Discover an extensive list of 60 mammals that start with the letter “D,” covering species from the tiniest bats to large marine mammals. These diverse animals come from habitats all over the world, including deserts, forests, oceans, and even human homes. Many of these mammals show unique adaptations to their environments, like the desert-dwelling kangaroo rat that rarely drinks water or the arboreal Doria’s Tree-kangaroo specialized for life in rainforests.
Explore this complete list to learn about each species in detail, and find scientific names, habitats, sizes, and descriptions provided for every mammal.
Mammals This column lists the common name of each mammal, helping you easily identify the animal you want to learn about.
Scientific Name Here you’ll find the official Latin name for each mammal. Using the scientific name ensures clear and accurate identification across languages and regions.
Habitat This section describes the natural environment where each mammal lives, such as forests, deserts, coastal waters, or human settlements.
Average Size (cm) This column shows the average length or height of the mammal in centimeters, giving a quick idea of its size.
Description Each entry includes a brief overview highlighting the mammal’s key features, behaviors, and unique traits to provide a clear picture of the species.
Mammals that start with D
| Mammals | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dall’s Porpoise | Phocoenoides dalli | Cold coastal waters | 200 |
| Damaraland Mole-rat | Fukomys damarensis | Arid and semi-arid regions | 15 |
| Dassie | Procavia capensis | Rocky outcrops, cliffs | 45 |
| Daurian Ground Squirrel | Spermophilus dauricus | Grasslands, steppes | 20 |
| Daurian Hedgehog | Mesechinus dauuricus | Grasslands, forests | 20 |
| Daurian Pika | Ochotona daurica | Steppes, semi-deserts | 17 |
| Daubenton’s Bat | Myotis daubentonii | Near water bodies, forests | 5 |
| David’s Myotis | Myotis davidii | Forests, caves | 5 |
| De Brazza’s Monkey | Cercopithecus neglectus | Swamps, forests | 50 |
| De Winton’s Golden Mole | Cryptochloris wintoni | Coastal dunes | 11 |
| Deer Mouse | Peromyscus maniculatus | Various, forests, grasslands | 8 |
| Degu | Octodon degus | Andes mountains, Chile | 16 |
| Demidoff’s Galago | Galagoides demidovii | Forests | 12 |
| Dent’s Mona Monkey | Cercopithecus denti | Forests | 45 |
| Derby’s Woolly Opossum | Caluromys derbianus | Forests | 25 |
| Desert Cottontail | Sylvilagus audubonii | Deserts, grasslands | 35 |
| Desert Dormouse | Selevinia betpakdalaensis | Deserts | 9 |
| Desert Hedgehog | Paraechinus aethiopicus | Deserts, arid regions | 20 |
| Desert Kangaroo Rat | Dipodomys deserti | Deserts | 12 |
| Desert Pocket Gopher | Geomys arenarius | Sandy deserts | 25 |
| Desert Pocket Mouse | Chaetodipus penicillatus | Deserts, arid regions | 9 |
| Desert Shrew | Notiosorex crawfordi | Deserts, arid regions | 6 |
| Desert Warthog | Phacochoerus aethiopicus | Deserts, dry grasslands | 120 |
| Dhole | Cuon alpinus | Forests, grasslands | 100 |
| Diana Monkey | Cercopithecus diana | Rainforests | 55 |
| Dibatag | Ammodorcas clarkei | Arid grasslands | 85 |
| Dibbler | Parantechinus apicalis | Heathland, shrubland | 13 |
| Dik-dik | Madoqua | Dry bushland, savannas | 60 |
| Dingo | Canis familiaris dingo | Forests, grasslands | 55 |
| Dobson’s Horseshoe Bat | Rhinolophus dobsoni | Caves, forests | 7 |
| Domestic Cat | Felis catus | Worldwide, human habitation | 25 |
| Domestic Dog | Canis familiaris | Worldwide, human habitation | 55 |
| Domestic Ferret | Mustela putorius furo | Human habitation | 40 |
| Domestic Goat | Capra aegagrus hircus | Worldwide, human habitation | 75 |
