This list includes 20 Big animals that start with E, from “Eastern Gorilla” to “European Sturgeon”. It spans large mammals, birds, reptiles and fish found around the world, useful for education, conservation awareness, and quick reference. Here “big” refers to species that reach notably large adult sizes by mass or length.
Big animals that start with E are large wild species whose common names begin with the letter E. The elephant, an iconic E-named giant, has shaped human culture and symbolism worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Primary habitat and Typical lifespan (years).
Common name: You use this name to identify each species quickly and match it to familiar references or local common names.
Scientific name: This shows the binomial Latin name so you can find precise, worldwide species information and avoid naming confusion.
Primary habitat: You learn the biome and region where adults commonly live, helping assess distribution and conservation context.
Typical lifespan (years): This gives average wild lifespan in years so you can compare longevity across species and ecological roles.
Big animals that start with E
| Name | Scientific name | Typical adult size (mass kg / length m) and typical wild lifespan (years) | Primary habitat (biome + region) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eland, Common | Taurotragus oryx | Mass: 300-940 kg / Length: 2.0-3.4 m; Lifespan: 15-20 years | Savanna and plains — Eastern and Southern Africa |
| Eland, Giant | Taurotragus derbianus | Mass: 400-1,200 kg / Length: 2.2-2.9 m; Lifespan: up to 25 years | Woodlands and savanna — Central and West Africa |
| Elephant, African Bush | Loxodonta africana | Mass: 3,000-6,000 kg / Length: 6.0-7.5 m; Lifespan: 60-70 years | Savannas, forests, and woodlands — Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Elephant, African Forest | Loxodonta cyclotis | Mass: 2,000-4,000 kg / Length: 4.0-6.0 m; Lifespan: 60-70 years | Tropical rainforests — Central and West Africa |
| Elephant, Asian | Elephas maximus | Mass: 2,000-5,000 kg / Length: 5.5-6.5 m; Lifespan: 40-60 years | Forests and grasslands — South and Southeast Asia |
| Elephant Seal, Northern | Mirounga angustirostris | Mass: 1,500-2,300 kg / Length: 4.0-5.0 m (males); Lifespan: 15-20 years | Marine coastal waters — Pacific Coast of North America |
| Elephant Seal, Southern | Mirounga leonina | Mass: 2,200-4,000 kg / Length: 4.2-5.8 m (males); Lifespan: 20-22 years | Marine sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters — Southern Ocean |
| Elk | Cervus canadensis | Mass: 230-450 kg / Length: 2.0-2.5 m; Lifespan: 10-15 years | Forests and mountain meadows — North America and East Asia |
| Emu | Dromaius novaehollandiae | Mass: 30-60 kg / Height: 1.5-1.9 m; Lifespan: 10-20 years | Savannas, scrublands and woodlands — Australia |
| Emperor Penguin | Aptenodytes forsteri | Mass: 22-45 kg / Height: 1.1-1.3 m; Lifespan: 20 years | Sea ice and coastal waters — Antarctica |
| Estuarine Crocodile | Crocodylus porosus | Mass: 400-1,000 kg / Length: 4.3-5.2 m (males); Lifespan: 70 years | Mangrove swamps and estuaries — Southeast Asia and Northern Australia |
| Eurasian Beaver | Castor fiber | Mass: 15-35 kg / Length: 0.8-1.35 m; Lifespan: 10-15 years | Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes — Europe and Asia |
| Eurasian Brown Bear | Ursus arctos arctos | Mass: 150-350 kg / Length: 1.7-2.8 m; Lifespan: 20-30 years | Forests and mountainous regions — Across Eurasia |
| Eurasian Lynx | Lynx lynx | Mass: 18-30 kg / Length: 0.8-1.3 m; Lifespan: up to 17 years | Boreal and temperate forests — Across Eurasia |
| Eurasian Wolf | Canis lupus lupus | Mass: 30-50 kg / Length: 1.0-1.5 m (body); Lifespan: 6-8 years | Forests, steppes, and tundra — Across Eurasia |
| European Bison | Bison bonasus | Mass: 400-920 kg / Length: 2.1-3.5 m; Lifespan: 18-24 years | Mixed forests and woodlands — Eastern Europe |
| European Roe Deer | Capreolus capreolus | Mass: 15-30 kg / Length: 0.95-1.35 m; Lifespan: up to 10 years | Woodlands and agricultural land — Europe and Asia Minor |
