20 Animals That Start With W (2023)

Welcome to animals that start with w. Tons of animals have names that start with the letter W. 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 W:

Wahoo Fish

Waimanu
Walking Catfish
Wallaby

Walleye Fish
Walrus
Wandering Albatross

Warbler
Warthog
Wasp

Water Beetle
Water Buffalo
Water Bug

Water Dragon
Water Vole
Wattled Jacana

Wax Moth
Weasel
Weaver Bird

Weimaraner

Table of Contents show

1. Wahoo Fish

Here are some statistics about the Wahoo fish:

The Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is a large, predatory fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.

It is also known as the Ono in Hawaii.
Wahoo have a long, slender body with a metallic blue-green back and silver sides.
They can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weigh up to 180 pounds (82 kilograms).

The average weight of a Wahoo caught by sport fishermen is around 30-40 pounds (14-18 kilograms).
Wahoo are known for their speed and are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour).
They are solitary fish and often found near the surface or in mid-water, where they prey on smaller fish and squid.

Wahoo are an important game fish and are highly prized by anglers for their fighting ability and flesh, which is white, flaky, and mild in flavor.
They are also commercially fished and are a popular food fish in many parts of the world.
Wahoo are not considered to be endangered, but their populations can be impacted by overfishing and habitat destruction.

2. Waimanu

• The Waimanu is an extinct genus of penguin that lived in what is now New Zealand during the Paleocene epoch, around 60-62 million years ago.

• It was a medium-sized penguin, estimated to have been about 2.5 feet (76 cm) tall and weighing around 22-24 pounds (10-11 kg).

• The Waimanu had several features that distinguish it from modern penguins, including a long, pointed beak and a more elongated body shape.

• It is considered to be one of the earliest penguin species, and may have played a role in the evolution of the group.

• The Waimanu was first discovered in 2006 in the Waipara Greensand formation on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

• Fossils of the Waimanu suggest that it was a strong swimmer and may have been able to dive to depths of up to 120 meters (394 feet) in pursuit of fish and other prey.

3. Walking Catfish

Here are some statistics about the Walking Catfish:

Scientific name: Clarias batrachus
Also known as: Giant catfish, freshwater catfish, Asian catfish, magur, or shingi

Size: Can reach up to 48 inches (120 cm) in length and weigh up to 6.6 pounds (3 kg)
Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia, but now found in other parts of the world due to intentional and unintentional introduction, can live in a variety of water conditions, including stagnant or slow-moving waters, ponds, and rice paddies.
Behavior: Adapted to walk on land for short distances, using its pectoral fins to move across wet or damp ground to reach other bodies of water.

Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on small fish, insects, crustaceans, worms, and plant material.
Reproduction: Can breed both in water and on land, lay eggs in nests dug in the ground or in depressions in vegetation near the water’s edge.
Conservation status: Listed as a “Least Concern” species by the IUCN, but considered invasive in some areas where it has been introduced outside of its native range.

4. Wallaby

Here are some statistics about the wallaby:

Wallabies are small to medium-sized marsupials that are part of the kangaroo family.
There are about 30 different species of wallabies.

They are found throughout Australia and in some surrounding islands.
Wallabies are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, and shrubs.
They have powerful hind legs that allow them to hop long distances and reach speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h).

Wallabies can vary in size, with the smallest species being the size of a rabbit, while the largest can reach up to 6.6 ft (2 meters) in length.
They are marsupials, meaning that they carry their young in a pouch until they are fully developed.
Wallabies can live up to 9-15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.

They are considered a national symbol of Australia and are often featured in Australian artwork and popular culture.

