This list includes 27 Mammals that start with H, from “Hamadryas baboon” to “Hyrax.” These mammals range from small bats and rodents to large primates and ungulates, found across global habitats. Use it for learning, teaching, or quick species reference.
Mammals that start with H are common-name groupings of mammal species whose English names begin with the letter H. The Hamadryas baboon has a long cultural role in ancient Egyptian art and mythology.
Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, habitat, and average size (cm).
Common name: The familiar English name helps you quickly recognize species and match them to regional or education needs.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial provides precise identification across languages and helps you find scientific information efficiently.
Habitat: Brief habitat tags show where the species typically lives so you can understand its ecological context.
Average size (cm): Mean adult length in centimeters gives a quick sense of physical scale for comparisons and study.
Mammals that start with H
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Average adult length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | marine | 1,400 cm |
| Hippopotamus | Hippopotamus amphibius | freshwater | 435 cm |
| Harbour porpoise | Phocoena phocoena | marine | 155 cm |
| Harbor seal | Phoca vitulina | marine | 160 cm |
| Harp seal | Pagophilus groenlandicus | marine | 150 cm |
| Hector’s dolphin | Cephalorhynchus hectori | marine | 120 cm |
| Heaviside’s dolphin | Cephalorhynchus heavisidii | marine | 160 cm |
| Hawaiian monk seal | Neomonachus schauinslandi | marine | 240 cm |
| Hooded seal | Cystophora cristata | marine | 280 cm |
| Honey badger | Mellivora capensis | shrubland | 66 cm |
| Hog badger | Arctonyx collaris | forest | 80 cm |
| Hoary bat | Lasiurus cinereus | forest | 12 cm |
| Hoary marmot | Marmota caligata | tundra | 60 cm |
| Honey possum | Tarsipes rostratus | shrubland | 7 cm |
| Hispid hare | Caprolagus hispidus | grassland | 40 cm |
| Hispaniolan solenodon | Solenodon paradoxus | forest | 30 cm |
| Hazel dormouse | Muscardinus avellanarius | forest | 8 cm |
| Harvest mouse | Micromys minutus | grassland | 6 cm |
| Hoary fox | Lycalopex vetulus | grassland | 52 cm |
| Hamadryas baboon | Papio hamadryas | shrubland | 70 cm |
| Hoolock gibbon | Hoolock hoolock | forest | 50 cm |
| Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth | Choloepus hoffmanni | forest | 60 cm |
| Hyrax | Procavia capensis | rocky | 50 cm |
| Horse | Equus ferus caballus | grassland | 250 cm |
| Himalayan tahr | Hemitragus jemlahicus | mountain | 110 cm |
| Himalayan marmot | Marmota himalayana | tundra | 50 cm |
| Human | Homo sapiens | urban | 170 cm |
Descriptions
Humpback whale
Large baleen whale famous for breaching and long complex songs during migrations.
Hippopotamus
Massive semi-aquatic African mammal that spends much time in rivers and lakes to keep cool.
Harbour porpoise
Small, shy porpoise found in temperate coastal waters worldwide, often near estuaries and bays.
Harbor seal
Widespread pinniped of temperate and Arctic coasts, common on rocky shores and estuaries.
Harp seal
Arctic and subarctic seal with a silvery coat and distinctive harp-shaped marking on juveniles’ fur.
Hector’s dolphin
Small coastal dolphin endemic to New Zealand, notable for its rounded dorsal fin and local conservation concern.
Heaviside’s dolphin
Coastal dolphin of southwest Africa with contrasting dark and light body patterning.
Hawaiian monk seal
Endangered seal endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, found on remote beaches and in nearby waters.
Hooded seal
North Atlantic seal with males known for an inflatable nasal hood; breeds on ice.
Honey badger
Tough, opportunistic mustelid with a varied diet; famous for fearlessness and digging behavior.
Hog badger
Stocky Southeast Asian badger that forages by digging for roots, insects and small vertebrates.
Hoary bat
Solitary, tree-roosting bat with frosted fur; migratory in some regions and insectivorous at night.
Hoary marmot
Large alpine ground squirrel that lives in colonies and uses loud whistles to warn of predators.
Honey possum
Tiny Australian marsupial that feeds almost exclusively on nectar and pollen; important pollinator.
Hispid hare
Rare South Asian hare of tall floodplain grasslands, threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
Hispaniolan solenodon
Nocturnal insectivorous mammal endemic to Hispaniola, notable for venomous saliva and primitive traits.
Hazel dormouse
Small arboreal rodent found in European woodlands and hedgerows; hibernates for long periods.
Harvest mouse
Tiny field mouse that builds woven nests above ground in tall grasses and cereal crops.
Hoary fox
Small South American canid with grizzled fur, feeds largely on insects and small vertebrates.
Hamadryas baboon
Old World monkey known for complex social structure and males’ dramatic silver mantles.
Hoolock gibbon
Lesser ape from South and Southeast Asia; acrobatic brachiator with loud territorial calls.
Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth
Slow-moving Neotropical sloth with two long claws on forelimbs; primarily folivorous and arboreal.
Hyrax
Small, stocky herbivore that basks on rocks; surprisingly related to elephants and manatees.
Horse
Domesticated large ungulate used worldwide for work, transport and sport; size varies by breed.
Himalayan tahr
Shaggy wild goat of Himalayan slopes, adapted to steep rocky terrain with strong climbing ability.
Himalayan marmot
High-altitude marmot of central Asian plateaus, lives in burrows and hibernates seasonally.
Human
Bipedal primate with global distribution, diverse cultures and advanced tool use and language.