Have you ever wondered what unusual animals start with the letter U? Well, get ready to discover some fascinating creatures you may not have heard of before! From the uakari monkey with its bright red face to the unicorn fish with a horn on its head, we'll take you on a wild alphabet adventure. This menagerie of animals that start with U will surprise and delight you. We've rounded up facts, photos, and details on these unique beasts, many of which live in exotic locations across the globe. Some are endangered species you won't spot in your own backyard. So let your curiosity run wild and get ready to meet amazing animals from Uaru Cichlid to Ulysses Butterfly.
Animals that Start with U
You might think there aren't many animals whose names begin with the letter 'U'. But get ready to be surprised! From the ubiquitous umbrellabird to the unique uakari monkey, these creatures are just as fascinating as their more common counterparts.
While not as well-known, 'U' animals are incredibly diverse. So keep an open mind as we uncover more of these underrated yet unbelievably unique animals.
Unicornfish
The unicornfish (Naso unicornis) is a tropical fish found in the Indo-Pacific oceans. Also called the bluespine unicornfish, it gets its name from the protruding horn-like projection on its head.
This oval-shaped fish has a slender body covered in small scales. Its distinct features include a long snout, a single horn-like spine near its eyes, and a deeply forked tail. Adults are typically brown or grayish with yellow fins.
Scientific Classification of Unicornfish
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuroidei
Family: Acanthuridae
Genus: Naso
Species: N. unicornis
Fun Unicornfish Facts
Their "horn" is actually a rigid spike-like bone used for defense and mating displays.
They are expert algae grazers, using their beak-like mouths to scrape rocks.
Unicornfish make grunting sounds by grinding their teeth.
They can rapidly change color when threatened or mating.
Young unicornfish are yellow with white stripes to camouflage with coral.
They establish pair bonds that may last for years.
Unicornfish sometimes "hitchhike" on larger animals like sharks and rays.
Umbrellabird
The umbrellabird is a unique species found in tropical forests. With its distinctive crest resembling an open umbrella, it's unlike any other bird you've seen. These birds have a striking black plumage, a long tail, and a powerful hooked bill. But their most defining feature is the umbrella-like semi-circular crest on their heads.
Scientific Classification of Umbrellabird
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Cephalopterus
Species: C. ornatus, C. penduliger
Fun Umbrellabird Facts
Males inflate their throat pouches during courtship displays to make resonating calls.
They're the only birds with a crest that opens like an umbrella.
Feeding mostly on fruits, they help disperse seeds in rainforests.
Unusual among birds, umbrellabird nests have a roof to protect against rain.
Chicks leave the nest just 13 days after hatching to follow their parents.
Their populations are decreasing due to deforestation in Central and South America.
One species, the long-wattled umbrellabird, has a wattle over 3 feet long!
With its bizarre appearance and fascinating behaviors, the umbrellabird is a true avian wonder.
Uakari
The uakari (wuh-kaa-ree), also called the English monkey, is a stunning New World monkey found in the northwestern Amazon Basin. With a bright red face and bald head, the uakari stands out. Their short fur is reddish-brown, and they have long, shaggy tail. Males are larger, weighing around 7 lbs.
Scientific Classification of Uakari
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Pitheciidae
Genus: Cacajao
Species: C. calvus
Fun Uakari Facts
Their red face results from a lack of fur and excellent blood circulation - not makeup!
Uakaris are excellent swimmers and will escape predators by diving into rivers.
They communicate through facial expressions, body postures, and purring sounds.
Uakaris live in social groups of 30+ monkeys led by a dominant male.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, leaves, and flowers foraged from the rainforest canopy.
Uakaris are considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting in the Amazon.
These monkeys have been depicted in indigenous artwork for centuries.
Uinta Ground Squirrel
The Uinta ground squirrel is a small, burrowing rodent native to the western United States. It's scientifically known as Urocitellus armatus and belongs to the squirrel family Sciuridae.
These squirrels have reddish-brown fur on their backs and sides, with a white or pale underside. Adults measure around 12 inches long, including their furry tails. Their compact bodies and short legs are well-adapted for burrowing underground.