5. Walleye Fish

Here are some statistics about the Walleye fish:

Scientific name: Sander vitreus

Other common names: yellow walleye, walleyed pike, pickerel
Average size: 30-40 cm (12-16 in) and 0.9-1.4 kg (2-3 lbs), but can grow up to 90 cm (35 in) and 9 kg (20 lbs)
Habitat: freshwater lakes and rivers in North America, particularly in Canada and the northern United States

Diet: carnivorous, feeding on smaller fish, crayfish, and insects
Behavior: typically active at dawn and dusk, and may be attracted to light
Fishing: popular sport fish, prized for its meat and challenging catch

Conservation status: generally stable, but varies depending on location and local fishing regulations

6. Walrus

Here are some statistics about the Walrus:

Scientific name: Odobenus rosmarus

Habitat: Arctic and subarctic regions, including the coasts of Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Norway
Size: Males can weigh up to 1.5 tons and grow up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long; females are smaller, weighing up to 1 ton and growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) long
Appearance: Thick, wrinkled skin; large tusks (elongated canine teeth) that can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet) in length in males; flippers adapted for swimming and walking on land

Diet: Mostly bivalve mollusks (e.g. clams, mussels, and oysters), but also occasionally feeds on crustaceans, fish, and even other marine mammals
Behavior: Social animals that form groups (called “herds”) on sea ice and beaches; can dive to depths of over 100 meters (330 feet) and hold their breath for up to 30 minutes
Conservation status: Currently classified as “data deficient” by the IUCN, but populations are threatened by habitat loss due to climate change and hunting for their ivory tusks and blubber

7. Wandering Albatross

Here are some statistics about the Wandering Albatross:

Scientific name: Diomedea exulans
Average lifespan: 40 to 60 years

Wingspan: up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet)
Body length: up to 1.3 meters (4.3 feet)
Weight: 6 to 12 kilograms (13 to 26 pounds)

Habitat: Southern Ocean, primarily around Antarctica
Diet: Squid, fish, and krill
Conservation status: Vulnerable, with a decreasing population trend, according to the IUCN Red List

Behavior: Known for their long-distance oceanic flights, often using dynamic soaring to stay aloft for long periods of time
Reproduction: Monogamous, with a breeding cycle that takes place over multiple years and produces a single egg per breeding season.

8. Warbler

Here are some statistics about the Warbler:

The term “warbler” is used to refer to a large family of small, often brightly colored songbirds.
There are over 400 species of warblers found all over the world.
Most species of warblers are migratory, breeding in the northern hemisphere during the summer and wintering in the southern hemisphere during the winter.

Warblers are insectivorous, feeding primarily on insects and other small invertebrates.
Some species of warblers are known for their complex and beautiful songs, and they are a popular subject for birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts.

9. Warthog

Here are some statistics about the Warthog:

Scientific name: Phacochoerus africanus
Size: 0.9 to 1.5 m (3.0 to 4.9 ft) long, 60 to 150 kg (130 to 330 lb) in weight
Appearance: Large, sturdy, and grayish-brown, with a mane of stiff bristles on their necks and backs, a large head with warts, and long curved tusks

Habitat: Savannah grasslands, woodlands, and sub-deserts in sub-Saharan Africa
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on grass, roots, berries, bark, insects, and even small animals
Behavior: Solitary or live in family groups called sounders, they are known for their aggressive defense of their young and foraging area, but will run away rather than fight if they sense danger

Lifespan: 7 to 15 years in the wild, up to 18 years in captivity
Conservation status: Least Concern (population stable), but may face threats from habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat, and conflict with humans over crops and water resources.

10. Wasp

Here are some statistics about wasps:

Wasps are a diverse group of insects that belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also includes bees and ants.
There are over 30,000 known species of wasps worldwide.
Wasps can be solitary or social, with social wasps forming colonies that can contain hundreds or thousands of individuals.

Most wasps are predators, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small animals, although some also feed on nectar and fruit.
Wasps have a slender, elongated body with two pairs of wings and a narrow waist. They come in a wide range of sizes and colors, from tiny parasitic wasps less than 1 mm long to large hornets over 5 cm long.
The stingers of some wasps can be used repeatedly, while others have a barbed stinger that can only be used once.

