This list includes 21 Small animals that start with V that start with V, from “Bank vole” to “Water vole”. Many are small rodents, reptiles, or invertebrates found worldwide, and some are common pets or classroom species.
Small animals that start with V are species with common names beginning with V and generally weigh under five kilograms. Many, like the bank vole, appear in folklore and often serve as model species in research.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.
Common name: The everyday name helps you recognize the species quickly and match it to pet care or field guides.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise identification so you can find reliable species information and research.
Habitat: A short habitat phrase shows where the species lives, helping you assess local occurrence or enclosure needs.
Lifespan: Typical lifespan ranges help you plan care expectations, study life history, or compare species longevity.
Small animals that start with V
| Name | Scientific name | Typical adult size | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common vampire bat | Desmodus rotundus | 30-50 g | 9-12 years |
| Bank vole | Myodes glareolus | 15-40 g | 1-3 years |
| Meadow vole | Microtus pennsylvanicus | 25-50 g | 1-2 years |
| Prairie vole | Microtus ochrogaster | 30-60 g | 1-2 years |
| Field vole | Microtus agrestis | 20-70 g | 1-2 years |
| Water vole | Arvicola amphibius | 200-400 g | 1-2 years |
| Variegated squirrel | Sciurus variegatoides | 300-700 g | 5-8 years |
| Vermilion flycatcher | Pyrocephalus rubinus | 10-18 g | 3-7 years |
| Violet-backed starling | Cinnyricinclus leucogaster | 40-70 g | 5-8 years |
| Violet-crowned hummingbird | Ramosomyia violiceps | 3-6 g | 5-9 years |
| Vaux’s swift | Chaetura vauxi | 12-30 g | 4-5 years |
| Violet-eared waxbill | Uraeginthus granatina | 8-12 g | 5-9 years |
| Varied thrush | Ixoreus naevius | 60-100 g | 6-10 years |
| Viceroy butterfly | Limenitis archippus | Wingspan 6-7 cm | 4-12 weeks |
| Van Dyke’s salamander | Plethodon vandykei | 4-8 cm (body length) | 10-15 years |
| Vietnamese mossy frog | Theloderma corticale | 6-8 cm (SVL) | 10-15 years |
| Vampire squid | Vampyroteuthis infernalis | ~30 cm (total length) | 3-5 years |
| Violet turaco | Musophaga violacea | 300-450 g | 10-15 years |
| Violet-backed sunbird | Anthreptes longuemarei | 6-9 g | 4-7 years |
| Violet goby | Gobioides broussonnetii | 20-80 g | 5-10 years |
| Vinegaroon (whip scorpion) | Mastigoproctus giganteus | 5-20 g | 4-7 years |
Descriptions
Common vampire bat
Nocturnal tropical forests and farmlands in Central and South America; feeds on mammal blood and practices social food-sharing, surprising for a small bat.
Bank vole
Woodland edges and hedgerows across Europe and Asia; furtive burrower and seed-hoarder often used in ecological studies.
Meadow vole
Grasslands, marshes, and meadows of North America; prolific breeder whose populations shape local vegetation.
Prairie vole
Prairie and grassland habitats in central North America; famous for strong pair bonds and social monogamy.
Field vole
Grasslands and moorlands across Europe and Asia; high reproductive rates make it a key prey species.
Water vole
Riverbanks, ditches and wetlands in Europe and Asia; herbivorous, often mistaken for rats and builds burrows in banks.
Variegated squirrel
Tropical forests and plantations of Central America; colorful, arboreal and occasionally seen raiding gardens.
Vermilion flycatcher
Open woodlands and scrub across the Americas; males show brilliant red plumage and perform aerial insect-catching.
Violet-backed starling
Savannas and woodland edges in sub-Saharan Africa; males display iridescent violet backs during breeding.
Violet-crowned hummingbird
Canyons, scrub and gardens in Mexico and the SW United States; nectar feeder with a distinctive violet crown.
Vaux’s swift
Forests and urban chimneys in North and Central America; notable for huge communal roosts and sustained aerial life.
Violet-eared waxbill
Grasslands and scrub of southern Africa; small, colorful finch popular in aviculture for its violet ear patch.
Varied thrush
Coniferous forests and woodland floors of western North America; striking orange-and-black plumage and secretive behavior.
Viceroy butterfly
Wetlands and woodland edges across North America; famous Batesian mimic of the monarch butterfly as a defense.
Van Dyke’s salamander
Moist forests and talus slopes of the Pacific Northwest; lungless salamander that breathes through skin and membranes.
Vietnamese mossy frog
Karst forests and rock pools in Vietnam; moss-like camouflage makes it a popular and striking pet frog.
Vampire squid
Deep, oxygen-poor midwaters worldwide; small, gelatinous cephalopod with bioluminescence and detritus-based diet.
Violet turaco
Forests and gallery woodlands of West Africa; striking violet plumage and crest, often kept in aviaries.
Violet-backed sunbird
Savannas and scrub in Africa; tiny nectar-feeding bird with iridescent violet back on males.
Violet goby
Brackish mangroves and estuaries from Florida to South America; eel-like goby kept in specialized aquaria.
Vinegaroon (whip scorpion)
Dry forests, grasslands and scrub in the Americas; arachnid that sprays acetic acid as a defense and is harmless to people.