Scientific Classification of Uinta ground squirrel
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Urocitellus
Species: U. armatus
Fun Facts about Uinta ground squirrel
They get their name from the Uinta Mountains, where they live at high elevations over 8,000 feet.
Uinta ground squirrels hibernate for 7-8 months each year to survive the harsh winters.
Females only give birth to around 5-8 pups per litter after emerging from hibernation in spring.
Their diet consists mainly of plants, seeds, fungi, and insects they find aboveground.
These squirrels are considered a "keystone" species that helps shape their mountain ecosystems.
They have a loud, whistling alarm call to warn others of predators like coyotes and hawks.
Some colonies have been studied by scientists for over 50 years to understand their behavior.
Uguisu
The uguisu, also known as the Japanese bush warbler or the Japanese nightingale, is a small songbird found across Japan. With olive-brown feathers and a distinctive white eye ring, these petite birds measure only 5-6 inches long.
Scientific Classification of Uguisu
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cettiidae
Genus: Horornis
Species: H. diphone
Fun Uguisu Facts
Their name, "uguisu", mimics their beautiful, flute-like song. Historically, the uguisu was celebrated by Japanese poets and artists.
Male uguisus sing to defend territories and attract mates. Females choose based on the male's vocal performance!
Nests are constructed with plant fibers, hair, and spider silk, hidden away in dense undergrowth.
Uguisus feed mainly on insects and berries found near forest edges and urban areas.
Though migratory, some uguisu populations stay year-round in warm, southern Japanese regions.
The uguisu is designated as a "Natural Monument" in Japan, receiving legal protection.
In Japanese culture, the uguisu symbolizes the coming of spring and renewal.
Urial
The urial is a wild sheep species found across parts of Central Asia. These stocky ungulates are renowned for their impressive curved horns and sturdy builds adapted to mountainous terrains.
Adult male urials typically stand around 90-100 cm tall and weigh between 50-120 kg. Their reddish-brown coats turn a pale tan during winter months. The distinguishing features are the thick horns that curve outwards in a circular spiral, measuring up to 100 cm long.
Scientific Classification of Urial
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Ovis
Species: O. vignei
Fun Urial Facts
Urials are skilled mountaineers, able to climb steep slopes and leap across rocky terrain with ease.
Their hooves have concave, rubbery pads that provide excellent traction on sheer cliffs.
Herds are led by a dominant male who defends his territory aggressively during mating season.
Newborn lambs can stand on their own within an hour after birth.
Urial populations are declining due to habitat loss and overhunting across their range.
Some cultures regard the striking urial horns as symbols of strength and virility.
These wild sheep can go weeks without drinking water, obtaining moisture from vegetation.
Uganda Kob
The Uganda kob is a slender, medium-sized antelope native to East Africa. These elegant creatures stand around 3-4 feet tall, with reddish-brown coats and distinctive white chevron markings on their backs.
Scientific Classification of Uganda kob
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Kobus
Species: K. kob
Subspecies: K. k. thomasi
Fun Kob Facts
They inhabit swamps, grasslands and floodplains near bodies of water.
Only males have lyre-shaped horns that can reach 35 inches long!
Kobs are excellent swimmers and can cross wide rivers easily.
They live in large herds of up to 1,000 individuals for protection.
Calves can stand up and run with the herd shortly after birth.
Predators like lions, leopards and hyenas prey on these antelopes.
Their name comes from a Sudanese word meaning "to migrate."
With their leggy frames and elegant markings, the kob is a true icon of the African savanna. These resilient bovids continue to roam the wetlands in sizable numbers.
Ulysses Butterfly
The Ulysses butterfly (Papilio Ulysses) is a striking, large swallowtail butterfly found in Australia and surrounding regions. With its vibrant blue and black wings spanning up to 14cm, it's a true beauty of nature.
Scientific Classification of Ulysses Butterfly
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. Ulysses
Fascinating Ulysses Facts
Their iridescent blue wings get their color from microscopic scales that reflect light in the blue-violet spectrum.
Females lay their eggs exclusively on young leaves of the Dutchman's pipe vine.
Males form territories and patrol areas up to 200m across to attract females.
They can live up to 9 months as adults, which is long for a butterfly.
Their larvae are Bird Poo mimics to avoid predation.
