20 Animals That Start With V (2023)

Welcome to animals that start with v. Tons of animals have names that start with the letter V. Many of them can be found around you, while some others are a bit more exotic.

Here’s the complete list of animals that start with V:

Vampire Bat

Vampire Crab
Vampire Squid
Vaquita

Velociraptor
Venus Flytrap
Vermilion Flycatcher

Vervet Monkey
Vicuña
Vine Snake

Vinegaroon
Viper
Viper Boa

Viper Shark (dogfish)
Viperfish
Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko

Vizsla
Volpino Italiano
Vulture

Viceroy Butterfly
Virginia Opossum

Table of Contents show

1. Vampire Bat

Here are some statistics about the Vampire Bat:

Scientific name: Desmodus rotundus
Found in: Central and South America
Size: 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in length, with a wingspan of 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)

Weight: 1-2 ounces (30-60 grams)
Diet: Blood (hematophagy) of various animals, including livestock and wildlife, as well as humans in rare cases
Behavior: Nocturnal, live in groups or “colonies,” use echolocation to find prey, can fly up to 100 miles (160 km) in a single night, use their razor-sharp teeth to make a small incision in the skin of their prey and then lap up the blood with their long, pointed tongues

Conservation status: Least Concern

2. Vampire Crab

Here are some statistics about the Vampire Crab:

Scientific name: Geosesarma sp.

Size: The body of a fully grown vampire crab can be up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide, and their legs can span up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
Habitat: These crabs are native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, where they live in streams and near rivers.
Diet: Vampire crabs are omnivores, and they feed on a variety of plant and animal matter, including algae, small insects, and dead animals.

Behavior: Vampire crabs are semi-terrestrial, which means they can live both on land and in the water. They are known for their bright colors and their ability to climb trees and other surfaces with their sharp claws.
Reproduction: Female vampire crabs can lay up to 60 eggs at a time, which they carry around in a sac under their abdomen until they hatch. The young crabs are fully formed and ready to live on land as soon as they emerge from their eggs.
Conservation status: Vampire crabs are not currently listed as threatened or endangered, but they are sometimes collected for the pet trade, which can impact their wild populations.

3. Vampire Squid

Here are some statistics about the Vampire Squid:

The Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) is a deep-sea cephalopod that lives at depths of around 3,000 feet (900 meters) to 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
They are named for their dark, red color and their webbing, which resembles a cape or cloak like that of a vampire.

They have a gelatinous body that is about the size of a football, with eight arms and two long, retractable filaments that it uses to capture prey.
The Vampire Squid is a predator, but it is also preyed upon by larger animals like deep-sea fish and marine mammals.
They are capable of bioluminescence, or the ability to produce light, which they use to communicate, camouflage themselves, and attract prey.

They are able to survive in low-oxygen environments by slowing down their metabolism, which helps them conserve energy.
The Vampire Squid is not a true squid or an octopus, but rather belongs to its own order, Vampyromorphida, which is thought to be a link between the two groups.
They have a unique method of reproducing, in which the male uses a modified arm to transfer a packet of sperm directly into the female’s body, rather than fertilizing eggs outside of the body.

4. Vaquita

Here are some statistics in bullet point format about the Vaquita:

The Vaquita is a small porpoise species that is native to the Gulf of California, Mexico.
It is the smallest cetacean species, reaching only about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length and weighing up to about 55 kilograms (120 pounds).

The Vaquita has distinctive black patches around its eyes and lips, and a dark line running from its mouth to its dorsal fin.
The species is critically endangered, with fewer than 10 individuals estimated to be left in the wild as of 2021.
The main threat to the Vaquita is bycatch in gillnets used by illegal fishing for the totoaba fish, whose swim bladders are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine.

Conservation efforts are being made to protect the remaining Vaquita population, including a gillnet ban, surveillance and enforcement efforts, and initiatives to encourage sustainable fishing practices in the region.

5. Velociraptor

Velociraptor is a genus of small, carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period.
They were about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) tall at the hip, and weighed up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms).

Velociraptors had large, curved claws on their hind feet that could be used to deliver lethal kicks to their prey or for traction when running.
They were agile and could run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour).
Velociraptors were intelligent predators that may have hunted in packs, using their speed and sharp claws to take down prey such as small dinosaurs and other animals.

They had feathers, making them the closest known relatives of modern birds.
Velociraptors lived in what is now Mongolia and China during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75-71 million years ago.

6. Venus Flytrap

The Venus Flytrap is a carnivorous plant native to wetland habitats in the southeastern United States.

It is a small plant, growing up to 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) in diameter and 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) in height.
The plant has a unique mechanism for catching prey, with modified leaves that close rapidly around insects or other small animals that trigger tiny hairs on the leaf surface.
The Venus Flytrap obtains nutrients from the digested prey, but also requires sunlight and soil nutrients to grow and survive.

