Home » Lists and Collections » 70 Animals that Start with W: With Pictures & Facts

70 Animals that Start with W: With Pictures & Facts

Have you ever wondered how many amazing animals have names starting with the letter w?

From the iconic wolf to the gentle whale shark, the world is full of fascinating creatures whose names begin with this letter.

These animals come in all shapes and sizes, thriving in diverse habitats like forests, oceans, and grasslands across the globe.

In this blog, you’ll explore incredible animals that start with W, diving into their origins, habitats, and unique traits.

If you’re a nature enthusiast or just curious about the animal kingdom, you’ll find fun facts and surprising details about these species.

Get ready to learn more about animals like the wallaby, waterbuck, and weta, and find what makes them so extraordinary.

Fascinating Animal Whose Name Starts with W

1. Wallaby

Small to medium-sized marsupials resembling kangaroos but smaller. These plant-eaters from Australia use strong back legs for jumping and defense. They use their tails for balance while hopping and can jump up to 3 meters.

Place of Origin: Australia
Regions of Habitat: Forests, Grasslands, and Savannas in Australia and New Guinea
Scientific Name: macropus
Interesting Fact: Wallabies use their tails as a fifth limb for balance and steering while hopping. they can leap up to 3 meters in a single bound.

2. Warthog

Wild pig family members with large tufts and facial warts. Native to Africa, they eat grasses and dig roots with their tusks. They run at speeds up to 48 km/h and back into burrows for defense.

Place of Origin: Africa
Regions of Habitat: Savannas, Grasslands, and Woodlands of Sub-Saharan Africa
Scientific Name: Phacochoerus Africanus
Interesting Fact: Warthogs run at speeds up to 48 km/h and often reverse into burrows to use their tusks as defense against predators.

3. Waterbuck

Large antelopes with shaggy fur and white rings on their rumps. They live near water in sub-Saharan Africa. They make an oily, musky substance that repels water, helping them escape hunters by swimming.

Place of Origin: Africa
Regions of Habitat: Grasslands, Savannas, and Woodlands near water in Sub-Saharan Africa
Scientific Name: Kobus Ellipsiprymnus
Interesting Fact: Waterbucks secrete an oily substance with a musky smell that acts as a water-repellent and helps them escape predators by diving into water.

4. Weasel

Small meat-eating mammals with long bodies and short legs, known for speed and agility. Found in forests and grasslands across the Northern Hemisphere. They can catch prey larger than themselves and chase rodents into tight spaces.

Place of Origin: northern Hemisphere
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Rural Areas in Europe, North America, and Asia
Scientific Name: mustela
Interesting Fact: Weasels are fierce Predators capable of taking down prey larger than themselves. Their slender bodies allow them to chase rodents into narrow spaces.

5. Whale Shark

The ocean’s largest fish, reaching 12 meters. These gentle filter feeders live in warm waters worldwide. Their unique spot patterns work like fingerprints for identification, and they can live up to 70 years.

Place of Origin: oceans Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: warm Tropical and Subtropical Waters
Scientific Name: Rhincodon Typus
Interesting Fact: Their unique spot patterns work like fingerprints for identification. They can live up to 70 years.

6. Wildebeest

Large antelopes famous for their massive yearly migrations seeking fresh grass. Native to East and Southern Africa, they travel in herds covering over 1,800 miles yearly. Their synchronized treks are among nature’s most impressive events.

Place of Origin: Africa
Regions of Habitat: grasslands and Open Woodlands in East and Southern Africa
Scientific Name: connochaetes
Interesting Fact: They travel in herds, covering over 1,800 miles yearly. Their coordinated migrations are one of nature’s most impressive events.

7. Wolf

Pack animals and largest canine family members, known for hunting skills and strong social bonds. Found in forests and tundras across the Northern Hemisphere. Their howls can travel up to 10 miles to coordinate hunts.

