Discover a complete list of 65 mammals that start with the letter “W,” covering species from around the world. These mammals range from tiny bats like Wahlberg’s Fruit Bat to large, majestic creatures such as the Woolly Mammoth and White Rhinoceros. Many of these mammals share unique habitats, behaviors, or physical traits that help them survive in their environments, offering a wide variety of examples for anyone curious about zoology and biology.
Explore the detailed table below for a structured overview of each mammal’s key information.
Scientific Name This column provides the Latin name for each species. Scientific names give precise identification and help avoid confusion, as many animals have different common names in various regions.
Habitat Here you will find the natural environment where each mammal lives. Understanding habitats shows where these mammals thrive, such as forests, grasslands, or aquatic areas, which is useful for learning about ecological diversity.
Average Size (cm) This column lists the average length or height of the mammal in centimeters. Knowing the size helps you compare species and get a sense of their physical scale.
Description The description gives a quick overview of notable features, diet, behaviors, or conservation status. This summary helps explain what makes each mammal unique and interesting.
Mammals that start with W
| Mammal Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wahlberg’s Fruit Bat | *Epomophorus wahlbergi* | Subtropical or tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and savanna. | 14 |
| Wallaby | *Macropus spp.* | Forests, grasslands, and rocky areas in Australia and New Guinea. | 75 |
| Wallaroo | *Osphranter spp.* | Rocky hillsides, woodlands, and open grasslands in Australia. | 100 |
| Walrus | *Odobenus rosmarus* | Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, ice floes, and coastal areas. | 280 |
| Warthog | *Phacochoerus africanus* | Grasslands, savannas, and woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa. | 120 |
| Water Buffalo | *Bubalus bubalis* | Rivers, wetlands, and grasslands, primarily in Asia and parts of Europe and Africa. | 270 |
| Water Chevrotain | *Hyemoschus aquaticus* | Dense rainforests near water sources in West and Central Africa. | 65 |
| Water Deer | *Hydropotes inermis* | Wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands in China and Korea, introduced elsewhere. | 75 |
| Water Opossum | *Chironectes minimus* | Freshwater streams and lakes in Central and South America. | 34 |
| Water Pipistrelle | *Pipistrellus pygmaeus* | Near water bodies like rivers, lakes, and canals across Europe. | 4.3 |
| Water Shrew | *Neomys fodiens* | Near clean water sources like rivers, streams, and ponds in Europe and Asia. | 8.5 |
| Water Vole | *Arvicola amphibius* | Banks of slow-moving rivers, streams, ditches, and ponds in Europe and Asia. | 19 |
| Waterbuck | *Kobus ellipsiprymnus* | Grasslands and savannas near permanent water sources in sub-Saharan Africa. | 206 |
| Weasel | *Mustela nivalis* | Diverse habitats including grasslands, woodlands, and farmlands across Northern Hemisphere. | 20 |
| Wedge-capped Capuchin | *Cebus olivaceus* | Rainforests and dry deciduous forests in northern South America. | 41.5 |
| Weeper Capuchin | *Cebus albifrons* | Various forest types, including rainforests and cloud forests, in northern South America. | 44 |
| Western Barbastelle | *Barbastella barbastellus* | Woodlands, forests, and caves across Western Europe. | 5.2 |
| Western Brush Wallaby | *Notamacropus irma* | Eucalypt forests and woodlands of southwestern Australia. | 75 |
| Western European Hedgehog | *Erinaceus europaeus* | Woodlands, grasslands, hedgerows, and suburban gardens across Western Europe. | 25 |
| Western Gorilla | *Gorilla gorilla* | Tropical and subtropical forests of West and Central Africa. | 165 |
| Western Grey Kangaroo | *Macropus fuliginosus* | Open woodlands, grasslands, and coastal heaths of southern Australia. | 115 |
| Western Red Colobus | *Piliocolobus badius* | Tropical rainforests of West Africa. | 56 |
