Discover the complete list of 47 mammals that start with the letter “F,” spanning diverse habitats across the globe. These mammals include everything from tiny desert rodents like the Fat Sand Rat to massive ocean giants like the Fin Whale. Many of these species showcase unique adaptations, such as the Fennec Fox’s large ears for cooling or the Fossa’s cat-like agility in Madagascar’s forests. This list offers a wide view of the animal kingdom, highlighting both familiar and rare mammals.
Below is the detailed table presenting all 47 mammals that start with “F.”
Mammal Name This column lists the common name of each mammal, making it easy to identify the species.
Scientific Name Here you find the official Latin name, which ensures accurate and universal classification of each mammal.
Habitat This section describes where each species lives, covering environments like forests, deserts, oceans, and more, to show their natural homes.
Average Size (cm) This column shows the typical length or height of the mammal in centimeters, helping to understand their physical scale.
Description A brief overview of each mammal’s most important features, behaviors, or ecological roles, providing insight into their nature and lifestyle.
Mammals that start with F
| Mammals | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falanouc | Eupleres goudotii | Rainforests of eastern Madagascar | 35-50 |
| Fallow Deer | Dama dama | Woodlands, grasslands, and forests, introduced widely | 140-160 |
| False Killer Whale | Pseudorca crassidens | Temperate and tropical oceanic waters worldwide | 400-600 |
| Fat Sand Rat | Psammomys obesus | Deserts and semi-deserts of North Africa and the Middle East | 12-19 |
| Fat-tailed Dunnart | Sminthopsis crassicaudata | Arid and semi-arid regions of Australia | 6-9 |
| Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur | Cheirogaleus medius | Dry deciduous forests and spiny forests of southwestern Madagascar | 15-20 |
| Fat-tailed Gerbil | Pachyuromys duprasi | Deserts and semi-deserts of North Africa | 10-14 |
| Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum | Thylamys macrurus | Dry Chaco and Cerrado regions of South America | 8-15 |
| Fawn Antechinus | Antechinus flavipes | Forests of eastern Australia | 9-16 |
| Fawn Hopping Mouse | Notomys cervinus | Arid and semi-arid grasslands and shrublands of central Australia | 10-15 |
| Fawn-footed Mosaic-tailed Rat | Melomys cervinipes | Rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests of northeastern Australia and New Guinea | 10-17 |
| Fea’s Muntjac | Muntiacus feae | Mountain forests of Southeast Asia | 50-70 |
| Feathertail Glider | Acrobates pygmaeus | Eucalyptus forests and woodlands of eastern Australia | 6-8 |
| Fennec Fox | Vulpes zerda | Sahara Desert and other arid regions of North Africa | 20-40 |
| Ferruginous Pygmy Rice Rat | Oryzomys ferrugineus | Tropical lowlands and montane forests of Central America | 9-13 |
| Fijian Blossom Bat | Notopteris macdonaldi | Humid forests and caves of Fiji | 6-7 |
| Fijian Free-tailed Bat | Chaerephon bregullae | Caves and forests of Fiji and Vanuatu | 5-6 |
| Fin Whale | Balaenoptera physalus | Pelagic waters of all major oceans | 1,800-2,400 |
| Finless Porpoise | Neophocaena phocaenoides | Coastal waters and large rivers of the Indo-Pacific | 150-200 |
| Finlayson’s Squirrel | Callosciurus finlaysonii | Forests and urban parks of Southeast Asia | 20-25 |
| Fish-eating Bat | Noctilio leporinus | Coastal areas, rivers, and lakes in tropical and subtropical Americas | 9-11 |
| Fishing Cat | Prionailurus viverrinus | Wetlands, swamps, and marshy areas in South and Southeast Asia | 57-78 |
| Flannery’s Tree-kangaroo | Dendrolagus flanneryi | Montane rainforests of Papua New Guinea | 50-80 |
| Flat-headed Cat | Prionailurus planiceps | Lowland tropical rainforests and wetlands of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo | 40-50 |
