This list includes 17 Small animals that start with Z, from “Zapata wren” to “Zorilla”. Many entries are small birds and mammals commonly kept as pets, studied in classrooms, or seen in the wild.
Small animals that start with Z are species whose common names begin with the letter Z. Many, like the Zapata wren, reflect local geography or languages in their names.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Lifespan.
Common name: The everyday name you’ll recognize; it helps you locate species quickly and match pets or field guides.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives precise species identity, so you can cross-reference research and care information accurately.
Habitat: A brief habitat phrase tells you where the animal lives, useful for understanding geography and care needs.
Lifespan: Typical lifespan in years gives realistic expectations for ownership, study planning, or comparative ecology.
Small animals that start with Z
| Common Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Size & Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zebrafish | Danio rerio | Freshwater streams, South Asia | 3–5 cm; 0.3–1.0 g; 2–5 yrs |
| Zebra finch | Taeniopygia guttata | Grasslands, Australia and introduced regions | 10–12 cm; 10–15 g; 2–6 yrs |
| Zebra dove | Geopelia striata | Open woodlands, urban areas, Southeast Asia | 20–23 cm; 60–110 g; 2–5 yrs |
| Zebra mussel | Dreissena polymorpha | Freshwater lakes and rivers, Europe & North America (invasive) | 2–4 cm; 1–5 g; 3–5 yrs |
| Zebra pleco | Hypancistrus zebra | Fast-flowing, rocky rivers, Rio Xingu, Brazil | 6–10 cm; 10–50 g; 5–10 yrs |
| Zebra jumping spider | Salticus scenicus | Buildings and sunny walls, Holarctic region | 4–7 mm; 0.01–0.05 g; 1–2 yrs |
| Zebra longwing | Heliconius charithonia | Tropical/subtropical forests, Americas | 6–9 cm wingspan; 0.5–1.5 g; 3–6 months |
| Zebra swallowtail | Eurytides marcellus | Deciduous woodlands, eastern North America | 7–9 cm wingspan; 0.5–2 g; 1–2 months |
| Zebra-tailed lizard | Callisaurus draconoides | Sandy deserts and scrub, southwestern North America | 15–23 cm; 10–30 g; 3–5 yrs |
| Zigzag salamander | Plethodon dorsalis | Moist forests and leaf litter, eastern North America | 7–12 cm; 3–10 g; 5–10 yrs |
| Zigzag heron | Zebrilus undulatus | Watery forest undergrowth, Amazon Basin | 32 cm; 180–250 g; 5–8 yrs |
| Zapata wren | Ferminia cerverai | Ciénaga marshes, Zapata Peninsula, Cuba | 14–16 cm; 18–28 g; 3–6 yrs |
| Zitting cisticola | Cisticola juncidis | Grasslands and wetlands, Old World & Australia | 10–12 cm; 6–12 g; 2–4 yrs |
| Zorilla | Ictonyx striatus | Savannas and scrub, sub-Saharan Africa | 40–55 cm; 1–3 kg; 7–10 yrs |
| Zebra crab | Zebrida adamsii | Coral reefs, Indo-Pacific shallow waters | 1.5–3 cm; ~5–20 g; 1–3 yrs |
| Zebra seahorse | Hippocampus zebra | Seagrass and reef habitats, Indo-Pacific | 8–12 cm; 5–30 g; 1–5 yrs |
| Zebra turkeyfish | Dendrochirus zebra | Rocky reefs and lagoons, Indo-Pacific | 15–25 cm; 200–500 g; 5–10 yrs |
Descriptions
Zebrafish
Small, popular aquarium and research fish; omnivorous, easy to keep, widespread in pet trade and labs; hardy and prolific breeders.
Zebra finch
Tiny social songbird commonly kept as a pet; seed-eating, active in flocks; common and hardy in captivity, useful for behavioral studies.
Zebra dove
Slender, ground-foraging dove with soft cooing calls; feeds on seeds; commonly seen around towns and gardens, sometimes kept as a tame bird.
Zebra mussel
Small, invasive bivalve that encrusts surfaces; filter-feeder that alters ecosystems and clogs pipes; not a pet and often a costly nuisance.
Zebra pleco
Striking black-and-white striped catfish prized in aquaria; carnivorous/scavenger diet; requires warm, well-oxygenated water; conservation concern from habitat loss.
Zebra jumping spider
Small, charismatic jumping spider with bold stripes; active predator of insects, harmless to humans; common in gardens and homes.
Zebra longwing
Slow-flying butterfly with black-and-yellow striped wings; feeds on nectar and pollen; known for long adult life among butterflies and communal roosting.
Zebra swallowtail
Distinctive black-and-white striped swallowtail that feeds on pawpaw species as caterpillars; admired by butterfly watchers.
Zebra-tailed lizard
Fast, diurnal lizard with a striking banded tail; insectivorous; often seen running with tail raised; adaptable to arid habitats.
Zigzag salamander
Terrestrial lungless salamander that eats small invertebrates; secretive and nocturnal; indicator of healthy forest floor habitats.
Zigzag heron
Small, secretive heron with barred plumage and a zigzag pattern; feeds on small fish and invertebrates in shaded streams and swamps.
Zapata wren
Endemic, shy wren restricted to Cuban marshes; insectivorous and ground-foraging; conservation dependent on wetland protection.
Zitting cisticola
Tiny, streaked warbler-like bird known for its “zitting” call and hovering display flight; insect-eating and common in lawns and fields.
Zorilla
Skunk-like mustelid with black-and-white stripes; carnivorous/omnivorous; defends itself with strong-smelling secretions; not a pet and best admired in wild.
Zebra crab
Small, striped commensal crab often found on sea urchins; detritivore/scavenger; striking appearance makes it notable to divers.
Zebra seahorse
Compact, banded seahorse species; male pregnancy, slow swimmer; occasional in specialized aquaria, sensitive to water quality.
Zebra turkeyfish
Venomous lionfish relative with zebra-like bands; nocturnal ambush predator; small aquarium species for experienced keepers due to venom.