While some wasps are considered pests because they can sting humans, they also provide important ecological services, such as pollination and biological pest control.

11. Water Beetle

Here are some statistics in bullet point format about the Water Beetle:

Water beetles are aquatic insects that are part of the beetle family.

There are over 10,000 known species of water beetles.
Water beetles range in size from just a few millimeters to over 10 centimeters in length.
Most water beetles have two pairs of wings, with the outer pair serving as protective covers for the inner pair.

The hind legs of water beetles are modified for swimming, with fringed or flattened segments that help propel them through the water.
Water beetles can be found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats, including ponds, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
They feed on a variety of prey, including other insects, fish, and amphibians.

Some water beetles are able to survive underwater for extended periods of time by carrying air bubbles with them, which they obtain by diving to the surface or trapping air under their wings.
Some species of water beetles are considered pests, while others are used as biological control agents to help manage invasive aquatic plants or insects.

12. Water Buffalo

Here are some statistics in bullet point format about the Water Buffalo:

Scientific name: Bubalus bubalis
Also known as domestic water buffalo or Asian water buffalo
Native to Southeast Asia and South Asia

Classified as a domesticated bovine animal
Large, stocky, and heavily built animal with a broad head and short, curved horns
Adult males (bulls) can weigh up to 1200 kg (2600 lb) and stand up to 1.8 m (6 ft) tall at the shoulder

Adult females (cows) are slightly smaller and lighter, weighing up to 800 kg (1760 lb)
Can live up to 25 years in captivity
Have a herbivorous diet, feeding on grass, leaves, and other vegetation

Highly valued for their milk, meat, and as draft animals in many countries
Domestic water buffalo can be of various breeds and color patterns, including black, brown, gray, and white

13. Water Bug

Here are some statistics about the Water Bug:

Common name: Water bug
Scientific name: various, depending on the species
Size: varies depending on the species, but can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters in length

Habitat: freshwater environments, such as ponds, streams, and rivers
Distribution: worldwide, with some species being more common in certain regions
Diet: varies depending on the species, but can include other insects, small fish, and aquatic plants

Characteristics: most species have flattened bodies that allow them to move easily through the water, and many have long, thin legs that they use to capture prey
Behavior: some species are able to fly short distances, while others are able to walk on the surface of the water using specialized leg structures
Threats: many species are not considered threatened, but habitat destruction and pollution can impact their populations in certain areas. Some species are also considered pests in certain regions.

14. Water Dragon

Here are some statistics about the Water Dragon:

The water dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) is a species of lizard found in eastern Australia.
It is also known as the eastern water dragon, green water dragon, and lesueur’s water dragon.

Water dragons can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length, including their long tail.
They have a distinctive green to brownish color, with darker banding on their tails and a yellow or cream-colored underside.
Water dragons are semi-aquatic and can be found near rivers, streams, and other bodies of water.

They are able to hold their breath for up to 90 minutes and are strong swimmers.
Water dragons are omnivores, feeding on a variety of insects, small animals, and vegetation.
They are often kept as pets and require large enclosures with both land and water areas to thrive.

Female water dragons lay up to 18 eggs at a time, which hatch after approximately 2 months.
Water dragons are not considered to be a threatened species, and their populations are stable in the wild.

15. Water Vole

Here are some statistics about the Water Vole:

Scientific name: Arvicola amphibius
Commonly known as the water vole or European water vole
Distribution: Europe and parts of Asia

Habitat: streams, rivers, lakes, ditches, marshes, and wetlands
Diet: herbivorous, mostly feeding on grasses, sedges, and other aquatic vegetation
Size: body length ranges from 14 to 22 cm, with a tail length of 7 to 12 cm
Weight: typically between 150 and 300 grams
Appearance: round-bodied with short legs and ears, covered in a short, dense fur that is usually dark brown
Behavior: primarily nocturnal and semiaquatic, constructing burrows and feeding platforms along waterways
Status: considered a species of concern in some areas due to habitat loss, predation, and competition with non-native species.