| Flat-headed Myotis | Myotis planiceps | Pine and fir forests of central Mexico | 4-5 |
| Flores Giant Rat | Papagomys armandvillei | Forests of Flores Island, Indonesia | 40-45 |
| Flores Shrew | Suncus mertensi | Tropical moist forests of Flores Island, Indonesia | 8-10 |
| Florida Bonneted Bat | Eumops floridanus | Pine forests and suburban areas of southern Florida, USA | 7-8 |
| Florida Mouse | Podomys floridanus | Sandhill and scrub habitats in Florida, USA | 9-11 |
| Flower-faced Bat | Anthops ornatus | Caves and forests of the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea | 5-6 |
| Forest Elephant | Loxodonta cyclotis | Tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa | 240-300 |
| Forest Giant Squirrel | Protoxerus stangeri | Tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa | 25-35 |
| Forest Musk Deer | Moschus berezovskii | Mountain forests of central and southern China, and parts of Vietnam | 50-60 |
| Forest Rabbit | Sylvilagus brasiliensis | Forests and dense vegetation in Central and South America | 30-40 |
| Formosan Rock Macaque | Macaca cyclopis | Forests and mountainous regions of Taiwan | 40-50 |
| Fossa | Cryptoprocta ferox | Forests of Madagascar | 60-80 |
| Four-horned Antelope | Tetracerus quadricornis | Dry deciduous forests and open woodlands of India and Nepal | 55-65 |
| Four-striped Grass Mouse | Rhabdomys pumilio | Grasslands, savannas, and shrublands across southern Africa | 9-13 |
| Fox’s Shrew | Crocidura foxi | Forests and grasslands of West and Central Africa | 7-9 |
| Francois’s Langur | Trachypithecus francoisi | Karst forests of Vietnam, Laos, and China | 50-65 |
| Franklin’s Ground Squirrel | Poliocitellus franklinii | Tallgrass prairies and wetlands of central North America | 35-40 |
| Fraser’s Dolphin | Lagenodelphis hosei | Deep oceanic waters in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide | 200-270 |
| Fraternal Fruit-eating Bat | Artibeus fraterculus | Tropical dry forests and deciduous forests of Ecuador and Peru | 7-8 |
| Fringe-lipped Bat | Trachops cirrhosus | Tropical rainforests of Central and South America | 8-9 |
| Fulvous Fruit Bat | Rousettus leschenaultii | Tropical and subtropical forests, caves, and urban areas of South and Southeast Asia | 12-15 |
| Fulvous Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys fulvescens | Grasslands, shrublands, and agricultural fields of southern North America and Central America | 7-9 |
| Furry-tailed Flying Squirrel | Aeromys thomasi | Tropical rainforests of Borneo | 35-40 |
Descriptions
Falanouc
A cat-like mammal endemic to Madagascar, known for its small, blunt teeth. It primarily eats invertebrates like earthworms and slugs, foraging nocturnally in the rainforest undergrowth. Its unique dentition reflects its specialized diet.
Fallow Deer
A medium-sized deer with distinctive palmate antlers in males. Native to Eurasia, it has been introduced globally and is often found in parks and forests. They are known for their spotted summer coat and graceful movements.
False Killer Whale
A large oceanic dolphin, not a true whale, with a sleek, dark body. Highly social, they live in large pods and hunt fish and squid. They are known to strand in mass events and are powerful, agile predators.
Fat Sand Rat
A desert rodent adapted to arid environments, known for its ability to thrive on a diet of saltbush. Its diet makes it a good model for diabetes research due to its susceptibility when fed high-energy foods.
Fat-tailed Dunnart
A small, carnivorous marsupial from Australia. It stores fat in its tail, which swells up and acts as an energy reserve, particularly important during dry seasons. They are nocturnal hunters of insects and small vertebrates.
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
The only primate known to truly hibernate, this lemur stores fat in its tail and body. It enters a state of torpor during dry seasons in Madagascar, conserving energy while sleeping in tree hollows.
