Animals That Start with V: Names, Lists, Types, and Examples

Have you ever tried to name an animal beginning with the letter V? Animals that start with V are less common than animals beginning with many other letters, but the list is surprisingly varied. It includes mammals such as the vicuña and vervet monkey, birds such as the vulture, reptiles such as the viper, and marine animals such as the vampire squid.

Below, you can learn common animal names first, followed by organised lists of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, sea creatures, and other animals whose names begin with V.

Common Animals That Start with V

Some animals that start with V are well known because of their appearance, habitat, or unusual behaviour. These common examples are useful animal vocabulary to learn first.

Vulture

A vulture is a large bird of prey that mainly eats dead animals. Most vultures have strong hooked beaks that help them tear food. They play an important role in nature by removing animal remains. Vultures live in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Viper

A viper is a venomous snake with long, hinged fangs. Many vipers have broad, triangular heads and patterned bodies that help them hide. They usually eat small mammals, birds, frogs, or lizards. Adders and rattlesnakes belong to the viper family.

Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey is a medium-sized African monkey. It usually has grey or greenish-grey fur with a dark face. Vervet monkeys live in groups and communicate using different alarm calls. They eat fruit, leaves, seeds, insects, and other foods.

Vicuña

The vicuña is a wild South American mammal related to llamas and alpacas. It lives high in the Andes Mountains. Vicuñas have soft, fine wool that helps protect them from cold weather. They mainly feed on grasses and other low plants.

Vaquita

The vaquita is a small marine mammal related to dolphins and porpoises. It lives only in the northern Gulf of California in Mexico. It has dark markings around its eyes and mouth. The vaquita is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.

Vampire Bat

A vampire bat is a small bat found in Central and South America. Unlike most bats, it feeds mainly on the blood of animals. It usually approaches sleeping mammals or birds quietly. Three living species of vampire bat are known.

Vampire Squid

The vampire squid is a deep-sea animal with a dark body and webbing between its arms. Despite its name, it does not drink blood. It mainly feeds on tiny pieces of organic material floating through the water. It lives in deep ocean zones where oxygen levels are very low.

Velvet Ant

A velvet ant is not actually an ant. It is a type of wasp, and the females of many species have no wings. Velvet ants often have bright red, orange, yellow, or white hairs. Females can deliver a painful sting when threatened.

Velvet Worm

A velvet worm is a soft-bodied invertebrate that lives mainly in damp forests. Its body has many short, unjointed legs and a soft, velvety surface. Velvet worms catch small prey by shooting sticky slime. They belong to the animal group Onychophora.

Vine Snake

A vine snake is a long, slender snake whose body helps it blend into branches and vegetation. Several unrelated snake groups are commonly called vine snakes. Many spend much of their time in trees or bushes. They usually hunt lizards, frogs, birds, or other small animals.

Vinegaroon

A vinegaroon is an arachnid related to spiders and scorpions. It has large front appendages and a long, whip-like tail. When threatened, some species spray a liquid containing acetic acid, which smells like vinegar. Vinegaroons mainly hunt insects and other small animals.

Vole

A vole is a small rodent that resembles a mouse but usually has a shorter tail and rounder body. Voles live in grasslands, forests, wetlands, and other habitats. Most eat grasses, roots, seeds, and plant material. They are important prey for owls, foxes, snakes, and other predators.

Virginia Opossum

The Virginia opossum is North America’s only naturally occurring marsupial north of Mexico. It has grey fur, a pointed face, and a mostly hairless tail. Females carry very young offspring in a pouch. It eats insects, fruit, small animals, eggs, and many other foods.

Vizcacha

A vizcacha, also spelled viscacha, is a South American rodent related to chinchillas. Some species live in rocky mountain regions, while others prefer plains and grasslands. They have long ears and powerful hind legs. Most feed mainly on grasses and other plants.

Volcano Rabbit

The volcano rabbit is a small rabbit found only in the mountains of central Mexico. It has short ears, dark fur, and a compact body. It usually lives in dense bunchgrass habitats around volcanic mountain areas. It is one of the world’s smallest rabbit species.

Animals That Start with V: Names, Lists, Types, and Examples — Animals Name that Start with V

Mammals Starting with V

Many animal names beginning with V belong to mammals. The following list includes common names, regional names, and recognised species or groups.