The plant is endangered in its native habitat due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats, and is protected by law in some states.

7. Vervet Monkey

Here are some statistics about the Vervet Monkey:

Scientific name: Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Also known as the green monkey or vervet
Found in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the eastern and southern regions
Habitat includes savannas, woodlands, and forests

Diet consists of fruits, flowers, leaves, and insects, but they are known to eat small animals and eggs as well
They are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger than females
Males can weigh up to 8 kg (17.6 lb) while females weigh up to 4 kg (8.8 lb)

Vervet monkeys are social animals and live in groups of up to 50 individuals, with a dominant male leading the group
They are known for their loud calls, which can communicate different messages depending on the context
Vervet monkeys are considered a pest in some areas due to their crop-raiding behavior

They are also used in scientific research, particularly in studies related to behavior and cognition

8. Vicuña

Here are some statistics about the Vicuña:

Scientific name: Vicugna vicugna

Classification: Mammal
Average height: 80 to 100 cm (31 to 39 inches)
Average weight: 35 to 65 kg (77 to 143 lb)

Lifespan: 15 to 20 years in the wild
Habitat: South American Andes, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile
Diet: Herbivorous, mainly grasses and leaves

Behavior: Social animals that live in herds, usually consisting of females and their young, with males living in separate bachelor groups
Conservation status: Near threatened, with population decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and climate change
Other facts: Vicuñas are known for their extremely fine wool, which is harvested every two years in a process known as “chaccu”. They are also known for their ability to survive in extreme environments, thanks to their adaptations to high altitudes and cold temperatures.

9. Vine Snake

The vine snake, also known as the Ahaetulla Nasuta, is a species of rear-fanged, mildly venomous snake.
It is a slender, arboreal snake found throughout South and Southeast Asia.
The vine snake is typically green or brown in color, which helps it to blend in with the vegetation.

It can grow up to 1.5 meters in length, with females usually being slightly larger than males.
The vine snake is known for its unique behavior of flattening its body and swaying from side to side to resemble a vine or twig, which helps it to avoid predators and capture prey.
It feeds on a variety of prey, including lizards, birds, and other snakes, and uses its rear-fangs to inject venom into its prey.

The venom of the vine snake is mild and not considered dangerous to humans, but can cause local pain, swelling, and redness.
The vine snake is not considered a threatened species, although habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade are potential threats to its populations.

10. Vinegaroon

Here are some statistics about the Vinegaroon:

The Vinegaroon, also known as whip scorpion or vinegar spider, is an arachnid that belongs to the Thelyphonida order.
It is found in warm and arid regions of the Americas, from the southern United States to Argentina.
Vinegaroons can grow up to 3 to 4 inches in length, and have a lifespan of up to 8 years.

They have a flattened body and long, thin legs, with a pair of large pedipalps that look like whips or antennae.
Vinegaroons are known for their defense mechanism, which involves spraying a vinegar-like substance from their tail to deter predators or intruders.
They are nocturnal animals that hide during the day in burrows or under rocks and logs.

Vinegaroons are predators that feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
They are considered harmless to humans, as their bite is not poisonous, but it can be painful and cause localized swelling.
Vinegaroons are sometimes kept as pets, but they require a specific set of conditions to thrive, including a warm and humid environment, a place to hide, and a diet of live prey.

11. Viper

Viper is a type of venomous snake.
They are found in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Vipers have a distinctive triangular-shaped head and long, hinged fangs that they use to inject venom into their prey.

There are over 200 species of vipers.
The venom of some vipers can be lethal to humans, while others have a milder venom.
Vipers are carnivorous and feed on small animals such as rodents, birds, and lizards.

Vipers are generally solitary animals, except during the breeding season.
Many vipers have heat-sensing pits on their heads that help them locate prey.
Vipers have a variety of defensive behaviors, such as hissing, striking, and camouflage.

Some species of vipers, such as the Gaboon viper, have the longest fangs of any venomous snake.
Vipers are important predators in their ecosystems, helping to control populations of small animals.

12. Viper Boa

13. Viper Shark (dogfish)

The viper shark, also known as the viper dogfish, is a deep-water shark species found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Oceans.
Its scientific name is Trigonognathus kabeyai.
It can grow up to about 2.5 feet (75 cm) in length.

It has a distinctive appearance with large, upward-facing eyes and a long, pointed snout.
Its body is flattened with a broad head and narrow tail.
The viper shark is a bioluminescent species, which means it is capable of producing its own light in the dark depths of the ocean.

Little is known about the viper shark’s behavior, but it is believed to be a solitary, nocturnal predator.
It primarily feeds on small fish and cephalopods, which it captures with its sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
The viper shark is not considered a threat to humans, as it inhabits deep waters where human interaction is rare.

14. Viperfish

Here are some statistics about the Viperfish:

The Viperfish is a deep-sea fish that belongs to the genus Chauliodus.
They are found in deep oceanic waters around the world, typically below a depth of 1000 meters.

