Finding animals that begin with V can be hard. You might think there aren’t many creatures whose names start with this letter. This can be tough for students working on projects, people playing word games, and those who love animals.
But don’t worry – we have a solution! Our list of 125 animals, starting with V, will teach you new things and show you how many different animals are out there. You’ll learn about animals you know and those you’ve never heard of.
In this list, you’ll see:
- Animals that live on land, in the air, and water
- Well-known and not-so-well-known creatures
- Fun facts about some of the animals
Let’s start our trip through the world of V-named animals!
A List of 125 Charming Animals Beginning With The Letter V
1. Vulture
Vultures are large, broad-winged birds known for their scavenging habits. They have a distinctive bald head and sharp beaks, which help them feed on carrion.
Vultures typically range from 24 to 47 inches in height and weigh between 2 and 15 pounds, depending on the species.
Their large wingspan can exceed 6 feet, allowing them to soar for long distances in search of food. Their feathers are generally dark, with lighter accents on the underparts and wings.
- Region of Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, deserts, and coastal regions
- Scientific Name: Cathartes aura (Turkey Vulture), various others depending on species
- Place of Origin: Worldwide, but especially in Africa, Europe, and the Americas
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous scavengers, primarily feeding on dead animals
- What Sound They Make: Hisses and grunts, with no vocal cords for complex sounds
Fun Facts: Vultures’ highly acidic stomachs allow them to digest rotting meat, preventing disease spread from decaying carcasses.
2. Vampire Bat
Vampire bats are small, nocturnal mammals known for feeding on the blood of other animals. They have a wingspan of 7 to 8 inches and typically weigh 1 to 2 ounces.
These bats have sharp teeth that allow them to make tiny incisions in their prey’s skin, through which they can lap up blood. Their fur is short and generally brown or gray, and they have long wings with a leathery texture.
- Region of Habitat: Tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas
- Scientific Name: Desmodus rotundus
- Place of Origin: Central and South America
- Feeding Habits: Hematophagy (blood-feeding)
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched clicks and squeaks
Fun Facts: Vampire bats can detect blood vessels under the skin using heat sensors on their nose.
3. Vicuna
Vicunas are small, slender-bodied camelids known for their fine wool. Standing about 3 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing around 100 pounds, they have a soft, woolly coat that is tan on the back and white on the belly.
Their wool is highly valued due to its warmth and softness, making them a target for shearing in the Andean regions where they live.
- Region of Habitat: High-altitude grasslands in the Andes Mountains
- Scientific Name: Vicugna vicugna
- Place of Origin: South America
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, primarily feeding on grasses
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched whistles
Fun Facts: Vicuna wool is the finest and one of the most expensive animal fibers in the world.
4. Viper
Vipers are venomous snakes characterized by their long, hinged fangs, which they use to inject venom into their prey.
Depending on the species, they can range in size from 1 to over 6 feet in length. Their bodies are usually thick and muscular, with rough, patterned scales that help them blend into their surroundings.
- Region of Habitat: Forests, deserts, and grasslands worldwide
- Scientific Name: Viperidae (family)
- Place of Origin: Worldwide
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, primarily feeding on small mammals, birds, and lizards
- What Sound They Make: Hissing
Fun Facts: Vipers can control the amount of venom they inject during a bite based on the size of their prey.
5. Vaquita
The vaquita is the world’s most endangered marine mammal. This small porpoise is characterized by its round body, small triangular dorsal fin, and dark rings around its eyes.
It measures around 5 feet long and weighs up to 120 pounds. Its coloration is primarily gray, with a lighter underside.
- Region of Habitat: Northern part of the Gulf of California
- Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus
- Place of Origin: Gulf of California, Mexico
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on fish and squid
- What Sound They Make: Clicks and whistles
Fun Facts: Fewer than ten vaquitas are estimated to remain in the wild, making them critically endangered.
6. Velvet Ant
Velvet ants are a type of wasp. Females are wingless and covered in dense, velvet-like hair. They are typically about 0.5 to 1 inch long.
Their vibrant colors, such as red, orange, or yellow, serve as a warning to potential predators.
