This list includes 15 Mammals that start with Y, from “Yak” to “Yuma myotis”. Species range from large domesticated herbivores to small insectivorous bats. Use it for education, quick species ID, or conservation awareness.
Mammals that start with Y are a small but diverse group, from domesticated giants to tiny bats. The yak is a notable example, long domesticated and central to many highland cultures.
Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, habitat, and average size (cm).
Common name: The everyday name helps you recognize species and match field guides quickly.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives exact species identity and lets you compare international sources.
Habitat: Concise habitat labels tell you where the species lives and what environments to expect.
Average size (cm): Typical adult length in centimeters helps you gauge relative body size quickly.
Mammals that start with Y
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average size (cm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yak | Bos mutus | grassland | 220 | Large high‑altitude bovine from the Tibetan Plateau, long-haired and domesticated forms common; wild populations vulnerable due to hunting and habitat loss. |
| Yellow-bellied marmot | Marmota flaviventris | grassland | 45 | Ground squirrel of western North America, lives in alpine meadows, known for hibernation and loud whistles; common and well-studied. |
| Yellow-bellied weasel | Mustela kathiah | forest | 35 | Slim mustelid of South and Southeast Asian forests with yellowish underparts; agile predator of rodents and small birds. |
| Yellow-throated marten | Martes flavigula | forest | 55 | Colorful marten across Asian forests, diurnal and omnivorous, notable for agility and striking yellow throat and flank markings. |
| Yellow-footed rock-wallaby | Petrogale xanthopus | grassland | 70 | Australian wallaby adapted to rocky outcrops, yellow-tinged hind feet, threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators. |
| Yellow-necked mouse | Apodemus flavicollis | forest | 20 | Common Eurasian woodland mouse with a distinctive yellow collar; nocturnal seed-eater important for seed dispersal. |
| Yapok | Chironectes minimus | freshwater | 50 | Also called the water opossum, semiaquatic marsupial of Central and South American waterways, webbed hind feet and swim-adapted. |
| Yuma myotis | Myotis yumanensis | freshwater | 8.50 | Small North American insectivorous bat often near water; common in diverse roosts including buildings and caves. |
| Yucatan squirrel | Sciurus yucatanensis | forest | 45 | Tree squirrel of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, diurnal and arboreal, feeds on seeds and fruits in tropical forests. |
| Yellow-bellied glider | Petaurus australis | forest | 40 | Australian gliding marsupial with yellow belly and tail stripe; glides between trees and feeds on sap, nectar and insects. |
| Yellow baboon | Papio cynocephalus | grassland | 70 | Large African primate of savannas and woodlands, social troops with complex hierarchies; widespread but locally threatened. |
| Yellow mongoose | Cynictis penicillata | grassland | 65 | Diurnal small carnivore of southern African grasslands, yellow coat and bushy tail, lives in colonies in burrow systems. |
| Yellow-cheeked gibbon | Nomascus gabriellae | forest | 50 | Southeast Asian ape with striking facial coloration; arboreal, loud songs, endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. |
| Yellow-backed duiker | Cephalophus silvicultor | forest | 100 | Medium-sized African antelope of dense forests, dark coat with yellow saddle patch; shy and hunted for bushmeat. |
| Yellow-tailed woolly monkey | Oreonax flavicauda | forest | 90 | Endangered Andean monkey with long prehensile tail and golden-yellow tail tip; restricted to cloud forests in Peru. |