Yonder lie the creatures of the alphabet, where the letter Y marks the start of some remarkable beings. Among them are mammals like the yak, yapok, yellow-winged bat, and yellow mongoose. Birds take flight with the likes of the yellowhammer and yellow-eyed penguin. Slithering reptiles make their presence known with the yacare caiman. Even invertebrates join the party with the yabby and yellowjackets.
This page houses a compilation of these intriguing creatures and more, all boasting names commencing with the letter Y. Each entry is accompanied by captivating pictures and fascinating facts about the respective species.
Beneath each animal, you’ll discover links that lead you to additional information, pictures, and videos.
The list encompasses both individual species, such as the Yacare caiman, and groups of animals, like the yellowjackets, all sharing the commonality of their names commencing with Y. Furthermore, the scientific name and conservation status are provided for each individual species, adding a touch of scientific detail.
Yabby (Common)
Scientifically named Cherax destructor, the common yabby is a crustacean found in Australia’s freshwater environments. Belonging to the Parastacidae family, this species stands out with its vibrant blue color, earning it the nickname “blue yabby.” While it primarily inhabits southeastern Australia, it can also be found in various other regions across the country.
Human introduction has led to the presence of common yabbies in Western Australia, where they are now considered a pest. Their presence negatively impacts other crayfish species, such as the gilgie (Cherax quinquecarinatus).
Common yabbies thrive in swamps, streams, reservoirs, and diverse freshwater habitats. In Australia, capturing these creatures during the summer is a popular recreational activity.
Yacare Caiman
Name: Caiman yacare Animal Type: Reptile Family: Caimaninae Habitat: South America Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Caiman yacare, scientifically known by that name, is a reptile found in the South American region. It belongs to the Caimaninae family and is one of the six existing species of caimans. Caimans, which are crocodilians belonging to the Alligatoridae family, share common characteristics such as elongated bodies, short legs, powerful jaws, and resilient, scaly skin.
The natural habitat of the yacare caiman encompasses rivers and wetlands spanning across Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. As a mid-sized crocodilian, adult males can reach impressive lengths of up to 3 meters (9.84 feet), while females are notably smaller in size. The yacare caiman shares a close kinship with the spectacled caiman, a species found in more northerly regions.
An estimated population of up to 10 million yacare caimans thrives in the Pantanal, a vast expanse of tropical wetland primarily situated in Brazil.
Yak
The magnificent creature known as Bos grunniens goes by the name of yak in common parlance. Classified as a mammal, it is a member of the Bovidae family, a distinguished lineage that includes an array of hooved animals such as cattle, buffalo, and antelopes.
Asia serves as the dwelling place for these remarkable creatures, with their habitat primarily concentrated in the awe-inspiring Himalayan region. These impressive beings possess a grandeur in their large stature, adorned with a luxuriant coat of long, flowing hair. This magnificent outer layer is further complemented by a dense, woolly undercoat, enabling them to endure the harsh conditions of their mountainous surroundings.
Within the yak realm, two species hold prominence: the domestic yak, scientifically known as Bos grunniens, and the untamed wild yak, identified as Bos mutus. The domestic yak, tracing its lineage back to its wild predecessor, has become an invaluable ally to humans. Not only do they offer transportation services, but they are also bred for their prized milk and delectable meat, making them an integral part of agricultural practices in the region.
Yapok
Scientifically known as Chironectes minimus, the water opossum, or yapok, is a unique marsupial found in forest wetlands across South America and North America. Unlike most marsupials, which are predominantly found in Australia, the yapok has established its habitat in the Americas.
Marsupials are believed to have originated in North America, gradually expanding to South America, and eventually reaching Australia through the connected landmass of Antarctica millions of years ago.
Being an aquatic creature, the yapok faces a challenge in carrying its young in a pouch. However, it has overcome this obstacle through evolutionary adaptations. The yapok possesses a specialized, waterproof pouch that helps keep its offspring dry. It also boasts a water-repellent coat and webbed hindfeet, enabling efficient movement in aquatic environments.
Measuring up to approximately 27.56 inches (70 cm) in total body and tail length, the yapok is a small opossum. It belongs to the Didelphidae family, which includes the more familiar Virginia opossum. Despite its unique adaptations, the yapok currently holds a conservation status of Least Concern.
