This list includes 16 Big animals that start with D, from “Dall sheep” to “Dwarf sperm whale”. These entries cover large mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish notable for adult size and ecological importance. Educators, students, and content creators use this list for quick reference, species comparisons, and lesson planning.
Big animals that start with D are large, commonly recognized vertebrates whose adult size makes them notable in their ecosystems. For example, Dall sheep are cultural icons in northern communities.
Below you’ll find the table with scientific name, primary habitat (biome and region), and typical wild lifespan (years).
Common name: The everyday species name helps you quickly identify each animal and match it to field guides or lesson materials.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial lets you confirm species identity and locate authoritative biological information across regions.
Primary habitat (biome and region): Describes where the species lives, so you can understand its ecological context and distribution.
Typical wild lifespan (years): Gives the usual adult lifespan in the wild, useful for comparative studies and lifecycle planning.
Big animals that start with D
Name
Scientific name
Typical adult size (mass or length)
Primary habitat (biome + region)
Dugong
Dugong dugon
230–360 kg
Marine coastal — Tropical Indo-Pacific
Dingo
Canis lupus dingo
13–20 kg
Dry forest & grassland — Australia
Dhole
Cuon alpinus
12–20 kg
Forest & grassland — South & Southeast Asia
Dama gazelle
Nanger dama
50–100 kg
Arid grassland & desert — Sahel & Sahara region
David’s deer
Elaphurus davidianus
200–300 kg
Wetlands & marshes — East Asia (historical China)
Dalmatian pelican
Pelecanus crispus
10–15 kg
Freshwater wetlands — SE Europe to Central Asia
Dall sheep
Ovis dalli
70–140 kg
Alpine tundra — Alaska & Northwestern Canada
Dall’s porpoise
Phocoenoides dalli
75–115 kg
Temperate coastal waters — North Pacific
Dusky dolphin
Lagenorhynchus obscurus
60–90 kg
Coastal temperate waters — Southern Hemisphere (S. Atlantic, Pacific)
Dusky shark
Carcharhinus obscurus
2.5–3.2 m
Open ocean & continental shelves — Tropical & warm-temperate seas worldwide
Epipelagic tropical & subtropical — Global warm oceans
Desert bighorn
Ovis canadensis nelsoni
70–140 kg
Desert mountains — Southwestern North America
Diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
1.5–2.4 m
Pine forest & coastal plain — Southeastern United States
Dumeril’s boa
Acrantophis dumerili
1.5–2.5 m
Dry forest & scrub — Madagascar
Descriptions
Dugong
Large sea mammal that grazes seagrass; lives about 40–70 years in the wild and typically weighs 230–360 kg, qualifying by mass. Slow-moving coastal herbivore found in shallow tropical waters.
Dingo
Wild dog of Australia; wild lifespan ~5–10 years, adults 13–20 kg, qualifying by mass. Versatile predator/omnivore in bush and arid regions, often hunting alone or in small packs.
Dhole
Social wild dog that forms cooperative packs; wild lifespan ~10–14 years, adults 12–20 kg, qualifying by mass. Efficient pack hunters of medium-sized prey in Asian forests.
Dama gazelle
Large desert antelope; wild lifespan ~10–15 years, weighing 50–100 kg, qualifying by mass. Adapted to dry savanna with long legs and striking coat markings.
David’s deer
Large deer species; wild lifespan ~20–25 years, adults 200–300 kg, qualifying by mass. Marshland grazer historically native to China, now mainly in reserves.
Dalmatian pelican
One of the largest pelicans; wild lifespan ~10–25 years, adults 10–15 kg, qualifying by mass. Big-bodied fish-eater with a massive bill pouch and wide wingspan.
Dall sheep
Mountain sheep species; wild lifespan ~10–12 years, adults 70–140 kg, qualifying by mass. Agile climber on steep alpine slopes, adapted to cold environments.
Dall’s porpoise
Robust porpoise; wild lifespan ~15–20 years, weighing 75–115 kg, qualifying by mass. Fast, stocky swimmer commonly seen in cold North Pacific waters.
Dusky dolphin
Acrobatic dolphin species; lives ~20 years in the wild, adults 60–90 kg, qualifying by mass. Highly social, often found in large coastal groups.
Dusky shark
Large requiem shark; lifespan ~25–40 years, reaching 2.5–3.2 m in length, qualifying by length. Slow-growing coastal predator of fishes and cephalopods.
Dwarf sperm whale
Small sperm whale relative; wild lifespan ~20 years, adults ~100–200 kg, qualifying by mass. Elusive deep-diver that feeds mainly on squid.
Dogtooth tuna
Large reef-associated tuna; wild lifespan ~10–15 years, typically 1.5–2.0 m long, qualifying by length. Powerful predator over coral and rocky reefs.
Dolphinfish
Fast-growing pelagic fish (mahi-mahi); wild lifespan ~4–5 years, reaches 1.0–2.0 m, qualifying by length. Brightly colored gamefish found in open warm seas.
Desert bighorn
Desert-adapted mountain sheep; wild lifespan ~9–14 years, adults 70–140 kg, qualifying by mass. Expert climber on rocky, arid slopes with seasonal movements.
Diamondback rattlesnake
One of the largest rattlesnakes; wild lifespan ~15–20 years, adults commonly 1.5–2.4 m, qualifying by length. Ambush predator feeding on mammals and birds.
Dumeril’s boa
Large constrictor snake; wild lifespan ~15–20 years, adults typically 1.5–2.5 m long, qualifying by length. Terrestrial boa that preys on mammals and birds in dry habitats.
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