Viperfish can grow up to 60 cm (24 inches) in length.
They have long, needle-like teeth that can be up to half the length of their body.
Viperfish have a photophore on their dorsal fin that emits light to attract prey and to communicate with other fish.

They are capable of swimming at high speeds and have been observed using their light-producing organs to blind prey.
The Viperfish is a predator that feeds on smaller fish and crustaceans.
They have been known to migrate vertically, following their prey as it moves through the water column.

Viperfish are not considered to be a commercially valuable fish.

15. Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko

Here are some statistics in bullet point format about the Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko:

The Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus parthenopion) is a small species of gecko that is endemic to the Virgin Islands.

They are typically around 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) in length and have a flattened body shape, allowing them to fit into small crevices and other tight spaces.
They have large eyes and distinctive dark spots on their back and sides, which can be used to help identify different subspecies.
Virgin Islands Dwarf Geckos are primarily nocturnal and feed on small insects and other invertebrates.

They are oviparous, laying a single egg at a time, and the eggs take around 45-60 days to hatch.
The species is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, as well as competition and predation from introduced species such as rats and cats.

16. Vizsla

Here are some statistics about the Vizsla:

The Vizsla is a medium-sized hunting dog breed originally from Hungary.
They are also known as Hungarian Pointers or Magyar Vizslas.
The average weight of a Vizsla is between 45 and 65 pounds.

They have a short, dense, and shiny coat that is usually a golden rust color.
Vizslas are highly energetic and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
They are intelligent and trainable, making them suitable for a variety of activities including hunting, obedience, and agility.

Vizslas are affectionate and loyal dogs that thrive on human companionship and make great family pets.
They have a lifespan of around 12-15 years.
Common health issues in the breed include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and certain types of cancer.

Vizslas have been used for hunting and falconry in Hungary for centuries and were recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1960.

17. Volpino Italiano

Here are some statistics in bullet point format about the Volpino Italiano:

The Volpino Italiano is a small dog breed that originates from Italy.
It is also known as the Italian Spitz, Florentine Spitz, or Cane de Quirinale.
This breed is a descendant of the European Spitz, which was popular in ancient Rome.
The Volpino Italiano is a playful and affectionate dog that is known for being very loyal to its family.
It has a thick and fluffy double coat that comes in white, red, or champagne color.
This breed is relatively healthy and has a lifespan of around 14 to 16 years.
The Volpino Italiano is a small dog, weighing between 9 to 12 pounds (4 to 5 kg) and standing at a height of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm).
These dogs are highly trainable and make great pets for families, but they can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

18. Vulture

Here are some statistics about vultures:

Vultures are large birds of prey that belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, hawks, and kites.
There are 23 species of vultures in the world, found primarily in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Vultures are scavengers and feed on carrion (the flesh of dead animals).
They have a unique digestive system that allows them to consume meat that would be poisonous to other animals.
Vultures have a bald head and neck, which helps them avoid getting their feathers dirty while feeding on carrion.
Their sharp eyesight and sense of smell help them locate dead animals from great distances.
Vultures play an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up and removing dead animals, which helps prevent the spread of disease.
Some species of vultures, such as the California condor, are endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and poisoning.

19. Viceroy Butterfly

Here are some statistics about the Viceroy Butterfly:

Scientific name: Limenitis archippus
Habitat: deciduous forests, meadows, and wetlands in North America
Diet: nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit
Wingspan: 53-81 mm (2.1-3.2 in)
Appearance: orange wings with black veins and white spots along the edges; hindwings have a black band
Mimicry: often mistaken for the monarch butterfly due to its similar appearance, but the viceroy has a black band on its hindwings that monarchs lack
Predators: birds, reptiles, and mammals, including some species that avoid eating monarchs due to their toxicity (and thus avoid the viceroy as well due to its mimicry)

20. Virginia Opossum

Here are some statistics about the Virginia opossum:

Scientific name: Didelphis virginiana
Also known as the North American opossum or simply “possum”
Native to North America, from Canada to Central America
Nocturnal, solitary, and arboreal (tree-dwelling)
Has a prehensile tail that can be used to grasp branches and hang from trees
Usually solitary, but females may travel with their young
Can grow up to 13-37 inches (33-94 cm) in length, with a tail that adds an additional 8-19 inches (20-48 cm)
Weighs between 1.1 to 14.1 pounds (0.5 to 6.4 kg)
Feeds on a wide variety of food, including fruits, insects, small animals, and carrion
Has a remarkably short lifespan of only 1-2 years in the wild, although captive opossums can live up to 4 years
Known for “playing possum,” a defense mechanism where they feign death or unconsciousness to avoid predators
Considered a pest by some due to their scavenging habits and potential to raid gardens or garbage cans. However, they are also valuable in controlling insect and rodent populations.

Conclusion: Animals That Start With V