Place of Origin: northern Hemisphere
Regions of Habitat: forests, Tundras, and Grasslands in North America, Europe, and Asia
Scientific Name: Canis Lupus
Interesting Fact: Their howls can travel up to 10 miles. These calls help coordinate hunting and locate pack members.

8. Wolverine

Muscular meat-eaters in the weasel family, known for strength and stamina in harsh weather. They live in northern forests and tundras. With powerful jaws, they can crush frozen bones and catch much larger prey.

Place of Origin: northern Hemisphere
Regions of Habitat: boreal Forests and Tundras in North America, Europe, and Asia
Scientific Name: gulo Gulo
Interesting Fact: They can crush frozen bones with their powerful jaws and are known for catching prey much larger than themselves.

9. Woodpecker

Birds that peck wood to find insects or create nests. Their sharp beaks and strong neck muscles help this process. They peck up to 20 times per second without injury thanks to shock-absorbing structures in their skulls.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: forests and Wooded Areas Globally
Scientific Name: Picidae
Interesting Fact: They peck up to 20 times per second without injury due to shock-absorbing structures in their skulls, preventing brain damage.

10. Worm

These backbone-less creatures are vital for soil health, eating organic matter and adding air to soil as they tunnel. They make soil better by breaking down plant material, with one worm processing its body weight in soil daily.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: soil, Leaf Litter, and Decaying Organic Matter Globally
Scientific Name: lubricant (earthworms)
Interesting Fact: They improve soil by breaking down organic material. A single worm can process its body weight in soil and organic matter daily.

11. Walrus

Large sea mammals with long tusks, whiskers, and thick bodies adapted to Arctic waters. They use tusks to pull themselves onto ice and defend against hunters. These giants can weigh up to 1,500 kilograms.

Place of Origin: Arctic Ocean
Regions of Habitat: coastal Areas of The Arctic, Including Ice Floes and Shallow Waters
Scientific Name: odobenus Rosmarus
Interesting Fact: They use their tusks to pull themselves onto ice and defend against hunters. They can weigh up to 1,500 kilograms.

12. Whiptail Lizard

Slim, fast-moving reptiles with long tails used for balance and defense. Found in deserts and forests across the Americas. Some types reproduce without mating, with all babies being exact copies of the mother.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: deserts, Grasslands, and Forests in North and South America
Scientific Name: teiidae
Interesting Fact: Some species reproduce without mating through an asexual process, meaning all offspring are exact copies of the mother.

13. Water Dragon

Semi-aquatic lizards known for bright green color and swimming ability. Found in forests and riverside areas in Southeast Asia and Eastern Australia. They can stay underwater for up to 25 minutes to escape hunters.

Place of Origin: Asia and Australia
Regions of Habitat: forests and Riversides in Southeast Asia and Eastern Australia
Scientific Name: physignathus
Interesting Fact: They can stay underwater for up to 25 minutes to escape hunters.

14. Wren

Small, active songbirds with rounded bodies and clear, musical calls. Found worldwide in forests and urban areas. Despite their tiny size, wrens are known for loud and complex songs used to mark their space.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: forests, Shrublands, and Urban Areas Globally
Scientific Name: Troglodytidae
Interesting Fact: Despite their small size, they’re known for loud and complex songs, which they use to defend their space.

15. Walking Catfish

Freshwater fish that can move short distances on land using their chest fins. From Southeast Asia, they live in swamps and ponds. They survive out of water for hours by breathing air, helping them move between water sources.

Place of Origin: Southeast Asia
Regions of Habitat: swamps, Rivers, and Ponds in Tropical and Subtropical Regions
Scientific Name: clarias Batrachus
Interesting Fact: They can survive out of water for hours by breathing air, allowing them to move between water sources.

16. Woodlouse

Small hard-shelled creatures that thrive in damp spots and eat dead plant matter. Found worldwide in soil and under rocks. They can roll into a tight ball when scared, earning some the nickname “pill bugs.”

