Animals that Start with the Letter Q in English and Spanish

Finding out which animals begin with each letter of the alphabet is a good way to discover more species. On this occasion, you'll learn all about 30 animals that start with the letter Q.

Does your mind go blank when you have to come up with animals that start with the letter Q? Whether you like to play word games or you’re interested in discovering new species, here you’ll find those whose names begin with this letter of the alphabet.

You may know some of these inhabitants of land, water, and sky, but you may not know what their characteristics are. Below, we’ll give you a list of these unique species and their main traits. You’ll find some animals that start with the letter Q in Spanish. Keep reading!

Animals that start with the letter Q and live on land

Before naming the first animal that starts with Q in English, it’s important to note that the common names of these species don’t correspond to their scientific names. Also, for that same reason, you’ll find that, on many occasions, the nomenclature varies according to the language or the locality where you are.

Now we’ll start with those animals that begin with the letter Q and that live in the terrestrial environment. From small marsupials to extinct species that science is trying to restore to their habitat, this section is sure to surprise you. Let’s begin!

1. Quokka (Setonix brachyurus)

The first animal beginning with the letter Q on this list is the quokka, a marsupial known as the happiest animal in the world because it always appears to have a smile on its face. Among its characteristics, it possesses a thick, rough, grayish-brown coat.

It’s also a herbivorous species that comes out at night to look for food. It weighs between 6 and 11 pounds, measures up to 21 inches and has a tail of about 12 inches in length. As for its life expectancy, it can live for up to ten years in the wild.

This animal is found in various habitats on Australia’s Rottnest and Bald Islands, including forests, shrublands, and wetlands.

The population of the quokka has declined by up to 50% in the last century due to predation by other species and climate change. As a result, it’s on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Vulnerable Species.

2. Tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

The tiger quoll is another marsupial mammal that inhabits the region from southeastern Australia to Tasmania. It makes its home in the following habitats:

• Riparian forests
• Dry and humid forests
• Rainforests and grasslands

It measures 30 inches on average and can live up to 5 years. Likewise, its weight is between 4 and 8 pounds. Its fur is reddish brown, with a pattern of white spots all over its body, which is why it’s also known as the spotted-tail quoll.

It’s important to note that it’s the largest native carnivorous marsupial, according to Animal Diversity Web, but it can also feed on insects. In turn, this species has several predators:

• Foxes
• People
• Wild cats

Because of this and the loss of its habitat, the tiger quoll is classified as a “near threatened” species.

3. Eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Unlike the tiger quoll, this animal resides only in Tasmania. It’s believed to have once lived in southern Australia but is now extinct there. Like the previous species on this list, it inhabits forests and bushland, as well as cultivated land.

This mammal is smaller than the tiger quoll. Females weigh approximately 2 pounds, while males are slightly heavier, reaching up to 3.5 pounds. Also, it’s distinguished by the absence of spots on its tail and for being less bulky. The white spots on the rest of the body are the feature that remains, in addition to its feeding habits.

The eastern quoll is in danger of extinction.

4. The Andean hairy armadillo, or Quirquincho andino in Spanish (Chaetophractus nationi)

Next on the list of animals that start with the letter Q in Spanish is the quirquincho andino, known as the Andean hairy armadillo in English. It’s native to the following countries:

• Peru
• Chile
• Bolivia
• Northern Argentina (where it lives in the Puna, a grassland at more than 11,500 feet above sea level).

This small omnivorous mammal weighs about 4.5 pounds and has a small tail. Specimens of the Chaetophractus genus resemble armadillos in that they have 18 dorsal bands, up to 9 of which are mobile, and a head guard. However, they differ in the hair between their scales, legs, and underside.

It should also be mentioned that their shells are often used to make musical instruments or amulets. Likewise, they’re hunted for their meat. For this reason, they’re considered a threatened species, whose conservation status is “vulnerable.”

5. Quagga (Equus quagga quagga)

This animal may look like a zebra, but it’s on this list because, in reality, it’s one of the animals that start with the letter Q. It was known as the quagga and it was a subspecies of the zebras – now extinct – that inhabited Africa.

It didn’t have full stripes like zebras, but only on the front of the body. The stripes became paler toward the animal’s rear, finally merging with a full brown color. In addition, their belly and legs were white.

Although there have been no specimens since 1883 due to indiscriminate hunting, there’s a recovery project going on known as The Quagga Project. They designed a breeding process for zebras selected for their resemblance to quaggas.

Despite this, as they’re not true quaggas, they’ve decided to distinguish their offspring and call them “Rau quaggas.” In conclusion, they hope that, over time, these zebra offspring will be able to reduce their stripe pattern and begin to look more and more like their extinct relative.

6. Red-necked keelback, or quilla de cuello rojo in Spanish (Rhabdophis subminiatus)

This snake is named for the reddish coloration under its head. Also, due to this characteristic, it’s easy to identify, which is useful because it’s very venomous. The color of the rest of the body is olive green with darker squares and yellow highlights.

