The zebra has to be the animal everyone thinks of when asked to name an animal starting with z. Zebras are widespread across vast areas of southern and eastern Africa, where they live in their preferred habitat of treeless grasslands and savannah woodlands.

Zebras don’t live in deserts, wetlands or rainforests, which may make them vulnerable to climate change.

Zebra finch

Named after their striped tail and the stripes around their eye, these birds are one of Australia’s most common grassfinches and live in the country’s drier parts in flocks of up to 100 or more birds.

Zebrafish

It is easy to see how this popular aquarium fish got its name. Native to India and South Asia, the zebrafish is a freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae).

Zebra Shark

Wondering why these sharks are called zebra sharks when they have spots rather than stripes? Well, it is just the adults that have spots as juveniles have stripes – thereby earning the shark its name. Confusingly, because of the spots they are also often known as leopard sharks.

Zebu

A subspecies of domestic cattle the Zebu, known for it hump above its shoulder and loose skin, are usually red or grey in colour and have horns and large ears.

Zorilla

The zorilla, also known as the striped polecat, is a member of the weasel family, and lives in Southern Africa. They are about 60cm (2ft) long and enjoy a diet of rodents, snakes, birds and insects – if they can catch it, they will eat it!

• Animals starting with ‘A’
• Animals starting with ‘B’