- Region of Habitat: Deserts and grasslands of North America
- Scientific Name: Mutillidae (family)
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Nectar, larvae
- What Sound They Make: Chirping or squeaking sounds when disturbed
Fun Facts: Female velvet ants have one of the most painful stings in the insect world, earning them the nickname “cow killers.”
7. Violet-crowned Hummingbird
The Violet-crowned Hummingbird is known for its distinctive violet-colored crown and bright green back. It measures about 4 inches in length and weighs around 3 to 4 grams. Its underparts are white, and its bill is red with a black tip.
- Region of Habitat: Southwestern U.S. to Central Mexico
- Scientific Name: Amazilia violiceps
- Place of Origin: Central America
- Feeding Habits: Nectar and small insects
- What Sound They Make: Rapid, high-pitched chirps
Fun Facts: The Violet-crowned Hummingbird can beat its wings up to 50 times per second while hovering.
8. Vervet Monkey
Vervet monkeys are small, slender primates with greenish-olive or silvery-gray bodies and a black face.
They typically measure about 16 to 20 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 17 pounds. Males are generally larger than females.
- Region of Habitat: Savannahs and woodlands in Eastern and Southern Africa
- Scientific Name: Chlorocebus pygerythrus
- Place of Origin: Africa
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and small animals
- What Sound They Make: Loud chattering, grunts, and alarm calls
Fun Facts: Vervet monkeys are known for their complex social behaviors and have different alarm calls for predators.
9. Volcano Rabbit
The Volcano Rabbit is one of the smallest rabbit species, weighing about 1.5 pounds and measuring around 10 to 12 inches. It has short ears and a dense dark brown or black coat.
- Region of Habitat: High-altitude slopes of volcanoes in Central Mexico
- Scientific Name: Romerolagus diazi
- Place of Origin: Mexico
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, feeding on grasses and shrubs
- What Sound They Make: Low-pitched squeaks or grunts
Fun Facts: The Volcano Rabbit is one of the few rabbits communicating using high-pitched squeals and whistles.
10. Virginia Opossum
The Virginia Opossum is a small to medium-sized marsupial with grayish-white fur, a pointed face, and a long, prehensile tail.
It typically weighs between 4 and 14 pounds and measures around 24 to 40 inches in total length, including the tail.
- Region of Habitat: Forests, fields, and urban areas in North America
- Scientific Name: Didelphis virginiana
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, and small animals
- What Sound They Make: Hisses, growls, and clicks
Fun Facts: Virginia Opossums are known for “playing dead” when threatened, a behavior called thanatosis.
11. Variable Hawk
The Variable Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey, measuring about 18 to 24 inches long with a wingspan of up to 4 feet.
Its plumage varies greatly, hence the name, but it is generally grayish-brown with lighter underparts.
- Region of Habitat: Andes Mountains in South America
- Scientific Name: Geranoaetus polyosoma
- Place of Origin: South America
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on small mammals, birds, and reptiles
- What Sound They Make: Loud, high-pitched screeches
Fun Facts: The Variable Hawk can be found at altitudes ranging from sea level to over 4,500 meters.
12. Variable Damsel
Variable Damselflies are small, slender insects with brightly colored bodies, often blue or green, and transparent wings. They measure about 1.5 inches long and are known for their soft, hovering flight.
- Region of Habitat: Europe and Asia, near ponds and streams
- Scientific Name: Coenagrion pulchellum
- Place of Origin: Europe
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on small insects
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: Unlike dragonflies, damselflies hold their wings together over their bodies when resting.
13. Violet-green Swallow
The Violet-green Swallow is a small songbird with iridescent green upperparts and a violet rump. It measures about 5 inches in length and weighs approximately 15 grams. Its underparts are white, and its wings are long and pointed.
- Region of Habitat: North and Central America
- Scientific Name: Tachycineta thalassina
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on flying insects
- What Sound They Make: Soft, twittering calls
Fun Facts: Violet-green Swallows can catch insects mid-air, displaying impressive aerial acrobatics.
14. Variegated Squirrel
Variegated squirrels are medium-sized tree-dwelling rodents with strikingly patterned fur in black, gray, brown, and white shades.