| Western Tree Hyrax | *Dendrohyrax dorsalis* | Tropical forests of West and Central Africa. | 52.5 |
| Whiskered Bat | *Myotis mystacinus* | Woodlands, forests, and human-made structures across Europe and Asia. | 4.1 |
| White-beaked Dolphin | *Lagenorhynchus albirostris* | Cold temperate and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. | 280 |
| White-bellied Duiker | *Cephalophus leucogaster* | Tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. | 100 |
| White-bellied Pangolin | *Phataginus tricuspis* | Tropical rainforests and woodlands of West and Central Africa. | 35 |
| White-bellied Slender Opossum | *Marmosops noctivagus* | Tropical and subtropical forests in South America. | 12 |
| White-bellied Spider Monkey | *Ateles belzebuth* | Tropical rainforests in the Amazon basin, South America. | 47.5 |
| White-eared Opossum | *Didelphis albiventris* | Varied habitats including forests, grasslands, and urban areas across South America. | 32.5 |
| White-faced Capuchin | *Cebus capucinus* | Tropical dry forests and rainforests of Central and South America. | 39.5 |
| White-faced Saki | *Pithecia pithecia* | Tropical rainforests of northeastern South America. | 40 |
| White-footed Mouse | *Peromyscus leucopus* | Forests, woodlands, and brushy areas across North America. | 9.5 |
| White-handed Gibbon | *Hylobates lar* | Tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. | 50.5 |
| White-lipped Deer | *Cervus albirostris* | High-altitude forests, grasslands, and scrublands of the Tibetan Plateau. | 165 |
| White-lipped Peccary | *Tayassu pecari* | Tropical rainforests and dry forests from Mexico to South America. | 110 |
| White-nosed Coati | *Nasua narica* | Forests, woodlands, and canyons from southwestern USA to South America. | 53.5 |
| White Rhinoceros | *Ceratotherium simum* | Grasslands and savannas of Southern and East Africa. | 380 |
| White-tailed Antelope Squirrel | *Ammospermophilus leucurus* | Deserts and arid scrublands of the southwestern USA and northern Mexico. | 15.5 |
| White-tailed Deer | *Odocoileus virginianus* | Forests, woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas across North and Central America. | 175 |
| White-tailed Jackrabbit | *Lepus townsendii* | Grasslands, prairies, and open areas of western North America. | 61 |
| White-tailed Mongoose | *Ichneumia albicauda* | Savannas, woodlands, and scrublands across Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. | 60.5 |
| White-tailed Prairie Dog | *Cynomys leucurus* | Dry, shortgrass prairies of the western United States. | 34 |
| White-throated Monkey | *Cercopithecus erythrogaster* | Tropical rainforests of West Africa. | 45 |
| White-throated Wallaby | *Notamacropus parma* | Dense forests and woodlands of eastern New South Wales, Australia. | 49 |
| White-throated Woodrat | *Neotoma albigula* | Deserts, scrublands, and rocky areas of the southwestern USA and Mexico. | 18 |
| White-tufted-ear Marmoset | *Callithrix jacchus* | Forests, woodlands, and urban areas of northeastern Brazil. | 21.5 |
| Wildebeest | *Connochaetes taurinus* | Savannas and grasslands of Eastern and Southern Africa. | 205 |
| Wisent | *Bison bonasus* | Forests and woodlands across parts of Europe. | 280 |
| Wolf | *Canis lupus* | Diverse habitats including forests, tundras, deserts, and mountains across Northern Hemisphere. | 130 |
| Wolverine | *Gulo gulo* | Tundra, boreal forests, and mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. | 86 |
| Wombat | *Vombatus ursinus* | Forests, woodlands, and heathlands of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. | 92.5 |
| Woodchuck | *Marmota monax* | Open woodlands, fields, meadows, and agricultural areas across eastern North America. | 49 |
| Woodland Dormouse | *Graphiurus murinus* | Forests and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. | 10.5 |
| Woodland Vole | *Microtus pinetorum* | Forests, woodlands, and orchards of eastern North America. | 10 |
| Wood Mouse | *Apodemus sylvaticus* | Woodlands, hedgerows, gardens, and grasslands across Europe and North Africa. | 9.5 |
| Woodrat | *Neotoma spp.* | Varied, including deserts, forests, and rocky areas across North America. | 20 |