They rest with wings outstretched to show off their stunning colors.
In some Aboriginal legends, the Ulysses represents a great spirit or creator.
Urchin
An urchin is a small, spiny marine invertebrate that belongs to the echinoderm family. These unique creatures are also known as sea urchins. Sea urchins have a hard, spherical shell covered in movable spines. Their bodies consist of radially arranged plates with tube feet for locomotion. Colors range from shades of green, purple, black, and red.
Scientific Classification of Urchin
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Echinoidea
Order: Cidaroida, Diadematoida, etc.
Fun Urchin Facts
They have tiny teeth known as "Aristotle's lantern" used for grazing algae.
Some species can regenerate body parts like spines or pedicellariae.
Their roe (eggs) are considered a delicacy in many cuisines.
Sea urchins move using thousands of tube feet.
They play an important role in controlling algae levels in reef ecosystems.
The longest spines can measure over 3 feet!
Some species can live for over 200 years.
Urutu
The urutu (Bothrops alternatus) is a venomous pit viper found in South America. This heavy-bodied snake has a triangular head and heat-sensing pits to detect prey. Its coloring ranges from brown to gray, helping it camouflage in leaf litter.
Scientific Classification of Urutu
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Bothrops
Species: B. alternatus
Fascinating Urutu Facts
Their potent hemotoxic venom causes bleeding and bruising and can be fatal if untreated.
Females give birth to 4-60 live young after a 6-month pregnancy.
They often "freeze" and remain motionless when threatened to avoid detection.
Urututus vibrate their tails rapidly to sound like a venomous rattlesnake.
These pit vipers can grow up to 6 feet long, though most are 3-4 feet.
Their scientific name, Bothrops alternatus, means "the alternate pit viper."
In the Amazon, indigenous people use urutu venom as an arrowhead poison for hunting.
Uinta Chipmunk
The Uinta chipmunk (Neotamias umbrinus) is a species of chipmunk native to Utah and Wyoming in the United States. With reddish-brown fur on their backs and white stripes running along their sides, these little critters are quite the adorable sight.
Scientific Classification of Uinta Chipmunk
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Neotamias
Species: N. umbrinus
Captivating Uinta Chipmunk Facts
They get their name from Utah's Uinta Mountains, their main habitat.
Weighing just 2-3 oz, they're one of the smallest chipmunk species.
Food caching geniuses collect seeds, nuts and fungi for winter.
Highly territorial, males will fiercely defend their turf.
They are excellent climbers, thanks to their sharp claws and long tails.
They enter torpor (mini hibernation) during severe winter conditions.
Their distinct calls include trills, chips and high-pitched whistles.
Utonagan
The Utonagan dog, a mix of German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute, and Siberian Husky, is wolf-like in appearance and has a sweet temperament. The Utonagan is a unique breed of dog that combines the striking looks of a wolf with the friendly temperament of a domestic canine. This "wolf-like" dog was purposefully bred to have the appearance and some characteristics of wolves while maintaining the loyal, affectionate nature of man's best friend.
With a thick double coat, pointed ears and a long, curled tail, the Utonagan cuts an imposing figure. Their wolfish features include a long muzzle, almond-shaped eyes and a muscular body. Heights range from 24-32 inches at the shoulder, with weights between 65-115 lbs.
Scientific Classification of Utonagan
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dog)
Fun Utonagan Facts
Their name derives from the Ute Native American tribe combined with "naga", meaning "dog" in Siberian.
Though wolf-like, Utonagans are 100% domestic dogs without recent wolf ancestry.
They were bred by carefully combining German Shepherd, Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky breeds.
Known for their "wolf talk" - a grumbling vocalization between a bark and a howl.
Utonagans are highly energetic and require plenty of daily exercise and activity.
Their double coats shed heavily once or twice per year during seasonal changes.
With proper socialization, they make loyal family companions and protectors.
Ural Owl
The Ural owl (Strix uralensis) is a powerful bird of prey native to northern Europe and Asia. With its striking facial disk and piercing orange eyes, this medium-sized owl cuts an imposing figure.