They measure 12 to 20 inches in length, including their bushy tail, and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds.
- Region of Habitat: Forests of Central America
- Scientific Name: Sciurus variegatoides
- Place of Origin: Central America
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and small insects
- What Sound They Make: Chattering and clicking
Fun Facts: Variegated squirrels’ fur patterns can vary significantly between individuals, even within the same population.
15. Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small, brightly colored bird. Males boast vivid red plumage and black wings and tails.
They measure about 5 to 6 inches in length and weigh around 11 to 14 grams. Females are duller in color, with grayish tones and faint red streaks on the underparts.
- Region of Habitat: Southwestern United States, Central, and South America
- Scientific Name: Pyrocephalus rubinus
- Place of Origin: Americas
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, primarily feeding on flies and other small insects
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched trills and warbles
Fun Facts: Vermilion Flycatchers are known for striking aerial displays while catching insects.
16. Vesper Sparrow
The Vesper Sparrow is a medium-sized songbird with streaked brown and gray plumage. It measures about 5 to 6 inches in length and weighs around 18 to 28 grams. It has a white eye ring and a long tail, often with white outer feathers.
- Region of Habitat: North America
- Scientific Name: Pooecetes gramineus
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on seeds and insects
- What Sound They Make: Clear, musical trills and whistles
Fun Facts: The Vesper Sparrow is named for its tendency to sing late in the evening, near dusk.
17. Velvet Worm
Velvet Worms are small, soft-bodied invertebrates, typically measuring about 0.5 to 8 inches. They have numerous pairs of stubby, unsegmented legs and a velvety texture due to the fine hairs covering their bodies.
- Region of Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests
- Scientific Name: Onychophora (phylum)
- Place of Origin: South America and Australia
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: Velvet worms can eject a sticky substance to capture prey before consuming it.
18. Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush is a medium-sized songbird with striking black and orange plumage. It measures around 8 to 10 inches in length and weighs approximately 65 to 100 grams. Its breast is bright orange, with a distinctive black band.
- Region of Habitat: Western North America
- Scientific Name: Ixoreus naevius
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on insects and berries
- What Sound They Make: Long, whistling notes
Fun Facts: Varied Thrushes are often spotted foraging on the forest floor for food.
19. Velvet Gecko
Velvet Geckos are small to medium-sized lizards with fine scales that give them a velvety appearance. They typically grow to around 4 to 6 inches in length and have a soft brown or gray coloration with darker spots.
- Region of Habitat: Australia
- Scientific Name: Oedura (genus)
- Place of Origin: Australia
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on insects and small invertebrates
- What Sound They Make: Soft chirping or squeaking
Fun Facts: Velvet Geckos are nocturnal, often hiding under rocks or bark during the day.
20. Variable Anole
Variable Anoles are small lizards measuring about 3 to 5 inches in length. They are known for their ability to change color. Their body color can vary from brown to green, depending on their mood, temperature, or environment.
- Region of Habitat: Central and South America
- Scientific Name: Anolis distichus
- Place of Origin: Caribbean
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on insects and small arthropods
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: Like other anoles, Variable Anoles have dewlaps or throat fans, which they use for communication and mating displays.
21. Venezuelan Poodle Moth
The Venezuelan Poodle Moth is a recently found insect with furry, white wings resembling a poodle’s coat. Its wingspan is about 1 inch and is characterized by its unique fuzzy appearance.
- Region of Habitat: Tropical rainforests in Venezuela
- Scientific Name: Artace sp.
- Place of Origin: Venezuela
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, likely feeding on leaves
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: The Venezuelan Poodle Moth’s unusual appearance in 2009 has sparked great interest in the scientific community.
22. Vancouver Island Marmot
The Vancouver Island Marmot is one of the rarest mammals in the world. It has thick, dark brown fur and white patches. It measures around 2 feet in length and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds.
- Region of Habitat: Subalpine meadows on Vancouver Island, Canada
- Scientific Name: Marmota vancouverensis
- Place of Origin: Vancouver Island, Canada
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, feeding on grasses, flowers, and herbs
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched whistles
Fun Facts: Conservation efforts have been critical to bringing this species back from the brink of extinction.