The red-necked keelback snake measures between 24 and 31 inches and is endemic to Asia. Its favorite prey are toads, and, for that very reason, it usually stays in forest areas with watercourses.

Generally, it’s not aggressive unless cornered or handled.

Winged animals that start with the letter Q

We’ve already taken a look at those animals that begin with the letter Q that live on land. Now, we invite you to discover those that take to the skies with their flight–or at least have wings. These birds have very particular traits, from strange feeding habits to extravagant plumages.

7. Bearded vultures, also known as quebrantahuesos in Spanish (Gypaetus barbatus)

This is one of Spain’s most well-known birds of prey, although its population has declined and is in danger of extinction. Both in the European continent and in other areas, it lives in mountainous and elevated areas, over 3,280 feet high on average.

Bearded vultures are large vultures whose wingspan can measure between 6.5 and 10 feet long. Females generally tend to be larger than males, but both have a full body of feathers, and their heads aren’t completely bald, unlike other vultures.

These animals are scavengers, and their diet is made up predominately of bones. In order to eat large bones, they drop them against rocky surfaces in order crush them. For this reason, they’re known as quebrantahuesos in Spanish, meaning ‘bonebreakers.’

8. The Guatemalan Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

The quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird, exhibits vibrant plumage, with a combination of red and green and a crest on the male. Besides its colors, another distinctive feature is its long tail. This can measure more than twice the size of the bird, i.e., more than 27.5 inches.

The habitat of this species extends from Mexico to Panama.

The beautiful quetzal prefers tropical regions in humid rainforests. Also, it’s an altitudinal migrant, so it chooses its altitude. At the same time, it’s a species that’s “almost threatened,” as its population has decreased considerably thanks to its capture and logging.

9. The Fuegian steamer duck, or quetro no volador or quetro austral in Spanish (Tachyeres pteneres)

Known as the quetro no volador in Chile or the quetro austral in Argentina, this animal that starts with the letter Q is a bird that doesn’t fly, although it usually tries to do so. It’s 31.5 inches tall and is characterized by its wide orange beak.

It lives on the rocky coasts of the sea in the southern regions of the countries mentioned above. There, it’s possible to see it running on the water and flapping its wings. It can also dive and swim. At high tide or when diving, it feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

10. The Patagonian tinamou, or the quiula patagónica in Spanish (Tinamotis ingoufi)

The Patagonian Quiula is also among the animals that start with the letter Q that inhabits southern Chile and Argentina. The noticeable white lines on its head and neck are one of its characteristics. This feature differentiates it from other similar species. It also has a tan back and a yellow iris.

It’s a medium-sized bird, measuring about 14 inches.

This species flies little and is easier to hear than it is to see, thanks to its melancholic song. The grasslands of the Patagonia region are its main habitat, so it usually walks among dense vegetation.

11. The red-fan parrot, or quinaquina in Spanish (Deroptyus accipitrinus)

Although it’s known as the red-fanned parrot or the hawk-headed parrot in English, this bird is on our list of animals that start with the letter Q because, in South America, it’s known as the quinaquina. It’s distributed among several South American countries, including the following:

• Peru
• Brazil
• Ecuador
• Suriname
• Guyana
• Colombia
• Venezuela
• French Guyana

In particular, it inhabits rainforest and lowland areas.

When seen up close, it’s possible to distinguish its red and blue fan resting around its neck. The quinaquina can raise these feathers above its head when flapping its wings. At the same time, it stands out thanks to its flight, which alternates flapping and gliding, and its shrill song.

12. The red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea)

The common quelea is a bird that inhabits many countries of the African continent. Its preferred habitats are arid savannahs, grasslands, or cultivated areas.

In wetter seasons, these birds usually move in huge flocks.

A characteristic feature is the black facial mask that the male develops during the breeding season. Around it, it may have a surrounding coloration of reddish or orange colors. Its yellow or red bill and legs distinguish it from other small birds.

13. The common grackle, or quíscalo común in Spanish (Quiscalus quiscula)

The common grackle, also known as the quíscalo común in Spanish, is a medium-sized blackbird that may resemble a crow but is smaller, with a height of up to 13.5 inches. In fact, it inhabits some of the same regions as the crow, such as the forests or scrublands of the following countries:

• Mexico
• Canada
• The United States of America

It has remarkable yellow eyes, a long, thick beak, and an iridescent sheen.

The head of the bird is purplish-blue or bluish-green. It’s a migrant bird, so flocks move between breeding and wintering sites. But, despite millions of specimens, its population is in decline.

14. The flame-colored tanager, known as the Quitrique de espalda rayada in Spanish (Piranga bidentata)

The flame-colored tanager gets its name thanks to the bright reddish color of the male and the bright orange color of the female. However, it was formerly known as the stripe-backed tanager, thanks to its black wings with white stripes. It’s name in Spanish, Quitrique de espalda rayada, refers to the same characteristic.