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: soil, Leaf Litter, and Under Rocks or Logs Globally
Scientific Name: armadillidiidae
Interesting Fact: They can roll into a tight ball when threatened, earning some species the nickname “pill bugs.”

17. Water Scorpion

Water insects with long legs and breathing tubes that look like scorpion tails. Found in ponds worldwide, they use tube-like tails to breathe while staying underwater, waiting for prey.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: ponds, Lakes, and Slow-Moving Water Bodies Globally
Scientific Name: nepidae
Interesting Fact: They use their tube-like tails to breathe while staying underwater, waiting quietly for prey.

18. Wrasse

Bright-colored fish known for cleaning pests off larger sea creatures. Found on coral reefs in warm and mid-temperature seas. Some can change their sex during their lives, adapting to their group’s social needs.

Place of Origin: oceans Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Coral Reefs and Rocky Shorelines in Tropical and Temperate Seas
Scientific Name: labridae
Interesting Fact: Some can change their sex during their lifetime, adapting to the social structure of their groups.

19. Wombat

Burrowing pouched mammals with sturdy bodies and strong claws for digging wide tunnels. Native to Australia’s grasslands and forests. They make cube-shaped droppings to mark their space and keep them from rolling away.

Place of Origin: Australia
Regions of Habitat: grasslands, Forests, and Mountainous Regions in Australia
Scientific Name: vombatidae
Interesting Fact: They produce cube-shaped droppings, which help mark their territory and prevent the pellets from rolling away.

20. White Stork

Large wading birds famous for long flights and nesting on rooftops. Found across Europe, Africa, and Asia in wetlands and farm fields. They travel thousands of miles between Europe and Africa as seasons change.

Place of Origin: Europe, Africa, and Asia
Regions of Habitat: wetlands, Grasslands, and Agricultural Fields
Scientific Name: ciconia Ciconia
Interesting Fact: These birds travel thousands of kilometers between Europe and Africa during changing seasons.

21. Wolf Spider

Quick hunters with great vision who chase prey instead of making webs. Found in forests and deserts worldwide. Female wolf spiders carry egg sacs on their bodies and later carry baby spiders on their backs.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Deserts Globally
Scientific Name: Lycosidae
Interesting Fact: Female wolf spiders carry their egg sacs attached to their bodies and later carry baby spiders on their backs after hatching.

22. Whales

Large sea mammals that breathe air and show intelligence and complex social groups. Found in all oceans worldwide. Some types, like the Humpback, make complex songs lasting hours that travel far underwater.

Place of Origin: oceans Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Deep and Coastal Waters in All Oceans
Scientific Name: cetacea
Interesting Fact: Some species, like the Humpback, make complex songs that can last for hours and travel great distances underwater.

23. Water Vole

Small, semi-water rodents often mistaken for rats but are plant-eaters. Found near rivers in Europe and Asia. They dig holes in riverbanks with doors above and below water for safe escape from hunters.

Place of Origin: Europe and Asia
Regions of Habitat: riverbanks, Streams, and Wetlands
Scientific Name: arvicola Amphibius
Interesting Fact: They dig burrows in riverbanks with entrances above and below water, providing a safe escape from hunters.

24. Wild Boar

Tough, plant-and-meat-eating mammals with sharp tusks known for adaptability. Found in forests across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They use snouts to dig for roots, helping air get into soil.

Place of Origin: Europe, Asia, and North Africa
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Agricultural Areas
Scientific Name: sus Scrofa
Interesting Fact: They use their snouts to dig for roots and tubers, helping air get into soil in their habitats.

25. White-Tailed Deer

Graceful plant-eaters named for the white underside of their tail, raised as an alarm sign. Native to North American forests and wetlands. They run up to 48 km/h and jump 10 feet high to escape hunters.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Wetlands
Scientific Name: odocoileus Virginianus
Interesting Fact: They can run up to 48 km/h and leap 10 feet high to escape hunters like wolves and mountain lions.