| Woolly Bat | *Kerivoula lanosa* | Tropical and subtropical forests across Asia and Africa. | 4.5 |
| Woolly Flying Squirrel | *Eupetaurus cinereus* | High-altitude coniferous forests of the Himalayas. | 52.5 |
| Woolly Lemur | *Avahi spp.* | Tropical and subtropical forests of Madagascar. | 27.5 |
| Woolly Mammoth | *Mammuthus primigenius* | Cold grasslands (steppe tundra) across Eurasia and North America during the Ice Age. | 310 |
| Woolly Monkey | *Lagothrix spp.* | Tropical rainforests of the Amazon and other parts of South America. | 55 |
| Woolly Opossum | *Caluromys spp.* | Tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America. | 23.5 |
| Woolly Rhinoceros | *Coelodonta antiquitatis* | Cold, arid steppes and tundras across Eurasia during the Ice Age. | 400 |
| Wrinkle-faced Bat | *Centurio senex* | Tropical forests from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela. | 6.5 |
Descriptions
Wahlberg’s Fruit Bat
A medium-sized fruit bat found in sub-Saharan Africa. Males display distinctive white epaulets. This nocturnal mammal primarily feeds on fruit, playing a vital role in seed dispersal across its habitat. They have large eyes for good vision at night.
Wallaby
A general term for small to medium-sized macropods native to Australia and New Guinea. Resembling kangaroos but smaller, they use powerful hind legs for hopping and long tails for balance. Wallabies are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses and leaves in diverse environments.
Wallaroo
A type of macropod native to Australia, larger than a wallaby but smaller than a kangaroo. Wallaroos are stocky and well-adapted to rugged terrain, often found in rocky habitats. They are herbivorous, feeding on grasses and shrubs, and can go long periods without water.
Walrus
A large marine mammal famed for its prominent tusks, which can be up to 100 cm long. Walruses inhabit the icy Arctic, using their sensitive whiskers to forage for shellfish on the seabed. Highly social, they often form large herds on ice floes and land.
Warthog
A wild pig native to Africa, known for its distinctive facial warts and prominent tusks. Warthogs are omnivorous, grazing on grasses, roots, and bulbs, often kneeling to feed. They use abandoned burrows for shelter and protection from predators.
Water Buffalo
A large bovine species, significant as both a domesticated farm animal and a wild mammal. They prefer aquatic environments, wallowing in mud and water to cool down. Water buffalo are powerful, herbivorous animals, crucial for agriculture in many regions.
Water Chevrotain
The largest species of chevrotain, a small, deer-like mammal. It is semi-aquatic, spending much of its time near water, and is known for its secretive nature. Water chevrotains feed on fallen fruit and vegetation, escaping predators by diving into water.
Water Deer
A small deer species native to East Asia, notably lacking antlers. Instead, males possess prominent tusks, used during territorial fights. Water deer are agile swimmers, preferring marshy habitats near water. They are solitary and primarily graze on grasses.
Water Opossum
Also known as the Yapok, this is the only aquatic marsupial. It has webbed hind feet and a waterproof pouch, allowing it to hunt fish, crustaceans, and insects in water. Water opossums are nocturnal and solitary, primarily found near clean streams.
Water Pipistrelle
A small bat species often found foraging for insects over water. It has dark fur and a short snout. Water pipistrelles use echolocation to navigate and hunt, roosting in tree cavities, buildings, or bridges during the day.
Water Shrew
A semi-aquatic mammal, larger than most shrews, with a distinctive dark coat and white belly. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, hunting aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish. Water shrews have venomous saliva to subdue prey.
Water Vole
A relatively large vole species, semi-aquatic and known for burrowing extensive tunnel systems in riverbanks. They primarily feed on grasses and waterside plants. Water voles are important indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems.
