This list includes 16 Mammals that start with I, from “Iberian desman” to “Island fox”. They range from small aquatic insectivores to island specialists and support education, conservation, and species identification.
Mammals that start with I are a varied group of warm-blooded vertebrates whose common names begin with the letter I. Many illustrate interesting island or Iberian endemism, like the Island fox and Iberian desman.
Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, habitat, and average size (cm).
Common name: Shows the everyday name you will recognize and helps you quickly identify species by familiar terms.
Scientific name: Gives the formal Latin name so you can confirm species identity and search for precise biological information.
Habitat: Summarizes typical environments like forest, grassland, freshwater, marine, desert, or urban to show where species live.
Average size (cm): Lists average adult length in centimeters so you can compare species size at a glance.
Mammals that start with I
Common name
Scientific name
Habitat
Average size (cm)
Indian rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis
grassland
370
Indri
Indri indri
forest
68
Island fox
Urocyon littoralis
forest
74
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
savanna
160
Iberian lynx
Lynx pardinus
forest
95
Indian flying fox
Pteropus medius
forest
20
Indian crested porcupine
Hystrix indica
desert
75
Iberian hare
Lepus granatensis
grassland
55
Iberian desman
Galemys pyrenaicus
freshwater
15.50
Indian muntjac
Muntiacus muntjak
forest
110
Indian palm squirrel
Funambulus palmarum
urban
35
Indian giant squirrel
Ratufa indica
forest
100
Indian pangolin
Manis crassicaudata
forest
80
Indian grey mongoose
Herpestes edwardsii
grassland
60
Indian hare
Lepus nigricollis
grassland
55
Iberian mole
Talpa occidentalis
grassland
14
Descriptions
Indian rhinoceros
Large single-horned rhino of South Asian floodplains and tall grasslands; grazes riverside grasses, vulnerable from poaching and habitat loss, easily recognized by its armored skin folds.
Indri
Largest living lemur from Madagascar’s eastern rainforests, notable for loud, haunting calls and a tailless, teddy-like appearance; forest specialist and threatened by deforestation.
Island fox
Small fox endemic to California’s Channel Islands, adapted to island life with varied diet; conservation success story after intensive recovery efforts.
Impala
Agile African antelope of woodlands and savannas, famed for high leaping and group herding; common prey for big predators across sub-Saharan grasslands.
Iberian lynx
Endemic to Iberian scrub and Mediterranean forests, specialist rabbit predator and one of the world’s most endangered cats; conservation programs have slowly increased populations.
Indian flying fox
Large fruit bat (head-body length) widespread in South Asia, pollinates and disperses seeds; roosts in colonies and adapts to some urban areas.
Indian crested porcupine
Nocturnal, quill-covered rodent of dry habitats and scrub across South Asia; digs burrows and feeds on roots and crops, sometimes causing conflict with farmers.
Iberian hare
Common in Iberian Peninsula open habitats; fast runner with seasonal coat changes, important game species and prey for native predators.
Iberian desman
Small, aquatic insectivore in mountain streams of Iberia and Pyrenees, with webbed feet and a sensitive snout; vulnerable to water pollution and habitat change.
Indian muntjac
Also called barking deer, small deer found in South and Southeast Asian forests; solitary, vocal, and browsers with short antlers and canine tusks in males.
Indian palm squirrel
Common small tree squirrel in South Asia found in gardens and towns; diurnal, striped, and readily adapts to human environments.
Indian giant squirrel
Colorful, large tree squirrel of India’s forests; an agile arboreal acrobat that feeds on fruits and seeds and builds leaf nests.
Indian pangolin
Scaled insectivorous mammal of South Asia that eats ants and termites; nocturnal and highly trafficked for scales, listed as threatened.
Indian grey mongoose
Small, diurnal predator of open areas and farmland in South Asia; famous for snake-fighting ability and adaptable to human-modified landscapes.
Indian hare
Native to South Asia’s open habitats, adaptable and often nocturnal; similar in size to other hares and an important prey species.
Iberian mole
Small burrowing insectivore of Iberian soils, with dense fur and subterranean lifestyle; plays key role in soil aeration and insect control.
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