26. Western Tanager

Bright-colored songbirds with striking red, yellow, and black feathers. Found in western North American forests. Despite tropical colors, they breed in cooler areas and fly to Central America during winter.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forests and Open Woodlands in Western North America
Scientific Name: piranga Ludoviciana
Interesting Fact: Despite their tropical-looking colors, they breed in cooler areas and fly to Central America during winter.

27. Whippoorwill

Night birds with hidden-pattern feathers that blend perfectly into forest floors. Found in North and Central American woodlands. Named after their distinct call that sounds like “whip-poor-will” heard at dusk and dawn.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: forests and Woodland Edges in North and Central America
Scientific Name: caprimulgus Vociferus
Interesting Fact: They’re named after their distinct call, which sounds like “whip-poor-will” and is often heard at dusk and dawn.

28. Wedge-Tailed Eagle

Australia’s largest hunting birds, known for long wings and wedge-shaped tails. They live in grasslands and deserts. They can float for hours, cover great distances while looking for food, with excellent sight.

Place of Origin: Australia
Regions of Habitat: grasslands, Forests, and Deserts in Australia
Scientific Name: aquila Audax
Interesting Fact: They’re excellent jumpers and use their textured skin to blend into their surroundings, avoiding hunters.

29. Wrinkled Frog

Small water animals with textured skin, often found near fresh water. From Southeast Asian rivers and ponds. They jump well and use their rough skin to blend into surroundings, avoiding being eaten.

Place of Origin: Southeast Asia
Regions of Habitat: rivers, Ponds, and Wetlands in Tropical Regions
Scientific Name: limnonectes Kuhlii
Interesting Fact: Wrinkled frogs are excellent jumpers, and they use their textured skin to blend into their surroundings, avoiding predators.

30. White-Faced Capuchin

Smart tree-dwellers known for curiosity and using tools in the wild. From Central and South American forests. Among the smartest monkeys, they use rocks and sticks to open nuts or catch bugs.

Place of Origin: Central and South America
Regions of Habitat: forests and Mangroves in Tropical Regions
Scientific Name: cebus Capucinus
Interesting Fact: They’re among the smartest monkey species and often seen using rocks and sticks to open nuts or catch insects.

31. Wood Duck

Colorful water birds known for bright feathers and tree-sitting ability. Native to North American forest wetlands. They nest in tree holes and can jump from heights up to 50 feet as babies without harm.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forested Wetlands, Ponds, and Rivers
Scientific Name: aix Sponsa
Interesting Fact: They nest in tree holes and their ducklings can jump from heights up to 50 feet without injury.

32. Western Gorilla

Smart tree-dwellers and the largest living apes, living in close social groups. From western and central African rainforests. They use tools like sticks to check water depth before crossing streams.

Place of Origin: Africa
Regions of Habitat: rainforests and Swamps in Western and Central Africa
Scientific Name: Gorilla Gorilla
Interesting Fact: They use tools, such as sticks, to check water depth before crossing streams or swamps.

33. White-Tip Reef Shark

Night hunters with slim bodies and white-tipped fins. From Indo-Pacific coral reefs. They often rest in groups during day, saving energy for hunting at night.

Place of Origin: Indo-Pacific Region
Regions of Habitat: Coral Reefs and Rocky Outcrops in Tropical Waters
Scientific Name: triaenodon Obesus
Interesting Fact: They’re social and often rest in groups during the day, saving energy for night hunting.

34. Woylie

Small pouched mammals, also called Brush-Tailed Bettongs, vital for soil health. Native to southwestern Australian woodlands. They help spread seeds and add air to soil while digging for food.

Place of Origin: Australia
Regions of Habitat: woodlands and Shrublands in Southwestern Australia
Scientific Name: bettongia Penicillata
Interesting Fact: They help spread seeds and add air to soil as they dig for food, making them natural ecosystem engineers.