Waterbuck
A large antelope with a shaggy, reddish-brown coat and distinctive white rings or patches on its rump. Males possess long, spiraled horns. Waterbucks rely heavily on water, often taking refuge there from predators. They primarily graze on grasses.
Weasel
A small, slender carnivorous mammal known for its agility and ferocity. Weasels have long bodies and short legs, allowing them to pursue prey into burrows. They primarily hunt rodents, birds, and small mammals, playing a crucial role in ecosystems.
Wedge-capped Capuchin
A New World monkey known for its intelligence and social behavior. They live in large groups and are omnivorous, eating fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Wedge-capped capuchins are adept at using tools, such as stones to crack nuts.
Weeper Capuchin
A New World monkey, known for its intelligence and social nature. While “Weeper Capuchin” is not a formal species, some *Cebus albifrons* populations exhibit distinct calls. These omnivores eat fruits, insects, and small animals, displaying complex social structures.
Western Barbastelle
A medium-sized bat with distinctive, forward-pointing nostrils and broad ears. It specializes in hunting moths, using echolocation to detect prey. Western Barbastelles roost in tree crevices or buildings, often migrating short distances for hibernation.
Western Brush Wallaby
A relatively small, agile wallaby with a long, black-tipped tail. It is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia, favoring open forest and woodland habitats. Primarily herbivorous, it feeds on grasses and leaves, often seen grazing in clearings.
Western European Hedgehog
A common hedgehog species recognizable by its spiny coat, which it uses for defense by rolling into a ball. These nocturnal insectivores also eat slugs, worms, and fruit. They are a familiar sight in gardens, particularly in temperate regions.
Western Gorilla
The most widespread gorilla species, critically endangered. Western gorillas are large, herbivorous apes, living in social groups led by a dominant silverback. They inhabit dense forests, foraging for leaves, stems, and fruits. Their conservation is a major global concern.
Western Grey Kangaroo
One of Australia’s largest marsupials, known for its grey fur and powerful hind legs. Western Grey Kangaroos are social herbivores, grazing in groups. They are common in southern Australia, thriving in a variety of open habitats.
Western Red Colobus
An Old World monkey known for its striking reddish-brown fur and long tail. These arboreal primates primarily eat leaves, often forming large, cohesive groups. They are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting pressure in their West African range.
Western Tree Hyrax
A small, nocturnal mammal often mistaken for a rodent, despite being more closely related to elephants. Western tree hyraxes are arboreal, feeding on leaves and fruits. They are known for their loud, distinctive calls that echo through the night forest.
Whiskered Bat
A small, common bat species characterized by its shaggy fur and long whiskers. It typically forages for insects in open woodland or along watercourses, using echolocation. Whiskered bats often roost in buildings or tree cavities.
White-beaked Dolphin
A robust, active dolphin species named for its short, often white beak. They are highly social, forming pods and often seen breaching and bow-riding. White-beaked dolphins prey on fish and squid, playing an important role in marine ecosystems.
White-bellied Duiker
A small, secretive antelope with a distinctive white underside. It inhabits dense forest undergrowth, feeding on fallen fruits, leaves, and fungi. White-bellied duikers are shy and solitary, using their small size to move through thick vegetation.
White-bellied Pangolin
An arboreal pangolin species covered in protective keratin scales. It feeds exclusively on ants and termites, using its long, sticky tongue. White-bellied pangolins are nocturnal and roll into a ball when threatened. They are critically endangered due to illegal trade.
White-bellied Slender Opossum
A small, nocturnal marsupial with a slender body and long tail. It is arboreal, dwelling in trees and feeding on insects, fruits, and small vertebrates. White-bellied slender opossums are highly agile, using their prehensile tails for balance.
White-bellied Spider Monkey
A large New World monkey known for its long limbs and prehensile tail, which acts as a fifth limb. They are highly arboreal, rarely descending to the ground, and primarily eat ripe fruits. White-bellied spider monkeys are endangered due to habitat loss.