Yellow Ground Squirrel
Officially known as Spermophilus fulvus, the yellow ground squirrel is a mammal belonging to the Sciuridae family. This mid-sized rodent, like its fellow ground squirrels, prefers the terrestrial life.
Asia serves as the habitat for this squirrel species, specifically the steppes found in various countries spanning from Russia to Afghanistan and Iran. These steppes are characterized by vast expanses of treeless grasslands and shrublands at high altitudes. Within this environment, the yellow ground squirrel thrives in large colonies, sustaining itself by consuming bulbs, seeds, and other plant matter.
Remarkably, this squirrel species has a prolonged period of hibernation. It awakens from its slumber around mid-May, only to enter hibernation once again a mere three to four months later.
Yellow Mongoose
Scientifically known as Cynictis penicillata, the yellow mongoose is a mammal belonging to the Herpestidae family. It inhabits various regions of Africa and is commonly found in countries such as Namibia and South Africa.
Resembling a weasel in its physical structure, the yellow mongoose possesses a lengthy body and short legs. Its fur is characterized by a sandy yellow hue.
As a carnivorous species, the yellow mongoose primarily feeds on insects, while also consuming eggs, small mammals, and reptiles. These mongooses form family units consisting of approximately 20 members. It’s worth noting that the yellow mongoose is recognized as a carrier of rabies.
Yellow-Backed Duiker
This unique creature is scientifically known as Cephalophus silvicultor. It belongs to the mammal category and falls under the Bovidae family. Its natural habitat is found in Africa. Currently, the yellow-backed duiker holds a conservation status of “Near Threatened.”
The yellow-backed duiker is a petite antelope that can be found in the regions of Central and Western Africa. It is a member of the Cephalophus genus, which includes a total of 15 duiker antelope species.
What sets this duiker apart is its notable yellow patch of fur on its back, which becomes more prominent when the animal senses danger.
This remarkable antelope dwells within forests and woodlands, but unfortunately faces the peril of deforestation, posing a threat to its population.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Commonly known as the yellow-bellied sapsucker, the scientific name of this bird is Sphyrapicus varius. It belongs to the bird family Picidae and can be found in various regions of North America. Currently, its conservation status is classified as Least Concern, indicating that it is not facing significant threats.
The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a member of the woodpecker family and is specifically found in forests and woodlands across the northeastern parts of the United States and Canada. It possesses several specialized adaptations for its tree-dwelling lifestyle. With its sturdy claws and stiff tail feathers, it can effortlessly scale tree trunks. Additionally, it boasts a lengthy and robust bill that aids in penetrating the bark.
This bird has an interesting feeding behavior. It creates small holes in the bark of trees, from which sap oozes out. The yellow-bellied sapsucker then consumes the sap, deriving nourishment from it. Moreover, the sap serves as an attractant, drawing in insects, which the bird also feeds on. Thus, its diet consists of both sap and the insects that are enticed by this sweet substance.
Yellow-Bellied Marmot
Officially known as Marmota flaviventris, the yellow-bellied marmot is a mammal belonging to the Scuridae family. It can be found roaming the lands of North America, particularly in mountainous areas of Canada and the United States. This species, fortunately, is considered to be of least concern in terms of conservation status.
Sporting a dense, grey-brown fur, the yellow-bellied marmot stands out with a distinctive patch of yellow hair adorning its chest, lending it its name. These ground-dwelling creatures prefer to live in colonies consisting of approximately 20 individuals, with one dominant male leading the group. Impressively, they dedicate a significant portion of their lives to hibernation, spending about two-thirds of the year in this dormant state.
Yellow-Eyed Penguin
Scientifically known as Megadyptes antipodes, the yellow-eyed penguin is a flightless bird belonging to the Spheniscidae family. Native to New Zealand, this unique bird faces the critical status of being endangered. It ranks as the fourth largest among the nineteen known penguin species.
With its distinctive appearance, the yellow-eyed penguin showcases a black back and sides, while its chest remains white. Its defining features include pale yellow eyes and a yellow stripe that spans from eye to eye, encircling the rear part of its head.
Recognized as endangered since the year 2000, the yellow-eyed penguin population is under significant threat. There are currently fewer than 2,000 breeding pairs remaining, and their numbers continue to decline. The primary peril faced by these penguins stems from gillnet fishing, where they often become unintentional victims trapped in fishing nets.