35. Whistling Duck

Social water birds known for unique whistling calls and upright stance. Found in warm wetlands worldwide. They stay with one mate and share baby-raising duties, forming strong family groups.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: wetlands, Ponds, and Rivers in Tropical and Subtropical Regions
Scientific Name: dendrocygna
Interesting Fact: They stay with one mate and share baby-raising duties, forming strong family bonds.

36. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Poisonous snakes with clear diamond shapes on their backs. From southwestern United States deserts and forests. They shake their famous rattle up to 50 times per second when scared.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: deserts, Grasslands, and Forests in The Southwestern United States and Mexico
Scientific Name: crotalus Atrox
Interesting Fact: They use their famous rattle as a warning, shaking it up to 50 times per second when threatened.

37. Weka

Flightless birds from New Zealand, known for being curious and clever. Found in forests and coastal areas. They’re bold scavengers often taking food from campsites.

Place of Origin: New Zealand
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Coastal Areas
Scientific Name: gallirallus Australis
Interesting Fact: They’re bold scavengers known for taking food from campsites.

38. Water Buffalo

Large, tame cattle crucial to farming in many countries. From South Asian swamps and river valleys. They work in muddy fields for hours, and their milk makes mozzarella cheese.

Place of Origin: South Asia
Regions of Habitat: swamps, Marshes, and River Valleys in Tropical and Subtropical Regions
Scientific Name: Bubalus Bubalis
Interesting Fact: They can work in muddy fields for hours, and their milk is key in making mozzarella cheese.

39. Winter Flounder

Flat fish that hide by matching the seafloor. From cold North Atlantic coastal waters. They change skin color to match the ocean bottom, making them nearly invisible to hunters.

Place of Origin: north Atlantic Ocean
Regions of Habitat: coastal Waters and Estuaries in Cold Regions
Scientific Name: pseudopleuronectes Americanus
Interesting Fact: They change skin color to match the ocean floor, making them nearly invisible to hunters.

40. Wigeon

Mid-sized ducks known for pretty feathers and whistling sounds. Found in wetlands in mild-weather areas worldwide. Often seen eating grass alongside geese, making them unusual among ducks.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: wetlands, Lakes, and Marshes in Temperate Regions
Scientific Name: mareca
Interesting Fact: Often seen eating grass alongside geese, this behavior makes them unusual among ducks.

41. White Rhino

Large plant-eaters known for wide mouths and calm nature. From southern African grasslands. They’re the second-largest land mammals, weighing up to 2,300 kg, shaping their home areas by grazing.

Place of Origin: Africa
Regions of Habitat: grasslands and Savannas in Southern Africa
Scientific Name: Ceratotherium Simum
Interesting Fact: They’re the second-largest land mammals, weighing up to 2,300 kg, and shape their ecosystems by grazing.

42. Western Kingbird

Bold, fly-catching birds with gray and yellow feathers. From North American open fields. They fiercely guard their nests, often chasing away much larger birds like hawks and crows.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: grasslands, Open Woodlands, and Agricultural Fields
Scientific Name: Tyrannus Vertical
Interesting Fact: They fiercely defend their nests, often chasing away much larger birds like hawks and crows.

43. Wombat Shark (goblin Shark)

Deep-sea fish with jutting jaws, sometimes called “Wombat Sharks” for their odd look. Found in deep waters worldwide. They can push out their jaws to catch food and have see-through skin showing blood vessels.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Deep Ocean Waters
Scientific Name: mitsukurina Owstoni
Interesting Fact: They can extend their jaws to catch prey and have see-through skin that shows their blood vessels.

44. Wire Fox Terrier

High-energy, smart dogs bred for hunting small animals. From England, now found in homes worldwide. Known for playful spirit, they were liked by English nobles and often join dog shows.

Place of Origin: England
Regions of Habitat: domesticated; found in Urban and Rural Areas
Scientific Name: Canis Lupus Familiaris
Interesting Fact: Known for their playful nature, they were popular among English nobles and frequent participants in dog shows.

