Discover the complete list of 22 mammals that start with the letter Y, covering species from mountainous yaks to agile Yucatan squirrels. These mammals come from diverse habitats around the world, including deserts, forests, savannas, and islands. Many share unique traits like adaptation to high altitudes, distinctive coloration, or special roles in their ecosystems. This collection highlights both common and rare mammals, giving you a well-rounded understanding of these fascinating creatures.
Explore the detailed table below to learn more about each mammal that starts with Y.
Scientific Name This column shows the official Latin name used worldwide by scientists. It helps accurately identify each species and shows their classification.
Habitat Here you find the natural environment where the mammal lives. Knowing their habitat helps understand how they survive and interact with nature.
Average Size (cm) This gives the typical length of the mammal in centimeters. It provides a quick sense of the animal’s size, useful for comparing species.
Description This section offers a brief overview of each mammal’s key features, behavior, and role in the ecosystem. It helps you quickly grasp what makes each species unique.
Mammals that start with Y
| Mammal | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yak | Bos grunniens | Mountainous regions of Central Asia | 250-330 |
| Yarkand Hare | Lepus yarkandensis | Desert and semi-desert areas of Xinjiang, China | 40-50 |
| Yap Flying Fox | Pteropus yapensis | Forests of Yap and Gagil-Tomil islands, Micronesia | 20-25 |
| Yellow Baboon | Papio cynocephalus | Savannas and open woodlands of East Africa | 50-85 |
| Yellow Mongoose | Cynictis penicillata | Savannas, grasslands, and semi-deserts of Southern Africa | 30-40 |
| Yellow-backed Duiker | Cephalophus silvicultor | Forests of Central and West Africa | 80-90 |
| Yellow-bellied Bat | Scotophilus dinganii | Various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa | 10-15 |
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | Marmota flaviventris | Mountainous regions of western North America | 45-55 |
| Yellow-bellied Weasel | Mustela kathiah | Forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia | 25-30 |
| Yellow-cheeked Gibbon | Nomascus gabriellae | Forests of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam | 60-80 |
| Yellow-footed Antechinus | Antechinus flavipes | Forests and woodlands of eastern Australia | 10-15 |
| Yellow-headed Water Rat | Hydromys chrysogaster | Freshwater habitats of northern Australia and New Guinea | 20-30 |
| Yellow-necked Mouse | Apodemus flavicollis | Forests and woodlands of Europe | 9-13 |
| Yellow-pine Chipmunk | Tamias amoenus | Coniferous forests of western North America | 18-23 |
| Yellow-spotted Hyrax | Heterohyrax brucei | Rocky outcrops and savannas of Africa and the Middle East | 40-50 |
| Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey | Oreonax flavicauda | Cloud forests of Peru | 50-60 |
| Yellow-throated Marten | Martes flavigula | Forests of South and Southeast Asia | 50-70 |
| Yellow-toothed Cavy | Galea musteloides | Grasslands and scrublands of South America | 15-20 |
| Yellow-winged Bat | Lavia frons | Savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa | 6-8 |
| Yucatan Black Howler | Alouatta pigra | Forests of the Yucatan Peninsula | 50-65 |
| Yucatan Brown Brocket | Mazama pandora | Forests and scrublands of the Yucatan Peninsula | 50-70 |
| Yucatan Squirrel | Sciurus yucatanensis | Forests and urban areas of the Yucatan Peninsula | 20-25 |
Descriptions
Yak
The Yak is a large, domesticated bovine native to the Himalayan region. Known for its shaggy hair, they are well-adapted to high altitudes and cold climates. They are used for milk, meat, fiber, and as pack animals.
Yarkand Hare
The Yarkand Hare is a species of hare found in the desert basins of northwestern China. It has long ears and legs adapted for its arid environment, blending in with the sandy landscape to avoid predators.
Yap Flying Fox
The Yap Flying Fox is a threatened species of fruit bat endemic to the islands of Yap. These large bats are crucial for seed dispersal and pollination in their island ecosystem.
Yellow Baboon
The Yellow Baboon is a common and widespread primate in East Africa, recognizable by its yellowish-brown fur. They live in large troops, foraging for food and exhibiting complex social behaviors.
Yellow Mongoose
The Yellow Mongoose is a small, agile carnivore found across southern Africa. They are often seen during the day, foraging for insects, rodents, and other small prey, sometimes living in colonies.
Yellow-backed Duiker
The Yellow-backed Duiker is one of the largest duiker species, named for the contrasting yellow patch on its back. These shy forest antelopes are primarily solitary and feed on fallen fruits and leaves.
Yellow-bellied Bat
The Yellow-bellied Bat is a widely distributed bat species known for its distinctive yellowish belly fur. These nocturnal insectivores play a vital role in controlling insect populations across Africa.
Yellow-bellied Marmot
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is a large ground squirrel found in rocky, mountainous areas of North America. They are social animals, living in burrows and hibernating for extended periods during winter.
Yellow-bellied Weasel
The Yellow-bellied Weasel is a slender, carnivorous mammal found in parts of Asia. It preys on small rodents and birds, using its agility to hunt in varied habitats, from forests to grasslands.
Yellow-cheeked Gibbon
The Yellow-cheeked Gibbon is a highly arboreal ape known for its impressive vocalizations. They are critically endangered and play a significant role in their forest ecosystems through seed dispersal.
Yellow-footed Antechinus
The Yellow-footed Antechinus is a small, carnivorous marsupial native to Australia. They are known for their unusual semelparous reproductive strategy, where males die after a single intense breeding season.
Yellow-headed Water Rat
The Yellow-headed Water Rat is a semi-aquatic rodent found in freshwater systems. It is an opportunistic predator, feeding on fish, insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrates.
Yellow-necked Mouse
The Yellow-necked Mouse is a common European rodent distinguishable by a band of yellow fur around its neck. They are omnivores, feeding on seeds, nuts, and insects, and often inhabit wooded areas.
Yellow-pine Chipmunk
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is a small, striped rodent found in western North America’s coniferous forests. They are active during the day, foraging for seeds, nuts, and berries, and storing food for winter.
Yellow-spotted Hyrax
The Yellow-spotted Hyrax is a small, herbivorous mammal often found in rocky areas. Despite their size, they are closely related to elephants and manatees, sharing unique evolutionary traits.
Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey
The Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey is a critically endangered primate found only in the Andean cloud forests of Peru. They are named for their distinctive yellow tip on their tail and are important seed dispersers.
Yellow-throated Marten
The Yellow-throated Marten is a large, predatory marten found across Asia. Known for its striking yellow throat, it is an agile hunter, preying on small mammals, birds, and even some fruit.
Yellow-toothed Cavy
The Yellow-toothed Cavy is a small rodent native to South America, resembling a guinea pig. They are social animals, living in burrows and foraging for grasses and other vegetation.
Yellow-winged Bat
The Yellow-winged Bat is an insectivorous bat species known for its distinctive yellowish-orange wings. They are active at dusk, primarily hunting insects in open habitats and near water.
Yucatan Black Howler
The Yucatan Black Howler is a large species of monkey known for its incredibly loud vocalizations. They are native to the forests of the Yucatan Peninsula and primarily feed on leaves and fruit.
Yucatan Brown Brocket
The Yucatan Brown Brocket is a small species of deer endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula. These shy forest dwellers are typically solitary and feed on leaves, fruits, and fungi.
Yucatan Squirrel
The Yucatan Squirrel is a treedwelling rodent found across the Yucatan Peninsula. They are agile climbers, foraging for nuts, seeds, and fruits in their diverse habitats.