Fat-tailed Gerbil
A unique gerbil species, often kept as a pet, distinguished by its thick, club-shaped tail used for fat storage. Native to North African deserts, it’s known for its calm temperament and nocturnal activity.
Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum
A small, nocturnal South American marsupial. Like some other fat-tailed species, it stores excess fat in its tail, providing energy reserves during lean times. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on insects and fruit.
Fawn Antechinus
A small, carnivorous marsupial from eastern Australia. Males are known for their semelparous reproduction, dying after a single, intense breeding season due to stress-induced physiological collapse.
Fawn Hopping Mouse
An agile, bipedal rodent native to central Australia’s deserts. It moves by hopping on its hind legs, an adaptation for speed and avoiding predators in open environments. They are nocturnal and primarily herbivorous.
Fawn-footed Mosaic-tailed Rat
An arboreal rodent found in Australian rainforests, known for its prehensile, mosaic-patterned tail used for grasping branches. They are nocturnal and feed on fruits, seeds, and insects in the tree canopy.
Fea’s Muntjac
A small, shy deer species found in mountainous forests of Southeast Asia. Males have short, unbranched antlers and prominent canine teeth. They are solitary and elusive, feeding on leaves and fruits.
Feathertail Glider
The smallest gliding possum, named for its stiff, feather-like tail used for steering while gliding. Native to eastern Australia, it’s a nocturnal, arboreal marsupial feeding on nectar, pollen, and insects.
Fennec Fox
The smallest fox species, renowned for its disproportionately large ears, which help dissipate heat and locate prey underground. Native to the Sahara, it’s a nocturnal desert dweller.
Ferruginous Pygmy Rice Rat
A small rodent found in various habitats across Central America. They are often associated with agricultural areas and disturbed environments, feeding on seeds and insects.
Fijian Blossom Bat
A small, nectar-feeding bat endemic to Fiji. It has a long snout and tongue adapted for reaching nectar deep within flowers. It plays a crucial role in pollinating native plants.
Fijian Free-tailed Bat
An endemic bat species of Fiji and Vanuatu, known for its tail extending beyond the tail membrane, characteristic of free-tailed bats. It roosts in caves and forages for insects at night.
Fin Whale
The second-longest mammal on Earth, known as the “greyhound of the sea” due to its speed. It’s a baleen whale, feeding by filter-feeding krill and small fish. They have a distinctive asymmetric coloration.
Finless Porpoise
A small porpoise lacking a true dorsal fin, hence its name. It inhabits shallow coastal waters and some freshwater river systems in Asia, known for its shy behavior and distinctive blunt head.
Finlayson’s Squirrel
A brightly colored tree squirrel native to Southeast Asia. Known for its variable fur coloration, including white, black, and red forms. They are diurnal, feeding on fruits, nuts, and insects.
Fish-eating Bat
A unique bat species adapted to hunt fish by trawling its large hind claws across the water surface. Found near aquatic habitats in the Americas, it also consumes insects.
Fishing Cat
A medium-sized wild cat highly specialized for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It’s an excellent swimmer and preys on fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals. Its feet are partially webbed.
Flannery’s Tree-kangaroo
An arboreal marsupial endemic to the mountainous rainforests of Papua New Guinea. Highly adapted for life in trees, it has strong forelimbs and a long tail for balance. It feeds on leaves and fruits.
Flat-headed Cat
A rare and elusive wild cat found in Southeast Asian wetlands. It has a distinctive flat head and short, rounded ears, adapted for catching fish and frogs in aquatic environments. It’s considered endangered.
Flat-headed Myotis
A small, endangered bat species endemic to high-altitude forests in Mexico. It is known for its relatively flat skull, which may aid in foraging in tight spaces. Its habitat is threatened by deforestation.
Flores Giant Rat
An extinct or possibly extant giant rodent from Flores Island, Indonesia, known from subfossil remains. It was significantly larger than modern rats, believed to have inhabited the island’s forests.