45. White-Bellied Sea Eagle

Large birds of prey with white bellies and wide wings. From Asian and Australian coasts and wetlands. These skilled hunters snatch fish from water with their claws.

Place of Origin: Asia and Australia
Regions of Habitat: Coastal areas, Rivers, and Wetlands
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus Leucogaster
Interesting Fact: These skilled hunters snatch fish directly from the water with their claws.

46. Wood Turtle

Mid-sized reptiles with fancy, carved shells helping them blend into forest floors. From eastern North American forests and rivers. They’re highly smart, solving simple tests in labs.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forests, Rivers, and Wetlands in Eastern and Central North America
Scientific Name: glyptemys Insculpta
Interesting Fact: They’re highly intelligent, able to navigate mazes and solve simple problems in laboratory studies.

47. Whiptail Stingray

Flat, bottom-living fish with long, whip-like tails with poison barbs. From Indo-Pacific sandy sea bottoms. They bury in sand to surprise prey, using tails for defense when threatened.

Place of Origin: Indo-Pacific
Regions of Habitat: Coastal waters, Sandy Seabeds, and Coral Reefs
Scientific Name: dasyatidae
Interesting Fact: They bury themselves in sand to surprise prey, using their tails for defense if threatened.

48. White-Crowned Sparrow

Small songbirds easily spotted by bold white and black head stripes. From North American forest edges and shrublands. They learn songs from older birds, creating regional speech patterns.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forest Edges, Grasslands, and Shrublands
Scientific Name: zonotrichia Leucophrys
Interesting Fact: They learn their songs from older birds in their community, creating regional “dialects.”

49. Western Fence Lizard

Small reptiles nicknamed “bluebellies” for their bright blue undersides. From western United States rocky areas. They help reduce Lyme disease by killing ticks that feed on them.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Rocky Areas in The Western United States
Scientific Name: sceloporus Occidentalis
Interesting Fact: They help reduce Lyme disease by killing ticks that feed on them, breaking the transmission cycle of the bacteria.

50. Wahoo

Fast, hunting fish valued by fishers for speed and tasty meat. From warm waters worldwide. They reach speeds up to 60 km/h, making them among the fastest ocean fish.

Place of Origin: oceans Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: tropical and Subtropical Waters
Scientific Name: Acanthocybium solandri
Interesting Fact: They can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean.

51. West Indian Manat

Gentle, slow-moving water mammals, called “sea cows.” From Caribbean coastal waters and rivers. They breathe every 3-5 minutes but can hold breath up to 20 minutes while resting.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: coastal Waters, Rivers, and Estuaries in The Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
Scientific Name: trichechus Manatus
Interesting Fact: They surface for air every 3-5 minutes but can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes while resting.

52. Western Bluebird

Small songbirds with bright blue and orange feathers. From North American open woods and farms. They nest in holes, often using old woodpecker holes or man-made nest boxes.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: open Woodlands, Farmlands, and Grasslands
Scientific Name: sialia Mexicana
Interesting Fact: They’re cavity nesters, often taking over old woodpecker holes or artificial nest boxes.

53. White-Tailed Kite

Graceful birds of prey with white and gray feathers known for hovering while hunting. Found in open fields across the Americas. They float mid-air to spot prey, a behavior called “kiting,” before diving for small mammals.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: open Fields, Savannas, and Grasslands
Scientific Name: elanus Leucurus
Interesting Fact: They hover mid-air to spot prey, a behavior called “kiting,” before diving to catch small mammals.

54. Woolly Monkey

Social tree-dwellers with thick fur adapted to cold, high places. From South American rainforests. They live in large groups, talking through sounds and hand signals.

Place of Origin: South America
Regions of Habitat: rainforests and Cloud Forests in The Andes and Amazon Basin
Scientific Name: lagothrix
Interesting Fact: They’re highly social and live in large groups, communicating through sounds and gestures.

