Animals Beginning With W

The wapiti is the name given by indigenous peoples of North America to the deer species which is also known as an elk. It is the second largest deer after the moose (Alces alces) and one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America. The indigenous name of wapiti refers to the white fue which appears on their tail. While it is lowered in the photo below, it is raised as a form of communication such as signaling potential danger.

Wapitis inhabit the open woodlands of their natural habitat which spans both North America and parts of Asia up to Siberia. They feed mainly on grasses, reeds and twigs. They are distinguished by their impressive antlers which they shed annually. They are used for disputes, defense and mating displays, something which also involves their bellowing vocalizations.

Although long thought to be a variant of the European red deer, genetic studies have confirmed that they are a distinct species. Elk have robust bodies, slender legs and considerable size. Males can weigh over 1,300 lb (600 kg). Their current conservation status is ‘least concern’.

Learn about the differences between deer, elk, moose and reindeer with our related guide.

On our list of animals beginning with W, we include this member of the macropod family. This is a family of marsupials which also includes the kangaroo. There are many different species of wallaby, but we use the black-striped wallaby as an indicative species. They are native to Australia. Although their population distribution was once much wider, habitat destruction has resulted in a significantly reduced range.

This wallaby prefers regions with warm, humid summers and dry winters. They typically inhabit areas of dense vegetation. They have a long tail adapted for balance and strong hind legs that allow them to move with great leaps. Males are considerably larger than females.

Discover the differences between a kangaroo and wallaby with our related guide.

Also known as the bare-nosed wombat, the common wombat continues our guide to animals that start with W. As with the wallaby, they are marsupials native to Australia. They prefer temperate habitats with burrowing soil. These include open woodlands and coastal scrublands. They are stocky and short-legged animals with coarse fur. This fur can present in various shades of gray, beige or cream.

They have a broad head, small eyes, rounded ears and a short tail. Adapted to underground life, they possess strong digging claws and continuously growing incisors. Unlike other types of wombat species, they have a bald snout and their ears are smaller. Despite habitat destruction, their conservation status is considered of ‘least concern’.

The next animal beginning with a W is not a separate species, but a breed of dog. A type of sighthound breed, the Whippet is similar in appearance to Greyhounds. The main difference is their smaller stature. Bred for hunting and running, it is a fast dog with great acceleration ability. Its temperament is calm and affectionate, although it has a strong hunting instinct.

Their coats are short and easy to maintain, but they are sensitive to the cold. Although generally healthy, this breed stands out for its agility and athletic strength, making it well-suited for canine sports. Many Whippets are in need of adoption since they are abandoned after their use in racing. This makes them one of the cheapest dog breeds to adopt.

Also known as the boal or helicopter catfish, this is a freshwater fish native to South and Southeast Asia. It inhabits large rivers and lakes in two geographically separate regions. It can reach up to 3.6 ft (1.1 m) in length.

It is distinguished from similar species by its long, narrow head and tall, as well as sharp dorsal fin. These can be seen in the photo below. Its diet is primarily piscivorous, feeding on small fish. It is classified as ‘vulnerable’ due to overexploitation for food.

The next on our list of animals beginning with W is another marsupial native to Australia. Originally widespread, its distribution is now limited to southwestern Western Australia. It inhabits open forests and woodlands with grasses or low shrubs. As you can see in the photo, they have a black tip at the end of their tail, but the rest of their body is grayish brown.

Woylie diet is primarily based on underground fungi, although they also consume tubers, bulbs and seeds. They can store food reserves in their cheeks like a hamster. They are solitary animals, but may share nests in high-density areas. Their territories are small, generally less than 6 hectares. They are classified as ‘near threatened’ due to induced predation.

Also known as the euro or hill wallaroo, this animal beginning with W is a nocturnal and solitary macropod. It is characterized by its loud whistling call and exhibits sexual dimorphism in some subspecies. Females can become pregnant at any time thanks to embryonic diapause.

They are polygynous (males mate with several females) and males fight each other for access to females. The gestation period lasts between 30 and 38 days. The young develop in the maternal pouch, emerging after six months. Wallaroos inhabit rocky and shrubby areas, feeding on grasses and shrubs. Their conservation status is ‘least concern’.

It is interesting to see that so many of the animals beginning with W are marsupials and we conclude our list with another. The wongai ningaui is a small carnivorous marsupial that lives in the arid grasslands of inland Australia. Its diet consists primarily of insects, although it also consumes larger prey, such as spiders and grasshoppers.

It is less than 3" in length without the tail. Their fur is long and shaggy, usually grey or reddish-brown in color. They have some longer black hairs and it has a partially prehensile tail that allows them to climb. This species is common in favorable habitats, especially in years of abundant rainfall. It is classified as ‘least concern’ in terms of conservation.

If you know of any other animals that start with W we have left off our list, please feel free to share them in the comments!

Image: bie.ala.org.au

If you want to read similar articles to Animals Beginning With W, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.