| Domestic Pig | Sus scrofa domesticus | Worldwide, human habitation | 130 |
| Domestic Rabbit | Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus | Worldwide, human habitation | 40 |
| Domestic Sheep | Ovis aries | Worldwide, human habitation | 90 |
| Donkey | Equus asinus asinus | Worldwide, human habitation | 120 |
| Doria’s Tree-kangaroo | Dendrolagus dorianus | Rainforests | 65 |
| Dormouse | Myoxidae | Forests, woodlands | 12 |
| Douroucouli | Aotus | Forests | 32 |
| Douc | Pygathrix | Rainforests | 65 |
| Drill | Mandrillus leucophaeus | Rainforests | 65 |
| Dromedary Camel | Camelus dromedarius | Deserts, arid regions | 190 |
| Dryas Monkey | Cercopithecus dryas | Forests | 45 |
| Dugong | Dugong dugon | Coastal waters | 300 |
| Duiker | Cephalophinae | Forests, bushland | 70 |
| Dunnart | Sminthopsis | Various, arid to forest | 12 |
| Dusky Dolphin | Lagenorhynchus obscurus | Coastal waters | 200 |
| Dusky Leaf Monkey | Trachypithecus obscurus | Forests | 50 |
| Dusky Pademelon | Thylogale brunii | Forests | 50 |
| Dwarf Blue Sheep | Pseudois schaeferi | Mountainous regions | 90 |
| Dwarf Bonneted Bat | Eumops nanus | Forests | 6 |
| Dwarf Flying Squirrel | Pteromys momonga | Forests | 17 |
| Dwarf Fruit Bat | Nanoctenus or Rousettus | Forests | 8 |
| Dwarf Hamster | Phodopus or Cricetulus | Grasslands, semi-deserts | 8 |
| Dwarf Minke Whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata subspecies | Marine | 750 |
| Dwarf Mongoose | Helogale parvula | Savannas, woodlands | 25 |
| Dwarf Sperm Whale | Kogia sima | Deep offshore waters | 230 |
| Dwarf Three-toed Sloth | Bradypus pygmaeus | Mangroves | 45 |
Descriptions
Dall’s Porpoise
The smallest porpoise, recognized by its distinctive black and white markings. These fast swimmers are often seen in the North Pacific, feeding on fish and squid.
Damaraland Mole-rat
A highly social, burrowing rodent native to Southern Africa. They live in colonies with a single breeding pair, maintaining extensive underground tunnel systems.
Dassie
Also known as Rock Hyrax, this small, stout, furry mammal is surprisingly related to elephants. Found in Africa and the Middle East, they are diurnal and feed on vegetation.
Daurian Ground Squirrel
A small, burrowing rodent native to the steppes and grasslands of East Asia. They are diurnal and live in colonies, often seen foraging for seeds and plants.
Daurian Hedgehog
A medium-sized hedgehog found in Eastern Asia. It’s known for its adaptability to various habitats and its nocturnal foraging for insects and small invertebrates.
Daurian Pika
A small, rabbit-like mammal native to the steppes of Central and East Asia. Pikas are known for collecting and storing hay piles for winter consumption.
Daubenton’s Bat
A common European bat known for hunting insects over water. They use echolocation to snatch prey directly from the water surface with their feet or tail membrane.
David’s Myotis
A small bat species primarily found in parts of China. Like many bats, it’s nocturnal and plays an important role in insect control within its forest habitat.
De Brazza’s Monkey
An African monkey easily identified by its distinctive white beard and orange crescent on its brow. They are highly secretive and prefer dense forest and swampy areas.
De Winton’s Golden Mole
A rare, blind, burrowing mole endemic to South Africa. This elusive mammal spends most of its life underground, foraging for invertebrates in sandy habitats.
Deer Mouse
One of the most common rodents in North America, found in diverse habitats. They are nocturnal and are known for their significant role in seed dispersal and as a food source for predators.
