breathing.

Are yellowjackets beneficial?

Despite their aggressive behavior, yellowjackets are beneficial as they pollinate plants and help control pest populations.