Flores Shrew
A small, insectivorous mammal endemic to Flores Island, Indonesia. Like other shrews, it has a high metabolism and constantly forages for invertebrates in the forest undergrowth.
Florida Bonneted Bat
One of the largest and rarest bats in Florida, distinguished by its prominent ears that meet over its forehead like a bonnet. It’s critically endangered, roosting in tree cavities and buildings.
Florida Mouse
A small rodent endemic to Florida’s unique sandhill and scrub ecosystems. It is known for its specialized diet, primarily feeding on seeds of longleaf pine and turkey oak.
Flower-faced Bat
A distinctive bat species named for its complex facial structures, which are thought to aid in echolocation. Found in the Solomon Islands, it roosts in caves and forages for insects.
Forest Elephant
A distinct elephant species smaller than its savanna counterpart, characterized by straighter, downward-pointing tusks. It inhabits the dense forests of Central and West Africa, playing a vital role in seed dispersal.
Forest Giant Squirrel
One of the largest tree squirrels in Africa, found in dense rainforests. It is diurnal and largely arboreal, feeding on fruits, nuts, and insects high in the canopy.
Forest Musk Deer
A small, secretive deer-like ungulate lacking antlers but possessing prominent canine teeth. Males produce musk, a highly valued substance for perfumes and traditional medicine, leading to its endangered status.
Forest Rabbit
A small rabbit species native to Central and South America, preferring dense forest and scrub habitats. It is largely solitary and nocturnal, feeding on grasses and other vegetation.
Formosan Rock Macaque
An endemic primate of Taiwan, known for its adaptability to various habitats, from forests to rocky areas. Highly social, they live in troops and are omnivorous, consuming fruits, insects, and leaves.
Fossa
Madagascar’s largest carnivorous mammal, resembling a cat but related to mongooses. It’s an agile predator, especially of lemurs, with retractable claws and flexible ankles, making it an expert climber.
Four-horned Antelope
A unique antelope species native to India, notable for males possessing two pairs of horns. It is a shy, solitary browser found in dry forests and open woodlands.
Four-striped Grass Mouse
A common rodent in southern Africa, easily recognized by the four dark stripes running down its back. They are diurnal and play an important ecological role as prey for many predators.
Fox’s Shrew
A species of shrew found in various habitats across West and Central Africa. Like most shrews, it is small, has a long snout, and feeds voraciously on insects and other invertebrates.
Francois’s Langur
A critically endangered primate known for its distinctive black fur and white streaks from its ears to the corners of its mouth. Found in limestone karst forests, it is an expert climber and leaf-eater.
Franklin’s Ground Squirrel
A large ground squirrel native to North American tallgrass prairies. It’s more secretive than other ground squirrels, spending much of its time underground or hidden in dense vegetation. They are omnivorous.
Fraser’s Dolphin
A robust dolphin species found in deep, offshore tropical waters. It has a distinctive short beak and a creamy-white stripe along its flanks. They are fast swimmers and live in large, active pods.
Fraternal Fruit-eating Bat
A fruit bat species native to South America, primarily found in dry and deciduous forests. It plays an important role in seed dispersal, helping to regenerate forest ecosystems.
Fringe-lipped Bat
A unique bat species known for its ability to hunt frogs by detecting their calls. It has elaborate facial folds or “fringes” around its lips. It’s a carnivorous bat of Central and South American rainforests.
Fulvous Fruit Bat
A common fruit bat found across South and Southeast Asia. Unlike most fruit bats, it uses echolocation for navigation, typically roosting in large colonies in caves and feeding on fruits and nectar.
Fulvous Harvest Mouse
A small, slender mouse found in grasslands and agricultural areas across its range. It is known for constructing small, spherical nests in vegetation. They are primarily nocturnal and feed on seeds.
Furry-tailed Flying Squirrel
A large, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to the rainforests of Borneo. It glides between trees using a membrane of skin stretched between its limbs, feeding on nuts, fruits, and insects.