55. Walking Stick Insect

Masters of hiding, looking like twigs to avoid being eaten. Found in forests worldwide. They can grow back lost legs during skin-shedding and are nearly invisible when still among branches.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: forests and Shrublands Globally
Scientific Name: phasmatodea
Interesting Fact: They can grow back lost limbs during molting and are nearly invisible when still among branches.

56. Wrinkle-Faced Bat

Unique fruit bats with distinct face folds and short, wide wings. From Central and South American forests. They use their odd facial folds to help guide fruit juices while eating.

Place of Origin: Central and South America
Regions of Habitat: forests and Tropical Lowlands
Scientific Name: centurion Senex
Interesting Fact: They use their unusual facial folds to help funnel fruit juices while feeding.

57. White-Nosed Coatis

Mixed-diet mammals with long tails and bendy snouts, often seen in family groups. From Central and South American forests. They use long, flexible noses to smell out insects and fruit.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: forests, Grasslands, and Deserts in Central and South America
Scientific Name: nasua Narica
Interesting Fact: They use their long, flexible snouts to find insects and fruit and dig into soil with their sharp claws.

58. Western Red Cedar

Cone-bearing tree known for lasting, sweet-smelling wood and long life. From North American Pacific coastal forests. They live over 1,000 years and are key to native cultures for canoes and carvings.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: coastal Forests in The Pacific Northwest
Scientific Name: thuja Plicata
Interesting Fact: They can live over 1,000 years and are essential to indigenous cultures for canoes, totem poles, and shelters.

59. Wandering Albatross

Sea birds with the widest wingspan of any bird, up to 3.5 meters. From southern seas near Antarctica. They fly thousands of miles without flapping wings, using special gliding methods.

Place of Origin: Southern Hemisphere
Regions of Habitat: Open oceans and islands near the Antarctic
Scientific Name: Diomedea Exulans
Interesting Fact: They can fly thousands of kilometers without flapping their wings, using special gliding techniques.

60. White-Tufted Marmoset

Small monkeys with striking white ear tufts who eat tree sap. From South American forests. They have special teeth to cut tree bark, letting them get and eat sap and gum.

Place of Origin: South America
Regions of Habitat: Forests and Savannas in Brazil and neighboring countries
Scientific Name: Callithrix Jacchus
Interesting Fact: Marmosets have specialized teeth to gouge tree bark, allowing them to be extracted and fed on sap and gum.

61. Western Meadowlark

Ground-living songbirds with bright yellow bellies and sweet songs. From North American grasslands and farms. Known for flute-like songs that change by area, they use long bills to find bugs in soil.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: Grasslands, Prairies, and Farmlands
Scientific Name: Sturnella Neglecta
Interesting Fact: Western Meadowlarks are known for their flute-like songs, which vary by region, and they use their long bills to probe soil for insects.

62. White-Cheeked Gibbon

Tree-dwelling primates with loud calls marking their space. From Asian rainforests. They stay with one mate in small family groups, with males and females singing together to build bonds.

Place of Origin: Asia
Regions of Habitat: Tropical rainforests in Laos, Vietnam, and Southern China
Scientific Name: Damascus Leucogenys
Interesting Fact: White-cheeked gibbons are monogamous and live in small family groups, with males and females performing duets to strengthen bonds.

63. Western Painted Turtle

Freshwater reptiles with colorful, patterned shells. From North American ponds and lakes. They survive winter at the bottom of frozen ponds, slowing body functions to near zero.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers
Scientific Name: Chrysemys Picta Bellii
Interesting Fact: Western painted turtles can survive winter by hibernating at the bottom of frozen ponds, slowing their metabolism to near zero.

64. Whimbrel

Traveling shore birds with long, curved bills and striped head patterns. Found on mudflats worldwide. They make long trips, flying up to 8,000 kilometers between summer and winter homes.

