There are 31 mammals that start with the letter “I,” ranging from the tiny Iberian Desman to the small, island-dwelling Island Fox. Many of these mammals share unique traits tied to their specific habitats, such as the aquatic lifestyle of the Iberian Desman or the mountain adaptations of the Ibex. Several species are also notable for their limited geographic range, including endangered animals like the Iriomote Cat and the Indochinese Tiger.
Explore the complete list below to learn detailed facts about each species.
Scientific name This column lists the official Latin name of each mammal, essential for accurate scientific classification and identification.
Habitat Here you will find the natural environment or region where each mammal lives, offering insight into the type of ecosystem it relies on.
Average size (cm) This shows the typical length or height of the mammals in centimeters, helping you understand their physical scale.
Description This section provides a brief overview of each mammal’s characteristics, behavior, and any noteworthy traits that make the species unique.
Mammals that start with I
| Mammals | Scientific name | Habitat | Average size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibex | Capra ibex | Mountainous regions across Eurasia and North Africa | 120-170 |
| Iberian Desman | Galemys pyrenaicus | Aquatic environments (rivers, streams) in the Pyrenees and northern Iberian Peninsula | 11-16 |
| Iberian Hare | Lepus granatensis | Mediterranean scrubland, grasslands, and open forests of the Iberian Peninsula | 44-58 |
| Iberian Lynx | Lynx pardinus | Mediterranean forests and scrubland in Spain and Portugal | 85-110 |
| Iberian Wolf | Canis lupus signatus | Forests, mountains, and plains of northern Portugal and northwestern Spain | 100-140 |
| Idaho Ground Squirrel | Urocitellus brunneus | Arid grasslands and sagebrush steppe in west-central Idaho, USA | 21-25 |
| Ili Pika | Ochotona iliensis | Rocky mountain slopes, high altitudes in Tian Shan mountains of Xinjiang, China | 20-22 |
| Impala | Aepyceros melampus | Savannas, woodlands, and shrublands across East and Southern Africa | 120-160 |
| Indian Chevrotain | Moschiola indica | Dense forests and shrublands in India and Sri Lanka | 50-55 |
| Indian Elephant | Elephas maximus indicus | Forests, grasslands, and scrublands across the Indian subcontinent | 200-350 |
| Indian False Vampire Bat | Megaderma lyra | Forests, caves, and human dwellings in South and Southeast Asia | 6-9 |
| Indian Flying Fox | Pteropus giganteus | Tropical and subtropical forests, near water bodies in South Asia | 20-35 |
| Indian Gazelle | Gazella bennettii | Arid plains, deserts, and scrublands in India, Pakistan, and Iran | 90-110 |
| Indian Giant Squirrel | Ratufa indica | Tropical and subtropical forests in India | 25-50 |
| Indian Gray Mongoose | Herpestes edwardsii | Forests, grasslands, and cultivated areas across India and parts of Southwest Asia | 35-45 |
| Indian Hog Deer | Hyelaphus porcinus | Grasslands and floodplains in South Asia and Southeast Asia | 105-115 |
| Indian Leopard | Panthera pardus fusca | Forests, grasslands, and shrublands across the Indian subcontinent | 90-190 |
| Indian Palm Squirrel | Funambulus palmarum | Gardens, palm groves, and urban areas in India and Sri Lanka | 14-16 |
| Indian Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus coromandra | Forests, agricultural areas, and human settlements in South Asia | 3-4.5 |
| Indian Rhinoceros | Rhinoceros unicornis | Riverine grasslands and forests in Nepal and northeastern India | 310-380 |
| Indian Wild Boar | Sus scrofa cristatus | Forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands across the Indian subcontinent | 90-150 |
| Indian Wolf | Canis lupus pallipes | Arid and semi-arid plains, scrublands, and open forests of the Indian subcontinent | 90-150 |
| Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin | Tursiops aduncus | Coastal and oceanic waters of the Indo-Pacific region | 200-260 |
| Indochinese Ground Squirrel | Lariscus insignis | Forests of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) | 17-20 |
| Indochinese Tiger | Panthera tigris corbetti | Forests and remote areas of Indochina (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) | 190-280 |
| Indri | Indri indri | Rainforests of eastern Madagascar | 64-72 |
| Indonesian Long-tongued Fruit Bat | Macroglossus minimus | Forests and agricultural areas in Southeast Asia and parts of Oceania | 6-8 |
| Irrawaddy Dolphin | Orcaella brevirostris | Coastal waters and large rivers in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia | 200-275 |
| Iriomote Cat | Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis | Subtropical forests of Iriomote Island, Japan | 50-60 |
| Isabelline Bear | Ursus arctos isabellinus | Mountainous regions (Himalayas, Central Asia) | 150-220 |
| Island Fox | Urocyon littoralis | Channel Islands off the coast of California, USA | 48-50 |
Descriptions
Ibex
The ibex is a wild goat species known for its impressive, large, curved horns. These agile climbers are found in high mountainous areas, perfectly adapted to rugged terrain and extreme altitudes.
Iberian Desman
A semi-aquatic, insectivorous mammal related to moles, the Iberian Desman is found only in the Iberian Peninsula. It has a distinctive long, flexible snout and webbed feet, making it adept at hunting underwater.
Iberian Hare
The Iberian Hare is a species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, resembling the European hare but generally smaller. It thrives in open landscapes, including agricultural areas, and is known for its speed and secretive nature.
