Animals That Start With Y
Discover 3 animals whose common name begins with the letter Y, from Yak to Yellowfin Tuna. This includes 2 mammals and 1 fish. Browse photos, taxonomy, habitat, diet, and conservation status for each species. 1 of these species is classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
About Animals That Start With Y
Diet among these species breaks down as 2 herbivores and 1 carnivore. They live across mountain, grassland, and ocean habitats, and are native to Asia, North America, Africa, South America, and Australia. Body weight varies across the group, ranging from 1.5kg to 1,200kg.
Y Animals
Yak
Bos grunniens
MammalThe yak is a large, long-haired bovine adapted to the extreme cold and thin air of the high Himalayan plateau, able to live at altitudes above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) that few other large mammals can tolerate. Most yaks today are domesticated and have been kept for thousands of years across Tibet, Nepal, and the surrounding mountains as a source of milk, meat, wool, and transport, while small wild populations still survive on the remote Tibetan Plateau.
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
MammalThe yellow-bellied marmot is a large ground squirrel found in the mountains of western North America, spending nearly eight months of the year in deep hibernation.
Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
FishThe yellowfin tuna is a large, fast-swimming fish found in tropical and subtropical waters across the world's oceans, prized both as one of the ocean's most powerful predators and as one of the most commercially important fish species for human consumption. Its name comes from the bright yellow coloring of its dorsal and anal fins, which become especially long and dramatic in mature adults.
Alphabetical List
Interesting Y Animal Facts
- Yak: Yaks have larger lungs and hearts relative to their body size than lowland cattle, an adaptation to thin mountain air.
- Yellow-bellied Marmot: It can hibernate for up to eight months of the year.
- Yellowfin Tuna: Yellowfin tuna can swim in short bursts at speeds up to 70km/h, among the fastest of any fish.
Y Animals FAQs
How many animals start with the letter Y?
This page currently features 3 animals whose common name starts with Y, and more are added regularly.
What is the most popular animal starting with Y?
Yellowfin Tuna is the most popular animal starting with Y on this site.
What is the rarest animal starting with Y?
Yak has the most severe conservation status (Vulnerable) among animals starting with Y.
Are any animals starting with Y endangered?
Yes — 1 animal starting with Y is classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.