Vaquita
Vancouver Island Marmot
Vanga Shrew
Vanuatu Flying Fox
Vanuatu Flying Fox Bat
Vanuatu Megapode Bat
Vagrant Shrew
Vampire Bat
Van Gelder’s Bat
Van Zyl’s Golden Mole
Vancouver Island Wolf
Variable Flying Fox
Veld Rat
Veldkamp’s Dwarf Epauletted Fruit Bat
Velvet Free-tailed Bat
Venezuelan Fish-eating Rat
Venezuelan Lowland Rabbit
Venezuelan Red Howler
Venezuelan Spiny Rat
Verapaz Shrew
Vervet Monkey
Vesper Mouse
Vesper Rat
Vespertilionid Bat
Vicuña
Vietnamese Ferret-badger
Vietnamese Mouse-deer
Vietnamese Pygmy Dormouse
Virginia Big-eared Bat
Virginia Opossum
Virginia Roundleaf Bat
Visayan Leopard Cat
Visayan Spotted Deer
Visayan Warty Pig
Viscacha
Vizcacha
Volcano Rabbit
Vole

Birds That Start with the Letter V

Bird names that start with the letter V include vultures, vangas, violet-coloured species, and several regional birds.

Variable Antshrike
Variable Hawk
Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Seedeater
Variable Sunbird
Vanga
Van Dam’s Vanga
Vanellus
Vanuatu Imperial Pigeon
Vanuatu Kingfisher
Vanuatu Megapode
Vanuatu Petrel
Vanuatu White-eye
Varied Bunting
Varied Sittella
Varied Thrush
Variegated Antpitta
Variegated Fairywren
Variegated Flycatcher
Variegated Tinamou
Veery
Vega Gull
Velvet Asity
Velvet-fronted Grackle
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Venezuelan Bristle Tyrant
Venezuelan Flowerpiercer
Venezuelan Sylph
Veraguan Mango
Verdin
Verreaux’s Eagle
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
Verreaux’s Coua
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Victoria’s Riflebird
Vinaceous-breasted Amazon
Vinaceous Dove
Vinaceous Rosefinch
Violet-backed Starling
Violet-bellied Hummingbird
Violet-capped Hummingbird
Violet-chested Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Woodnymph
Violet-headed Hummingbird
Violet Sabrewing
Violet-tailed Sylph
Violet-throated Metaltail
Violet-tipped Courser
Violet Turaco
Violet Woodhoopoe
Violet-green Swallow
Viridian Dacnis
Virginia Rail
Virginia’s Warbler
Visayan Broadbill
Visayan Fantail
Visayan Flowerpecker
Visayan Hornbill
Visayan Shama
Vulturine Guineafowl
Vulturine Parrot
Vulture

Reptiles Beginning with V

Several snakes, lizards, and other reptiles have names beginning with V.

Variable Sandsnake
Variable Skink
Variegated Tree Gecko
Velvet Gecko
Venezuelan Lancehead
Vietnamese Blue Beauty Snake
Vietnamese Crocodile Lizard
Vietnamese Leaf Turtle
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Vine Snake
Viper
Viper Boa
Viper Gecko
Viperine Snake
Vipera
Virgin Islands Boa
Volcanic Plateau Side-striped Chameleon

Fish and Sea Animals Beginning with V

The ocean, rivers, and lakes contain several names of animals beginning with V, ranging from small fish to unusual deep-sea creatures.

Vaquita
Vampire Fish
Vampire Squid
Vampire Tetra
Velvet Belly Lanternshark
Velvet Dogfish
Velvet Whalefish
Venus Angelfish
Venus Clam
Venus Comb Murex
Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone
Vermilion Rockfish
Vermilion Snapper
Viper Dogfish
Viperfish
Virginia Oyster
Violet Sea Apple
Violet Sea Snail
Volcano Limpet

Insects and Other Invertebrates Starting with V

Many smaller animals starting with V are insects, arachnids, molluscs, worms, or other invertebrates.

Vagrant Butterfly
Valley Carpenter Bee
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle
Variable Checkerspot
Variable Cracker Butterfly
Variable Darner
Variable Ladybird
Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar
Varied Carpet Beetle
Variegated Cutworm
Variegated Fritillary
Variegated Grasshopper
Variegated Meadowhawk
Varroa Mite
Vegetable Weevil
Velvet Ant
Velvet Mite
Velvet Worm
Venus Clam
Venus Comb Murex
Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone
Vermilion Sea Star
Vinegar Fly
Vinegaroon
Violet Carpenter Bee
Violet Oil Beetle
Violet Snail
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
Virginia Tiger Moth
V-marked Lady Beetle
Volcano Limpet

Amphibians with Names Beginning with V

These amphibian animal names with V include frogs and salamanders.

