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38 Animals That Start With U

Hey, you! Let’s play a game. Name five animals that start with U. If you can’t, that’s perfectly fine because, in today’s post, you’ll learn about many animals that start with the letter U!

Although not so common as other letters of the alphabet, there are still quite a lot of animals beginning with U. that’s why we decided to create this blog post with many cute, strange, slow, and fast creatures.

You will learn multiple exciting things about these animals that begin with U, so if you’re looking this up for a school project or simply because you’re curious, you’re in the right place.

Hey, buddy! Have we missed any animal that starts with the letter U? Then let us know in the comments below.

Animals That Start With U

Here are some amazing animals that begin with the letter U.

Ural Owl

The Ural owl (Strix uralensis) is a medium-sized nocturnal owl of the genus Strix

Ural owls are large nocturnal birds that are native to Asia and Europe.

They have broad and almost rounded heads with a small indention on the forehead. They usually have mottled grayish-brown bodies with long wedge-shaped tails.

Ulysses Swallowtail

Ulysses butterflies are among the prettiest animals that start with U!
Ulysses butterflies are among the prettiest animals that start with U!

Ulysses butterflies are a species of swallowtail butterfly found in Australia, Indonesia, and nearby regions.

Their wings are bright blue in color with black edges, giving them a striking appearance. These butterflies appear on the emblem for promoting tourism in Queensland.

Uromastyx Geyri

Uromastyx Geyri lizard basking on rock

Next on our list of animals that start with U is the Uromastyx geyri.

They are small, slender lizards native to North Africa. They usually have beige- or orange-colored bodies with some paler spots.

Uinta Ground Squirrel

Uinta ground squirrel standing up

Uinta ground squirrels are medium-sized squirrels native to the United States.

They are around 11 to 12 inches long and have brownish bodies with some gray parts.

The diet of these ground-dwelling rodents consists mostly of leaves, grass, and seed, although they may occasionally feed on earthworms too.

Uniform Crake

Uniform crake bird
Uniform crake – Photo by Hector Bottai (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Larger than most crakes, uniform crakes are brown with reddish underparts.

This species of bird is found in wetlands and swampy forests of Mexico and Central and South America. Despite its wide distribution, this bird is rarely seen.

Unau

Unau or Linnaeus' Two-toed Sloth on tree

Native to South America, Unau or Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths are the slowest mammals on earth.

They have gray-brown or beige fur that is often covered with a greenish tinge due to the growth of algae. These animals spend most of the day sleeping in the trees.

Urutu Snake

Deadly Urutu Snake (Bothrops alternatus)

Native to South America, Urutu is a species of highly venomous pit viper.

These snakes exhibit a wide variety of base colors, including brown, gray, and tan, and have distinct patterns in dark brown or black with white or cream borders.

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Beautiful Ultramarine Flycatcher bird perched on branch

Ultramarine flycatchers are small birds found in several countries of Asia, including India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Male birds of this species have a deep blue plumage on their backs and the sides of the neck, while the throat and underparts are white. Females are paler in comparison.

Upland Sandpiper

Upland Sandpiper on post

Upland sandpipers are fairly big birds, reaching around 12 inches in length.

They exhibit a black and brown marbled pattern on their wings, back, and throat, while the belly is white.

Their diet consists mostly of a variety of insects, although it may sometimes feed on seeds and grains too.

Utah Prairie Dog

Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) sitting near a hole

Unlike their name, Utah prairie dogs aren’t actually dogs but a species of rodent. Native to North America, these common animals are part of the squirrel family.

They are usually found in huge colonies and are known to dig a vast system of connected underground burrows.

Urial

Urial sheep resting

Also known as arkars and shapo, Urials are a species of wild sheep native to Asia.

They are usually brownish-red in color and usually move around in flocks. Both males and females have outwards-curling horns, although the horns of the males are much bigger.

Upland Goose

Upland Goose (Chloephaga picta)

Upland geese are native to South America, where they reside near water sources.

Also known as Magellan geese, they are usually found in flocks of several individuals. They follow a herbivorous diet, feeding mainly on leaves, stems, and seeds.

Uinta Chipmunk

Uinta Chipmunk

Next on our list of animals that start with U is the medium-sized Uinta chipmunk.

