This list includes 14 Big animals that start with J, from “Jabiru” to “Jentink’s Duiker”. They are large mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, useful for classrooms, field guides, and online lists.

Big animals that start with J are large species whose adult size makes them notable and ecologically important. For example, the Jabiru towers over wetlands and symbolizes river ecosystems in parts of the Americas.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Primary habitat (biome + region), and Typical wild lifespan (years).

Common name: The everyday name of the animal helps you quickly identify species in field notes and general research.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial lets you match species across sources and find precise scientific information.

Primary habitat (biome + region): Shows where the species usually lives, helping you focus searches and plan field observations.

Typical wild lifespan (years): Gives the expected adult lifespan in the wild to help with life history and conservation context.

Big animals that start with J

Common nameScientific nameTypical adult sizePrimary habitat (biome + region)
JabiruJabiru mycteria6-8 kg (13-18 lb); 1.5 m (5 ft) tallWetlands and savannas — Central and South America
Jack CrevalleCaranx hippos10-25 kg (22-55 lb); 1.2 m (4 ft)Coastal marine waters — Atlantic Ocean
JaguarPanthera onca56-96 kg (124-212 lb); 1.85 m (6 ft) longTropical rainforests and wetlands — The Americas
Japanese AngelsharkSquatina japonicaLength up to 2 m (6.5 ft)Sandy seabeds — Northwest Pacific Ocean
Japanese Giant SalamanderAndrias japonicus25 kg (55 lb); 1.5 m (5 ft) longCold mountain streams — Japan
Japanese MacaqueMacaca fuscata11-13 kg (24-29 lb) for malesTemperate forests — Japan
Japanese SerowCapricornis crispus25-45 kg (55-99 lb)Dense mountain woodlands — Japan
Japanese Spider CrabMacrocheira kaempferiUp to 19 kg (42 lb); leg span up to 3.7 m (12 ft)Deep ocean floor — Off the coast of Japan
Japanese SturgeonAcipenser multiscutatusLength up to 1.5 m (5 ft)Coastal marine and river systems — Northwest Pacific
Jau CatfishZungaro zungaroUp to 50 kg (110 lb); 1.7 m (5.6 ft) longLarge river basins — Amazon and Orinoco rivers
Javan RhinocerosRhinoceros sondaicus900-2,300 kg (1,984-5,070 lb)Tropical rainforest — Java, Indonesia
Javan Warty PigSus verrucosus44-100 kg (97-220 lb)Grasslands and secondary forests — Java, Indonesia
JavelinaPecari tajacu16-27 kg (35-60 lb)Arid scrubland and deserts — The Americas
Jentink’s DuikerCephalophus jentinkiAround 70 kg (154 lb)Dense rainforests — West Africa

Descriptions

Jabiru
A towering stork and one of the tallest flying birds in the Americas. Its massive black bill and striking red throat pouch make it unmistakable.
Jack Crevalle
A powerful, aggressive predatory fish known for its relentless fighting spirit, making it a popular target for sport anglers. It travels in large schools.
Jaguar
The largest cat in the Americas, renowned for its immense bite force which allows it to prey on large, armored animals like caimans and turtles.
Japanese Angelshark
A flattened, ray-like shark that buries itself in sand to ambush passing fish and crustaceans. Despite its gentle appearance, it has sharp teeth.
Japanese Giant Salamander
One of the largest amphibians in the world, this fully aquatic, nocturnal creature has a wrinkled skin and a massive head. It is a living fossil.
Japanese Macaque
Famously known as the “snow monkey,” this is the most northern-living primate (besides humans), famous for bathing in volcanic hot springs in winter.
Japanese Serow
A goat-antelope with shaggy fur and short horns. Once hunted to near extinction, this solitary animal is now a protected National Symbol of Japan.
Japanese Spider Crab
The largest known arthropod on Earth, possessing an otherworldly appearance with its enormous leg span. It is a gentle scavenger of the deep sea.
Japanese Sturgeon
A rare and ancient fish species, critically endangered and possibly extinct. It has a prehistoric look with bony plates (scutes) along its body.
Jau Catfish
A monster catfish of South America, known for its powerful build and predatory nature. It is one of the largest and most sought-after freshwater fish.
Javan Rhinoceros
One of the most endangered large mammals on Earth, with a single horn and armored-looking skin folds. Its tiny population lives in one national park.
Javan Warty Pig
A wild pig native to several Indonesian islands, named for the three pairs of prominent warts on its face. It is an endangered species.
Javelina
Also known as the Collared Peccary, this social, pig-like mammal travels in groups called squadrons. Despite its appearance, it is not a true pig.
Jentink’s Duiker
One of the largest and rarest duiker species, this forest antelope has a striking black body with a pale gray head and neck. It is very elusive.
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