This list includes 5 Small animals that start with X that start with X, from “X-ray tetra” to “Xerces blue”. These entries focus on small fish and insects often kept as pets or studied by enthusiasts.

Small animals that start with X are species under about 5 kg whose common names begin with X. Notably, the Xerces blue is one of the first North American butterflies recorded as extinct due to habitat loss.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.

Common name: Use this name to quickly recognise the animal and to search for care or identification advice.

Scientific name: The binomial helps you find precise species information and avoid confusion from regional common names.

Habitat: A concise habitat note shows where the species lives in the wild and helps with enclosure planning.

Lifespan: Typical lifespan gives realistic expectations for care or study, often shown as a range in years.

Small animals that start with X

Common nameScientific nameHabitatLifespan
Xantus’s hummingbirdSelasphorus xantusiiBaja California coastal scrub, Mexico4–8 yrs
Xantus’s murreletSynthliboramphus hypoleucusBaja California islands and nearby Pacific waters10–25 yrs
Xantus’s leaf-toed geckoPhyllodactylus xantiRocky coastal deserts, Baja California, Mexico5–10 yrs
Xerces blueGlaucopsyche xercesCoastal sand dunes, San Francisco Peninsula, USA (extinct)0.04–0.08 yrs
X-ray tetraPristella maxillarisLowland Amazon tributaries, black and clearwater streams3–5 yrs

Descriptions

Xantus’s hummingbird
Tiny 3–4 g hummingbird, mainly wild; males have a rose gorget and metallic green back, occasional in aviculture but best known as a regional wild species.
Xantus’s murrelet
Small seabird (120–200 g) that nests in island crevices; secretive, coastal, and threatened by introduced predators and oil pollution.
Xantus’s leaf-toed gecko
Small nocturnal gecko (~6–8 cm), lives among rocks and cliffs; named for its leaf-like toe pads and often seen near human structures.
Xerces blue
Small butterfly (wingspan ~3–4 cm) once found on SF dunes; famous as an early North American insect extinction caused by habitat loss.
X-ray tetra
Popular small aquarium fish (4–5 cm) with translucent body and dark band; peaceful, hardy, and common in the aquarium trade.
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