Iberian Lynx
One of the world’s most endangered felines, the Iberian Lynx is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. It preys almost exclusively on rabbits and is recognized by its characteristic tufted ears and spotted coat.
Iberian Wolf
The Iberian Wolf is a unique subspecies of the gray wolf found in the Iberian Peninsula. It is generally smaller than other European wolves and plays a crucial role as an apex predator in its native ecosystems.
Idaho Ground Squirrel
An endangered ground squirrel species endemic to a limited range in Idaho, USA. The Idaho Ground Squirrel lives in burrows and hibernates for a significant portion of the year to cope with harsh conditions.
Ili Pika
The Ili Pika is a small, rare mammal resembling a rabbit with short, rounded ears. Discovered in 1983, it lives in remote, high-altitude regions of China and faces significant conservation challenges due to climate change.
Impala
The impala is a medium-sized antelope renowned for its incredible leaping ability and the impressive lyre-shaped horns of the males. Common in African savannas, they are vital prey for many of the continent’s large predators.
Indian Chevrotain
Also known as the mouse-deer, the Indian Chevrotain is a tiny, deer-like ungulate native to South Asia. It’s one of the smallest hoofed mammals, typically solitary and nocturnal, inhabiting dense forest undergrowth.
Indian Elephant
A subspecies of the Asian elephant, the Indian Elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia. Known for its intelligence and complex social structures, it holds significant cultural importance throughout India.
Indian False Vampire Bat
This carnivorous bat species is found in South Asia, distinguished by its large ears. The Indian False Vampire Bat hunts insects, small vertebrates, and remarkably, even other bats, making it a unique predator.
Indian Flying Fox
One of the largest bat species globally, the Indian Flying Fox can have a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters. This fruit bat is crucial for seed dispersal and pollination within its native South Asian forest ecosystems.
Indian Gazelle
The Indian Gazelle, or Chinkara, is a small, graceful gazelle native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for its speed and agility, it inhabits dry, open areas and can endure long periods without water.
Indian Giant Squirrel
A large, brightly colored tree squirrel endemic to India, the Indian Giant Squirrel spends most of its life in the forest canopy. It primarily feeds on fruits, nuts, and leaves, contributing to forest regeneration.
Indian Gray Mongoose
The Indian Gray Mongoose is a common mongoose species renowned for its agility and remarkable ability to hunt venomous snakes. It is found across the Indian subcontinent in a wide array of habitats.
Indian Hog Deer
A small deer species native to the Indian subcontinent, the Indian Hog Deer is named for its distinctive hog-like gait when running. It prefers open grasslands and is typically solitary.
Indian Leopard
A subspecies of leopard found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Highly adaptable, the Indian Leopard is a solitary, nocturnal predator, preying on various animals across its diverse habitats.
Indian Palm Squirrel
A small, arboreal squirrel common in South Asia, the Indian Palm Squirrel is easily recognized by the three white stripes on its back. It thrives in human-modified landscapes, feeding on fruits and nuts.
Indian Pipistrelle
One of the smallest bat species, the Indian Pipistrelle is common across the Indian subcontinent. This insectivorous bat typically roosts in tree hollows, buildings, and rock crevices, playing a vital role in pest control.
Indian Rhinoceros
Also known as the Greater One-horned Rhino, the Indian Rhinoceros is a large species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is recognized by its single horn and armored appearance, primarily found in protected areas.
Indian Wild Boar
A subspecies of wild boar found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Highly adaptable, the Indian Wild Boar inhabits various environments and is an omnivorous scavenger, impacting its ecosystem.
Indian Wolf
The Indian Wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf found in the Indian subcontinent. It is smaller and has a thinner coat than other gray wolf subspecies, adapted to warmer climates and open landscapes.
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
A marine mammal found in warm, shallow coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin is highly social and renowned for its intelligence and complex communication skills within its pods.
Indochinese Ground Squirrel
A small, slender squirrel found in the forests of Indochina. The Indochinese Ground Squirrel has distinctive stripes on its sides and typically forages on the forest floor, feeding on various plant materials.
Indochinese Tiger
A critically endangered tiger subspecies native to Southeast Asia, facing severe threats from habitat loss and poaching. The Indochinese Tiger is a solitary nocturnal predator, a powerful symbol of the region’s wilderness.
Indri
The Indri is the largest living lemur, endemic to Madagascar, known for its distinctive loud, wailing call. This critically endangered arboreal primate primarily feeds on leaves and fruits high in the forest canopy.
Indonesian Long-tongued Fruit Bat
A small fruit bat recognized by its exceptionally long tongue, which is adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen from flowers. The Indonesian Long-tongued Fruit Bat plays a vital role in plant pollination.
Irrawaddy Dolphin
A unique dolphin species with a rounded head and no beak, found in scattered populations in coastal areas and large rivers of Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy Dolphin is critically endangered due to human activities.
Iriomote Cat
A critically endangered wild cat subspecies found only on Iriomote Island, Japan. The Iriomote Cat is primarily nocturnal and preys on birds, insects, and small mammals within its restricted island habitat.
Isabelline Bear
A subspecies of the brown bear found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and Central Asia. The Isabelline Bear is known for its lighter, often yellowish-brown fur, adapted to its mountain environment.
Island Fox
A small fox species endemic to six of the eight Channel Islands off California. The Island Fox is a dwarf species, uniquely adapted to island life, and highly vulnerable to introduced predators, requiring conservation efforts.