Valcheta Frog
Variable Harlequin Frog
Variable Reed Frog
Venezuela Pebble Toad
Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Vietnamese Salamander
Vietnamese Warty Newt
Vomerine Tongue Frog

Animals Beginning with V by Habitat

Animal names can also be grouped according to where they are commonly found.

Land Animals with V

Vampire Bat
Vancouver Island Marmot
Veld Rat
Vervet Monkey
Vicuña
Virginia Opossum
Visayan Spotted Deer
Visayan Warty Pig
Viscacha
Vizcacha
Volcano Rabbit
Vole

Sea Animals with V

Vaquita
Vampire Squid
Velvet Belly Lanternshark
Velvet Dogfish
Velvet Whalefish
Venus Clam
Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone
Vermilion Rockfish
Viperfish
Violet Sea Apple
Violet Sea Snail
Volcano Limpet

Flying Animals with V

Vampire Bat
Vanuatu Flying Fox
Vanga
Varied Bunting
Varied Thrush
Veery
Verdin
Verreaux’s Eagle
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Violet-backed Starling
Violet-green Swallow
Virginia’s Warbler
Vulture

Wild Animals That Begin with V

These wild animals have common names that begin with V.

Vaquita
Vampire Bat
Vanuatu Flying Fox
Vancouver Island Marmot
Vervet Monkey
Vicuña
Viper
Virginia Opossum
Visayan Spotted Deer
Visayan Warty Pig
Viscacha
Volcano Rabbit
Vole
Vulture

V Animals Quick Reference Table

Animal	Animal Group	Common Habitat
Vaquita	Mammal	Sea
Vampire Bat	Mammal	Forests and caves
Vampire Squid	Mollusc	Deep ocean
Velvet Ant	Insect	Dry land and grasslands
Velvet Worm	Invertebrate	Damp forests
Vervet Monkey	Mammal	Woodland and savannah
Vicuña	Mammal	Mountains and grasslands
Vine Snake	Reptile	Trees and shrubs
Vinegaroon	Arachnid	Dry and tropical habitats
Viper	Reptile	Various land habitats
Viperfish	Fish	Deep ocean
Virginia Opossum	Mammal	Forests and urban areas
Viscacha	Mammal	Mountains and grasslands
Volcano Rabbit	Mammal	Mountain grasslands
Vole	Mammal	Fields, forests and wetlands
Vulture	Bird	Open land and mountains

Animal Names with V: Useful Word Patterns

Some V animal names contain words that tell us something about the animal’s appearance, location, or group.

Word Pattern	Examples
Vampire	Vampire Bat, Vampire Squid, Vampire Fish
Velvet	Velvet Ant, Velvet Worm, Velvet Mite
Violet	Violet Turaco, Violet Sea Snail, Violet-backed Starling
Vietnamese	Vietnamese Crocodile Lizard, Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Venezuelan	Venezuelan Red Howler, Venezuelan Lancehead
Virginia	Virginia Opossum, Virginia Rail, Virginia’s Warbler
Visayan	Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Hornbill
Variable	Variable Hawk, Variable Antshrike, Variable Reed Frog

Animal Knowledge Quiz

Animals That Start With V Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each question.

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FAQs

What animals start with V?

Animals starting with V include the vulture, viper, vicuña, vaquita, vervet monkey, vole, vampire bat, vampire squid, velvet worm, and vinegaroon.

What is a common animal that starts with V?

The vulture is one of the most familiar V animals. It is a large bird that usually feeds on the remains of dead animals.

What mammal begins with V?

The vicuña is a mammal beginning with V. Other examples include the vervet monkey, vaquita, vole, vampire bat, and Virginia opossum.

Which sea animals start with V?

Sea animals beginning with V include the vaquita, vampire squid, viperfish, velvet belly lanternshark, violet sea snail, and Venus clam.

What bird starts with the letter V?

The vulture starts with V. Other V birds include the veery, verdin, variable hawk, violet turaco, Virginia rail, and Verreaux’s eagle.

Which reptiles begin with V?

Reptiles beginning with V include the viper, vine snake, viper boa, viper gecko, Vietnamese crocodile lizard, and Vietnamese leaf turtle.

Is there a monkey that starts with V?

Yes. The vervet monkey is an African monkey beginning with V. It lives socially in groups and feeds on both plant and animal matter.

What is the rarest animal beginning with V?

The vaquita is among the rarest living marine mammals. Its natural range is restricted to the northern Gulf of California in Mexico.

Conclusion

There are many interesting Animals That Start with V, from familiar vultures and vipers to less commonly known animals such as vicuñas, velvet worms, vinegaroons, and vampire squid. Learning them by animal group and habitat makes V animal names easier to recognise, remember, and use correctly.