Scientific Classification of Ural owl
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Species: S. uralensis
Fascinating Ural Owl Facts
Exceptional hearing detects rodents beneath thick snow
Nests in tree cavities or old nests of other raptors
Courtship includes vocal duets and aerial displays
Fiercely territorial, with pairs remaining together for life
The swiveling head can turn 270 degrees for unparalleled vision
Pellets regurgitated contain remains of prey
The main threats are habitat loss and persecution by humans
With its incredible adaptations and striking appearance, the Ural owl remains an icon of boreal forests.
Upland Sandpiper
The upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) is a shorebird about the size of a pigeon. It has a small, brownish body and long yellow legs. These birds breed in open grassy areas across central North America.
Scientific classification of Upland sandpiper
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Bartramia
Species: B. longicauda
Fun Upland Sandpiper Facts
Their call sounds like a wolf whistle - they're nicknamed the "upland plover."
They perform an elaborate mating dance, with males puffing out their neck feathers.
Females lay 4 eggs in a simple grass-lined nest on the ground.
Chicks can run shortly after hatching but cannot fly for several weeks.
They eat insects, seeds, and berries and will even catch small frogs or mice.
During migration, they fly at night in loose flocks, calling frequently.
After breeding, they migrate as far as Brazil and Argentina for the winter.
Upupa
This striking bird with a distinctive crown of feathers is known as the hoopoe (Upupa epops). With a slender, slightly curved bill and a long, pinkish-brown crest that can be raised and fanned out, the hoopoe cuts a unique figure.
Scientific classification of Upupa
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Upupidae
Genus: Upupa
Species: U. epops
Fascinating Hoopoe Facts
Hoopoes get their name from their distinctive "hoo-hoo-hoo" call.
They use their long, curved beaks to probe for insects in the ground.
Hoopoe pairs are monogamous and may mate for life.
Their crest feathers fan out during courtship displays.
They have a musky odor produced by a gland to deter predators.
Hoopoes are found across Europe, Asia and North Africa.
In Egypt, the hoopoe appears in ancient artwork and is considered sacred.
Umbrella Cockatoo
The Umbrella cockatoo is a unique and striking parrot species. These birds are instantly recognizable by their distinctive crest that fans out like an umbrella when excited or alarmed.
With striking white plumage and a curved beak, Umbrella cockatoos are medium-sized parrots. Their most distinguishing feature is the large crest of feathers on their heads that can open into an umbrella-like fan.
Scientific Classification of Umbrella cockatoo
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Genus: Cacatua
Species: C. alba
Fun Umbrella Cockatoo Facts
Their "umbrella" crest helps them appear larger and more intimidating to predators.
They are skilled mimics and can imitate sounds like alarms or ringtones.
Umbrella cockatoos mate for life and live in pairs or small family groups.
Their loud, screeching calls carry for miles in the wild.
These birds self-mutilate by chewing their feathers when stressed or bored.
They rely on their strong beaks to crack nuts, seeds and fruits.
Wild populations are declining due to habitat loss and illegal trapping.
Uaru Cichlid
The uaru cichlid (Uaru amphiacanthoides), also known as the Dirico cichlid or the centroura cichlid, is a freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin in South America.
These cichlids have a laterally compressed body with a deep profile. Their colors range from olive-green to brown on the upper body, fading to yellow or orange below. Distinctive black vertical bars run along their sides.
Scientific Classification of Uaru Cichlid
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cichliformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Uaru
Species: U. amphiacanthoides
Fun Facts about Uaru Cichlid
They are omnivores that feed on plants, insects, crustaceans and smaller fish in the wild.
Uaru cichlids are monogamous and form pairs to breed. The parents protect their eggs and fry.
These fish can reach over 12 inches (30 cm) in length when mature.
They inhabit slow-moving rivers, streams and flooded forests of the Amazon basin.
Uarus make great additions to larger community aquariums if well-fed.
Their lifespan in captivity is around 8-10 years with proper care.
They are sometimes called "earth-eaters" due to their burrowing behavior.
Conclusion
Exploring the fascinating world of animals, beginning with U, uncovers the enormous diversity and unique adaptations of wildlife around the world. From the bright Uaru Cichlid to the elusive Uakari Monkey, each species exemplifies the limitless possibilities of nature waiting to be explored.
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