Degu
A social, diurnal rodent native to the Chilean Andes. Degus are known for their complex social structures and are often kept as pets due to their intelligence.
Demidoff’s Galago
The smallest of the galagos, or bushbabies, found in African forests. This nocturnal primate is agile, using its strong legs to leap between branches while hunting insects.
Dent’s Mona Monkey
An African monkey often found in dense forests, particularly in the Congo Basin. They are social primates, typically living in groups and feeding on fruits, insects, and leaves.
Derby’s Woolly Opossum
A nocturnal, arboreal opossum found in Central and South America. Known for its soft, woolly fur, it spends most of its life in trees, feeding on fruits and insects.
Desert Cottontail
A common rabbit species found in Western North America. They are well-adapted to arid environments, foraging on grasses and cacti, and are an important part of the desert ecosystem.
Desert Dormouse
A small, nocturnal rodent found in Central Asian deserts. It is unique among dormice for its extremely soft, dense fur, which helps it survive harsh desert conditions.
Desert Hedgehog
A small hedgehog adapted to arid environments of North Africa and the Middle East. It is nocturnal, foraging for insects, scorpions, and other small prey in the desert.
Desert Kangaroo Rat
A North American rodent highly adapted to desert life, rarely needing to drink water. They collect seeds in cheek pouches and store them in burrows.
Desert Pocket Gopher
A North American burrowing rodent found in sandy desert regions. They create extensive tunnel systems, using their large claws and strong teeth to dig for roots and tubers.
Desert Pocket Mouse
A small North American mouse, perfectly adapted to arid environments. It gathers seeds in cheek pouches and stores them in its burrow, surviving on very little water.
Desert Shrew
A tiny, nocturnal shrew found in North American deserts. Despite its small size, it’s a voracious predator, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates.
Desert Warthog
A species of warthog found in arid and semi-arid regions of the Horn of Africa. Unlike common warthogs, they lack facial warts and prefer drier habitats.
Dhole
A wild dog species native to Central and Southeast Asia. Dholes are highly social, living in packs and known for their distinctive whistling calls during hunts.
Diana Monkey
An African monkey recognizable by its distinctive white stripe running down its thighs and white beard. They are vocal primates, using a variety of calls to communicate within their rainforest habitat.
Dibatag
A long-necked antelope from the Horn of Africa, known for its gazelle-like appearance. Its name means “bush-tailed” in Somali, referring to its unique tail movement.
Dibbler
A small, carnivorous marsupial endemic to Western Australia. This nocturnal predator feeds primarily on insects and small vertebrates, and is a conservation focus due to its rarity.
Dik-dik
One of the smallest antelopes, found in African bushlands. Dik-diks are known for their shy nature, short, stocky build, and the “dik-dik” sound they make when alarmed.
Dingo
A wild dog of Australia, believed to be descended from domestic dogs. Dingos are apex predators and play a crucial role in the Australian ecosystem, often hunting in packs.
Dobson’s Horseshoe Bat
A bat species found in Southeast Asia, known for its distinctive horseshoe-shaped nose leaf. They are nocturnal insectivores, roosting in caves and old buildings during the day.
Domestic Cat
A common domesticated carnivore, widely kept as a pet globally. Originating from wildcats, they are known for their agility, predatory instincts, and companionship.
Domestic Dog
The most widely kept domesticated carnivore, known for its loyalty and diverse breeds. Dogs have been selectively bred for various roles, including companionship, hunting, and herding.
Domestic Ferret
A domesticated form of the European polecat, known for its slender body and playful nature. Ferrets are popular pets and were historically used for hunting.
Domestic Goat
A widely kept livestock animal, valued globally for its milk, meat, and fiber. Goats are adaptable and found in diverse environments, from mountains to deserts.
Domestic Pig
A common domesticated omnivore, primarily valued for its meat (pork). Pigs are intelligent and social animals, kept in various agricultural systems worldwide.