| European Sturgeon | Acipenser sturio | Mass: up to 300 kg / Length: 2.0-3.5 m; Lifespan: up to 100 years | Coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers — Europe |
| Electric Eel | Electrophorus electricus | Mass: up to 20 kg / Length: up to 2.5 m; Lifespan: 15-22 years | Freshwater basins — Amazon and Orinoco rivers, South America |
| Eastern Gorilla | Gorilla beringei | Mass: 140-205 kg (males) / Height: 1.7 m (standing); Lifespan: 35-40 years | Montane and lowland forests — Central Africa |
Descriptions
Eland, Common
A large, spiral-horned antelope known for its impressive leaps, clearing heights of 2.5 meters despite its bulk. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eland, Giant
The world’s largest antelope, distinguished by its massive, V-shaped spiral horns and a prominent dewlap. It is shier than its common cousin. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
Elephant, African Bush
The largest land animal on Earth, recognized by its enormous ears shaped like the African continent. They are keystone species that engineer their habitat. IUCN status: Endangered.
Elephant, African Forest
Smaller than its bush elephant relative, with straighter tusks and more rounded ears. These “mega-gardeners of the forest” are crucial for seed dispersal. IUCN status: Critically Endangered.
Elephant, Asian
Distinguished by smaller ears and a twin-domed head. They are highly intelligent and social animals with complex family structures led by a matriarch. IUCN status: Endangered.
Elephant Seal, Northern
Named for the large, inflatable proboscis of adult males. They undergo a “catastrophic molt,” shedding their skin and fur in a single layer each year.
Elephant Seal, Southern
The largest of all seals and the world’s largest carnivore. They are incredible divers, capable of reaching depths over 1,500 meters to hunt.
Elk
Also known as Wapiti, this is one of the largest deer species. Males are famous for their loud, high-pitched vocalizations known as bugling during mating season.
Emu
The second-tallest bird in the world, after the ostrich. Emus are powerful runners, capable of reaching speeds of 50 km/h (31 mph) on their long legs.
Emperor Penguin
The tallest and heaviest of all penguin species. Males famously endure the harsh Antarctic winter to incubate their single egg on their feet.
Estuarine Crocodile
The world’s largest living reptile, also known as the saltwater crocodile. It possesses the most powerful bite of any living animal. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eurasian Beaver
One of the world’s largest rodents. A famous ecosystem engineer, its dam-building activities create vital wetlands that support a wide range of other species.
Eurasian Brown Bear
A large subspecies of the brown bear. While a powerful predator, its diet is surprisingly varied, consisting mostly of plants, berries, roots, and insects.
Eurasian Lynx
A medium-sized wild cat with distinctive black ear tufts and large paws that act like snowshoes. It’s a secretive hunter of deer and smaller mammals.
Eurasian Wolf
The common wolf subspecies found across Europe and Asia. A highly social apex predator, it lives and hunts in complex packs led by an alpha pair.
European Bison
Europe’s heaviest land animal, also known as the Wisent. It was driven to extinction in the wild but has been successfully reintroduced from captive populations.
European Roe Deer
A small and graceful deer species. Unlike most deer, their antlers begin to regrow during the winter, covered in a protective layer of velvet.
European Sturgeon
A prehistoric-looking fish, once common but now critically endangered due to overfishing and dam construction. They migrate up rivers to spawn.
Electric Eel
Technically a knifefish, not a true eel. It can generate powerful electric shocks of up to 860 volts for hunting and self-defense.
Eastern Gorilla
The largest living primate, with adult males (silverbacks) developing a distinctive patch of silver hair. They are gentle, primarily herbivorous giants. IUCN status: Critically Endangered.