White-eared Opossum
A common and adaptable opossum species recognized by its white ears. It is nocturnal and omnivorous, eating insects, fruits, small vertebrates, and carrion. White-eared opossums are solitary and often found near human settlements.
White-faced Capuchin
A highly intelligent New World monkey with distinctive white fur on its face and chest. They are omnivorous, consuming fruits, insects, and small animals, and are known for their tool-using abilities. White-faced capuchins live in social groups.
White-faced Saki
A New World monkey with a distinctive appearance: males have a striking white face, while females are dark. They are arboreal, spending most of their lives in trees, and primarily eat seeds, fruits, and insects. White-faced sakis are relatively shy.
White-footed Mouse
A common North American rodent, known for its large ears, prominent eyes, and white feet. It is nocturnal and omnivorous, caching seeds and nuts. White-footed mice are significant in ecology as prey and as vectors for certain diseases.
White-handed Gibbon
A small, arboreal ape named for the white fur on its hands and feet. White-handed Gibbons are renowned for their acrobatic brachiation (swinging through trees) and loud, complex vocalizations used for territorial defense. They are fruit-eaters.
White-lipped Deer
A large deer species endemic to China, characterized by its prominent white lips and large, robust antlers. It inhabits mountainous regions and is well-adapted to cold climates. White-lipped deer are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses and herbs.
White-lipped Peccary
A species of wild pig-like mammal known for its distinctive white patch around its mouth. They live in large, highly social herds, sometimes numbering hundreds. White-lipped peccaries are omnivorous and play a crucial role in seed dispersal.
White-nosed Coati
A raccoon relative distinguished by its long, flexible, upturned snout and ringed tail. White-nosed coatis are highly social, foraging for fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. They are agile climbers but also spend much time on the ground.
White Rhinoceros
The largest rhinoceros species, known for its broad, flat mouth adapted for grazing. Despite its name, its color is grey; “white” is thought to derive from the Afrikaans word “weit” (wide). White rhinos are social grazers, living in groups.
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
A small ground squirrel with a prominent white stripe on each side and a white underside to its tail. It is highly active, even in extreme heat, foraging for seeds, insects, and vegetation. They raise their tail over their back when running.
White-tailed Deer
One of the most common deer species in the Americas, named for the white underside of its tail. When alarmed, it raises its tail like a flag. White-tailed deer are herbivores, browsing on leaves, twigs, and fruits.
White-tailed Jackrabbit
A large species of hare, distinguished by its white tail and long ears. It is well-adapted to cold environments, with fur changing color seasonally. White-tailed jackrabbits are herbivores, feeding on grasses and forbs.
White-tailed Mongoose
The largest species of mongoose, recognized by its bushy, white-tipped tail. It is nocturnal and solitary, preying on insects, rodents, reptiles, and birds. White-tailed mongooses are important predators in their diverse habitats.
White-tailed Prairie Dog
A burrowing rodent known for its complex underground colonies, called “towns.” It has a short, white-tipped tail. White-tailed prairie dogs are herbivorous, feeding on grasses and forbs, and are crucial to grassland ecosystems.
White-throated Monkey
A colorful Old World monkey with a distinctive white throat and reddish belly. It is arboreal, inhabiting the forest canopy, and primarily feeds on fruits, seeds, and insects. White-throated monkeys are known for their agile movements.
White-throated Wallaby
A small and rare wallaby species, once thought extinct, distinguished by a white patch on its throat. It is solitary and nocturnal, browsing on grasses and shrubs. White-throated wallabies prefer dense vegetation for cover.
White-throated Woodrat
A common North American rodent known for building large, elaborate “middens” (nests) from sticks, cacti, and debris. It has a distinctive white throat and belly. White-throated woodrats are primarily herbivorous.
White-tufted-ear Marmoset
A small New World monkey identifiable by its prominent white ear tufts. They live in family groups and feed on tree sap, insects, and fruits. White-tufted-ear marmosets are highly vocal, using a variety of calls.
