This list includes 36 Small animals that start with B, from “Banded mongoose” to “Burrowing owl”. These small species include compact mammals, birds, and reptiles commonly under about 5 kg, and they are useful for pet care guides, school projects, and quick wildlife reference.

Small animals that start with B are species whose common names begin with the letter B and are typically small in size. A notable example is the banded mongoose, famous for its social behavior and frequent appearance in African wildlife stories.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.

Common name: Shows the commonly used English name so you can quickly recognize or search for each species.

Scientific name: Lists the Latin binomial to help you confirm species identity and locate detailed scientific information.

Habitat: Briefly describes where the species lives so you can understand its typical environment at a glance.

Lifespan: Gives a typical adult lifespan or range so you can compare longevity for care planning or study.

Small animals that start with B

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Size / Mass Description
Banded mongoose Mungos mungo savannas and open woodlands 800–1,600 g Small African carnivore living in social groups; eats insects, rodents and snakes and is seen in educational collections.
Banded sea krait Laticauda colubrina tropical coral reefs and coastal waters 70–120 cm Venomous sea snake that forages around reefs and returns to land to rest; striking but not suitable as a pet.
Barbary ground squirrel Atlantoxerus getulus rocky coastal scrub and human-altered areas 120–250 g Small diurnal squirrel found on Mediterranean coasts; lives in colonies and adapts well to disturbed habitats.
Bark scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus deserts and arid scrub, under rocks and bark 5–8 cm Small nocturnal scorpion with a medically significant sting in North America; not a household pet and should be avoided.
Barn owl Tyto alba open countryside, farmland and grasslands 400–700 g Iconic nocturnal owl with a heart-shaped face; excellent at hunting rodents by sound, often found near barns.
Barn swallow Hirundo rustica open fields, farmland, near water and buildings 16–22 g Familiar migratory insectivore with a forked tail; nests on buildings and is widely enjoyed by birdwatchers.
Barred owl Strix varia mature forests and wooded wetlands 560–1,200 g Nocturnal North American owl with a distinctive hoot; preys on small mammals and birds.
Bearded dragon Pogona vitticeps arid scrublands and woodlands (Australia) 40–60 cm Popular, docile pet lizard that basks and eats a mix of vegetables and insects; friendly for beginners.
Bearded reedling Panurus biarmicus reedbeds and freshwater wetlands 16–22 g Small long-tailed wetland bird with a nasal ‘ping’ call; feeds on insects and reed seeds.
Betta Betta splendens shallow freshwater, rice paddies and slow streams (Southeast Asia) 6–8 cm Colorful aquarium fish popular as pets; males are territorial and feed on small invertebrates and pellets.
Bilby Macrotis lagotis arid grasslands and deserts, burrows in sandy soils (Australia) 800–1,600 g Nocturnal burrowing marsupial with large ears; endangered and subject to conservation breeding programs.
Black-capped chickadee Poecile atricapillus deciduous forests, parks and urban gardens 9–14 g Friendly small songbird that visits feeders; omnivorous diet of insects and seeds, common in North America.
Black-footed cat Felis nigripes arid grasslands and savannas (southern Africa) 1–2.5 kg One of the smallest wild cats, a nimble nocturnal hunter of rodents and insects; not a pet and locally vulnerable.
Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes prairies and prairie dog colonies (North America) 800–1,500 g Specialist predator of prairie dogs; once nearly extinct, now conserved via captive breeding and reintroduction.
Black rat Rattus rattus urban, agricultural and coastal areas, in buildings 150–300 g Widespread commensal rodent and agile climber; opportunistic omnivore and occasional companion in research settings.
Black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus shortgrass prairies and plains 700–1,200 g Social, burrowing rodent that lives in colonies and shapes prairie ecosystems; herbivorous.
Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus coastal and inland wetlands, urban areas 200–400 g Small gull common on coasts and towns; opportunistic feeder on fish, invertebrates and human scraps.
Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus shallow freshwater wetlands and salt pans 33–36 cm Long-legged wader with black-and-white plumage; probes shallow water for insects and crustaceans.
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla woodlands, gardens and hedgerows 16–24 g Melodious warbler that eats insects and berries; winters in southern regions and frequents gardens.
Blue-footed booby Sula nebouxii coastal islands and rocky shores (eastern Pacific) 1–1.5 kg Famous for bright blue feet used in courtship displays; dives for fish and is a wildlife-tourism favorite.
Blue jay Cyanocitta cristata mixed woodlands, parks and suburban areas 70–100 g Vocal, intelligent corvid that caches food; common backyard visitor feeding on nuts, seeds and insects.
Blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena lunulata tide pools and coral rubble in the Indo-Pacific 10–20 cm Tiny, vividly patterned and highly venomous octopus; beautiful but dangerous—never handle in the wild.
Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus woodlands, gardens and hedgerows 9–12 g Small, colorful European songbird; agile insect hunter that frequently visits garden feeders.
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus freshwater lakes, ponds and slow rivers 20–30 cm Popular pond fish and angling species; omnivorous, eating insects and small invertebrates, often stocked for fisheries.
Blue crab Callinectes sapidus estuaries, coastal bays and mudflats 200–500 g Swimming crab of Atlantic coasts valued commercially; omnivorous scavenger often harvested for food.
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus grasslands, hayfields and prairies 50–75 g Migratory songbird with striking breeding plumage; nests in grass and feeds on seeds and insects.
Bog turtle Glyptemys muhlenbergii acidic wetlands, bogs and marshy meadows 9–12 cm One of North America’s smallest turtles; secretive and semi-aquatic, threatened by habitat loss and collection.
Buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris meadows, gardens and farmland 1.5–2.5 cm Common European bumblebee vital for pollination; gentle and used in commercial pollination programs.
Brown anole Anolis sagrei urban gardens, forests and coastal vegetation 15–20 cm Small lizard widely introduced beyond its native range; insectivorous and commonly seen on walls and in gardens.
Brown rat Rattus norvegicus urban areas, sewers, farmland and buildings 200–500 g Widespread, adaptable rodent; omnivorous and common as both a laboratory animal and pet in domesticated form.
Brown trout Salmo trutta cold freshwater rivers and lakes 30–60 cm Popular game fish introduced worldwide; predatory, eating invertebrates and smaller fish, prized by anglers.
Brown-banded cockroach Supella longipalpa warm indoor environments, crevices in buildings 1.2–1.6 cm Small household roach that thrives indoors; omnivorous scavenger and occasional pest.
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni woodlands, hedgerows and gardens 5.5–6.5 cm Pale yellow butterfly seen early in spring; caterpillars feed on buckthorn and adults nectar on flowers.
Bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus warm ponds, lakes and marshes 200–500 g Large, vocal frog with a voracious appetite; often introduced and can outcompete native amphibians.
Burbot Lota lota cold freshwater lakes and rivers, often deep water 30–60 cm Odd-looking, nocturnal cod-relative active in cold water; feeds on fish and invertebrates.
Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia open grasslands, prairies and agricultural areas 150–250 g Small ground-dwelling owl that nests in burrows; often diurnal and eats insects and small rodents.

Descriptions

Banded mongoose
Banded sea krait
Barbary ground squirrel
Bark scorpion
Barn owl
Barn swallow
Barred owl
Bearded dragon
Bearded reedling
Betta
Bilby
Black-capped chickadee
Black-footed cat
Black-footed ferret
Black rat
Black-tailed prairie dog
Black-headed gull
Black-winged stilt
Blackcap
Blue-footed booby
Blue jay
Blue-ringed octopus
Blue tit
Bluegill
Blue crab
Bobolink
Bog turtle
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Brown anole
Brown rat
Brown trout
Brown-banded cockroach
Brimstone
Bullfrog
Burbot
Burrowing owl
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.