Native to the United States, this species of chipmunk has brownish or grayish coats with dark and pale stripes on their backs and both sides of the face. They are herbivorous animals.

Ultramarine Kingfisher

Ultramarine kingfisher bird (Todiramphus leucopygius) in Solomon Island

Ultramarine kingfishers are native to the Solomon Islands, where they inhabit tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests.

They have a blue crown, back, and wings, with a dark facial mask and white neck and underparts.

Upland Buzzard

Upland Buzzard foraging in the winter forest

Upland buzzards are birds of prey native to Central Asia. These migratory birds are the largest buzzard species in the world.

They are around 22 to 28 inches in length and have a wingspan of over 4 feet. They are skilled hunters whose diet consists of a variety of smaller mammals.

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

Unstriped ground squirrel standing
Unstriped ground squirrel – Photo by US Fish and Wildlife Service Public domain

Native to Africa, unstriped ground squirrels have tawny or brownish fur with paler underparts and no stripes.

These squirrels are usually solitary animals and reside in burrows dug into the ground. They have remarkably long tails.

Unicolored Jay

Unicolored Jay bird (Aphelocoma unicolor) perched on a branch

Native to parts of North America, unicolored jays are social animals, usually foraging in mixed groups.

As their name indicates, they have a uniform deep blue plumage with black eyes and beaks. They feed on various seeds, fruits, berries, insects, lizards, etc.

Ugandan Kob

Ugandan kob, Kobus kob thomasi, in the savanna

Next on our list of animals that start with U is the Ugandan kob, an antelope species native to East Africa.

These medium-sized animals are reddish-brown in color with white underparts. These animals are featured on the coat of arms of Uganda.

Upland Pipit

Upland Pipit (Anthus sylvanus) standing on the ground

Upland pipits are large pipits found in several parts of Asia, including Afghanistan, India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan.

They have brownish bodies with several dark streaks running all over and lighter underparts. They usually breed in foothills and mountains.

Ural Field Mouse

Ural field mouse (Apodemus uralensis) sitting on a branch

Also known as the pygmy field mouse, Ural field mice are small rodents native to Europe and Asia.

They are brown in color with white underparts and rounded ears. They usually inhabit forests and grasslands.

Upland Chorus Frog

Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum) on leaf

Upland chorus frogs are small nocturnal frogs native to the US. The natural habitat of these species is usually near water sources.

These shy, secretive animals have gray-brown, reddish-brown, or brown bodies with blotched patterns. They are terrestrial animals that feed on a variety of insects.

Uganda Mangabey

Uganda gray cheeked mangabey monkey on tree
Uganda gray-cheeked mangabey – Photo by Nik Borrow (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Uganda mangabeys are old-world monkeys native to Uganda and Tanzania in Africa.

They are grayish-brown or yellowish-brown in color with contrasting chocolate brown fur on the mane and breast. Their diet consists mainly of fruits and seeds.

Ultramarine Grosbeak

Ultramarine grosbeak on tree

Ultramarine grosbeaks are stunning birds native to South America.

Males of the species have a dark blue plumage with dark eye patches and lighter highlights on the eyebrows and shoulders, while females are reddish-brown.

Their diet mainly consists of fruits, seeds, and insects.

Usambara Eagle-Owl

Usambara eagle-owl, Bubo vosseleri

Usambara eagle-owls are native to the Usambara mountains in Tanzania, Africa.

They have tawny brown plumage with darker mottled patterns and blotchy creamy white underparts. These birds can grow up to a length of around 19 inches.

Ursine Howler

Ursine Howler monkey (Alouatta arctoidea) on top of green tree

One of the largest primates found in South America, ursine howler monkeys are next on our list of animals that start with U.

They are terrestrial animals that follow a herbivorous diet. They are well known for their loud howls, which can be heard from a great distance in the rainforest.

Ultramarine Lorikeet

Ultramarine lorikeets are a parrot species native to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, where they reside in forests, montane forests, and plantations.

Their diet consists mostly of flowers, pollen, and nectar, although they may occasionally feed on fruits and insects too.

Underwood’s Long-Tongued Bat

Underwood's long-tongued bat
Underwood’s long-tongued bat – Photo by Karin Schneeberger (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Native to Central America, these tiny bats feed on fruits, agave, pollen grains, and nectar.