Domestic Rabbit
A domesticated lagomorph, popular as a pet and raised for meat and fur. Rabbits are known for their rapid reproduction and characteristic long ears.
Domestic Sheep
A widely kept livestock animal, primarily valued for its wool, meat (lamb and mutton), and milk. Sheep are social animals, often managed in flocks for agricultural purposes.
Donkey
A domesticated equine, widely used for transport, labor, and companionship, especially in arid regions. Donkeys are known for their hardiness and distinctive braying sound.
Doria’s Tree-kangaroo
An arboreal marsupial native to the rainforests of New Guinea. Unlike ground kangaroos, they are adapted for climbing, with strong forelimbs and a long tail for balance.
Dormouse
Small, nocturnal rodents known for their long periods of hibernation. Found in Europe, Asia, and Africa, they are often associated with woodlands and hedgerows, feeding on fruits and nuts.
Douroucouli
Also known as Owl Monkeys, these are the only truly nocturnal monkeys from Central and South America. They have large eyes for night vision and live in small family groups.
Douc
A colorful Asian monkey known for its distinct facial markings and vibrant fur. These leaf-eating primates are found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia and are highly arboreal.
Drill
A large, baboon-like monkey from West Africa, characterized by its distinctive ridged nose and vibrant facial coloration. Drills are highly endangered due due to habitat loss.
Dromedary Camel
A large, even-toed ungulate with a single hump, adapted to desert life. Dromedaries are essential for transport and resources in arid regions of Africa and Asia.
Dryas Monkey
A rare and elusive African monkey, known for its shyness and distinct green-brown fur. It is critically endangered and found only in a small region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dugong
A large, herbivorous marine mammal, often called a “sea cow,” that feeds exclusively on seagrass. Dugongs are found in warm coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Duiker
A small, shy antelope native to African forests and bushlands. Duikers are known for their secretive nature and their habit of diving into dense cover when startled.
Dunnart
Small, carnivorous marsupials from Australia, found in diverse habitats. They are nocturnal, feeding on insects and small vertebrates, and known for their long, pointed snouts.
Dusky Dolphin
An agile and social dolphin found in coastal waters of the Southern Hemisphere. They are known for their acrobatic displays and often seen in large groups.
Dusky Leaf Monkey
An Asian monkey known for its dark fur and distinctive white eye patches, giving it a “spectacled” appearance. They are arboreal and primarily feed on leaves.
Dusky Pademelon
A small wallaby-like marsupial found in the rainforests of New Guinea. They are nocturnal and graze on grasses and fallen fruits in forest clearings.
Dwarf Blue Sheep
The smallest species of blue sheep, found in remote mountainous areas of Sichuan, China. They are agile climbers, well-adapted to rugged, high-altitude terrain.
Dwarf Bonneted Bat
A small bat species found in Central and South America. These fast-flying bats forage for insects high above the ground, often roosting in tree hollows.
Dwarf Flying Squirrel
A small, nocturnal squirrel native to Japan, known for its ability to glide between trees using a membrane. They are highly arboreal, living in coniferous and deciduous forests.
Dwarf Fruit Bat
A small bat that primarily feeds on fruit and nectar, playing a vital role in seed dispersal. Found in various tropical and subtropical forests globally.
Dwarf Hamster
A small, popular pet rodent originating from grasslands and semi-deserts of Asia and Eastern Europe. They are known for their compact size and active nature.
Dwarf Minke Whale
The smallest baleen whale, found in various oceans, particularly around Australia. They are known for their curious nature, often approaching boats.
Dwarf Mongoose
The smallest species of mongoose, native to savannas and woodlands of Eastern and Southern Africa. They are highly social, living in cooperative family groups.
Dwarf Sperm Whale
A small, elusive whale found in deep offshore waters worldwide. They are rarely seen, preferring deep ocean environments where they hunt squid and fish.
Dwarf Three-toed Sloth
A critically endangered sloth found only on a small island off the coast of Panama. It is the smallest and slowest sloth, adapted to its unique mangrove habitat.