Animals That Start With the Letter Q
There are a few unique animals that start with the letter Q. These animals are diverse and play important roles in their ecosystems. They are also interesting to learn about.
These animals include the quokka, the Queensland koala, and the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly. They are found in rainforests and grasslands around the world.
Quokka
Closely related to kangaroos and wallabies, this fuzzy marsupial is weird in the best way. Its coarse brown fur is lighter on the underside, and its rounded ears and small front hands give it an adorable profile.
It’s also unafraid of humans, making it popular for #quokkaselfies. While it’s generally frowned upon to approach wildlife, quokkas are curious and tame enough for tourists to get within arm’s length.
Quokkas live on islands and mainland Australia, choosing scrub, wetlands, thick forests, or swamps in which to hide during the day. The most robust populations reside on Rottnest Island, with another on Bald Island.
Quoll
Quolls are small carnivorous marsupials that have a number of specialised features, including sharp teeth and vibrissae, that help them catch prey. They have large home ranges and can travel long distances in search of food. They are usually solitary and only meet other quolls for mating or social interactions.
The genus Dasyurus includes six living species, four of which are found in Australia: the eastern quoll, northern quoll, western quoll and the spotted-tailed quoll (also known as the tiger quoll).
The tiger quoll was once common across northern Australia but now exists only in five regional populations in NSW, NT and WA. They are also under threat from habitat loss and invasive species such as cane toads.
Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal is a beautiful bird whose iridescent green feathers have been revered by the Maya and Aztec people. Their feathers were used as currency and royalty wore them in ceremonies. They have large eyes that help them see in the dark forest where they live.
This endangered creature is found in Central America, including Guatemala and Panama. It lives in rainforests and montane cloud forests. It eats fruit, berries, insects and other small animals.
The quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and is pictured on its currency. It is also known as the spirit guide of the warrior hero Tecun Uman, who fought against the Spanish conquest.
Quail
Quail are small game birds that are often pursued by hunters for their delicious and tender meat. They are also an important part of the ecosystem, as they help to control pests in fields and pastures.
This bird is native to the United States, where it can be found in open habitats like grasslands and hayfields. It has short, round wings and stout legs with four toes. The male has a black top-knot and a distinctively colored face, throat, and belly.
Like their Old World counterparts, New World quail are terrestrial and prefer running to flying. They tend to spook easily and will flush to cover if startled.
Queen ant
Queen ants live in complex societies. They lay eggs and control their colonies by releasing chemicals called pheromones. Queens may live for many years. They also eat, groom, and care for their offspring.
Some ant species, such as Formica yessensis, have multiple queen associations (Holldobler and Wilson 1990). These are stable dominance hierarchies that regulate costly social conflicts over reproduction.
Wild animals are fascinating creatures, each adapted to thrive in their natural habitats. These unique q animal names offer a close look at the diverse environments these creatures inhabit.
Quaker moth
In the wild, there are many fascinating animals that start with a Q. This section explores them in their natural habitats, highlighting the different ways they’ve adapted to survive and thrive in their surroundings.
The Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi is a spring-flying noctuid moth found in woodland throughout the UK. It can be distinguished from other similar quakers by the characteristically very rounded forewing apex and large kidney marks, each with a distinctive pale outline and darker in-fill. The ground colour ranges from orange-brown through sandy to pale greyish. A dark brown band and vinous markings are also useful distinguishing features.
Quivering leafhopper
Quivering leafhoppers are insects of the family Cicadellidae. They go through three life stages: eggs, nymphs, and adults. The nymphs are wingless and closely resemble the adults. They may also differ in color. Leafhoppers have piercing-sucking mouthparts that pierce and consume plant cells or sap. They also excrete honeydew, a sticky waste product.
They can damage ornamental plants by feeding on them. This causes noticeable bleaching or stippling of leaves, and the leaves may curl, dry, and brown. They can also spread bacterial diseases that cause leaf scorch and stunting of the plants.