This list includes 18 Pets and domestic animals that start with Y, spanning from “Yabby” to “Yorkshire Terrier”. These entries range from aquatic crustaceans to companion dogs and serve in companionship, hobby keeping, and small-scale husbandry.
Pets and domestic animals that start with Y are creatures people keep for companionship, hobby, or small-scale production. For example, the Yorkshire Terrier began as a small ratting breed and later became a popular companion dog.
Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, size (cm), and classification.
Common name: Shows the familiar name owners and enthusiasts use so you can quickly identify animals you recognize or research.
Scientific name: Provides the Latin name to clarify identity, helping you distinguish closely related species or breeds when you compare entries.
Size (cm): Gives typical adult length or height in centimeters so you can judge space needs and care requirements.
Classification: Groups each animal into Mammal, Bird, Reptile, Fish, or Arthropod so you know basic biology and care categories.
Pets and domestic animals that start with Y
| Name | Scientific name | Typical adult size (cm) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yak | Bos grunniens | 160-220 | Mammal |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris | 18-23 | Mammal |
| Yellow Canary | Serinus canaria domestica | 12-14 | Bird |
| Yellow Tang | Zebrasoma flavescens | 20 | Fish |
| Yabby | Cherax destructor | 10-20 | Arthropod |
| Yellow-naped Amazon | Amazona auropalliata | 35-38 | Bird |
| Yellow-bellied Slider | Trachemys scripta scripta | 13-30 | Reptile |
| Yemen Chameleon | Chamaeleo calyptratus | 35-60 | Reptile |
| Yokohama Chicken | Gallus gallus domesticus | 40-50 | Bird |
| Yellow Rat Snake | Pantherophis alleghaniensis | 120-180 | Reptile |
| Yellow-banded Dart Frog | Dendrobates leucomelas | 3-4 | Other |
| Yellow-footed Tortoise | Chelonoidis denticulatus | 40-60 | Reptile |
| Yellow Watchman Goby | Cryptocentrus cinctus | 7-10 | Fish |
| Yellow-collared Lovebird | Agapornis personatus | 14-15 | Bird |
| Yellow Anaconda | Eunectes notaeus | 330-440 | Reptile |
| Yakow | Bos taurus × Bos grunniens | 150-200 | Mammal |
| Yellow-headed Amazon | Amazona oratrix | 38-43 | Bird |
| Yellow Perch | Perca flavescens | 10-25 | Fish |
Descriptions
Yak
A long-haired domesticated bovine from the Himalayas, valued for its milk, fiber, and meat, and used as a pack animal. Yaks are known for their ability to thrive in extremely high altitudes and cold climates.
Yorkshire Terrier
A small toy dog breed known for its long, silky, blue-and-tan coat. Originally bred to catch rats in mills, “Yorkies” are now primarily companion animals, prized for their confident and courageous personality.
Yellow Canary
A popular cage bird prized for its beautiful singing. A domestic form of the wild canary, these small finches are relatively easy to care for, making them a common pet for bird enthusiasts. Their bright yellow color is iconic.
Yellow Tang
A vibrant, bright yellow marine fish, one of the most popular species in saltwater aquariums. Native to the Pacific Ocean, it’s known for its active swimming and grazing on algae, which helps keep tanks clean.
Yabby
An Australian freshwater crayfish popular in aquariums and aquaculture. Known for its hardiness and vibrant blue or brown colors, it is an active and interesting pet but can be aggressive towards fish and other crayfish.
Yellow-naped Amazon
A popular and intelligent parrot species known for its remarkable ability to mimic human speech. Kept as a companion bird, it forms strong bonds with its owners but requires significant social interaction and enrichment.
Yellow-bellied Slider
A popular semi-aquatic turtle kept as a pet. Recognizable by the yellow “S” shape on the side of its head, it requires both a water area for swimming and a dry basking area with proper lighting.
Yemen Chameleon
A large, colorful chameleon species, also called the Veiled Chameleon. It is one of the most common chameleons in the pet trade, known for the prominent casque (helmet) on its head and specific care requirements.
Yokohama Chicken
A German breed of ornamental chicken, originally from Japan, famed for its exceptionally long, flowing tail feathers. Kept by poultry fanciers for exhibition, they require special care to maintain their unique plumage.
Yellow Rat Snake
A subspecies of the Eastern Rat Snake, popular among reptile enthusiasts for its bright yellow to olive coloration. They are generally docile, making them a good choice for those new to keeping larger colubrid snakes.
Yellow-banded Dart Frog
A brightly colored poison dart frog popular in the amphibian hobby. Its striking yellow and black patterns serve as a warning in the wild. Captive-bred individuals are non-toxic and thrive in well-maintained, humid vivariums.
Yellow-footed Tortoise
A large tortoise from the Amazon Basin, kept by tortoise enthusiasts. Named for the yellow-orange scales on its front legs, it requires a spacious, high-humidity environment to thrive in captivity.
Yellow Watchman Goby
A popular saltwater aquarium fish known for its bright yellow color and “watchful” personality. It often forms a fascinating symbiotic relationship with a pistol shrimp, sharing a burrow that the shrimp maintains.
Yellow-collared Lovebird
A small, social parrot species, also known as the Masked Lovebird. Kept as a pet, they are known for their striking appearance and playful, energetic personalities, and are often kept in pairs due to their social nature.
Yellow Anaconda
A large, semi-aquatic snake kept by experienced herpetoculturists. Smaller than its green cousin, it is known for its yellow-green color with black blotches and requires a very large, secure enclosure with a water area.
Yakow
A hybrid animal resulting from a cross between domestic cattle and a yak. Bred for hardiness in high-altitude regions, they combine the yak’s resilience with the higher milk or meat yield of cattle.
Yellow-headed Amazon
A highly prized pet parrot, famous for its intelligence and exceptional talking ability. This colorful bird is very social and requires a lot of attention, making it a demanding but rewarding companion for experienced owners.
Yellow Perch
A freshwater fish native to North America, sometimes kept in large, cool-water home aquariums or backyard ponds. Valued in aquaculture, it is recognizable by its golden-yellow body and dark vertical bars.