They can grow up to 2.7 inches and live in hollow logs, in tunnels, caves, or under bridges in dense, tropical regions between 164 and 8,660 feet of elevation.

Uromastyx Aegyptia

Uromastyx aegyptia lizard
Uromastyx aegyptia – Photo by Alexandre Roux (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Uromastyx aegyptia is a lizard species native to North Africa and the Middle East.

They can grow up to a length of 30 inches. These animals are also known as Egyptian spiny-tailed lizards.

Upland Clawed Frog

Upland clawed frog
Upland clawed frog – Photo by Brian Gratwick (CC BY 2.0)

Also known as the African clawed frog, Upland clawed frogs have three claws on their hind limbs, which help them tear their food easily.

They are aquatic creatures and are usually found near rivers and ponds. They have greenish-gray bodies and feed on various living and dead prey.

Upland Sprite

Upland sprite dragonfly
Upland sprite – Photo by Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, upland sprites are a species of colorful damselfly.

They are mostly blue in color with some greenish patches. These damselflies can be found perched close to water bodies.

Upland Horseshoe Bat

Upland horseshoe bat
Upland horseshoe bat – Photo by Natalie Weber (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Also known as Hills’ horseshoe bat, upland horseshoe bats are native to West and Central Africa.

They inhabit lowland and montane tropical or subtropical moist forests, often residing in caves. The species is currently threatened due to loss of habitat.

Unadorned Rock-Wallaby

Unadorned Rock Wallaby illustration
Unadorned Rock Wallaby – Illustration by Museum Victoria Public domain

Unadorned rock wallabies are a mammal species native to Australia.

The coat colors of these animals may be in various shades of brown and gray, usually matching the color of the soil and rocks of the area they inhabit. They usually live in colonies.

Upland Forest Day Gecko

Upland forest day gecko in Mauritius

Native to Mauritius, the upland forest day gecko is next on our list of animals that start with U.

These lizards are green in color with some orange-red markings and bluish tails. They usually live atop big trees and feed on nectar as well as a variety of insects.

Upland Antshrike

Upland antshrikes are small birds native to Bolivia and Peru in South America.

Males of this species are gray in color with white wing bars, while females have brown plumage with gray faces.

Upland Bully

Upland bully fish
Upland bully – Photo by StellaMcQ (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Upland bullies are freshwater fishes native to New Zealand.

They are over 3 inches in length, with males being somewhat larger than females. Both have numerous orange spots on the head.

Ursine Tree-Kangaroo

Ursine tree-kangaroo
Ursine tree-kangaroo – Photo by Museum Victoria Public domain

Ursine tree-kangaroos are furry marsupials that reside in the tropical forests of  New Guinea.

Also known as the black tree-kangaroo, they are usually between 20 and 32 inches long and have long tails. They are glossy black in color with white throats and fawn underparts.

Ultramarine Jay

Ultramarine jay bird
Ultramarine jay – Photo by Gonzalo Zepeda Martinez (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The ultramarine jay, or Transvolcanic jay, is a medium-sized bird native to North America.

They have a blue head and wings, bluish gray mantle, black legs, and gray underparts.

Ursine Colobus

Ursine colobus monkey
Ursine colobus – Photo by César María Aguilar Gómez (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Last on our list of animals that begin with the letter U is the Ursine colobus, a primate species.

These African animals are mostly black, with a white halo of fur surrounding their faces.

Their diet consists mostly of seeds and leaves, although they may occasionally feed on insects and fruits.

Animal Alphabet List

Animals that start with A

Animals that start with B

Animals that start with C

Animals that start with D

Animals that start with E

Animals that start with F

Animals that start with G

Animals that start with H

Animals that start with I

Animals that start with J

Animals that start with K

Animals that start with L

Animals that start with M

Animals that start with N

Animals that start with O

Animals that start with P

Animals that start with Q

Animals that start with R

Animals that start with S

Animals that start with T

Animals that start with V

Animals that start with W

Animals that start with X

Animals that start with Y

Animals that start with Z

Animals With U

We hope you appreciated this fun list of animals starting with U! Feel free to share it with your friends on social media.

Did we miss any animals beginning with U? Let us know in the comments below!