23. Vietnamese Mossy Frog
The Vietnamese Mossy Frog is a small amphibian, measuring about 3 to 3.5 inches long. Its mottled green, brown, and black skin resembles moss, providing excellent camouflage against predators.
- Region of Habitat: Rainforests in Vietnam
- Scientific Name: Theloderma corticale
- Place of Origin: Vietnam
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on insects and small invertebrates
- What Sound They Make: Soft croaks and chirps
Fun Facts: Vietnamese Mossy Frogs can remain motionless for long periods, relying on their camouflage to avoid detection.
24. Violet-backed Starling
The Violet-backed Starling is a small bird measuring about 7 inches in length. It is known for its glossy, iridescent violet plumage. Males’ underparts are white, while females have more subdued brownish feathers.
- Region of Habitat: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Scientific Name: Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
- Place of Origin: Africa
- Feeding Habits: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits and insects
- What Sound They Make: Musical warbles and whistles
Fun Facts: Violet-backed Starlings are often seen in small flocks, foraging in the tree canopy for fruits and berries.
25. Varied Carpet Beetle
The Varied Carpet Beetle is a tiny insect, measuring only about 0.12 inches long. Its oval body has a distinctive pattern of white, brown, and yellow scales. These beetles are known to infest homes and damage fabrics.
- Region of Habitat: Worldwide
- Scientific Name: Anthrenus verbasci
- Place of Origin: Europe
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, feeding on natural fibers and pollen
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: The larvae of Varied Carpet Beetles are more destructive than the adults, feeding on carpets, clothes, and upholstered furniture.
26. Vagrant Shrew
The Vagrant Shrew is a small mammal, measuring about 3.5 to 5 inches in length, including its tail. It has soft, grayish-brown fur and a pointed snout. It is one of the most widely distributed shrew species in North America.
- Region of Habitat: Western North America
- Scientific Name: Sorex vagrans
- Place of Origin: North America
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on insects, worms, and other small invertebrates
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched squeaks and clicks
Fun Facts: Vagrant Shrews have a high metabolism and must eat constantly to survive, consuming their body weight in food each day.
27. Verreaux’s Sifaka
Verreaux’s Sifaka is a medium-sized lemur with thick, white fur and black or dark brown facial and limb markings.
It measures about 18 to 22 inches in length, excluding its long tail, and weighs between 6 and 8 pounds.
- Region of Habitat: Dry forests of Madagascar
- Scientific Name: Propithecus verreauxi
- Place of Origin: Madagascar
- Feeding Habits: Herbivorous, primarily feeding on leaves and fruit
- What Sound They Make: Sharp barks and grunts
Fun Facts: Verreaux’s Sifakas are known for their unique form of locomotion, which involves graceful, sideways leaps.
28. Velvety Black Tyrant
The Velvety Black Tyrant is a small, entirely black bird measuring about 5 to 6 inches long. It has a short, straight bill and is known for its deft flight.
- Region of Habitat: South American grasslands and savannas
- Scientific Name: Knipolegus nigerrimus
- Place of Origin: South America
- Feeding Habits: Insectivorous, feeding on flying insects
- What Sound They Make: High-pitched, repetitive calls
Fun Facts: Velvety Black Tyrants are often seen perched on low branches, swooping down to catch insects mid-flight.
29. Vine Snake
Vine Snakes are slender, elongated snakes that can grow up to 6 feet long. Their body color is usually bright green, perfectly blending with foliage, and their head is shaped like an arrow.
- Region of Habitat: Forests of Central and South America
- Scientific Name: Oxybelis fulgidus
- Place of Origin: Central and South America
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on birds, lizards, and small mammals
- What Sound They Make: Hissing
Fun Facts: Vine Snakes have excellent camouflage, allowing them to strike unsuspecting prey from tree branches.
30. Variegated Scorpion
The Variegated Scorpion is medium-sized, typically measuring about 2 to 3 inches in length. Its body is dark brown to black, with lighter markings on the pincers and legs.
