Ever heard of the Quagga? No, you probably haven’t heard of this extinct animal before. This animal is on our list of animals that start with Q, so you are in for luck.
Through thorough research, we have listed in this article the top 5 animals that start with Q, beginning with the Quagga, which you will soon discover and which we believe you have never heard about before.
In this article, you will find that the animal you expected to be in the top 5 of animals that start with Q wouldn’t even be mentioned, as there are many before it.
What are the Top 5 Animals That Start With Q?
1. Quagga:
The animal exhibited characteristics that were somewhat reminiscent of both a zebra and a horse, although it possessed distinct features.
The creature possessed extended limbs, and its tail was adorned with lengthy strands of hair at the tip. The legs possessed remarkable strength, enabling them to traverse great distances on foot and swiftly evade potential threats.
The maximum velocity it could achieve was 40 miles per hour. Additionally, the creature can utilize its legs to execute a forceful defensive kick using its sturdy hooves.
The fur colour ranged from white to brown and included dark brown or black stripes. The striped pattern on this particular zebra did not cover its entire body, unlike other zebras. The stripes gradually diminish or cease below the neck or shoulders.
The average measurement of the animal’s length was approximately 8.42 feet (257 centimetres).
The height ranged from 49 to 53 inches, which is equivalent to slightly over 4 feet. The weight of the object varied from 550 to 660 pounds (equivalent to 250 and 300 kilograms).
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Where is the Habitat of the Quagga?
These animals were found only in South Africa. The quaggas were found in large numbers in the Orange Free State and Cape Province, particularly in the Karoo region.
The Karoo is a vast desert shrubland subregion located in South Africa, spanning the Northern, Eastern, and Western Cape provinces.
They resided in dry and moderate climates within grassland and savanna environments, which provided ample grass for sustenance.
What Does the Quagga Eat?
The animals exhibited migratory grazing behaviour. Due to their herbivorous nature and limited diet consisting primarily of grasses, they did not exhibit predatory behaviour towards any animals.
In addition to providing water for drinking, grass provided all the necessary nourishment for the survival of quaggas.
The selective eaters in question exhibited a preference for consuming tall grass, as it offered a greater abundance of sustenance for the entire group compared to the limited availability found in shorter grasslands.
Grass is the main food source for other zebras as well. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that other species may sporadically consume supplementary plant material, such as leaves and twigs, and occasionally indulge in fruit.
2. Quahog Clam:
Quahog clams are soft-bodied invertebrates that use a hard, rounded shell for protection. The main component of the shell is calcium carbonate, along with a small amount of other tissues.
The outer layer of this shell exhibits a colouration that can range from grey to white and is characterized by the presence of concentric growth rings.
On the other hand, the inner part of the shell is predominantly white with hints of violet.
Certain hatchery clams exhibit a characteristic known as “notata,” which refers to the presence of dark zigzag stripes on the outer surface of their shells.
The interior of the shell contains the soft and fleshy body of the clam. This organism is susceptible to being preyed upon.
These clams possess two prominent siphons that enable them to intake water for filtration and subsequently release the filtered water into the ocean.
The clams of this particular species have a relatively large shell, measuring between approximately 3 to 5 inches in size.
Where is the Habitat of the Quahog Clam?
Quahog clams are marine organisms that rely on sufficient salinity for their survival. These organisms can be found in both intertidal and subtidal areas within bays and estuaries.
They spend the majority of their lives buried in sediment. In general, they tend to avoid water depths greater than 118 feet and instead prefer to stay at or above 50 feet.
The distribution of these clams spans the Atlantic coast, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to Florida.
Additionally, they can be found residing along the Gulf Coast, extending to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
Fisheries have been introduced to various countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland, Puerto Rico, and Taiwan, as well as western states in the United States like California and Washington.
The Eastern states in the United States that have a population of quahog clams include:
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Florida
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Texas
What Does the Quahog Clam Eat?
The diet of this species is restricted because it is not proficient in hunting prey. As a filter feeder, it primarily consumes phytoplankton, but it also consumes small animal organisms such as plankton.
The organism accomplishes this by circulating water throughout its body and filtering out the targeted organisms.
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3. Quail:
Quails are avian creatures that typically exhibit a larger size compared to robins, yet are smaller in comparison to crows. However, it is important to note that there is considerable variation in size among different quail species.
Certain specimens exhibit a diminutive stature of merely four inches, while others possess a height that can extend to approximately 11 or 12 inches.
The species in question possesses diminutive cranial structures and abbreviated, wide-ranging appendages, in addition to an elongated and rectangular caudal appendage.
In the California quail species, both males and females possess a prominent crest of feathers that extend forward.
However, the males have a larger and longer plume, consisting of multiple dark feathers. Although the topknot is a characteristic feature of certain quail species, it is important to note that not all species possess this trait.
The arrangement and colouration of feathers on the lower part of the body give it a scaly appearance. Certain species exhibit speckling patterns on their upper breast region.
Numerous quail possess bills that are characteristic of seed-eating birds, exhibiting serrations, a short and robust structure, and a slight downward curvature.
Male Japanese quails possess a gland called the clock gland located on their throat. This gland produces a white foamy liquid that is commonly utilized to evaluate their reproductive capability.
Where is the Habitat of the Quail?
Quail are found in chaparral, sagebrush, woodlands, and foothill forests in California and the Northwest.
In the regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, their habitat primarily consists of semi-arid and brush scrubland.