16. Wattled Jacana

Here are some statistics about the Wattled Jacana:

The Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana) is a bird species found in the wetlands of the Americas, from Mexico to Argentina.
The bird is named after the distinctive fleshy, red and yellow wattle on its forehead.
Wattled Jacanas are polyandrous, meaning that females mate with multiple males and the males take on the majority of the parental care duties, including building the nest, incubating the eggs, and caring for the chicks.
The bird’s diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates that it finds on the water’s surface or in shallow water.
The Wattled Jacana is about 17-21 cm (6.7-8.3 inches) long and weighs between 63-113 grams (2.2-4.0 ounces).
The species has a distinctive appearance, with a brown body, black wings, and a white belly, as well as the aforementioned wattle on its forehead.
Wattled Jacanas are not considered threatened or endangered, but habitat loss and degradation can have an impact on their populations in certain areas.

17. Wax Moth

Here are some statistics about the Wax Moth:

Scientific name: Galleria mellonella
Commonly known as greater wax moth or honeycomb moth
Adult wax moths are typically about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long with a wingspan of about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm)
They have a distinct grayish-brown coloration
Wax moths are found worldwide, but are most common in warmer climates
Larvae of the wax moth feed on beeswax and are considered a pest of honeybee colonies
The larvae are also capable of digesting polyethylene, a type of plastic commonly used in packaging materials
The moth has been studied for its potential use in plastic waste management
Wax moths are also used as a food source for pets, such as reptiles and birds.

18. Weasel

The weasel is a small carnivorous mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family.
There are several species of weasels, with the most common being the least weasel.
The least weasel is found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
They have long, slender bodies and short legs with five toes on each foot.
Weasels have sharp, pointy teeth and powerful jaws to help them catch and eat their prey.
Their fur is brown on top and white on their belly, which helps camouflage them in the snow.
Weasels are known for their ability to move quickly and wriggle through small spaces.
They are opportunistic hunters and eat a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, and insects.
Weasels are important predators in many ecosystems and help control rodent populations.
Despite their small size, weasels are fierce and tenacious hunters and can take down prey much larger than themselves.

19. Weaver Bird

Here are some statistics about the Weaver Bird:

The weaver bird is a small passerine bird that belongs to the family Ploceidae.
There are around 116 species of weaver birds found across the African continent, as well as parts of Asia and Europe.
The weaver bird is known for its ability to build complex, intricate nests made from woven grass, leaves, and twigs, often suspended from trees or other structures.
Male weaver birds are known for their brightly colored plumage, which they use to attract mates.
The diet of weaver birds consists mainly of seeds, insects, and fruits.
Weaver birds are social animals that often form large colonies or flocks, especially during breeding season.
Some species of weaver birds are considered agricultural pests because they feed on crops such as rice, maize, and sorghum.
The lifespan of weaver birds varies depending on the species, but they typically live for around 4-6 years.

20. Weimaraner

Here are some statistics about the Weimaraner:

Breed: Weimaraner (also known as the Weimaraner Vorstehhund or the Gray Ghost)
Size: Large breed
Height: 23-27 inches (male), 21-25 inches (female)
Weight: 55-90 pounds (male), 50-70 pounds (female)
Lifespan: 11-14 years
Origin: Germany
Coat: Short, sleek, and smooth
Coat Colors: Shades of gray (ranging from mouse-gray to silver-gray)
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, loyal, and affectionate
Exercise Needs: High exercise needs (requires daily exercise and mental stimulation)
Trainability: Highly trainable, but can be stubborn at times
Health Issues: Prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, bloat, and certain cancers
Popularity: Ranked 34th out of 197 breeds by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2021.

Conclusion: Animals That Start With W