It’s possible to find this beautiful bird in the forests of American countries, such as those mentioned below:

• Mexico
• Panama
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• The United States

It’s usually high up and quiet, so it can easily go unnoticed.

15. The red-hooded tanager, or Quitrique de capucha roja in Spanish (Piranga rubriceps)

Very different from its relative, the red-hooded tanager (known as the quitrique de capucha roja in Spanish) is an even more striking bird. It’s olive-yellow and black-winged, with a bright red head. That vibrant hue extends to the breast in male specimens of this species.

Unlike the flame-colored tanager, the red-hooded tanager lives in the humid forests of the following Andean countries:

• Peru
• Ecuador
• Colombia

At the same time, it’s a rare bird, so it’s encountered infrequently.

16. The Antillean nighthawk, or Querequeté in Spanish (Chordeiles gundlachii)

Known as the querequeté or añapero yanqui in Spanish, the Antillean nighthawk is a nocturnal falcon that nests in the Caribbean islands. In these areas, it resides in various habitats:

• Fields
• Forests
• Farmland

In summer, the Antillean nighthawk migrates exclusively to the United States, in the Florida area, and inhabits fields or empty land.

During its high flight, it catches flying insects, which form the main part of its diet. In addition, it’s similar to the common nighthawk, but is distinguished by its higher-pitched thunderous sound.

Animals that begin with the letter Q that live in the water

Now, we’ll move from winged animals that start with the letter Q to those that live in the water. In this section, you’ll discover everything from large predators to small mollusks. So, dive in to learn about the interesting species on this list!

17. The gulper shark, known as the Quelvacho in Spanish (Centrophorus granulosus)

The gulper shark lives in waters deeper than 656 feet. In the Atlantic Ocean, it can be found in the following latitudes of the planet:

• Taiwan
• Nigeria
• France
• Senegal
• Portugal
• South Africa
• Madagascar
• Ivory Coast
• Mozambique Channel
• The North American coast

This shark is slender and can reach up to 3.3 feet in length. It differs from other species thanks to its green eyes, grooved spines on the dorsal fin, and long, narrow lobes on the pectoral fins.

This marine animal doesn’t represent a danger to humans because it feeds in deep waters.

18. Hydrolagus, or Quimera in Spanish

Hydrolagus is a genus of cartilaginous fishes with elongated bodies, which taper towards the tail. They possess a very large green head and eyes. At the same time, they have smooth skin without scales.

We can find approximately 25 species in the Pacific Ocean, on the coasts of central and northern America. In these waters, they can feed on mollusks or crustaceans.

19. Chiton, or quitón in Spanish

This is one of the most well-known mollusk genera, as they’re often eaten. You can also find these animals that start with the letter Q under the name of “sea cockroaches.” They live on rocky intertidal coasts.

In the case of the Chiton articulatus, it’s a species that inhabits the Pacific Sea in the tropical zone of Mexico. It’s of great ecological importance because it serves as food for the purple pansa snail.

In addition, it can generate microhabitats, thus playing an important role in increasing marine diversity.

20. The brown shrimp, or Quisquilla in Spanish (Crangon crangon)

The crangon crangon, common or brown shrimp, is a long, slender, mottled, brown crustacean. It measures up to 3.5 inches long, and its antennae are almost as long as its body. It’s a European species that can be found in sandy or muddy marine soils up to 490 feet deep.

It usually feeds on a wide variety of animal and plant foods, such as the following

• Algae
• Fish
• Mollusks

It’s interesting to know that this animal can bury itself in the sand to escape its predators or ambush its prey. However, perhaps its greatest predator is man, who has been fishing for it for years.

More animals that start with the letter Q

To complete this list of animals that start with the letter Q, we want to mention a few more. Keep reading to the end!

• Quail: Refers to several genera of medium-sized birds.
• Queen angelfish: Refers to the Holacanthus ciliaris.
• Quahog: This name refers to the hard clam.
• Quaira spiny rat: The scientific name of this small rodent is Proechimys guairae.
• Quacking frog: Crinia georgiana, a species of frogs found in Australia.
• Queen bee: The only fertile bee in a swarm.
• Queen snapper: The Etelis oculatus is a species of fish.
• Qinling panda: The Qinling panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) is a subspecies of panda bears with brown and white fur.
• Queen of Sheba’s gazelle: The Queen of Sheba’s gazelle (Gazella bilkis) is an antelope native to Yemen.
• Queensland grouper: This animal (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is the largest reef fish in the world and emblem of Queensland, Australia.

This list of animals that begin with the letter Q is a good way to bring you closer to other species that you didn’t know about before or to learn even more about those of which you were already aware.

You can continue with the search for each animal species by the letters of the alphabet. It’s always a good way to learn more about the fauna of our planet!