Rabbits exhibit a level of tolerance towards humans and are commonly observed in urban parks, gardens, and agricultural regions.
What Does the Quail Eat?
These avian creatures are classified as omnivores, although they predominantly consume plant-based foods.
Young chicks have a preference for consuming insects, however, as they grow older, their diet gradually transitions to include more plant material.
The diet of these animals consists of seeds, leaves, wheat, barley, flowers, and fruit. They also consume grasshoppers and worms on occasion.
Certain species, like Gambel’s quail, possess the ability to adjust their dietary preferences and hydration requirements based on seasonal variations. Quail birds consume cacti fruits and berries when they are accessible.
4. Queen Snakes:
Queen snakes share many similarities in appearance and behaviour with garter snakes, which are also nonvenomous North American snakes belonging to the genus Thamnophis in the family Colubridae.
The majority of queen snakes exhibit an overall colouration that ranges from olive green to grey or dark brown.
The common characteristic of these creatures is the presence of yellow or peach stripes extending from their initial row of scales to the very end of their tail.
There are four darker stripes present alongside these lighter stripes. The queen snake is unique in its type and region due to the presence of distinct lengthwise stripes on its belly, facilitating its identification.
Young queen snakes possess an additional three stripes compared to their adult counterparts, resulting in a total of seven stripes.
Three objects are positioned upside down, while four objects are positioned right side up. The fading of these characteristics occurs as they reach maturity.
The taxonomy name “septemvittata” refers to the seven stripes found on the young. The snake’s ventral side usually displays cream or yellow colouration, characterized by distinctive striping.
The head of the queen snake is slender and possesses nine primary scales on its dorsal surface.
Thicker scales arranged in multiple rows underneath the chin serve as adaptations that protect against abrasion while pursuing prey beneath rocks.
The combination of the scales on the top of the head and chin serves to protect against compression while moving underneath large rocks. The shape of their pupils is circular.
In general, females tend to have slightly larger physical dimensions compared to males. The maximum length of the species is generally around 24 inches from the nose to the tip of the tail.
Where is the Habitat of the Queen Snake?
The preferred habitat for this species is a watershed, which is a geographical region that collects and directs rain or snowfall into various bodies of water such as streams, creeks, lakes, and rivers.
These ecosystems, including swamps, wetlands, marshes, and similar areas, often contain ample groundwater, trees, and stones that serve as habitats and hunting grounds.
The queen snake, also known as Regina septemvittata, is primarily distributed in the eastern region of the United States, specifically east of the Mississippi River. Its range spans from southern Ontario in Canada to northern Florida.
The species is native to North America and is found in several states including:
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Michigan
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- New York
The snakes that were once present in New Jersey have been completely eradicated from the state. This implies that they no longer exist in that location.
What Does the Queen Snake Eat?
Approximately 90% of the queen snake’s diet consists of crayfish during their moulting period.
In addition to their freshwater habitat, they consume various organisms such as tadpoles, frogs, minnows, snails, newts, and fairy shrimp.
5. Quetzal:
The Quetzal is a bird known for its vibrant colours. Male Quetzals have a predominantly metallic green or blue colour on their bodies, with a deep red colour on their chest and belly.
The male Quetzal bird possesses a unique cluster of golden green feathers that create a crest on their heads, along with exceptionally long twin tail feathers that can reach up to one meter in length.
While females do not possess an exceptionally long train, they exhibit similar coloration to males, although their plumage is not as vibrant. The chest’s deep red color is frequently less vibrant, appearing duller or even grey.
Similarly, the metallic green hue may also be less pronounced. Additionally, their heads exhibit shades of grey or bronze, with a green border.
Similar to other members of the Trogon family, the Quetzal possesses distinctive feet with two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward on each foot. These specialized feet assist the Quetzal in perching at great heights within trees.
Where is the Habitat of the Quetzal?
The Quetzal bird is commonly observed in the mountainous rainforests of Central America, particularly in high mountain ranges situated at altitudes ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 feet. The Quetzal is found in cool, densely vegetated, and highly moist tropical forests.
Cloud forests are highly favourable habitats for the Quetzal bird due to the abundant fog resulting from high moisture levels in the forest.
Quetzals inhabit tree cavities near the upper canopy, which they construct with their strong beaks or find among abandoned woodpecker nests.
The Quetzal’s vibrant plumage allows them to blend in seamlessly with the lush vegetation that surrounds them.
What Does the Quetzal Eat?
The Quetzal is an animal that eats both plants and animals. It is a proficient hunter, capturing its prey while flying and consuming it in mid-air.
These animals primarily consume fruits, with a preference for small fruits resembling avocados that are part of the laurel family. They are known to gather in large groups near trees that bear fruit.
In times of limited fruit availability, the Quetzal supplements its diet by consuming small animals such as insects, lizards, frogs, snails, and larvae.
This helps fulfil the nutritional requirements of its body. The Quetzal bird is crucial for the ecosystem as it helps disperse seeds from fruits and berries by excreting them in the forest.
Read also: Animals That Start With A [Top 5]
Watch the Video Below To Discover More Animals That Start With Q
Conclusion
The table below shows a summary of the top 5 animals that start with Q, as mentioned above:
| TOP 5 ANIMALS THAT START WITH Q | |
| S/N | ANIMALS THAT START WITH Q |
| 1. | Quagga |
| 2. | Quahog Clam |
| 3. | Quail |
| 4. | Queen Snake |
| 5. | Quetzal |
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