- Region of Habitat: North Africa and the Middle East
- Scientific Name: Parabuthus (genus)
- Place of Origin: Africa
- Feeding Habits: Carnivorous, feeding on insects and small vertebrates
- What Sound They Make: Silent
Fun Facts: Some species of Variegated Scorpions can spray venom from their stingers as a defense mechanism.
Lesser-Known Animals Starting With The Alphabet ‘V’
31. Violet Sea Snail
32. Variable Harlequin Frog
33. Venezuelan Skunk Frog
34. Venezuelan Red Howler
35. Vermilion Snapper
36. Velvet Scoter
37. Variegated Butterflyfish
38. Vinegaroon
39. Violet Ground Beetle
40. Variegated Stink Bug
41. Variable Clouded Yellow (butterfly)
42. Velvetfish
43. Velvet Swimming Crab
44. Venezuelan Woodcreeper
45. Violet Wood Sorrel Butterfly
46. Vanuatu Kingfisher
47. Variegated Grasshopper
48. Vomer Shark
49. Velvet Scoter Duck
50. Vampire Squid
51. Verreaux’s Eagle
52. Vesper Bat
53. Violet-capped Hummingbird
54. Variable Oystercatcher
55. Violet-shouldered Moth
56. Virginia Rail
57. Vulturine Guineafowl
58. Venetian Crab
59. Violet Sabrewing (hummingbird)
60. Venezuelan Beaked Whale
61. Velvet Spider
62. Variable Sunbird
63. Variable Bush Viper
64. Vietnamese Salamander
65. Variegated Dragonet
66. Varied Coral Snake
67. Vanuatu Flying Fox
68. Virgin Islands Tree Boa
69. Vietnamese Centipede
70. Variegated Fritillary Butterfly
71. Velvet Bellied Lantern Shark
72. Varanus (a genus of monitor lizards)
73. Venezuelan Parrot Snake
74. Velvet Swimmer Crab
75. Violet Sea Urchin
76. Velvet Ray
77. Violet Crab Spider
78. Vespid Wasp
79. Variable Dagger Moth
80. Vaal Rhebok
81. Vervain Hummingbird
82. Velvet Longhorn Beetle
83. Violet-toothed Polypore (fungus-related)
84. Violet-spot Flatworm
85. Vini Lorikeet
86. Velvet Toadfish
87. Venezuelan Oilbird
88. Visayan Spotted Deer
89. Vietnamese Stick Insect
90. Vee-winged Wasp
91. Venezuelan Speckled Tree Frog
92. Variegated Antpitta
93. Variegated Baboon Tarantula
94. Velvet Dung Beetle
95. Vampire Finch
96. Velvet Garden Eel
97. Violet Cuckoo
98. Vespertilionid Bat
99. Variable Crested Lizard
100. Varied Bunting
101. Vose’s Blue Butterfly
102. Velvet Shield Bug
103. Violet Leafwing (butterfly)
104. Van Hasselt’s Sunbird
105. Velvet-footed Antbird
106. Violet Honeyeater
107. Venezuelan Grasshopper
108. Vanikoro Monarch
109. Velvet Darter
110. Vietnamese Rhino Beetle
111. Violet Earworm
112. Venezuelan Screech Owl
113. Violet-chested Hummingbird
114. Venezuelan Coral Snake
115. Vanikoro Flying Fox
116. Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly
117. Velvet Asity
118. Venezuelan Earthworm
119. Viscacha Rat
120. Visayan Warty Pig
121. Venezuelan Climbing Mouse
122. Vanellus (a genus of lapwings)
123. Velvet Ascidian
124. Venezuelan White-lipped Frog
125. Variable Tussock Moth
Conclusion
We’ve taken a trip through the world of animals whose names start with V. This list shows how rich and varied our animal kingdom is.
The letter V covers a wide range from tiny insects to big mammals, from sea creatures to land inhabitants. Some of these animals you might see every day, while others live in far-off places.
This list can help with school work, word games, or learning about animals. It shows that even less common letters like V can lead to many animal names.
Keep exploring the animal world. There’s always more to learn, no matter which letter an animal’s name starts with. Which V animal did you find most interesting? Maybe you’ll want to learn more about it.
Remember, every animal plays a part in nature. Learning their names is just the start of understanding their value in our world.
