This list includes 27 Big animals that start with H, running from “Atlantic Halibut” to “Striped Hyena”. It highlights large mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish and helps with wildlife education, species identification, and content creation.
Big animals that start with H are large vertebrate species whose adults reach notable mass or length. For example, the Atlantic halibut is one of the largest flatfish and the striped hyena appears in regional folklore.
Below you’ll find the table with Scientific name, Primary habitat, and Typical lifespan.
Scientific name: Gives the Latin binomial so you can confirm species identity and search for reliable information.
Primary habitat: Summarizes the main biome and region where the species lives so you understand its natural range.
Typical lifespan: Shows expected wild lifespan in years to help with ecological context and comparative study.
Big animals that start with H
| Name | Scientific name | Typical adult size (kg / m) | Primary habitat (biome — region) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hippopotamus | Hippopotamus amphibius | 1,500 kg / 3.5 m | Freshwater Rivers & Lakes — Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Humpback Whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | 30,000 kg / 16 m | Oceans — Worldwide |
| Great Hammerhead Shark | Sphyrna mokarran | 400 kg / 5 m | Coastal & Pelagic Waters — Tropical Oceans Worldwide |
| Hooded Seal | Cystophora cristata | 350 kg / 2.6 m | Arctic & North Atlantic Oceans — Arctic |
| Giant Forest Hog | Hylochoerus meinertzhageni | 225 kg / 2.1 m | Forest — Equatorial Africa |
| Pygmy Hippopotamus | Choeropsis liberiensis | 230 kg / 1.6 m | Forests & Swamps — West Africa |
| Atlantic Halibut | Hippoglossus hippoglossus | 200 kg / 2.5 m | Benthic Ocean Floor — North Atlantic Ocean |
| Hawaiian Monk Seal | Neomonachus schauinslandi | 200 kg / 2.3 m | Coastal Waters & Beaches — Hawaiian Islands |
| Hartebeest | Alcelaphus buselaphus | 150 kg / 2.2 m | Savanna & Grassland — Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Humphead Wrasse | Cheilinus undulatus | 150 kg / 2 m | Coral Reefs — Indo-Pacific |
| Harp Seal | Pagophilus groenlandicus | 130 kg / 1.8 m | Arctic & North Atlantic Oceans — Arctic |
| Hirola | Beatragus hunteri | 100 kg / 1.9 m | Arid Grassland — Kenya & Somalia |
| Harbor Seal | Phoca vitulina | 100 kg / 1.8 m | Coastal Waters — Northern Hemisphere |
| Himalayan Tahr | Hemitragus jemlahicus | 70 kg / 1.4 m | Mountain Slopes — Himalayas |
| Heaviside’s Dolphin | Cephalorhynchus heavisidii | 65 kg / 1.7 m | Coastal Waters — Southern Africa |
| Spotted Hyena | Crocuta crocuta | 60 kg / 1.5 m | Savanna & Grassland — Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | Eretmochelys imbricata | 60 kg / 0.9 m | Coral Reefs — Tropical Oceans Worldwide |
| Harbor Porpoise | Phocoena phocoena | 60 kg / 1.8 m | Coastal & Shelf Waters — Northern Hemisphere |
| Hector’s Dolphin | Cephalorhynchus hectori | 50 kg / 1.4 m | Coastal Waters — New Zealand |
| Humboldt Squid | Dosidicus gigas | 45 kg / 1.5 m | Pelagic Ocean — Eastern Pacific Ocean |
| Hog Deer | Axis porcinus | 45 kg / 1.1 m | Grassland & Forest — South & Southeast Asia |
| Brown Hyena | Parahyaena brunnea | 42 kg / 1.4 m | Desert & Savanna — Southern Africa |
| Striped Hyena | Hyaena hyaena | 38 kg / 1.1 m | Scrubland & Arid Regions — Africa, Middle East, Asia |
| Hubbs’ Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon carlhubbsi | 1,500 kg / 5.4 m | Deep Offshore Waters — North Pacific Ocean |
| Hector’s Beaked Whale | Mesoplodon hectori | 1,250 kg / 4.2 m | Cool Temperate Waters — Southern Hemisphere |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath | 4.5 kg / 1.5 m | Wetlands & Rivers — Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Harpy Eagle | Harpia harpyja | 7 kg / 1 m | Rainforest — Central & South America |
Descriptions
Hippopotamus
A large, semi-aquatic mammal known for its massive size and territorial nature. Despite its herbivorous diet, it is one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Wild lifespan is around 40 years.
Humpback Whale
Famous for its spectacular breaching behavior and complex songs, this baleen whale is recognized by its long pectoral fins and knobby head. Wild lifespan can reach 50 years or more.