Wildebeest
A large antelope, also known as the gnu, famous for its annual mass migrations across African plains. Wildebeest are herbivores, primarily grazing on short grasses. They are a crucial prey species, supporting diverse predator populations.
Wisent
Also known as the European Bison, it is Europe’s heaviest land animal. Once nearly extinct, conservation efforts have brought it back. Wisents are grazers and browsers, living in herds within forested or mixed woodland-grassland environments.
Wolf
The largest extant member of the dog family, known for its intelligence and complex social structures. Wolves live and hunt in packs, preying mainly on large ungulates. They play a vital role as apex predators in their ecosystems.
Wolverine
A stocky, muscular carnivore, the largest terrestrial mustelid. Known for its strength and ferocity, it can take down prey much larger than itself. Wolverines are solitary and highly nomadic, thriving in harsh, snowy environments.
Wombat
A short-legged, muscular marsupial native to Australia, known for its powerful burrowing abilities. Wombats are nocturnal herbivores, feeding on grasses, roots, and fungi. They have a backward-facing pouch to protect young from dirt.
Woodchuck
Also known as a groundhog, this large ground squirrel is a common sight in North America. Woodchucks are expert burrowers, creating extensive tunnel systems for shelter and hibernation. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses and clover.
Woodland Dormouse
A small, nocturnal rodent known for its agility and bushy tail. It resembles a small squirrel and is typically found in trees. Woodland dormice are omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, and seeds, often hibernating during colder months.
Woodland Vole
A small, burrowing rodent with short fur and a short tail, well-adapted for subterranean life. Woodland voles create extensive tunnel systems just beneath the leaf litter. They are herbivores, feeding on roots, tubers, and bark.
Wood Mouse
A common and widespread rodent with large ears and eyes, and a relatively long tail. It is primarily nocturnal, foraging for seeds, nuts, and insects. Wood mice are important prey for many predators and active seed dispersers.
Woodrat
A general term for several species of North American rodents known for their habit of building large nests or “middens.” They collect various objects, including debris and shiny items. Woodrats are primarily herbivorous, feeding on plants and seeds.
Woolly Bat
A genus of small, insectivorous bats characterized by their long, soft, woolly fur. They typically roost in tree hollows, curled leaves, or abandoned bird nests. Woolly bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt insects in dense foliage.
Woolly Flying Squirrel
A large, rare nocturnal flying squirrel with exceptionally thick, woolly fur. It is found in rugged mountainous regions, gliding between trees using a membrane between its limbs. Woolly flying squirrels are herbivorous, primarily feeding on pine needles.
Woolly Lemur
A genus of nocturnal lemurs found only in Madagascar, characterized by their dense, woolly fur. They are arboreal, moving slowly through trees, and primarily folivorous, feeding on leaves. Woolly lemurs live in small family groups.
Woolly Mammoth
An extinct elephant species adapted to the Ice Age, known for its long, shaggy fur and massive, curved tusks. They were herbivores, grazing on grasses and sedges. Their remains, often preserved in permafrost, provide insights into ancient ecosystems.
Woolly Monkey
A large New World monkey with dense, woolly fur and a prehensile tail. They are arboreal, spending most of their time in the upper canopy, and primarily eat ripe fruit. Woolly monkeys live in large, cohesive social groups.
Woolly Opossum
A genus of marsupials known for their soft, woolly fur and prehensile tails. They are nocturnal and arboreal, feeding on fruits, nectar, insects, and small vertebrates. Woolly opossums are important pollinators and seed dispersers.
Woolly Rhinoceros
An extinct rhinoceros species adapted to the Ice Age’s harsh conditions, covered in a thick, shaggy coat. It possessed a large horn for sweeping snow to find vegetation. Woolly rhinoceroses were grazers, coexisting with woolly mammoths.
Wrinkle-faced Bat
A distinctive bat species named for its highly folded, naked facial skin, which can cover its eyes. It is a fruit-eating bat, primarily consuming fruit juices. Wrinkle-faced bats are nocturnal and unique in appearance among bats.