Place of Origin: Worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Coastal mudflats, marshes, and tundras
Scientific Name: Numenius Phaeopus
Interesting Fact: Whimbrels undertake long migrations, traveling up to 8,000 kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds.

65. White-Tipped Dove

Mid-sized birds with soft cooing calls and white tail feathers. From American forests and towns. These shy ground-feeders often eat seeds and fruits fallen from trees.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: Forests, Savannas, and urban areas
Scientific Name: Leptotila Verreauxi
Interesting Fact: White-tipped doves are shy ground foragers, often feeding on seeds and fruits fallen from trees.

66. Western Hog-Nosed Snake

Small, harmless reptiles known for turned-up snouts and fake scary shows. From North American grasslands. They fool hunters by flattening necks and hissing but play dead if danger stays.

Place of Origin: North America
Regions of Habitat: Grasslands, sandy deserts, and Prairies
Scientific Name: Heterodon Nasicus
Interesting Fact: These snakes bluff predators by flattening their necks and hissing but will play dead if the threat persists.

67. White-Collared Swift

Large, quick-flying birds often seen in groups above open lands. From American skies above forests and cliffs. They fly at amazing speeds, sometimes covering 200 kilometers daily while looking for food.

Place of Origin: America
Regions of Habitat: Open skies above forests, cliffs, and mountains
Scientific Name: Streptoprocne Zonaris
Interesting Fact: White-collared swifts can fly at incredible speeds, sometimes covering up to 200 kilometers in a single day while foraging.

68. Weta

Large, wingless insects from New Zealand that look like big crickets. Found in New Zealand forests and caves. Some giant weta types weigh as much as a small bird, making them among the heaviest insects.

Place of Origin: New Zealand
Regions of Habitat: Forests, caves, and grasslands
Scientific Name: Anostostomatidae
Interesting Fact: Some giant weta species weigh as much as a sparrow, making them one of the heaviest insects in the world.

69. Whale Barnacle

Small hard-shelled sea creatures that stick to whales, riding along as they filter-feed. Found on whales’ bodies worldwide. They don’t hurt their hosts and often grow in patterns helping scientists identify whales.

Place of Origin: Oceans worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Marine environments attached to whales’ bodies
Scientific Name: Coronula Diadema
Interesting Fact: Whale barnacles do not harm their hosts and often grow in patterns that help scientists identify individual whales.

70. Wire Coral

Long, bendy corals with spiral shape found in deep waters. From deep-sea reefs worldwide. They host many sea creatures, including shrimp and crabs, which find shelter along their coiled forms.

Place of Origin: Oceans worldwide
Regions of Habitat: Deep-sea coral reefs and underwater slopes
Scientific Name: Cirrhipathes
Interesting Fact: Wire corals host a variety of marine life, including shrimp and crabs, which find shelter along their coiled structures.

Conclusion

I hope you found these animals that start with W both fun and educational. Learning about wildlife helps us understand our world better.

Did you have a favorite? Mine is the walrus!

These creatures live in different places around the globe. Some swim in oceans. Others fly in the sky. Many walk on land.

Remember these important points:

Each animal plays a role in its habitat
Many W-animals face threats today
You can help protect them by sharing what you’ve learned

The animal kingdom is full of surprises. Next time you spot one of these W-named animals, you’ll know more about them.

Thanks for exploring this wild world with me! Which W-animal would you like to see in person?

Benjamin Lewis

Hi there! I'm Benjamin Lewis, an educational writer at MeredithPlays. My job is to make complex topics easy to understand and engaging for everyone. I cover a wide range of subjects, from science and history to practical tips and how-to guides. When I'm not writing, you can find me exploring new coffee shops, traveling to new places, or capturing moments with my camera. I also love reading mystery novels and spending time outdoors, whether it's hiking in the mountains or strolling through city parks. Oh, and I'm always on the lookout for the best local food spots!