Great Hammerhead Shark
The largest species of hammerhead shark, instantly recognizable by its unique “hammer” shaped head. It is a powerful, solitary predator that feeds on rays and other fish. Wild lifespan is 20-30 years.
Hooded Seal
Named for the adult male’s inflatable nasal sac, which forms a large red “hood.” They are deep-diving, largely solitary seals of the frigid north. Wild lifespan is 30-35 years.
Giant Forest Hog
The world’s largest wild pig species. This powerful, hairy swine is a herbivore that lives in family groups within dense forest habitats. Wild lifespan is typically 5-10 years.
Pygmy Hippopotamus
A much smaller, reclusive relative of the common hippo. It is largely nocturnal and spends more time on land than its larger cousin. Wild lifespan is around 35 years.
Atlantic Halibut
The largest flatfish in the world, living and feeding on the ocean floor. Both of its eyes are on its right, dark-colored side, while its underside is white. Wild lifespan can exceed 50 years.
Hawaiian Monk Seal
One of the most endangered seal species in the world. This tropical seal is named for its solitary nature and the folds of skin on its head resembling a monk’s hood. Wild lifespan is 25-30 years.
Hartebeest
A large, social antelope with long legs, a sloping back, and distinctively curved horns. They are among the fastest antelopes, capable of reaching high speeds. Wild lifespan is 12-15 years.
Humphead Wrasse
A massive coral reef fish known for the prominent bulge on its forehead, which becomes larger with age. It preys on toxic crown-of-thorns starfish. Wild lifespan is over 30 years.
Harp Seal
Known for its pure white pups and large annual migrations. Adults have a distinctive harp-shaped or wishbone-shaped marking on their backs. Wild lifespan is up to 35 years.
Hirola
Also known as Hunter’s hartebeest, this critically endangered antelope has a slender build and lyre-shaped horns. It is sometimes considered a living fossil. Wild lifespan is around 10 years.
Harbor Seal
Also known as the common seal, it is one of the most widespread pinnipeds. They often rest on rocks and beaches and have a characteristically curious nature. Wild lifespan is 20-30 years.
Himalayan Tahr
A large wild goat with a thick, reddish-brown coat and backward-curving horns. It is exceptionally agile, perfectly adapted to rugged mountain terrain. Wild lifespan is around 15 years.
Heaviside’s Dolphin
A small, stocky dolphin with a blunt head and striking black, white, and grey coloration. It is found only in the cold coastal waters off Namibia and South Africa. Wild lifespan is around 20 years.
Spotted Hyena
The largest hyena species, known for its powerful bite and complex social structure led by females. They are skilled hunters as well as scavengers. Wild lifespan is around 25 years.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
A critically endangered sea turtle named for its narrow, pointed beak. It specializes in feeding on sponges, playing a vital role in coral reef health. Wild lifespan is 30-50 years.
Harbor Porpoise
One of the smallest marine mammals. It has a robust body and a small, triangular dorsal fin and is often seen in shallow coastal waters and estuaries. Wild lifespan is around 12 years.
Hector’s Dolphin
One of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, distinguished by its rounded dorsal fin. It is found exclusively in the coastal waters of New Zealand. Wild lifespan is around 20 years.
Humboldt Squid
A large, predatory squid also known as the “jumbo squid.” It is a voracious pack hunter capable of rapid color changes and can be aggressive. Wild lifespan is only about one year.
Hog Deer
A stocky deer named for its hog-like habit of running through undergrowth with its head down rather than leaping over obstacles like other deer. Wild lifespan is 10-15 years.
Brown Hyena
A shaggy-coated hyena that is rarer than the spotted hyena. It is primarily a scavenger, using its keen sense of smell to locate carcasses from afar. Wild lifespan is around 12 years.
Striped Hyena
A smaller hyena with a distinctive striped coat and a mane of long hair. It is generally a solitary animal and predominantly a scavenger. Wild lifespan is up to 24 years in captivity.
Hubbs’ Beaked Whale
A rarely seen deep-diving whale. Males are notable for two large teeth that erupt from the lower jaw and curve over the snout. Lifespan is largely unknown.
Hector’s Beaked Whale
One of the smallest and least-known beaked whales, inhabiting deep offshore waters. Like other beaked whales, it is a suction feeder preying on deep-sea squid. Lifespan is unknown.
Goliath Heron
The world’s largest heron, standing up to 1.5 meters tall. This massive wading bird is a solitary hunter, stalking large fish in shallow wetlands. Wild lifespan is around 15 years.
Harpy Eagle
One of the world’s largest and most powerful eagles, with talons the size of grizzly bear claws. It preys on sloths and monkeys in the rainforest canopy. Wild lifespan is 25-35 years.